Sage Ranch Park

When you need to recharge, this is the place to go, especially if you live near here. The loop is great way to get in some exercise and remind yourself that not everything is on your phone.

All you need to do is look up... and look around. Check out my pics!

Aerial view of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory in the Simi Hills, with the San Fernando Valley and San Gabriel Mountains beyond to the east. The Energy Technology Engineering Center site is in the flat Area IV at the lower left, with the Rocket Test Field Laboratory sites in the hills at the center. (Spring 2005)
SSFL was used mainly for the development and testing of liquid-propellant rocket engines for the United States space program from 1949 to 2006,[1] nuclear reactors from 1953 to 1980 and the operation of a U.S. government-sponsored liquid metals research center from 1966 to 1998.[3] Throughout the years, about ten low-power nuclear reactors operated at SSFL, (including the Sodium Reactor Experiment, the first reactor in the United States to generate electrical power for a commercial grid, and the first commercial power plant in the world to experience a partial core meltdown) in addition to several "critical facilities" that helped develop nuclear science and applications. At least four of the ten nuclear reactors had accidents during their operation. The reactors located on the grounds of SSFL were considered experimental, and therefore had no containment structures.
The site ceased research and development operations in 2006. The years of rocket testing, nuclear reactor testing, and liquid metal research have left the site "significantly contaminated". Environmental cleanup is ongoing. The public who live near the site have strongly urged a thorough cleanup of the site, citing cases of long term illnesses, including cancer cases at rates they claim are higher than normal. On 30 March 2018, a seven-year-old girl living in Simi Valley died of neuroblastoma, prompting public urging to thoroughly clean up the site. Experts have said, however, that there is insufficient evidence to identify an explicit link between cancer rates and radioactive contamination in the area.[4

Aerial view of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory in the Simi Hills, with the San Fernando Valley and San Gabriel Mountains beyond to the east. The Energy Technology Engineering Center site is in the flat Area IV at the lower left, with the Rocket Test Field Laboratory sites in the hills at the center. (Spring 2005)
SSFL was used mainly for the development and testing of liquid-propellant rocket engines for the United States space program from 1949 to 2006,[1] nuclear reactors from 1953 to 1980 and the operation of a U.S. government-sponsored liquid metals research center from 1966 to 1998.[3] Throughout the years, about ten low-power nuclear reactors operated at SSFL, (including the Sodium Reactor Experiment, the first reactor in the United States to generate electrical power for a commercial grid, and the first commercial power plant in the world to experience a partial core meltdown) in addition to several "critical facilities" that helped develop nuclear science and applications. At least four of the ten nuclear reactors had accidents during their operation. The reactors located on the grounds of SSFL were considered experimental, and therefore had no containment structures.
The site ceased research and development operations in 2006. The years of rocket testing, nuclear reactor testing, and liquid metal research have left the site "significantly contaminated". Environmental cleanup is ongoing. The public who live near the site have strongly urged a thorough cleanup of the site, citing cases of long term illnesses, including cancer cases at rates they claim are higher than normal. On 30 March 2018, a seven-year-old girl living in Simi Valley died of neuroblastoma, prompting public urging to thoroughly clean up the site. Experts have said, however, that there is insufficient evidence to identify an explicit link between cancer rates and radioactive contamination in the area.[4

For anyone unaware, this park is less than a mile from a former nuclear reactor testing ground that has an ongoing cleanup, known as the Santa Susana Field Laboratory. The surrounding areas are still known to be contaminated. Do not let pretty park signs fool you, this area is littered with heavy metals, radioactivity and other toxic contaminants.

Search Susana Field Laboratory for plenty of information.

One of the best trails out there. Especially with the little rains replenishing the greenery. Try to wear shoes with more grip. Gorgeous views at every step. Sunrise and sunsets are spectacular.

Great 2 mile loop. Can be changing at the end with the hills. Fun to see the backside of the plant

Located next to the former Santa Susana Field Laboratory/Rocketdyne facility, home to Burro Flats Painted Cave, this location has tons of history to read about before you visit. It was surprising to learn that the park was named after the family that once owned the property and not the plant. The 625-acre park has only one trail, the 2.5-mile Loop Trail. Currently there is a detour route in effect due to environmental clean-up of skeet-shooting debris. The detour bisects through the center of the original trail.

There original sections of the trail are wide and well-marked with intermittent signage. The detour portion is more narrow and overgrown in areas. The highlight of the trail are the sandstone rock formations. There are a number of small caves and rock shelters that you can explore. Reaching the rock formations require a short trek through tall grasses. If you decide to go off trail I recommend wearing long pants and hiking shoes with good tread. Be sure to watch closely for rattlesnakes. I picked the right time visit since there were tons of blooming wildflowers. Unfortunately the flowers also brought the bees that you will hear buzzing in the background if you visit in the spring.

It was not very crowded the day I visited. I suggest parking in the lower parking lot if you want to avoid paying the parking fee. Bathrooms are available onsite.

Anyone who describes this as an "entry level hike" has a really different idea than me of what "entry level" is. It ISN'T having to slide down a hill on my butt because the trail is so steep and muddy there's simply no other safe way to descend. It ISN'T having segments of the trail so close to the edge of a steep embankment -- and so slanted -- that you have to get down on your hands and knees to get through, hoping you don't slide off anyway because of the mud.

Now granted, I'm talking about the DETOUR segment of the trail here. As others have pointed out, the first part of the hike, till you get to the detour, isn't too bad, and of course there are wonderful views all the way along. If the full, original trail ever reopens, or they create a better, safer detour, I'd happily add more stars to my review.

However, if you're not an athlete and/or a daredevil, my recommendation is (1) take a really sturdy hiking pole and (2) turn around and go back as soon as you spot that "Loop Trail Detour" sign! Trust me - it's a sign from God!!

Huge park which is great for hiking. Helped my daughter plant her first oak tree. Sky Valley Volunteers are helping plant trees in the park.

Took this hike yesterday for the first time and absolutely loved it! There's so much to see here, massive rock outcroppings to climb, green fields of grass and stunning wildflowers. We did take the detour and unlike other reviewers, we didn't find it difficult at all and I am not a rock star athlete by any means. Perhaps it's because the trail has dried out now, so it's not as slippery going up and down the inclines as it may have been a few weeks back. He detour has some steep inclines but no, more difficult than other hikes in the area.

Best thing about this park is that it's empty. That's the most surprising thing too. So many people have yelped good things about it and every time I go, there might be 2 or 3 other people or couples there at the most.

We bring the dogs and climb the rocks and frolic through the grass and weeds. The dogs love it. There's even a camp site looking area with parking stalls for all. They even have a little amphitheater type seating area.

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