Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve

The Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve is a large open-space nature preserve owned and operated by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy spanning nearly 3,000 acres (12 km²) in western Los Angeles County and eastern Ventura County. Originally part of Ahmanson Ranch, this area was sold by Seattle-based Washington Mutual to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy in late 2003 [http://www.lamountains.com/parks.asp?parkid=28 LAMountains.com ULVCOSP webpage] ] after lengthy issues concerning development on the oak savanna.

History

Pre-1963

For thousands of years prior to 1963, the Chumash Native American tribe claimed much of the area then-known as Ahmanson Ranch. The Chumash had, prior to European involvement, at least one village on the land. The village of Huwam was a multi-cultural village where Chumash, Tongva, and Tataviam peoples lived. Castle Peak, a large rocky mountain on the property of El Escorpion Park, is the reported site of this village. In addition to this, the peak is one of nine alignment points in Chumash territory and is essential to maintaining the balance of the natural world. A cave known as "The Cave of Munits" exists just inside the property. This is the believed cave of a mythical Chumash shaman who was killed after murdering the son of a Chumash chief. [http://www.wishtoyo.org/projects-cultural-ahmanson-ranch.html Wishtoyo on Ahmanson Ranch] ]

1963-2003

In 1963, Home Savings of America obtained the property that was then called Ahmanson Ranch. It sat unused, with no plans for development, until 1989 when Home Savings of America announced their plans for the convert|5400|acre|km2|0 property. The plans included over 3,000 homes, two golf courses, and convert|400000|sqft|m2|-4 of commercial and residential space. [http://www.dbc.uci.edu/~sustain/global/sensem/gotoh297.html Ahmanson Ranch Development] , Akiko Allison Gotoh, March 5, 1997] However, in 1998, Home Savings of America was bought by Washington Mutual for $6.4 billion. [http://www.businessweek.com/1998/47/b3605121.htm Morris, K: "Ahmanson: Parity Lost", Business Week] ]

2003-Present

On September 28, 2005, the Topanga Canyon Fire broke out between the west-bound State Route 118 and Topanga Canyon Boulevard. By September 29, the fire had reached the Preserve, and burned a large portion of the park near, and including, El Escorpion Park. By October 3, 2005, the fire had been contained. A total of convert|24175|acre|km2|-1 were burned, and it cost over $8 million to contain and extinguish the fire. [http://www.firerescue1.com/incident-reports/10893/ FireRescue1 Topanga Canyon Fire report] ] The effects of the fire are still visible in the park, as much of the brush was burned away. However, the rains during the following fall and winter seasons provided an abundant source of water and the park exhibited an amazing regrowth the next spring.

Access

Trailheads

There are two trailheads at which people can access the park.

Victory Trailhead

Located at the western end of Victory Blvd. in West Hills, the Victory Trailhead is the main trailhead for the Preserve. It features a large gravel parking lot with a Portable Toilet that is cleaned at least weekly. The parking lot has room for buses and equestrian trailers. Parking is $1 for the day. Parking passes are available through [http://mrca.ca.gov/permits.html The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy website] . Multi-park 5- and 7-day and single park 7-day passes are available. Parking is also available "outside" the park gates on Victory Blvd., Gilmore St., and Country Oak Rd. A bulletin board featuring information on the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and recent park and system information is located in the parking lot. There are two picnic tables just inside the park and a large informational display featuring the history, geography, and wildlife of the Preserve.

By proceeding north, one would find themselves on the El Escorpion Trail, headed towards the north area of the Preserve, the Cave of Munits, and El Escorpion Park. By proceeding west, one would find themselves headed towards the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Trailhead

This trailhead is located at the northern end of Las Virgenes Canyon Rd. in Calabasas.

Trails

There are three trails through which people can access the park. One, the El Escorpion Trail, runs from El Escorpion Park (managed by the City of Los Angeles Deptartment of Recreation and Parks). The main trail leads from the top of Vanoween, and comes out at the trailhead at Los Virgenes trail head. This trail is generally downhill. The other two trails run from the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area at the east end of the Preserve.

These trails are available for use by hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians during the hours of daylight, 7 days a week. No unauthorized motor vehicles are permitted.

Incidents

On December 8, 2007, two hikers had to be rescued by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department after becoming lost while on the trails. Although experienced hikers, and being well-prepared for the hike, the two veered off a path that had been destroyed by recent fires and were unable to find their way back to a trail. One used a cell phone to call 911, and were rescued later that day. One hiker suffered from hypothermia. [Loesing, J: [http://www.theacorn.com/news/2007/1227/Community/021.html "Father and son rescued while hiking"] , "The Acorn," December 27, 2007. Accessed January 4, 2008.]

External links

* [http://www.saveopenspace.com Save Open Space]

References