Rocky Peak
Highest point
Elevation2,715 ft (828 m) NAVD 88[1]
ListingLower Peaks Committee List[2]
Coordinates34°17′31″N 118°38′12″W / 34.291823517°N 118.636800553°W / 34.291823517; -118.636800553[1]
Geography
Rocky Peak is located in California
Rocky Peak
Rocky Peak
Location in California
Rocky Peak is located in the United States
Rocky Peak
Rocky Peak
Rocky Peak (the United States)
LocationLos Angeles County / Ventura County, California, U.S.
Parent rangeSanta Susana Mountains
Topo mapUSGS Simi Valley East
Climbing
Easiest routeRoad hike

Rocky Peak, located in Rocky Peak Park, is the fourth-highest point in the Santa Susana Mountains, and overlooks the San Fernando Valley and Chatsworth, the Simi Hills, and the Simi Valley in Southern California. The peak, which is 2,715 feet (828 m) in elevation, sits on the Los Angeles CountyVentura County line.

Geography

Rocky Peak also marks the point where the county line changes direction from true north to a more northwesterly direction. A large railroad spike driven into the rocks mark this exact spot on the county line. Rocky Peak, which gets its name from the many large craggy boulders that dot its surface, can be viewed from several locations along Topanga Canyon Blvd., and from California State Route 118, also known as the Ronald Reagan Freeway.

The nearest neighbor is Oat Mountain, the highest mountain in the Santa Susana Mountains range, which lies east of Rocky Peak.

History

The area was part of the homeland and trading crossroads of the Tataviam, Tongva, and Chumash people for eight thousand years.[3] The Chumash Burro Flats Painted Cave is just to the west in the Simi Hills on the Santa Susana Field Laboratory property.

Historic Santa Susana Pass is at the foot of the mountain, with the Old Santa Susana Stage Road located in the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park nearby. Rocky Peak has been prominently featured in many classic Hollywood films, being next to three major Movie ranches; the Iverson, Spahn, and Corriganville Ranches; and its evocative 'Old-West Frontier' landscape scenery.

Rocky Peak Park

Rocky Peak Park is located about 0.7 miles (1.1 km) northwest of the peak includes the Runkle Ranch, formerly owned by entertainer Bob Hope. The park reaches five miles (8 km) northward from Simi Freeway to Las Llajas Canyon.[4] a 4,800 acres (19 km2) regional open space preserve, includes the 4,400-acre (18 km2) Rocky Peak Park forms the most critical wildlife habitat linkage between the Santa Susana Mountains and the Simi Hills and on to the Santa Susana Mountains. The highest elevation in the park is 2' higher than Rocky Peak, at 2717'.[5]

There are miles of trails, including the Rim of the Valley Trail Corridor,[6][7] in Rocky Peak Park with panoramic views that are popular for hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian rides. They connect with other preserves to the northeast in the Santa Susanas. Sage Ranch Park is to the west with trails and camping.[8] The Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park and trail system is just to the south across the highway.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Chatsworth H 1". NGS Data Sheet. National Geodetic Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, United States Department of Commerce. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
  2. "Lower Peaks Committee List". Angeles Chapter, Sierra Club.
  3. "Prehistoric milling site found in California article USA Today". USA Today. Retrieved 2014-12-28.
  4. "Rocky Peak Park". Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. Retrieved 2014-12-28.
  5. "CalTopo - Backcountry Mapping Evolved". CalTopo. Retrieved 2018-12-27.
  6. "Rim of the Valley Tail Corridor Master Plan" (PDF). Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. Retrieved 2014-12-28.
  7. Kamal, Sameea (March 4, 2015). "Three lawmakers urge Park Service action on Rim of the Valley study". Los Angeles Times.
  8. "Sage Ranch Park". Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. Retrieved 2014-12-28.
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