Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park Loop

(Easy/moderate 3.5 miles RT w/ 765’ of elevation gain/loss) – The weather.com forecast in Chatsworth is Intervals of clouds and sunshine. High near 80F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. with an early morning low of 61F

START TIME – We’ll meet at 7:00 AM in the trailhead parking lot on Lilac Lane (see below) in Simi Valley.  Sunrise is at 6:34 AM.

DESCRIPTION OF HIKE: The hike will start (and end) at the upper end of the Stagecoach Trail (near Lilac Lane).  We will take a counterclockwise loop, walk to the end of Lilac Lane to an unmarked path, past a small pond, then to Mattingly trail to Williams trail (past Spahn Ranch), to El Camino Nuevo.  We will hike a short distance on the Santa Susana Pass then to the Upper stagecoach trail and back to our vehicles.

PREPAREDNESS: Bring 2-3 liters/quarts of water (or other suitable liquid) and lunch/snack.  Wear appropriate footwear (preferably hiking boots) and be prepared for bright sunlight (sunglasses), heat (layers of clothing), and/or precipitation (rain gear).  Hiking pole(s) and a camera might come in handy.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO THE TRAILHEAD NOTE: You should be in the trailhead parking lot (see below) by 7:00 AM.

o   In Simi Valley, take Highway 118 to the Kuehner Drive exit.

o   Drive south 2.8 miles on Kuehner Drive (the name changes to Santa Susana Pass Road along the way) as it climbs eastward to Lilac Lane [after you pass the Box Canyon turn-off, but before you reach Rocky Peak Road].

o   Turn right (south) on Lilac Lane and drive 0.25 mile to a dirt parking area that is available on the left (east) side of the road. (7834 Lilac Lane, Simi Valley, CA)

o   Park and wait for the hiking leader(s).