This one hits close to home
Twisty, technical, and beautifully wild. This particular section of Mulholland Hwy I’m talking about is famously referred to in the car community as “The Snake.” This drive was short, and to the point but it’s become more than just a quick blast up and down a mountain road. The snake stood for a meeting place for enthusiasts. I’ve met all kinds of drivers at the snake. Many different people, from all over brought all kinds of cars. Jay Leno was a frequent visitor among other famous journalists/enthusiasts. One time I saw a guy have his friend drive his other car just so he could have two different vehicular experiences on The Snake. If you’re on the East Coast, this was our Tail Of The Dragon.
Starting from bottom now we’re here: The Snake starts just after Troutdale Dr. heading west on Mulholland Hwy. The first real corner, an off camber left sweeper is sublime if done perfectly. This corner reminds you that you need to zone in and wake up for the drive ahead. A quarter mile later you can see the road start to steepen up and get twisty. Now you are in it, the next two lefts can almost be one long sweeping left turn. Quick right, on the brakes into a banked hairpin left. On the power for just a moment, hard right into another hairpin left, directly into a sweeping right. A moment to breathe on the power through a quick straight. Driving this road is like boxing, you and the road trading jabs, brake for the next right, quick into a sharp left. Still with me? The next section reminds me of the esses at Buttonwillow. After the slithery esses instantly bank right then left under the massive boulders, you’ll want to duck instinctively. The next sweeping right through the trees jets up even steeper, cars often bottom out here. The next few turns are hairpins back to back with straights in-between to tease you. By the time you get to the final two right turns you have a view of the canyon and can see bits of the famous sweeping left corner that bas become popular on youtube. The final turn, a flat left, lets you carry some speed but none of this drive entails high speed. It’s just entertaining to drive, and just like that the ride is over. You even have the turn out at the top to catch your breath from your giddy giggling. Make a U-turn and enjoy the view from above. Like I said, short, but to the point.
There are countless stories at The Snake. Some of the most meaningful, and meaningless conversations were had there. I feel like I learned so much driving it over the years. It’s was a great spot to hang, people watch, and offered a great viewpoint at the top with a small parking section. Motorcycle groups would meet there, car groups even more so. Being there made you feel like you were a part of some kind of slightly underground car culture, but oddly never felt unsafe. For the most part people were very respectful, but like all things of this nature, there were definitely people there just to cause trouble.
Yes, That Motorcyce Rider Is Wearing A Carrot Suit 
Instagram: @garrito_burrito_ @ryan_leclercq
I say it was a great place to drive, because it is no more. After the horrific Woolsey and Hill fires in late 2018 many roads and bridges were destroyed in the process. One of those roads was Mulholland Hwy, specifically the section known as “The Snake.” After the fire, intense rains caused mud slides in burn areas causing further damage. Again The Snake was part of this area. However since then almost every other affected road as been repaired and opened. Not the Snake.
“Woolsey Fire” 
Canyon Fire Damage From “Woolsey Fire” 
One Of Many Homes Lost
Local authorities ultimately get to determine whether or not a road is “safe” enough for use. I completely understand that The Snake had become somewhat of a nuisance for local authorities to police this road as it was popular with a high number of enthusiasts. As more and more people visited the area there were new signs installed with restrictions on what hours people could legally be in the area. Every single day people would be driving the road, some making noise and causing a ruckus more than others. Famously there were angry residents who lived nearby who often notified authorities even if people were just parked in the area making no noise at all. Now that some of those homes have burned down, there aren’t as many residents to alert the authorities of activity in the area since the fire, there really isn’t any incentive to repair and reopen the road.
The Snake may never open and even if it did, it wouldn’t be for a very long time, probably with modifications to the road. A good example of what may come is the bridge that burned down located just a mile or so down the road from The Snake. This used to be a two lane bridge allowing motorists to travel up and down Mulholland Hwy freely. Now its a one lane bridge that uses a traffic light to allow vehicles to travel through the area in one direction at a time, effectively slowing down all traffic. Again, authorities will claim its because of the environmental impacts, but it seems like an awfully convenient excuse to alter the road in a way that reduces traffic to a standstill. Either way, I don’t claim to be an engineer on these sorts of things so it’s probably for the best.
I’m not at all suggesting that the police should allow people to be breaking the law in any way. Enforcing the law is, after all, what we count on them to do. I do think though, people driving these roads are making their own decisions, and how they choose to drive is completely their prerogative. Dealing with potential legal consequences of dangerous driving is part of being a grown human in general. With that said the police shutting down an area that fostered car culture seems a bit brash, especially considering all the responsible drivers who used to visit The Snake. The Los Angeles area was supposed to be a place centered around car culture, wasn’t it? Ironically snakes can symbolize rebirth, and healing when shedding their skin. I hope a better, reborn version of this great little road emerges one day, and maybe it too can shed its negative stigma.
One last thing! There is a small restaurant called The Old Place you should totally visit sometime. It’s just east of Troutdale Dr. over the now one lane bridge (if they are still open for business after the COVID-19 pandemic). This too, has been an auto enthusiast destination in the area offering incredible homestyle meals with a fantastic upbeat ambiance. It’s encouraged that you interact with others while dining at The Old Place, you’ll surely meet some great people there. The wait times can be a bit long, but there is a wonderful wine tasting room next door to be enjoyed while you wait.
