A major highway leading to California’s iconic Big Bear Lake has been closed indefinitely after getting washed away in a storm.
Highway 38 from Angelus Oaks to Big Bear has been shut down after Tropical Storm Mario caused a road washout last week.
This stretch of highway is a frequently traveled route for those heading to Big Bear Lake, renowned as Southern California’s four-season mountain lake getaway. The area is famous for its picturesque hiking trails and both water and snow sports.
The storm unleashed torrential downpours across the San Bernardino mountains, and triggered floods and landslides.
According to the San Bernardino County Fire Department, 10 individuals found themselves marooned in six to seven vehicles amid mudslides and debris along Highway 38 on Friday.
Rainfall totals in the mountains reached up to two inches, with a few isolated higher totals, according to Fox Weather.
The California Department of Transportation, Caltrans, released alarming footage exhibiting the significant damage inflicted on the highway, as well as the surrounding landscape and infrastructure.
Caltrans stated on social media, “Tropical Storm Mario’s heavy rains, combined with the El Dorado burn scar, have caused widespread destruction, including the serious washout of SR-38 at post mile 23.9.”
Highway 38 from Angelus Oaks to Big Bear has been shutdown after Tropical Storm Mario caused a road washout last week
This section of the highway is a well-loved path to Big Bear Lake (pictured), celebrated as Southern California’s all-season mountain lake sanctuary.
Caltrans told ABC7 the highway is closed indefinitely and unlikely to open in time for snowboarding season.
‘Unfortunately, it was a lot more extensive than we first thought,’ said Eric Dionne, a spokesperson for Caltrans District 8.
“Just by viewing the images on Thursday night, it’s evident there’s a complete washout of the road, as enormous quantities of material descended from the El Dorado Fire burn scar,” shared Caltrans.
Devastated lake goers comment on Caltrans’ social media post expressing their heartbreak over the road closure.
‘This footage is mind blowing and there are no words to express how sad this is,’ one person said.
‘I am so bummed. I was planning on going fishing at Jenks Lake, but I’m pretty sure from looking at the map that there’s no way up there,’ said another.
‘People need to drive up to Angelus Oaks and eat at The Oaks restaurant. This closure is going to be very hard on them. The road is closed after that,’ added a third.
While crews work to rebuild the highway, business owners and residents are bracing for significant impacts from the closure.
The storm unleashed torrential downpours across the San Bernardino mountains, and triggered floods and landslides
Shocking footage showed the extensive damage to the roadway, surrounding terrain and infrastructure
‘That’s a lot of my business,’ Monica Aguilar, the owner of the Oaks Restaurant, told the local news station.
‘Winter? There goes winter. Because if there’s no access to Big Bear, there’s no snow play out here. It’s going to hurt a lot.’
One man told the station that his commute to Angelus Oaks, which usually takes only about ten minutes, now takes much longer because he has to go all the way around the other side.
‘It took about two hours to get around the mountain,’ said Jacob Truitt.
Visitors are advised to take Highway 330 through Running Springs, or Highway 18 from the north through Lucerne Valley as an alternative route.
