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Trails of
Upper Las Virgenes Open
Space Preserve
(aka Ahmanson Ranch)
This page is under construction; maps are complete but the descriptions are incomplete.
Ahmanson Ranch from near the bottom of Switzerland.
Ahmanson Ranch (here its historical name is used because the formal name is too much of a mouthful) is a beautiful property of rolling grasslands studded with many oak trees. There are a few official trails (shown in blue on the map below) but many more unofficial trails (dashed brown lines). For the most part, the unofficial trails are much more beautiful to hike and fun to ride.
Unhappily, much of the grasslands have been taken over by mustard so the trails can become clogged in the spring. Also, it's really hot here in the summer so pay close attention to the weather forecast and how much water you have before heading out.
For a number of years, Ahmanson Ranch was a controversial piece of land because Washington Mutual Bank wanted to build 3000 homes here, a golf course and shopping plaza. Besides the concerns about congestion from the extra traffic on the 101 freeway and Valley Circle Rd, this area is home to two endangered species. In 2004 the bank instead sold the land to the state for a park and now it is open for riding and hiking. The propery is owned and managed by the Mountains Recreation Conservation Agency (MRCA).
Determining the names of all the trails was not easy because of contradictions on even the official maps. Here most of the unofficial trails were named as they are in TrailForks but maps for official land managers were used for the official trails.
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Unofficial Sites
Trailheads, Parking and Features
a. Main parking area at the west end of Victory Blvd. There is a fee
to park here. Map
and directions.
b. Near the west end of Victory Blvd, just east
of Gilmore St. Parking at the side of the road is free. Map
and directions.
c. North end of Las Virgenes Road. Free
parking at the side of the road. Map
and directions.
d. The entrance to El Escorpion Park at the
junction of Van Owen and Sunset Ridge Ct. Park at the side of the road. Map
and directions.
e. Anfractuous Trailhead on at the end of
Edenpark Dr. Map
and directions.
Download the GPS tracks 
to help you find your way. This GPX file contains tracks for all the trails
in this area.
Ahmanson Ranch House Trail
T1.5
Description This is
Watch this video, starting at 0:31 to see some of this trail.
Technical Rating T1.5
|
Length (miles) |
1.0 |
|
Climb (feet) |
190 (from East LV Canyon Trail to Mary Weisbrock Loop) |
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Descent (feet) |
90 |
Trail Profile Back to the Top
Anfractuous
T2.5
(aka
Edenpark Trail)
Description This is
Singlterack trail, has some very steep sections, probably overgrown with weeds in the spring. The steepest hill (a little uphill of the center of the trail) changes elevation of 100' over 460'.
Technical Rating T2.5
|
Length (miles) |
1.2 |
|
Climb (feet) |
400 (Edenpark Drive to Gates Canyon Trail) |
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Descent (feet) |
130 |
Trail Profile Back to the Top
Castle Peak Trail
(AKA Valley View and Easy Rider) T3
Castle Peak Ridge (AKA Valley View and Rocky
Road) T5
HO
Description This is
|
Length (miles) |
Castle Peak Tr: 0.82; Castle Ridge: 0.5 |
|
Climb (feet) |
Castle Peak Tr: 520; Castle Ridge: 200 |
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Descent (feet) |
Castle Peak Tr: 60; Castle Ridge: 200 |
Trail Profile Back to
the Top
Cave of the Munits Trail
T5
HO
Description This is
Climbs 450' in 0.3 miles; most of that is in the second half (0.15 miles)
|
Length (miles) |
0.2 to the cave from El Escorpion; 0.15 from the cave to Castle Ridge Trail. |
|
Climb (feet) |
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|
Descent (feet) |
This trail is too short to provide an elevation profile. Back to the Top
Coyote Trail
T2
Description This is
Watch this video, starting at 4:42 to see some of this trail from the top. 150' of elevation change over 0.7 miles.
Technical Rating T2
|
Length (miles) |
0.7 |
|
Climb (feet) |
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|
Descent (feet) |
This trail is too short to provide an elevation profile. Back to the Top
Downtown T1
Very firm, broad. 100' of elevation change over 0.25 miles.
This trail is too short to provide an elevation profile.
East Las Virgenes Canyon Trail
T1.5
Description This is
Technical Rating T1.5
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Length (miles) |
2.6 |
|
Climb (feet) |
50 |
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Descent (feet) |
430 |
Trail Profile Back to the Top
El Escorpion Trail
T1.5
(AKA Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail; Hunter Allen
Trail)
Description This is
Technical Rating T1.5
|
Length (miles) |
1.3 |
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Climb (feet) |
350 |
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Descent (feet) |
Zero |
Trail Profile Back to the Top
England
T3
Description This is
Watch this video, starting at 0:27 to see the bottom of England.
North half: Firm singletrack trail; somewhat overgrown in spring, steep and rutted, very fun downhill.
