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Home , Movie ranch, Santa Susana Mountains, Santa Susana Pass, Simi Hills, The Lone Ranger (serial)

Our Mission The mission of State Parks is he story of Santa Santa Susana to provide for the health, inspiration and T education of the people of California by helping Susana Pass includes Pass to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and an ancient Native State Historic Park cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. American trail, rock outcrops used as shelter and storage by native people, and hair-raising California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who trips down the need assistance should contact the park at (818) 784-4849. If you need this publication in an Devil’s Slide. alternate format, contact [email protected].

CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS P.O. Box 942896 Sacramento, CA 94296-0001 For information call: (800) 777-0369 (916) 653-6995, outside the U.S. 711, TTY relay service

www.parks.ca.gov

Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park Chatsworth, CA 91311 (818) 784-4849 [email protected]

© 2010 California State Parks (Rev. 2016) S anta Susana Pass State Historic Park — native people had no resistance. Although large where the meet the Santa Susana numbers of Chumash, , and Mountains — is rich in natural and cultural people died, descendants of these local native significance. Its largely undisturbed landscape groups still live in the area and have revived contains part of a historic transportation corridor many of their cultural traditions. between Missions San Buenaventura and San Fernando. The park’s Santa Susana Stage Road The last Spanish governor of California, Pablo Mud wagon was once a segment of the famous Butterfield Vicente de Sola, requested laborers from were chained together to assist in braking; Overland Stage Route, and the road was also Mission San Fernando to widen and improve otherwise, “a streak of fire” would radiate from used by Wells, Fargo & Company as a route the pass to accommodate carretas (ox-driven the brakes rubbing on overheating iron rims. between and Santa Barbara. carts), as well as herds of sheep and cattle. The Santa Susana Stage Road is listed in In 1859, the State and local counties funded PARK HISTORY the National Register of Historic Places. a contract with James P. Thompson to improve Native People the existing oxcart route to accommodate The Spahn Three native groups lived here before European and -bottomed mud wagons. The park’s sandstone bedrock gives a contact — Chumash to the west, Tongva to the It opened in 1861 as the Coast Stage Line, used wide-open “badlands” look, used as the east, and to the north, a group called Tataviam. by the Butterfield Overland Company to deliver background for many and The sandstone outcrops surrounding the pass mail between Los Angeles and . television programs. The 500-acre Spahn provided overhangs for shelter, shallow basins The trail’s precipitous grade earned it the Ranch, located within the park’s northern for collecting rainwater, and stone ledges for name “Devil’s Slide.” Drivers employed various boundary, was one of several “movie ” grinding seeds and acorns. The steep road over strategies to keep from losing control of the in the area. Between the late 1940s and the the Santa Susana Pass was originally a foot trail stagecoach. Passengers walked up the steep late 1960s, dozens of films and television linking villages, such as Momonga in the San places carrying rocks to place behind wheels to shows — including The , The Roy Fernando Valley with Shimiyi in . In allow the horses to rest. Downhill, the wheels Rogers Show, and episodes — were the Ventureño Chumash language, this pass was filmed here. In 1970, a destroyed all called kasi’wey. of the buildings on the former . The arrival of Europeans brought diseases such as smallpox and measles, to which the terrain is part of an important wildlife corridor ACCESSIBLE FEATURES connecting the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Currently no wheelchair-accessible Santa Monica mountain ranges. Mule deer, features or restrooms are available. , , gray foxes, and even mountain Accessibility is continually improving. lions can be seen. Visit http://access.parks.ca.gov for updates. Climate NEARBY STATE PARKS May through November is usually hot and dry. • Los Encinos State Historic Park Cold, rainy winters can send torrents of water 16756 Moorpark St. over the bedrock, bringing to life intermittent NATURAL HISTORY Encino 91436 (818) 784-4849 and seasonal waterfalls in the park’s Panoramic views of the wild landscape provide • State Park upper reaches. channels can food in striking contrast to the developed communities 1925 Las Virgenes Road heavy . nearby. The western part of the Transverse Calabasas 91302 (818) 880-0367 • Topanga State Park Ranges is dominated by high, narrow ridges and PLEASE REMEMBER 20825 Entrada Road deep canyons covered with a variety of plant life. • Trailhead entrances: 10200 block Larwin Ave. Topanga 90290 (310) 455-2465 Geology and 9860 block Andora Ave., Chatsworth 91311; The park’s distinct sandstone crags are part 7700 block Lilac Ln., Simi Valley 93063 of the late Cretaceous Chatsworth Formation, • Park legally in residential areas. Do not park on formed some 70 million years ago when Santa Susana Pass Road. sediments were shed from uplifting granite • No motor vehicles are allowed in the park. mountains into a deep sea debris fan. • Do not disturb natural or cultural features. • Alcohol consumption is prohibited. Plant Life Sandstone rock outcrops shelter • Weapons are not permitted in the park. the rare Santa Susana tarplant, while the moister • Fires are prohibited due to wildfire danger. slopes support denser vegetation. • Carry and drink plenty of water. Summer Typical shrubs in the canyons include coastal temperatures usually reach 100 degrees. sagebrush, buckwheat, laurel sumac, and • Do not hike alone. Tell someone where you are going and when you will return. chamise. Riparian species such as willow and Mexican elderberry grow well. In larger riparian • Carry a cell phone to call 911 for emergencies. Devil’s Slide channels, coast live oak, California walnut, and • Stay away from all railroad tracks and tunnels. sycamore create a dense canopy. Spring rains • Contact staff for a schedule of interpretive This park receives support in part from produce mariposa lilies, maroon monkey fowers, activities and volunteer opportunities. Foundation for the Preservation and wild lilacs. RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES of the Chatsworth, CA 91313 Wildlife Trails — Hike, mountain bike, or ride horses http://fpssm.org Birds, reptiles, and mammals take advantage of on marked multi-use trails. Most other trails the park’s diverse plant communities, available are restricted to hiker and equestrian use only. Brochure funding groundwater, and unusual geologic features. The Dogs on leash are allowed on trails. from California State Parks Foundation Sespe to Bakersfield 0 10 20 Mi Angeles NF

0 10Creek 20 30 Km 2000 Angeles 5 Santa Susana Pass Ojai 1900 NF State Historic Park 150 14 1800 1700 126 Santa Valencia Susana 1600 23 Pass SHP 118 118 Van 1500 Thousand Nuys 101 Oaks Oxnard Canoga Park 101 1 Point Malibu 27 Los Encinos Mugu SP SHP to Van Nuys, Santa MonicaCreek SP 1600 0 500 1000 1500 2000 Feet San Fernando Mountains NRA SHP Leo Carrillo SP Malibu 405 0 200 400 600 Meters Topanga 118 Robert H. Meyer Malibu SP Will Memorial SB Lagoon Rogers 1 1500 Point SP SB Dume SB Santa Santa Monica Monica SB 1400 1300 1400

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