Stagecoach Rd - Corriganville - Rock House - El Camino Nueve Loop
Details
We'll begin our trek at the top of the Old Stagecoach Rd and venture west through Twilight Canyon to Corriganville. After a little site-seeing and a loop around Corriganville we'll head up a hill to the 118 and cross under it using the wildlife corridor. From there we'll take a seldom-used trail to the fork at the Hummingbird Trail and Rocky Peak Trails. We'll visit the Rock House and have our snack break.
We'll continue the loop by heading down Rocky Peak Rd and catch the El Camino Nueve which will bring us back to The Old Stagecoach Rd
Our hike will be steeped in local history and lore. Enjoy the history lessons below :)
The Rock House
The rock house is a small room under a rock overhang. It was built as part of a movie set. Across the trail from the rock house is a natural cave above the road. Rumor has it that an entire family lived there at one time. Its a perfect spot for our snack break!
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Corriganville
We've been here many times. From 1937 to 1965 Corriganville Movie Ranch, owned by stuntman Ray "Crash" Corrigan, was a working film studio and movie ranch for outdoor location shooting. In 1949, it opened to the public on weekends and holidays.
In 1965 Ray Corrigan sold the property to Bob Hope. A housing subdivision called Hopetown was developed and built on a parcel near the park entrance. In the late 1960s and early 1970s part of the site was used for motorcycle racing. In 1970 the ranch was swept by fire. In 1979 another fire destroyed virtually all of the remaining structures.
In 1988 The land was acquired by the City of Simi Valley for use as a regional park
Here is a video of the "Jungle Jim Rock" and "Robin Hood Lake"
Here is a video showing Fort Apache location.
The Old Stagecoach Road
Another HWD regular, The Old Stagecoach Road was built In 1859. It provided an inland route between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara that was shorter than the coastal route. The first overland stagecoach to use the pass made its run between San Francisco and Los Angeles on April 6, 1861. We'll be starting and ending our loop hike at the top of the Devils Slide segment.
Descending into Twilight Canyon
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El Camino Nueve
More appropriately known as the Chatsworth Grade Road it replaced the stagecoach route in 1895 and provided an easier and smoother route to transport goods. It was also able to accommodate motorized vehicles. We'll be hiking along this old grade which was replaced by our familiar Old Santa Susana Pass in 1917.
The Santa Susana Wildlife Corridor
This wildlife corridor under the 118 helps provide a vital linkage between the Santa Susana Mountains and the Santa Monica Mountains. It also means us animals don't have to dodge cars on the 118 when we go from Corriganville to the Hummingbird Trail
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Hike will be about 7 miles with about 1000'net/1500' total ascent. Bring plenty of water and snacks
Directions
Take Topanga Canyon Boulevard north, and just past Stoney Point is the Santa Susana Pass Road. Turn left. After you pass the Rocky Peak exit off the 118 Freeway, start looking to your left for Lilac Lane. Turn left on Lilac Lane. Drive a short way and look to your left for a large dirt parking lot with a State Parks wooden kiosk. Park in the dirt parking lot and meet at the kiosk. (Do not park in the street.)
The main lot won't hold all of us so here are some parking options: https://www.meetup.com/localhikers/photos/25740853/431549623/
We'll all meet up in the middle on the corner of Lilac Lane and Santa Susana Rd
https://www.meetup.com/localhikers/photos/25740853/431549623/
Stagecoach Rd - Corriganville - Rock House - El Camino Nueve Loop