Las Llajas Canyon Map

Marr Ranch Parkland Rocky Peak Park

Hiking Distance: 8.8 Miles Round Trip Hiking Time: 4.5 Hours Configuration: Out-And-Back Elevation Gain: 1,200 Feet Difficulty: Strenuous

Exposure: Mix Of Forested Canyon And Open Hillside Dogs: Allowed

Maps: U.S.G.S. Simi Valley East

The Marr Ranch Parkland In Simi Valley Is Tucked Into The Foothills Of The Santa Susana Mountains Adjacent To Rocky Peak Park. The Publicly Owned Parkland And Open Space Encompasses 1,842 Acres, Which Includes Chivo Canyon And Las Llajas Canyon, Both Stream-Fed Canyons. The Las Llajas Canyon Road, A Vehicle-Restricted Road, Heads Up The Canyon Through Scenic, Unspoiled Landscapes.

The Hike Meanders Along The Valley Floor Along The Road, Parallel To The Creek And Under Groves Of Old Oak Trees. The Trail Climbs Out Of The Canyon On Oil Well Road (Part Of An Active Ranch) To Rocky Peak Trail Atop The Ridge. From The Ridge Are Sweeping Vistas, Including Views Of Oat Mountain And Its Distinctive Radio Towers.

To The Trailhead

From Highway 118/Ronald Reagan Freeway In Simi Valley, Exit On Yosemite Avenue. Drive 2.8 Miles North To Evening Sky Drive. Turn Right And Continue A Half Mile To The Signed Trailhead On The Left. Park Along The Curb.

The Hike

Pass The Trailhead Kiosk And Descend 300 Yards On The Paved Road, Dropping Into Las Llajas Canyon. At Transient Las Llajas Creek, Veer To The Right And Cross Over The East Fork Of The Creek. Follow The East Side Of The Main Fork, Weaving Along The Canyon Bottom As The Canyon Walls Narrow. Pass Pockets Of Oak Trees On The Easy Uphill Grade. Cross Over The Creek At 1.2 Miles, Then Cross Over The Creek For The Third Time. Meander Past Shaded Streamside Oak Groves, Continuing Up The Serpentine Canyon. Traverse The North Canyon Slope Above The Waterway, Then Return To The Canyon Floor. Cross The Invisible Line From Ventura County Into Los Angeles County Without Noticing An Increase In The Population. Continue To A Y-Fork At 3.4 Miles. To The Left Is A Gated Access Into La Quinta Ranch. Curve Right On The Oil Well Road, A Partially- Paved But Mostly Dirt Road, And Ascend The North-Facing Wall Overlooking Las Llajas Canyon. Weave Up The Hillside, Passing Oil Wells, Holding Tanks, And Grazing Cattle. Gain 700 Feet Over The Next Mile To The Rocky Peak Trail, A Fire Road. After Savoring The Well-Earned Vistas, Return Along The Same Route.

To Extend The Hike And Form A 9.5-Mile Loop, Take Rocky Peak Trail 1.6 Miles To The Right. Head South To The Chumash Trail. Bear Left And Descend 2.5 Miles (Hike 152) To The Chumash Trailhead On Flanagan Drive. Go Right On Mescallero Place, And Weave To Evening Sky Drive, Completing The Loop.