n To get to Rowher Flat OHV, take Sierra Highway about five miles north of the Sand Canyon Road intersection and turn at the Rowher Flat sign on the left-hand side of the road.
n Rowher Flat is open to motorcycles, ATVs and 4-wheel drive vehicles. Spark arresters, mufflers for 4-wheel drives and a valid registration are required for all vehicles.
n A National Forest Adventure Pass is required to use the area.
Signal Staff Writer
jselva@the-signal.com
Posted: Nov. 15, 2009 10:48 p.m.
When off-roader Mike Baltakian saw a group of veteran riders, dirt bikes loaded into the beds of their trucks, heading up Sierra Highway, he knew Rowher Flat Off-Highway Vehicle Area had to be open.
It was a day he had been looking forward to for two years as the 10,000-acre space for off-roading trucks, ATVs and dirt bikes recovered from the 2007 Buckweed Fire that charred the Agua Dulce area.
Just before dusk Friday, Baltakian drove up the entrance pathway in his black 1997 Chevrolet Suburban to see for himself the recently reopened area.
"Before, it was one of my favorite areas to ride," said Baltakian, owner of Pete's Auto Electric in Canyon Country. "When you get the really cold weather, you get the snow up here. ... When it rains, it just gets really muddy in here, and it's a lot of fun with even trucks and cars, depending on what you have."
Baltakian said he planned to bring his bikes out the next day, especially since he would be saving on gas with the riding area so close to where he lives and works.
"(Before the flats reopened,) we had to drive all the way out to California City. ... There's really nothing around here that's actually legal," he said, adding the extra distance meant more money spent on gas. "Coming here, this is seven minutes from my shop. So I just leave the shop, get out and go ride."
Time was the primary healing component needed for the land's recovery, said Angeles National Forest spokesman Stanton Florea.
"The areas that burned most intensely basically baked the top layer of soil, and it made it hydrophobic," Florea said, explaining that the soil became water-resistant, resulting in increased erosion.
Florea said the park's reopening on Nov. 7 drew in a crowd of people to enjoy the dirt roads and campsite.
"There were probably 50 people out there maybe the first day," Florea said. "I think there were over 20 vehicles."
Meanwhile, riders like Baltakian say they're just glad the time finally arrived.
"I've been waiting for it," he said. "It's been such a kick trying to figure out when they were going to open up."
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