Rocky Peak


Rocky Peak, located in Rocky Peak Park, is the fourth-highest point in the Santa Susana Mountains, and overlooks the San Fernando Valley and Chatsworth, the Simi Hills, and the Simi Valley in Southern California. The peak, which is in elevation, sits on the Los Angeles County–Ventura County line.

Geography

Rocky Peak also marks the point where the county line changes direction from true north to a more northwesterly direction. A large railroad spike driven into the rocks mark this exact spot on the county line. Rocky Peak, which gets its name from the many large craggy boulders that dot its surface, can be viewed from several locations along Topanga Canyon Blvd., and from California State Route 118, also known as the Ronald Reagan Freeway.
The nearest neighbor is Oat Mountain, the highest mountain in the Santa Susana Mountains range, which lies east of Rocky Peak.

History

The area was part of the homeland and trading crossroads of the Tataviam, Tongva, and Chumash people for eight thousand years. The Chumash Burro Flats Painted Cave is just to the west in the Simi Hills on the Santa Susana Field Laboratory property.
Historic Santa Susana Pass is at the foot of the mountain, with the Old Santa Susana Stage Road located in the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park nearby. Rocky Peak has been prominently featured in many classic Hollywood films, being next to three major Movie ranches; the Iverson, Spahn, and Corriganville Ranches; and its evocative 'Old-West Frontier' landscape scenery.

Rocky Peak Park

Rocky Peak Park is located about northwest of the peak includes the Runkle Ranch, formerly owned by entertainer Bob Hope. The park reaches five miles northward from Simi Freeway to Las Llajas Canyon. a regional open space preserve, includes the Rocky Peak Park forms the most critical wildlife habitat linkage between the Santa Susana Mountains and the Simi Hills and on to the Santa Susana Mountains. The highest elevation in the park is 2' higher than Rocky Peak, at 2717'.
There are miles of trails, including the Rim of the Valley Trail Corridor, in Rocky Peak Park with panoramic views that are popular for hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian rides. They connect with other preserves to the northeast in the Santa Susanas. Sage Ranch Park is to the west with trails and camping. The Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park and trail system is just to the south across the highway.