Mt. McCoy (Simi Cross)

The last time I hiked to the top of Mt. McCoy was probably 10 years ago, and before that was an earlier 15 years. The first time I hiked it, was shortly after a rain event and the trail basically went straight up the West gulley through the cactus, slipping and getting caked in mud.

Since then, the trail has been upgraded and maintained (in 1997 Simi Trail Blazers cut the current trail), at it is a pleasant hike. PLEASE keep on the trail and avoid the 'shortcuts' cutting through the switchbacks. I mean really, if you want to cut straight through, go straight up the side of the mountain (where there incidentally is a trail in red on the map). If you go the switchback route in green, DON'T cut through.


Both trails on the West side start at either Washburn Street and Los Amigos Avenue or at the end of Los Amigos Court. Straight in front of you is the trail going up the hill to the cross, and also the trail switching back and forth up the slope.

.83 miles to the top taking the switchback route, and great views of the valley. The original cross was placed as a beacon and marker to let travelers know where the Mission was (Strathern Park area). The cross was replaced with the current concrete one in the 1940's (a cross has been here as long as 200 years ago).

<a href="http://www.simitrailblazers.com/hikes/mtmccoy.html">Simi Trail Blazers Site</A>

Piedra Blanca Rock Formations

North of Ojai, into Rose Valley, and at the end of the road within a mile hike is the Piedra Blanca Rock Formations. Taking the trail at the parking lot (be sure to have a valid pass), hike NorthEast crossing the creek thrice before coming to a trail split. Right (East) goes up the canyon to nice swimming holes. Take the trail Left (West) and follow to another split. NorthWest and NorthEast respectively. NorthEast takes you to the formations after keeping an eye out for rock turns (trail markers) as the trail splits again left out of the little canyon that you will be moving through.

Since there is no camping at or near the parking lot, camp anywhere past the formations, Piedra Blanca Campground is about 3.5 miles up the trail from the parking lot.


 

Santa Susana Pass area, and its many roads.

In hiking through this area, and because of my Engineering/Mapping background, I have always been interested in the history of roads and the many variations (especially in this pass) that the roads have gone through over the years. Thanks to Alexander D. Bevil's extensive report at Santa Susana State Historic Park for so much history and background information.

I hope to clarify in simple terms where the roads were and approximate years of use.

A simple history of the Santa Susana Pass.

Overview map 1

showing original layout of the Indian Trail which later became know by El Camino de Santa Susana y Simi, El Puerto Zuelo de Santa Susana, among other names. It is currently referred to as "Old Santa Susana Trail".

Old Santa Susana Trail was in use as a shortcut for the El Camino Real starting before the 1800's.

In 1858-1861 the Old Santa Susana Trail was improved by T. W. More and James P. Thompson (mostly Thompson) with monies from Santa Barbara and Los Angeles Counties.

Shortly thereafter "Larry's Mountain Station" was in use (til about 1874). Operated by Lawrence Howard, the station was reportedly on the Simi Side of the Pass, near the present day entrance to the Railroad tunnel #26.

Overview Map 2

In 1895, Los Angeles County built the "El Camino Nuevo" or "Chatsworth Grade Road" on the LA County side to circumvent the narrow steep section of Old Santa Susana Trail called "The Devil's Slide". At the top of the Pass, the Chatsworth Grade Road connected up with the Old Santa Susana Trail just after Lilac Lane. Portions are still visable in the canyon North of Lilac Lane.

In 1904, Railroad Tunnel #26 was completed under the Pass.

Overview Map 3

In 1917, the present day Santa Susana Pass Road was built. Only the portion going from near Lilac Lane to just after Rocky Peak Road follow any of the original trails or roads.

Then came the freeway and most people stopped using the Pass altogether.

See other posts regarding hikes through the area with information and history of the trails.

Corriganville - Stagecoach Trail

Hiked up from Corriganville to Lilac lane, retracing parts of the historic Old Stagecoach Trail. Starting at the Rotary Club picnic area (1/4 mile down the trail East from the parking lot), there are multiple trails that lead off. Taking the road Northmost winds around the mountain in a loop. The Middle one takes a trail up and under the 118 freeway through a wildlife corridor, eventually hooking up with Hummingbird trail. The one heading off towards the RR tracks is the one to take to the top and follow what remains of the Old Stagecoach Trail. Keeping off of the tracks, make your way up the left (North) side of the canyon. This is the Corriganville-Stagecoach trail. You will notice almost immediatly that there is a trail across the canyon on the south side. This is the Old Stagecoach Trail, and the loop will head back down it.

