The End of the Road. One of the most epic drives we can never take.

jmg · 03-18-2025, 03:19 AM

Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

10 miles up the twisty State Route 39 in Southern California, a road popular with night drifters and speed junkies, a graffiti covered steel barrier blocks the way. That's all you get, 10 miles. The End.

While the drive up consists of some of the best canyon roads in the area, 4 additional miles of car enthusiasts heaven has been inaccessible since 1978. Past The End, the 39 once connected to the legendary Angeles Crest Highway (CA2), a road perhaps even more legendary, iconic, and notorious to car enthusiasts.

The 39 was initially closed nearly 47 years ago due to an “emergency” which is quite honestly more ominously vague than it should be! Maybe an alien spacecraft crash landed there and created an unmistakable scar on the mountainside. Maybe a portal to an alternate dimension was opened up by an experiment gone awry, and the government has things tightly under guard? Surely the conspiracies are out there, but more likely it closed due to a series of landslides that deem the road impassable to anything but emergency vehicles. Over the decades, there were plans to re-open it, but the cost of fixing the 4 mile stretch, and the decay over the years has made it increasingly difficult.

It's a bit of a shame, as what lines beyond The End on the 39 was considered one of the most beautiful drives in Southern California. That's high praise considering the company it keeps. The CA2 itself and backroads of Malibu Canyon are quite beautiful, so the 39 must be utterly breathtaking!

One day, I would love to drive it, because lower down the mountain, on the way up to The End, the 39 currently intersects with Glendora Mountain Road (GMR). GMR is popular for extremely tight and technical cuts up and down the canyon. Connecting not just two, but three of the best drives in the area, starting with GMR, then up the 39, then cutting into ACH, would be nearly 80 miles of scenic, technically diverse twisty canyon road. One could drive almost all day provided they have enough fuel!

For now, this is as far as it goes. I stopped, took a bunch of photos of my M2 at the very last patch of road, met some fellow car enthusiasts who gather here at all times of the day and night, and could only imagine what could be. As I drove back down the 39 and the sun began to set, I comforted my self with the thought that maybe this tiny fraction of 4 miles road wasn't all that great and we're merely romanticizing the unobtainable. Maybe it's just the forbidden fruit of SoCal driving roads.

Or maybe I'll just never get to drive one of the best roads... in the world.

ourlee · 03-18-2025, 06:14 AM

Great pics. My fav is the seat in the mirror.

torentmonkey · 03-18-2025, 07:14 AM

Ok dude, you win the "photo god" of g87s

)

DrewNewM2 · 03-18-2025, 07:42 AM

Amazing pics and narrative! I bet it would be cool to get a bike out on that road. Saw some vids online.

Jeenius · 03-18-2025, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrewNewM2

Amazing pics and narrative! I bet it would be cool to get a bike out on that road. Saw some vids online.

I have never ridden Angeles crest on a bicycle but I have ridden Glendora Mountain Road (GMR). Usually start climbing up on Glendora Ridge Road, then go down GMR. The tight corners around GMR, will test your handling and braking whether you ride a performance car, motor bike, or in my case a road bike.

Mech Spec · 03-18-2025, 08:45 AM

Interesting to check out the road on google maps and see the area that is closed. Looking on toppo I can see what their concern is.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/5VktBXE9VC2m1VFE8

Thanks for sharing!

jmg · 03-18-2025, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrewNewM2

Amazing pics and narrative! I bet it would be cool to get a bike out on that road. Saw some vids online.

Yeah might be fun to take a mountain bike through there.

g87bigbuti · 03-18-2025, 11:39 AM

Can you link what front splitter brand is that ?

And also great pics, G87 looks so good when lowering.

gnyce · 03-18-2025, 11:50 AM

great photos

jmg · 03-18-2025, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by g87bigbuti

Can you link what front splitter brand is that ?

And also great pics, G87 looks so good when lowering.

Thanks! Agreed, the G87 begs to be lowered, even just a little bit from factory!

The lip is from Turner Motorsport and I have a small write up on why I chose it in my journal post.

e30ak · 03-18-2025, 12:06 PM

Thanks for sharing. Love the pics.

Chihuahua · 03-18-2025, 12:25 PM

That profile view is fantastic. Great pics.

G30M · 03-18-2025, 12:36 PM

i'm not sure i'm a fan of the new M2 (or new M anything) but the pictures are stunning

gh0stE92M3 · 03-18-2025, 02:04 PM

jmg next time let me know I’ll go with you, been a while since I’ve been up there. We can do some photos also. You can make my car look better lol

jmg · 03-18-2025, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gh0stE92M3

jmg next time let me know I’ll go with you, been a while since I’ve been up there. We can do some photos also. You can make my car look better lol

Fur sure! I've been going just to get some shots through the new mirrorless I got a few weeks ago. Could use your 200mm L lens too!

