Our Mission The mission of California State Parks is Santa Susana to provide for the health, inspiration and he story of Santa education of the people of California by helping T Pass to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological Susana Pass includes an diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities State Historic Park for high-quality outdoor recreation. ancient Indian hunting trail, rocks used as shelter by native people, and hair-raising stagecoach California State Parks supports equal access. Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who trips down Devil’s Slide. need assistance should contact the park at (818) 784-4849. This publication is available in alternate formats by contacting:
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
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Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 22400 Devonshire Street Chatsworth, CA 91311 (818) 784-4849
© 2010 California State Parks S anta Susana Pass State Historic Park— Today, descendants of these local native groups where the Simi Hills meet the Santa Susana still live in the area and have revived many of Mountains—is rich in natural and cultural their ancient traditions. significance. Its largely undisturbed landscape Santa Susana Pass contains part of a historic transportation corridor Between 1850 and 1861, Indian laborers between Missions San Buenaventura and San widened the trail over the pass to accommodate Fernando. The park’s Santa Susana Stage Road stagecoaches and flat-bottomed mud wagons. Mud wagon was once a segment of the famous Butterfield The high wheels of these lighter, less-expensive The Spahn Ranch Overland Stage Route, and was also used by versions of traditional stagecoaches kept the The park’s sandstone bedrock gives a Wells, Fargo & Company as a route between Los wagon high above the muddy roads. wide-open “badlands” look, used as the Angeles and Santa Barbara. The trail’s precipitous drop earned it the background for many western films and name “Devil’s Slide.” Drivers employed various PARK HISTORY television programs. The 500-acre Spahn strategies to keep from losing control of the California Indians Ranch, located within the park’s northern stagecoach. Often during the descent, drivers Three native groups lived here before European boundary, was one of several “movie asked passengers to get out and walk, or to contact—Chumash to the west, Tongva to the ranches” in the area. Between the late 1940s carry rocks with which to block the wheels. east, and to the north, a group called Tataviam. and the late 1960s, dozens of films and Mules and horses were blindfolded and coaxed The steep road through the Santa Susana television shows, including The Lone Ranger, to descend the pass. At times the iron rims of Mountains was originally a trail created by Roy Rogers and Bonanza episodes, were the locked coach wheels sparked against the the travels of game animals, and used by the filmed here. In 1970, a wildfire destroyed all sandstone. One passenger described seeing native people to track and hunt them. Spanish of the buildings associated with the former a “streak of fire” caused by the wagons’ brake colonists used the trail for horses, carretas (ox Spahn movie ranch. shoes rubbing against the iron wheel rims. carts) and herding livestock. The Santa Susana Stage Road is listed on the NATURAL HISTORY The arrival of Europeans brought diseases National Register of Historic Places. Panoramic views of the wild landscape to which the Indians had no resistance. Many provide striking contrast to the developed Chumash, Tongva and Tataviam people died communities nearby. The western part of the from smallpox, measles and other diseases. groundwater and unusual geologic features. The ACCESSIBLE FEATURES terrain is part of an important wildlife corridor Currently no wheelchair-accessible connecting the San Gabriel, Santa Susana and features or restrooms are available. Santa Monica mountain ranges. Mule deer, Accessibility is continually improving. bobcats, coyotes, gray foxes and ringtails are Visit http://access.parks.ca.gov for updates. often seen here. Climate NEARBY STATE PARKS • Los Encinos State Historic Park May through November is usually dry. Cold, 16756 Moorpark St., Encino 91436 wet winters can send torrents of water over the (818) 784-4849 bedrock. Rarely, heavy rains can cause flash • Topanga State Park floods in arid canyons. 20825 Entrada Road, Topanga 90290 RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES (310) 455-2465 Trails—Hike, mountain bike or ride horses on Transverse Ranges is dominated by high, narrow the marked multi-use trails. Bicycles must yield ridges and deep canyons covered with a variety to horses and hikers. Horses are not allowed of plant life. on bike/hike trails. The interpretive trails in the In winter, heavy rainfall sometimes causes two historic area are restricted to hiking and foot of the park’s intermittent streams to overflow. traffic only. Dogs are not allowed on any trails. Geology PLEASE REMEMBER The soil ranges from nearly five million-year-old • Enter from Chatsworth Park South at 22360 sandstone bedrock to forms of clay, shale and Devonshire St. or from 10200 Larwin Ave., crushed sandstone. 9860 Andora Ave., or 7700 Lilac Lane. Plant Life • Park legally in residential areas. Do not park on Sandstone rock outcrops shelter the rare Santa Santa Susana Pass Road. Susana tarplant, while the moister slopes • No motor vehicles are allowed in the park. support denser vegetation. • Do not disturb natural or cultural features. Typical shrubs in the canyons include coastal • Alcohol consumption and weapons are not sagebrush, buckwheat, laurel sumac and permitted in the park. • Fires are prohibited due to wildfire danger. chamise. Riparian species such as willow and • Carry and drink plenty of water. Summer Mexican elderberry grow well. In larger riparian temperatures usually reach 100 degrees. channels, coast live oak, California walnut and • Do not hike alone. Tell someone where you are sycamore create a dense canopy. Spring rains going and when you will return. produce tiger lilies, maroon monkey flowers and • Carry a cell phone to call 911 for emergencies. wild lilacs. • Stay away from all railroad tracks Wildlife and tunnels. Birds, reptiles and mammals take advantage of • Contact park staff for a schedule of interpretive Devil’s Slide the park’s diverse plant communities, available activities and volunteer opportunities.