Murphy’s Ranch: Abandoned Stronghold – Graffiti and Urban Decay (Hike)

During the WWI, Winona and Norman Stephens were convinced by a German named Herr Schmidt that when Germany ultimately won the war, the American government would not be able to stay afloat thus leading to a time of anarchy in the United States. They invested over $4 million building a ranch, power station, machine shed, fully irrigated hillside for growing food, raised gardens, a massive water tank and even a place to store diesel fuel. They also built multiple cement stairs up the side of the neighboring hill to help with the farming and to patrol the area. They planned to build a four story mansion here as well but it was said to have fallen through. Now it’s a site of graffiti and urban decay. A perfect place for photographers to wander!

Specifics:
This is a hike of about 4 miles round trip and about 600 feet of elevation. It should take about an hour to reach the ranch once we park. The hike includes over 500 (steep) stairs. We will take our time getting to and from the ranch.

Bring a sack lunch, water, sunscreen and good walking shoes/boots.

Carpool:
At 8:00 we'll leave from the Fullerton Park-n-Ride, where the 5, 91, Orangethorpe & Magnolia come together.

Non-carpool. Meet at 9:00 - 9:15 where the Sullivan Fire Road meets Casale Drive, Pacific Palisades.

Thanks to JoshMc for all the great information. California through My Lens Blog