Santa Susana Sunset

Moon Over Oats

I took a sunset hike this evening to the summit of Oat Mountain, which at 3747' is the highest peak in the Santa Susana Mountains, a transverse range running east-west to the north of "the valley," a place that's, OMG, like, totally famous, and for sure produces some of the finest cinema in the world. Yeah... ok.

So anyhow, this is not a well-known or used trail. That's not entirely surprising, considering that the whole thing goes up a patchy asphalt road that until recently snaked through a maze of private property with not-altogether-welcoming owners. Plus the peak is full of communications towers, which kind of cramps the whole wilderness vibe.


Anyway, it's all good now - all except the summit itself part of Michael D. Antonovich Regional Park at Joughin Ranch. And it's a great spot to get some beautiful mountain views across southern California, and with acres of wild oats across overlapping, rolling, hills, it's pretty darn scenic in the right light. The steepness of the hike (2000' of elevation gain in 2.8 miles) will also get your blood pumping.


My friend Michelle and I showed up around 6pm to hit the trail, and let me tell you, it was hotter than a cat's ass. I'm not kidding. It was 103 degrees (a cat's body temperature runs around 101-102). That'll keep the crowds down. With plenty of water in tow, we sweated our way up the hill, passing an LAPD SWAT facility, several chopper landing pads, and a whole bunch of bouncing grasshoppers (who apparently like the oat fields) enroute to the summit. We also took an accidental detour to this oil pumpjack (after coming home tonight, I read up on how pumpjacks work...fascinating).

Pumpjack near the summit

The summit itself isn't much to write home (or blog) about, but a little lower on the trail we were treated to great views south to the Santa Monicas, east toward the San Gabriels, and a beautiful sunset to the west.


Temperatures cooled (into the upper 80s to low 90s, decidedly cooler than a cat's ass, but still not nearly as cool as a cucumber), and there was even a pleasant, gentle breeze. On the way down we heard a bunch of coyotes yipping away, which Michelle tells me is an indication that they found something good to eat. Hopefully buffalo.

It was about 90 minutes up, and 60 minutes down, comfortably walking. We arrived back at the trailhead just before dark. After a quick cruise home, I'm pleasantly tired and ready for a good night's sleep. One of the best benefits of a good hike!

Off to an Idaho mountain adventure on Tuesday...aloha a hui hou.