IvicaM2 · 03-18-2025, 03:04 PM

Amazing photos!

Suds · 03-18-2025, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmg

10 miles up the twisty State Route 39 in Southern California, a road popular with night drifters and speed junkies, a graffiti covered steel barrier blocks the way. That's all you get, 10 miles.

That is a great road and it has to be even better with a great car such as the G87. I drove up last Sunday morning with my son while in the LA area.

gh0stE92M3 · 03-18-2025, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmg

Fur sure! I've been going just to get some shots through the new mirrorless I got a few weeks ago. Could use your 200mm L lens too!

Well let me know and I’ll bring my 200mm L lens lol

JMD · 03-18-2025, 03:26 PM

Very nice photos...Excellent!

SW19 · 03-18-2025, 04:10 PM

Beautiful pics.Definitely the best looking Alpine White G87 on the forum.

Click_ID · 03-18-2025, 04:14 PM

Love the car and shots... Have to ask, whats your camera set up here?

dmboone25 · 03-18-2025, 04:34 PM

Man, the new M2 looks awesome in AW.

Best color for the car in my opinion....beautiful pictures.

03-18-2025, 03:19 AM	#1
jmg Lieutenant General 21261 Rep 14,801 Posts Drives: G87 M2 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2025 BMW M2 [9.50] 2022 G82 M4C X-Drive [9.78] 2018 F80 M3 CS [9.86] 2018 BMW i3 REx [4.87] 2015 BMW i3 REx [3.00] 2016 BMW F80 M3 [7.63] 2016 BMW F30 340i ZTR [10.00] 2013 BMW F30 328i [8.50] 2006 Audi S4 25Quattro [7.33]	The End of the Road. One of the most epic drives we can never take. Featured on BIMMERPOST.com 10 miles up the twisty State Route 39 in Southern California, a road popular with night drifters and speed junkies, a graffiti covered steel barrier blocks the way. That's all you get, 10 miles. The End. While the drive up consists of some of the best canyon roads in the area, 4 additional miles of car enthusiasts heaven has been inaccessible since 1978. Past The End, the 39 once connected to the legendary Angeles Crest Highway (CA2), a road perhaps even more legendary, iconic, and notorious to car enthusiasts. The 39 was initially closed nearly 47 years ago due to an “emergency” which is quite honestly more ominously vague than it should be! Maybe an alien spacecraft crash landed there and created an unmistakable scar on the mountainside. Maybe a portal to an alternate dimension was opened up by an experiment gone awry, and the government has things tightly under guard? Surely the conspiracies are out there, but more likely it closed due to a series of landslides that deem the road impassable to anything but emergency vehicles. Over the decades, there were plans to re-open it, but the cost of fixing the 4 mile stretch, and the decay over the years has made it increasingly difficult. It's a bit of a shame, as what lines beyond The End on the 39 was considered one of the most beautiful drives in Southern California. That's high praise considering the company it keeps. The CA2 itself and backroads of Malibu Canyon are quite beautiful, so the 39 must be utterly breathtaking! One day, I would love to drive it, because lower down the mountain, on the way up to The End, the 39 currently intersects with Glendora Mountain Road (GMR). GMR is popular for extremely tight and technical cuts up and down the canyon. Connecting not just two, but three of the best drives in the area, starting with GMR, then up the 39, then cutting into ACH, would be nearly 80 miles of scenic, technically diverse twisty canyon road. One could drive almost all day provided they have enough fuel! For now, this is as far as it goes. I stopped, took a bunch of photos of my M2 at the very last patch of road, met some fellow car enthusiasts who gather here at all times of the day and night, and could only imagine what could be. As I drove back down the 39 and the sun began to set, I comforted my self with the thought that maybe this tiny fraction of 4 miles road wasn't all that great and we're merely romanticizing the unobtainable. Maybe it's just the forbidden fruit of SoCal driving roads. Or maybe I'll just never get to drive one of the best roads... in the world. Attached Images __________________ 2025 G87 ///M2 LCI - KWHAS, Millway Motorsport Uniball Camber Plates, SPL Adjustable Tie Rods, Unit17 OEM++ Rear Spoiler, Turner Motorsports Front Splitter Previous: 2022 G82 M4 Comp X-Drive • 2018 F80 M3 CS • 2016 F80 M3 Last edited by jmg; 03-18-2025 at 10:59 AM..
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03-18-2025, 06:14 AM	#2
ourlee Lieutenant Colonel 1977 Rep 1,826 Posts Drives: 25 Grigio G87 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: in DE iTrader: (0)	Great pics. My fav is the seat in the mirror. Last edited by ourlee; 03-18-2025 at 09:33 AM..
