A fascinating 8 mile historical hike with 900 ft elevation gain along the Old Stagecoach Road used from 1860 - 1890 in Santa Susana Pass State Historical Park .

There were several stagecoach lines but the route from San Francisco through the Santa Susana Pass, Between Simi Valley and Chatsworth, was the most steep and dangerous. This pass on the Chatsworth side was called "The Devils Slide", and for good reason. The road was carved out of the sandstone rock by hand (you can still see the pick marks), and holes were drilled so that steel pins were set so that block and tackle could ease the coaches down the grade.

One of the highlights along the way is a plaque set by the Native Daughters of the Golden West in 1939 marking Devils Slide. The observant hiker will notice the drainage chutes along the side of the road, old cisterns used to capture rainwater, and notches carved out from the wear of wagon wheels. There are petroglyphs to be found on some of the rocks along the trail if you look carefully.

We will end up in Corriganville Park on the Simi side. The park contains a 2.5 mile loop that meanders down an oak shaded trail on both sides of a small creek. Interpretive signs detail both nature and the 3500 movies made at this location almost 40 years ago. The loop then continues through some spectacular sandstone formations. We'll enjoy a snack break here and return nearly the way we came.

Directions:

Go west on Devonshire as if you are going to Chatsworth Park. Instead of driving into the (closed) park entrance, turn left (south) on Larwin Street and go one block until you come to a chain link fence on your right. This is very easy to locate because in addtion to the fence, an old set of power lines runs directly overhead. Park along the curb. We will enter the park through a gap in the fence.

Bring plenty of water, snacks, hat, sunscreen, camera