Oat Mountain Hike

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

Santa 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

Redbush Monkey Flower

Mariposa Lily

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.

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.

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.

First View of LA-88 Base

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Trail Junction 1

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

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.

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.