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OAT MOUNTAIN HIKE
     
     DISTANCE:  6.4 Miles (round trip)
    ELEVATION: 3750' (approximate)
     ELEVATION GAIN: 1850'
     TYPE: Out-and-Back
     HIKING TIME: 3 - 4 Hours
     RATING:  Strenuous
     FEATURES: 
 Highest peak in Santa Susanna Mtns., LA-88
                             Nike Missle Base, Panoramic Views 

TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS


PictureSanta Susanna Mtns. from Oak Mountain Trail
For a decidedly different view of Los Angeles, consider this 6.4 mile roundtrip hike to summit of the highest peak in the Santa Susanna Mountains. The trail follows the paved Browns Canyon Road all the way to the top. Vehicular traffic is prohibited so you can expect to have the road to yourself. The trek is steep and strenuous, but along the way you will be treated to rolling hills of grass with great views of rocky outcroppings and narrow canyons in all directions. There is also the added bonus of walking though a bit of Los Angeles history. At around a mile into your hike you will come to the former LA-88 Nike Missile Base used for air defense of the city during the height of the cold war. You can read more about the LA-88 Base and the Nike Missile Program on the Hike-LosAngeles Blog here. Decommissioned in 1972, there isn't much remaining of the base following a catastrophic wildfire in 2008, but the former launch pad is clearly visible from the road. As you pass the base, the road winds leisurely through the unique California Balds of Oat Mountain. Spring wildflowers make it a particularly lovely walk. As you near the summit you will notice several oli wells on the surrounding hills, reminders of when this area was a primary source of the country's energy. One of the things you will notice almost immediately on this hike is the sense of solitude. It is not uncommon to hike to the sumit and back without encountering another soul. In fact, the silence can be almost deafening considering you are only a stone's throw from nearly 10 million residents of the greater Los Angeles area. Once on the summit there are grand and sweeping views across the whole San Fernando Valley to the tops of Cahuenga and Burbank Peaks. On clear days, the upper stories of LA's skyscrapers can be seen peeking above the Cahuenga Pass. Parking in the Michael D. Antonovich Park requires purchasing a $5.00 day pass at the park's entrance.

Spring Wild Flowers at Oat Mountain

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Redbush Monkey Flower
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Mariposa Lily
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Bigleaf Lupine

Click the full frame icon in the upper right corner for a larger map in a separate window.

Directions to Trailhead

Michael Antonovich Regional Park
15984-15998 Browns Canyon Road
Chatsworth, CA 91311

Exit CA 118 at DeSoto Ave. and head north. DeSoto Ave. dead ends about .25 of a mile north of CA 118. Turn right onto Browns Canyon Road following signs for Michael Antonovich Regional Park. Proceed on Browns Canyon Road for approximately 3 miles to the park entrance. Browns Canyon Road is a winding twisting route through an oak-lined canyon. You will notice several No Trespassing and Private Road signs along the way. These are left over from before the park was established and the road was opened to the general public. At the park entrance pay the $5.00 parking fee at the iron ranger and continue to the parking area about .33 of a mile ahead. The third entrance to the parking area is the best. The first two tend to be bumpy and low-slung cars can bottom out. Be sure to leave your parking pass visible on the dash or risk getting a ticket. The trailhead begins at the southwest corner of the dirt parking area.

Oat Mountain Hike Trail Guide
Click for printable .pdf map and trail guide.

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Parking

          Pay the parking fee of $5.00 at the iron ranger as you enter the
          park. Display the parking pass on your dashboard and proceed
          along Browns Canyon Road for about .33 mile. The parking area
          is a dirt lot with 3 rows. The last row is the easiest to maneuver
          into as the first two are heavily rutted and you run the risk of
          bottoming out your car.

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Trailhead

       The trail begins in the southwest corner of the parking lot on Browns
       Canyon Road. Cross around the metal gate that bars further vehic-
       ular traffic and continue on Browns Canyon Road, also called Oat 
       Mountain Motorway. You will follow the roadway all the way to the 
       summit.

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First View of LA-88 Base

       At approximately .6 mile you will come upon the first of the Nike
       Missile Site buildings.

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LA-88 Nike Missile Complex

       At .75 mile you will reach the main entrance to the former missile
       complex. A dilapidated guard shack on your right still stands sentry
       over the installation.

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Flagpole

       Take the road to your left and walk a short distance to find the base 
       flagpole in an overgrown garden. The flagpole will be just to the left 
       of the roadway.

Picture
LA-88 Nike Missile launch pad

       As you continue on Browns Canyon Road just past the main gate, 
       you will see the large concrete slab that served as the launch pad for
       the Nike missiles. There is still at least one launch pad embankment 
       off the right front corner of the bus.

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Picnic Area

          At 2.1 miles you will come to a small plateau branching off to your 
          left. There is a solitary tree providing some of the only shade along
          this hike. The view is quite nice and makes for a great spot to rest 
          and have a bite to eat.

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Trail Junction 1

        At 2.4 miles, bear right at the fork and continue uphill.

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Trail Junction 2

       Just below the summit, with the radar installation on the hill right in
       front of you, the road splits three ways. It seems logical to take the 
       middle road and continue straight. This will take you up a long 
       switchback to the back of the installation. A better choice is to take
       the hairpin turn up the road to your immediate right. You will climb a 
       short hill and then descend to your left to the primary viewing area
       just below the summit.

Picture
Viewing Area

       As you descend the hill you will come onto a large flat area with a 
       dramatic view across the San Fernando Valley. On clear days you
       can see Cahuenga and Burbank peaks in Griffith park and the 
       towers of downtown Los Angels peeking from the Cahuenga Pass. 
       There is also an oil pump operating nearby.

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Trail Junction 3

        Continue past the oil pump to the next intersection and turn left to 
        make you way to the summit of Oat Mountain.

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Oat Mountain Summit, 3750'

        Congratulations! You have reached the highest peak in the Santa 
        Susanna Mountains.

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View from the Summit
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Park Entrance
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Trailhead
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View from Trail
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Rolling Hills
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Nike Missle Launch Pad
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Deer in the Fields
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Tree in Field with Summit in Background
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