Thanks Jobe, I am planning a trip up to the springs on Wednesday. I usually like to get an early start out of Long Beach (5 or 6 am) to beat the traffic. In the past when I have left this early I have found the cable strung across the parking lot access at Bowen Ranch . I bought a annual Adventure Pass earlier this year but have never used it, now I hear that it may not be needed any more to park at the Bradford Ridge trail head. I have heard different stories about accessing the Brdfrd. Rdge trailhead from Arrowhead vs going by Silverwood lake via 138 and I-15. I did try the Arrowhead route earlier this year but when I got to the gate at Grass Valley it was locked. I had to drive all the way back to the Silverwood lake cut-off and ended up going to the springs via Summit Road then Bowen Ranch road.
I remember the drive up to Arrowhead had a lot of tight slow curves and it seemed at the time to take a long time. At the time I did have a lot of fog to deal with plus it seems like the first time you are on a new road it always feels like it takes longer then when you have done it a couple of times. Have you ever tried the 138 route from I-15 before? I know it is a lot of dirt road driving but does it save any time over the twisty mountain roads to and around Arrowhead?
Thanks for all your help.