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03-18-2025, 07:14 AM	#3
torentmonkey Enlisted Member 33 Rep 46 Posts Drives: g20 Join Date: Jan 2025 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	Ok dude, you win the "photo god" of g87s )
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03-18-2025, 07:42 AM	#4
DrewNewM2 Captain 1346 Rep 655 Posts Drives: Brooklyn Grey G87 Manual Join Date: Jul 2023 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Amazing pics and narrative! I bet it would be cool to get a bike out on that road. Saw some vids online.
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03-18-2025, 08:45 AM	#6
Mech Spec Major 1191 Rep 1,043 Posts Drives: '25 M240xi Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: MA iTrader: (1) Garage List '25 BMW M240i Xdrive [9.00]	Interesting to check out the road on google maps and see the area that is closed. Looking on toppo I can see what their concern is. https://maps.app.goo.gl/5VktBXE9VC2m1VFE8 Thanks for sharing! __________________ 2025 M240i Xdrive TNM - Eisenmann Exhaust - Dinan Springs - CF Goodies - More in process...
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03-18-2025, 11:39 AM	#8
g87bigbuti Registered 5 Rep 3 Posts Drives: g87 m2 Join Date: May 2024 Location: California iTrader: (0)	Can you link what front splitter brand is that ? And also great pics, G87 looks so good when lowering.
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03-18-2025, 11:50 AM	#9
gnyce Private 60 Rep 90 Posts Drives: 2025 BMW M440i xDrive Coupe Join Date: May 2024 Location: NJ, USA iTrader: (0)	great photos
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03-18-2025, 12:06 PM	#11
e30ak Registered 32 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 2025 M3 G80x Join Date: Dec 2024 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	Thanks for sharing. Love the pics.
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03-18-2025, 12:25 PM	#12
Chihuahua Brigadier General 4777 Rep 3,462 Posts Drives: E30 329iS, E65 Alpina B7 Join Date: May 2012 Location: SE US iTrader: (0)	That profile view is fantastic. Great pics.
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03-18-2025, 12:36 PM	#13
G30M Major General 5895 Rep 5,390 Posts Drives: M550i; retired - M340i Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Australasia iTrader: (0)	i'm not sure i'm a fan of the new M2 (or new M anything) but the pictures are stunning
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03-18-2025, 02:04 PM	#14
gh0stE92M3 Second Lieutenant 198 Rep 240 Posts Drives: BMW E92 M3 Join Date: May 2020 Location: California iTrader: (1)	jmg next time let me know I’ll go with you, been a while since I’ve been up there. We can do some photos also. You can make my car look better lol
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03-18-2025, 03:04 PM	#16
IvicaM2 8888 42 Rep 3 Posts Drives: M2 G87 Join Date: Jul 2024 Location: Croatia, Europe iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 M2 [9.63]	Amazing photos!
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03-18-2025, 03:26 PM	#19
JMD MGySgt 1039 Rep 1,512 Posts Drives: See Garage List! ;-) Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: NORVA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 M5 [9.67] 2016 BMW 340xi M Sport [9.50] 2019 X5 50i M Sport [8.17] 2010 535xi [10.00] 2013 M5 [10.00] 2012 X5 M [10.00]	Very nice photos...Excellent! __________________ JMD
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03-18-2025, 04:10 PM	#20
SW19 Colonel 2615 Rep 2,801 Posts Drives: 2016 Alpine White M2 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Wimbledon iTrader: (0)	Beautiful pics.Definitely the best looking Alpine White G87 on the forum.
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03-18-2025, 04:14 PM	#21
Click_ID Isetta Café Barista 845 Rep 218 Posts Drives: Clapped out 335. N54 goes brrr Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW M2 [10.00] 2022 BMW X3 [0.00] 2024 BMW X5 [0.00]	Love the car and shots... Have to ask, whats your camera set up here?
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03-18-2025, 04:34 PM	#22
dmboone25 Lieutenant General 5058 Rep 10,229 Posts Drives: 718 Spyder RS / MKVIII Golf R Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E92 328i [10.00] 2007 328i [10.00]	Man, the new M2 looks awesome in AW. Best color for the car in my opinion....beautiful pictures. __________________ Past rides: 2022 718 Spyder, 2022 MINI JCW, 2016 981 BGTS, 2020 MINI JCW, 2017 F80, 2015 981 CS, 2014 F22 235, 2011 E82 135, 2008 E82 135, 2007 E92 328, 2007 E92 328 (My lady drives an OG M2. So does my dad)
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