Shortly after, both trails will join after crossing the canyon bottom. Then shortly they will separate. The trail leading to the right (up the South side) continues on the original trail. It is presently not feasible to take this trail. Sections have been washed out, it is terribly overgrown and boulders have been toppled from the walls above. We will meet up with it again. Continuing on up the North side of the canyon on the maintained trail, about a half of a mile up the canyon you will notice that the trail has widened. I believe that this section was once part of the Old Stagecoach trail as well, and it may be that there were a few different ways that the trail wound through the canyon according to weather and washouts. Looking across the canyon you will see hints of where the trail road is or was. At the next water crossing, you are back on the original trail and heading up the South side of the canyon.

Take time to view the rocks and imagine what it was like to pull a team and wagon through here. There is a small water flow crossing about half way up. This is where the original road was buried under the slope of Santa Susana Pass Road. At the top of the trail, you hook up with Santa Susana Pass Road and directly across the street is present day Lilac Lane, formerly Old Stagecoach Trail.

Taking the trail back down and making the South side run after the trails join, you will be following Old Stagecoach Trail. Keep your eyes open on the rocks to your left and you will see etched in the stone, a T and F transposed with the year 1918 next to it. Follow the trail down to the RR track where you cross back over to Corriganville Park.

Special thanks to Alexander D. Bevil's report for historical info. I will add my own maps here soon.

Technorati Tags: corriganville, stagecoach, hike, trail, simi, chatsworth, historic, old

Top of Santa Susana Loop

1.5 mile loop partially along two historic trails. Old Stagecoach Trail and Chatsworth Grade Road.

Parking on Rocky Peak Road, Simi Valley.

Starting out at the trailhead, at N 34d 16' 4.7", W 118d 38' 1.7" the trail winds to the SouthWest over to Lilac Lane, which was the ending of the original Old Stagecoach Trail before the Chatsworth Grade Road was built. Head directly East for about a 1/4 mile and the trail turns sharply NorthEast at N 34d 15' 49.9", W 118d 37' 47.5".


the trail continues NE...


looking back to Lilac


follow the trail through the valley to N 34d 16' 1.1", W 118d 37' 32.3" where you come to a 5 point trail split.



<< Follow the trail directly left. Within a 1/4 mile you will be on the Chatsworth Grade Road. This trail was in use after 1895, until the Santa Susana Pass Road was built.




Following this West, you will hook up with Santa Susana Pass Road and back to the Trailhead.

20090130 Mount Pinos, Los Padres National Forest

Chula Vista Campground - 1/4 mile hike

After getting on the Cuddy Valley / Mount Pinos Road and winding to the top, we arrived at the parking lot just after dark. Adventure Pass adorning the rear view mirror of course, and the lot was sparcely littered with vehicles. I had not been to this particular campsite before, but seeing as it was a short walk I figured that it would be ok at night. I had wanted to go to Upper Arroyo Seco in the San Gabriels, but I have never been there, and it is a 5 mile hike in. I'm ok doing that on my own, but not leading a group. So we'll hit that as a day hike, then do it as a troop.



However many sites there are there, I don't know, but it was fairly easy to find, hiking down the trail to the right of the only building there. Keep to the right of the sloped valley, and you'll run right into the 'Chula Vista' Campground sign. Outhouses, picnic tables, and fire rings (check fire restrictions). The low was expected to be 38, there was snow around in patches, some ground showing, some areas with 6" to 12".



I had brought my DIY bedding (three couch cushions sewn together on the edges) which since it was a short enough hike I just made another trip to the car. It made the nights sleep a little more bearable, although as I've gotten older I dont sleep as well as I used to. SOOOooo, other than the obnoxious neighbors in another camp who kept chopping wood til 2 AM and howling (yes, howling) til 3 AM, the night was ok and I didn't freeze my toes off. Reminder: the 'hand warmers' I bought at Big 5 didn't give off much heat, but they did last 12 hours or so, and stuffed into my shoe in the morning, kept my toes a 'little' warmer...

First post

Out of all of the hikes I've been on, I miss the opportunity to write about them for future reference and also for my own memory being so bad, as a reminder to myself.

I'll just start with the latest hike/camp and go from there, as I don't think I'm organized enough to go back and fill in all of the blanks for the 50 milers, 20 milers, etc.
but as a reminder;

Mammoth - Horseshoe Lake to Rose Lake
Santa Paula - Cross Camp
PCH - La Jolla
Simi - Hummingbird
Simi - Rocky Peak
Westlake - Bone Mountain
Ojai - Wheeler?
Simi -