Santa Susana Mountains

Gazing up at the Santa Susana Mountains, have you ever wondered what secrets they hold? These mountains, a transverse range north of Los Angeles, hold a rich tapestry of stories. The Santa Susana Mountains aren’t as imposing as the San Gabriels, but their history is just as compelling. They sprawl east-west, dividing the San Fernando and Simi Valleys from the Santa Clara River Valley. The Santa Susana Mountains have a mild Mediterranean climate. Warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters are typical. Snow dusts the higher peaks like Oat Mountain in winter but quickly melts away. Wildfires are a threat during the hot, dry Santa Ana winds, typically from late September to mid-November. The Santa Susana Mountains boast diverse flora and fauna. Chaparral, grasslands, and oak savannas blanket the south-facing slopes. North-facing slopes shelter oak and conifer woodlands. The Santa Susana Mountains are home to the endangered Santa Susana tarweed. This yellow-flowered plant clings to sandstone bluffs and rocky outcrops. It’s a tenacious survivor in a challenging environment. The Santa Susana Mountains are a haven for wildlife. Turkey vultures, red-tailed hawks, and American kestrels soar above the landscape. California quail, roadrunners, and ravens add their calls to the mountain chorus. Pacific tree frogs, western toads, and California slender salamanders represent the amphibians. Lizards, rattlesnakes, gopher snakes, and kingsnakes are among the reptiles. Mammals include California ground squirrels, brush rabbits, mule deer, coyotes, gray foxes, bobcats, and even elusive mountain lions. Oil was first discovered in California in Pico Canyon, nestled in the Santa Susana Mountains. Pico Well No. 4, drilled in 1876, became the first commercially successful oil well in California. It produced oil for an astonishing 114 years before being capped in 1990. The surrounding town of Mentryville is now a preserved “oil ghost town.” Active oil and gas fields still operate in the Santa Susana Mountains. The Santa Susana Mountains offer a glimpse into California’s past. The Chumash, Tongva, and Tataviam peoples once thrived in this region. Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park preserves sections of the Old Santa Susanna Stage Road. This road was a vital link for travelers and mail between Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and points north. The Santa Susana Mountains also bear witness to more recent history. Remnants of LA-88, a Nike Missile installation from the Cold War era, lie beneath Oat Mountain’s summit. Several buildings and launch pad structures still stand, now used by the LAPD for SWAT training. The Santa Susana Mountains offer a unique blend of natural beauty, historical significance, and a touch of mystery.