Near CA-14. Photo by Nalin A. Ratnayake, August 2006.
Known as the Antelope Valley Freeway, State Highway 14 itself is relatively short and boring compared to many of the roadtrips you could be taking. From end to end (Mojave to Santa Clarita) the highway is only about 60 miles, and a good portion of it goes through possibly the two most most boring towns in Los Angeles County, Lancaster and Palmdale. However, it does have two major things going for it:
1. At sunrise and and sunset, the northern part of the highway sports spectacularly gorgeous views of the Mojave Desert painted with the warm colors of the sun. Anytime in between, its just hot.
2. The southern part of the highway winds through the border between the San Gabriel and Santa Monica mountain ranges, offering an almost arterial level of access to the multiple national forests, state parks, natural areas, wildlife preserves, and other oases of untouched mountain wilderness that separate Palmdale from the Los Angeles metro area.
Canyon near CA-14. Photo by Nalin A. Ratnayake, August 2006.
Many of the canyon highways that crisscross the Santa Clarita Valley have exits or at least straightforward access from CA-14. These backroads are well worth a trip just to drive through, but their hidden treasure is the vast number of hiking, biking, and horseback trails accessible through their travel. Bouquet Canyon Road, Soledad Canyon Road, and Placerita Canyon Road are notable examples.
Joined at : Avenue K, Lancaster
Left at: Placerita Canyon Road
Mileage: 31
Stops: 76 station, Acton
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