July 4, 2006 Susan had to work during the 4th of July.  I thought I would take some time and drive over to Azusa Canyon of the Angeles National Forest.  In my youth, I would visit the canyon quite often, but later in life I have not been there for a few years. I have heard stories that the canyon is so busy, that standard plans are in place to close the canyon to visitors if it becomes too full of people.  Today was one of those days. This check point would allow some cars to proceed if circumstances waranted.
	There are no restrictions for vehicles leaving, and even though it was about 1 PM a few cars had started their way out. This truck has blue paint, but you had to look close because every inch of it was covered by mud.  There is an official 4x4 off road recreation area located inside the canyon, and it is the source of adventure for many off roaders.  When I had my 4x4 Explorer, I used to visit the canyon, but no way was I as hard core as the other fellows down there. I proceeded past the check point and headed into the canyon.
	My first stop was the highway overlook into the southern end of the 4x4 area.  I watched as a truck started to drive across the San Gabriel River when all of a sudden the front dived into the water and a large wave splashed up over the hood.  I was about a 1/4 mile away but I could hear all the voices yell when it happened.
	Using that zoom lens on the Sony F717 digital camera, you can see the adventure unfolding below.  Sure enough he was stuck and could not get out.  After about 5 minutes another truck with a wench pulled in behind him and towed him out.
	Farther north in the 4x4 area, groups of people have made camps for the day.
	Driving through the river and across the rocks can be a challenge and even if your truck is in good shape when you get there, it won't be by the time you leave if you are too hard on the rig.  It sure is fun.
	I drive north, then turn to the west fork of the San Gabriel River.  There are a few trails and I hike down to the stream.
	Back on the main highway, cars are parked everywhere, and some of them almost blocking the road.
	No parking zone.
	Sign sort of says it all.
	Another parking area where the West Fork and the North Fork of the San Gabriel river meet.  This parking area was extremely packed.
	I talked with one of the Law Enforcement Officers.  He said he had to drive down to the office to get more tickets.  This person had an adventure pass, but was parked in a no parking zone that blocked access for everybody.
	I took about 10 pictures like this because the line of cars extended FOR MILES, no kidding and no exaggeration! The mountain you see in the distance is where the two photos above was taken.  Cars were parked like this without a space to park nor turn around from that point to here.
	There is NO access to the river along this route. The only way to get to the river from where all the cars are parked is to cut cross country, down some steep slopes and cliffs. Here three men are moving a large stainless steel BBQ (not visible in pic) down the cliff.
	CalTrans has closed Highway 39 at this point, and the cars here were triple parked.  There were a group of men hanging around the silver car in front of the red and silver truck.
	It turns out one of the men was the owner of the car.  He was upset because somebody had not approved of his blocking in the other cars, and demonstrated their anger by having a dance party on the top of his roof, trunk, and hood of his car.  They also keyed the car trunk and several places around the car with some not very nice words. Later on I reported the situation to an officer.
	Later in the day people started to leave.  However, this guy parked his car on the vegetation and for his reward his bumper and tailgate was clipped by (multiple?) passing car(s).  Good thing he blocked his wheels.
	Meanwhile back at the 4x4 area, folks are enjoying the cooling waters of the San Gabriel River.
	The entrance of the 4x4 area has a checkpoint.  The ranger at the rear of the jeep inspects a welded cargo box that is barley holding on to the bumper.  The driver was told of the condition.
	From the 4x4 area I proceeded up the East Fork of the San Gabriel River.
	Overflowing, but better here than down by the river. I continue driving eastbound taking stopping where I can to take a few photos.  No commentary is needed.
	I guess Mom would not let junior bring those wet shoes into the car.
	This is a mining rig.  Gold mining is allowed with a permit.  Here, a large unit is used to wet vac the bottom to bring the gold into a sleuce.
	This snake was killed by people that don't like snakes, regardless of what kind of snake they are, to them a good snake is a dead snake. The two photos below were taken later in the day after many people have left.  Wow.
	This was funny.  Was it because the water was shallow, or because the rocks were so sharp?  The ride didn't go to far.
	I stopped at Follows Camp and enjoyed my lunch.  I met the owner and we talked awhile.  This engine is part of their small community volunteer fire department.
	Driving back west I stop above the lookout point on the east side of the east fork bridge.  Looking down I could see this fellow broke an a-frame.  That will be bad.
	Under the bridge a few folks found some shade.
	Just as I was getting ready to leave, I could see the cars on Highway 39, and the East Fork Bridge starting to back up in traffic.  Looking across the canyon I see the cause for the jam, is a car that crashed. Time to kick back and enjoy the sights for about 10 minutes.
	After traffic started moving I joined the parade, and just as I got to the accident site, the tow truck was having a very hard time merging into traffic so I created a gap and waved him in. Turns out the car had totally rolled over.  Nice new car.  Custom wheels.  Bet it has a good stereo too.  When I was a boy scout, the scout master who was also my dad would tell us boys in regards to hiking, "He who goes into the mountains fast, comes out last".  Guess that applies to driving too.
	This is my last picture driving out of the canyon.  It is 4th of July and the sun is starting to set low.  The sign says NO FIREWORKS. Later that night I met Susan for dinner and recalled my day to her, in a sort of shell shocked voice, I tried to explain all the things I saw which is much more than these pictures present. Azusa Canyon is one of the most heavy used National Forest areas in the nation.  "Caring for the land, and serving the people" are put to the test of extremes in this canyon. Don't look for a political, social, cultural or environmental comment from me.  All I will say is that there are no black and white answers to problems, and Azusa Canyon is firmly planted in the gray area between those black and white answers, just as gray as the gray 4x4 mud. My salute goes to all the public safety personnel, volunteers, and employees that keep the canyon open for so many to enjoy.  It is a hard job, but the smiles and screams of all those splashing happy children in a shallow rock bottom river must be accounted for something.

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