Zip-lining in Wrightwood: What a rush

When my friend Arjuna put out the invitation for a day trip zip-lining in Wrightwood, I was stoked to join him and to find a zip-lining venue close to home. It ended up being both an adventure and a discovery of this mountain hamlet (population 5,250). A mere 75 miles from downtown L.A. by freeway, country highway and twisting mountain road, five of us found a change of atmosphere literally, at 6,000 feet, and figuratively on Wrightwood’s charming, sloping, two-block main street. The tab: Big Pines Ziplines, $129 per person, weekends; dinner for one at Mexico Lindo: $17; burger at Grizzly Cafe: $15.

The bed

Although Wrightwood is an easy day trip from L.A., I checked out Cedar Lodge Motel (5995 Cedar St.; [760] 249-4673), a country-cozy, six-room inn with kindly owners, a stone’s throw from the main street. Individual rooms are decorated with themes: Bear Den, Americana, Dragonfly, etc. Uphill and around the back, its gift shop is part consignment shop, for local folks’ crafts and treasures, and part snack bar (I liked the piña colada Italian ice). Weekend flea markets are staged outside in nice weather.

The meal

Zip-lining, we learned, makes one hungry, and Mexico Lindo (1253 Evergreen Road; [760] 249-4100) hit the spot with massive plates from a massive menu — we tried zarapes (steak and chicken burritos), pollo al pastor, carne asada burritos and veggie enchiladas. The wooden staircase entrance, mural of a hacienda and red leatherette booths felt pleasantly trapped in time. For lunch another day, I stopped for a “black and bleu” burger (pepper and blue cheese) at Grizzly Cafe (1455 State Highway 2; [760] 249-6733), such a local institution that people reference it when giving directions (“Turn after the Grizzly”). Behind its log-cabin façade with ski chairlift porch swing, you enter through a gift shop (see a pattern here?) into the ski lodge-style dining room festooned with heavy wooden chairs, a forever-Christmas display of pine boughs and tiny lights, and smiling bear figurines holding salt and pepper shakers. It’s the go-to spot for all-American three squares: eggs and pancakes, burgers and sandwiches, steaks and pastas.

The find

Zip-lining: Dude, awesome. Nick and Micah, our youthful, fearless and fun-loving (but always safety-conscious) guides from Big Pines Ziplines (6047 Park Drive; [760] 249-9991) made us don helmets for the van ride to the trailhead, and we were glad they did. The mile or so off-road drive was a thrill ride in itself, filled with bumps, curves and hairpin switchbacks. The 3½-hour Canopy Tour consisted of eight zip-lines up to 1,500 feet long and 300 feet high, plus rappelling, climbing “sky stairs” and traversing hair-raising suspension bridges over gorges (we were strapped in for safety the entire time). Nick and Micah taught us technique on the baby zip-lines, and we exchanged worried glances at the mention that we’d soon be getting up to speeds of 55 mph (gulp!), which they offhandedly escalated to 70 mph (whaaaat?). But we survived, thrived and conquered fears, including that time I hesitated stepping off the rappelling platform and Micah helped with a playful (and, I’ll admit, justified) boot to the gut.

The lesson learned

Wrightwood isn’t only about zip-lining; it’s also a popular destination for skiing (Mountain High resort is nearby) and hiking. Then there’s plenty of small-town charm and cool surprises such as Beverly’s Books (6069 Park Drive; [760] 249-4400), which captivated our group with room after room of used books, and Village Grind (6020 Park Drive; [760] 249-5501) a triple-threat coffeehouse, purveyor of local craft brews and wines, and weekend venue for music combos. And, oh yes, there are lots of gift shops.

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