ROCKY PEAK HIKE
     
     DISTANCE:  4.5 Miles (round trip)
    ELEVATION: 2715'
     ELEVATION GAIN: 1100'
     TYPE: Out-and-Back
     HIKING TIME: 2 - 3 Hours
     RATING:  Strenuous
     FEATURES:  Panoramic Views of Oat Mountain, San Fernando
                             Valley, Bouldering and two small Caves 

TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS

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Summit of Rocky Peak

Situated on the border between Los Angeles and Ventura Counties in the Santa Susanna Mountains is Rocky Peak Park, a 4800 acre expanse of jumbled sandstone boulders and rugged oak savannahs. The park is located just off the 118 west of Chatsworth and roams northward for five miles to Las Llajas Canyon. A number of trails and fire roads crisscross the park, allowing you to explore the deepest reaches of this wilderness area. The most prominent feature is the titular Rocky Peak, a series of craggy outcroppings, the tallest of which rises to 1,715’ and provides stunning views of The San Fernando and Simi Valleys and the majestic grassy bald of Oat Mountain. The 2.5-mile trek to the summit passes a small, trailside cave, and during the rainy season water often cascades through the boulders at various spots along the trail. The trail itself follows a wide, but uneven fire road for most of the hike, requiring a moderate effort. The final push to the summit ascends a single-track use path and is a more strenuous uphill scramble. Once you reach the ridgeline just below the summit, the trail is not always clearly defined, dividing and subdividing numerous times. The key is to keep your eye on the peak and keep heading toward it.

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The trail to Rocky Peak is fairly busy with hikers, runners and mountain bikers, but the twists and turns keep the majority of your fellow explorers out of sight, creating a sense of solitude. The peak itself was also strangely quiet. I spent nearly an hour exploring the rocky passageways and a second small cave directly below the summit without encountering another a person despite seeing a number of hikers making their way up the fire road far below. Most hikers, it seems, continue on the fire road past the peak without venturing out onto the craggy cliffs. While on the summit, you should look for the surveyor’s marker indicating the point where the boundary between the two counties cross and a summit register in a metal box located just below the eastern face of the peak.

Note: This is a wilderness park and has no facilities and virtually no shade along the trails. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen.

Mountain Bikers

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

Directions to Trailhead

Rocky Peak Road
Simi Valley, CA 93063
Trailhead coordinates: 34.268362, -118.636155

From Los Angeles:
Take Route 118 west to exit 32 for Rocky Peak Road (ten miles west of the 405 Freeway). At the end of the offramp turn right into a small parking area where Rocky Peak Road crosses the freeway. If the spaces by the trailhead are full, there is additional parking at the south end of the bridge (Rocky Peak Road) on the opposite side of the 118.

From Oxnard/Ventura:
Take Route 118 east to exit 32 for Rocky Peak Road. At the end of the offramp to the left is overflow parking for the trail. To reach the main parking area, turn left at the top of the offramp onto Rocky Peak Road and cross the freeway to the opposite side.

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Rocky Peak Hike Trail Guide
Click for printable .pdf map and trail guide.

Parking

          Park in the dirt lot on the northern side of the 118 at the top of the 
          on/off ramp. Overflow parking is available on the opposite side of
          the freeway. Use Rock Peak Road to cross over the freeway.

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Trailhead

          The trail begins in the northern parking lot at the top of the on/of
          ramp for the 118. Cross around the gate and begin hiking uphill 
          on a short section of paved road. The pavement will end at the top
          of the hill and become a dirt fire road.    

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Trail Junction 1

        At .5 mile, you will find a number of intersecting roads and trails. 
        Cross the open flat space and continue on the main trail.

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Trailside Bench 1

       The first of two benches appears just off the left side of the trail
       at .6 miles.

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Trailside Cave

       At .75 mile, you will pass a small wind-formed cave on you right. 
       Take a few minutes to crawl around and explore this geologic feature,
       then continue on the Rocky Peak Fire Road.

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Trail Junction 2 and Trailside Bench 2

       At .1 mile after the cave, The Hummingbird Trail veers off to the left
       at this junction marked with a sign post and a small bench. After
       taking in the views, continue straight on the Rocky Peak Fire Road.

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Lone Oak Tree

        The only shade along the entire hike is provided by this weathered
        old oak at approximately 1.7 miles.

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Trail Junction 3

       .2 mile after the oak tree, bear right onto the single-track that rises
       above the fire road. If you miss this turn, you have one more chance
       at the next bend.

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Trail Junction 3A

        If you miss the first junction with the single-track, take the hairpin turn
        to your right where Rocky Peak Road makes a 90° turn to the left.
        Proceed up the steep embankment to the single-track trail.

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Trail Junction 4

        At just under 2 miles, the alternate connection trail from Rocky Peak
        Road intersects the single-track trail. If you are coming up from the 
        fire road, turn left at this point. If you are already on the single-track,
        continue straight.

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Navigation Point

        At about 2.1 miles into your hike, you will want to take a moment to
        check your surroundings. Looking north you will see the summit of 
        Rocky Peak to your right and a "V-shaped" rocky outcropping on
        your left. Follow the trail as it goes around the left side of the 
        outcropping. The trail will become very steep as it ascends toward 
        the outcropping. As you reach the outcropping, the trail will level
        out. Be prepared to make a right turn as you pass the outcropping
        on the left.

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Trail Junction 5

        After the very steep ascent the trail will level out. As you pass the
        outcropping (2.25 miles), look to your right for a trail passing behind 
        the outcropping toward Rocky Peak. This trail is not well defined and 
        is easy to miss. If you find yourself walking away from Rocky Peak,
        you've gone to far. Remember, you want to cross behind the 
        "V-shaped outcropping." The summit is only about .25 mile from this
        point.

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Rocky Peak Summit, 2715'

        Congratulations! You've reached the summit of Rocky Peak and its
        stunning 360° vistas. Directly beneath the high point is a small cave.
        There is also a marker on the summit marking the boundary between
        Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. Just below the summit to the east
        is another great viewing point at the edge of the cliff. Here you will 
        find a metal lockbox on a post with a journal inside. Be sure to add 
        your name, date and a few comments. 

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Trailhead and Parking

Trailside Cave

Trail Junction 2

Chatsworth and the San Fernando Valley

Trail Junction 3

Cliff Face