Technical Rating T3
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Length (miles) |
0.56 (From Upper England to E. LV Canyon Trail) 0.54 (From Upper England to El Escorpion) |
|
Climb (feet) |
40 (From Upper England to E. LV Canyon
Trail) 40 (From Upper England to El Escorpion) |
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Descent (feet) |
270 (From Upper England to E. LV Canyon
Trail) 400 (From Upper England to El Escorpion) |
Trail Profile Back to the Top
Finland
T2.5
(AKA
Nepal)
Description This is
View the trail in this video, starting at 0:14.
Very steep singletrack - expect to push your bike up. Firm tread probably overgrown in the spring.
Technical Rating T2.5
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Length (miles) |
0.875 |
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Climb (feet) |
35 (From North Ridge Trail down to Slenderman) |
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Descent (feet) |
570 |
Trail Profile Back to the Top
Description This is
The top 60% is a broad fireroad. Below that it narrows to a firm singletrack. There is some shade along the singletrack, but a big rut as you climb just before you get to the fireroad part.
Technical Rating T0.5
for
the top 60%; T2.5
for the bottom 40%
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Length (miles) |
1.2 |
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Climb (feet) |
450 (from East LV Canyon Trail to Mary Weisbrock Loop) |
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Descent (feet) |
50 |
Trail Profile Back to the Top
Graham's Grade
T2.5
Description This is
Watch this video, starting at 1:01 to see some of this trail, unnamed at the time the video was made.
Mostly a doubletrack; some bad ruts on one side; super fun to blast down on a mountain bike.
Technical Rating T2.5
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Length (miles) |
0.8 |
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Climb (feet) |
30 |
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Descent (feet) |
290 |
Trail Profile Back to the Top
Ireland
T3
Description This is
View the trail in this video, starting at 1:24.
Singletrack mostly firm but some sections with loose rocks. super fun to blast down on a mountain bike. Will be overgrown with weeds in the spring, mostly mustard.
Technical Rating T3
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Length (miles) |
1.8 |
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Climb (feet) |
110 (From North Ridge Trail to E. LV Canyon Trail) |
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Descent (feet) |
740 |
Trail Profile Back to the Top
Joe Behar Trail
T2.5
Description This is
Watch this video, starting at 2:19 to see some of this trail.
Starts as a dirt road at the bottom then becomes a mostly firm singletrack trail that has some small ruts and rock obstacles.
Technical Rating T2.5
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Length (miles) |
0.7 |
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Climb (feet) |
240 |
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Descent (feet) |
zero |
Trail Profile Back to the Top
Jolly T3.5
Very steep singletrack trail, dusty and somewhat loose, rutted. Change in elevation is 120' over 0.12 miles (650').
Technical Rating T3.5
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Length (miles) |
0.12 |
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Climb (feet) |
120 (From England to Downtown) |
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Descent (feet) |
zero |
Trail Profile Back to the Top
Las Virgenes Canyon Trail
T1.5
Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Trail
T1.5
(aka
East Las Virgenes Canyon Trail; Bell Canyon Trail)
Description This is
Watch this video, starting at 9:16 to see some of this trail.
Mostly firm and wide fireroad but a little uneven. There are a couple of huge puddles that have to be forded.
Technical Rating T1.5
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Length (miles) |
4.5 from Las Virgenes Road to Bell Canyon Trail |
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Climb (feet) |
|
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Descent (feet) |
Trail Profile Back to the Top
Las
Virgenes Singletrack T2
Description This is
Watch this video, starting at 6:24 to see some of this trail.
Firm singletrack, very fun downhill - not too steep.
Technical Rating T2
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Length (miles) |
0.5 |
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Climb (feet) |
|
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Descent (feet) |
This trail is too short to provide an elevation profile. Back to the Top
Laskey Mesa Trail
T2
Description This is
Narrow fireroad with some ruts.
Technical Rating T2
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Length (miles) |
0.7 |
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Climb (feet) |
250 |
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Descent (feet) |
50 |
Trail Profile Back to the Top
Mary Wiesbrock Loop
T1
Description This is
Fireroad, well used.
Technical Rating T1
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Length (miles) |
1.3 |
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Climb (feet) |
100 |
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Descent (feet) |
100 |
Trail Profile Back to the Top
North Las Virgenes Canyon Access Road
T2
Description This is
Watch this video, starting at 9:37 to see some of this trail.
Steep in spots, rocky in spots but firm fireroad. Doesn't get graded every year so it can narrow to a singletrack.
Technical Rating T2
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Length (miles) |
1.0 |
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Climb (feet) |
240 (Upper LV Canyon Trail to East LV Canyon Trail) |
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Descent (feet) |
190 |
Trail Profile Back to the Top
Description This is
View the trail in this video, starting at 0:43.
Narrow fireroad, mostly pretty firm. Switchbacks from Bell Canyon Road at the west end are steep and that part rates T2. The rest is T1.5.
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Length (miles) |
0.93 (from Bell Canyon Rd. to the top of Ireland |
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Climb (feet) |
250 |
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Descent (feet) |
100 |
Trail Profile Back to the Top
Push It! T4
Very very steep! Firm tread.
Technical Rating T4
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Length (miles) |
0.09 |
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Climb (feet) |
110 (from E LV Canyon Trail to Downtown) |
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Descent (feet) |
zero |
Trail Profile Back to the Top
Description This is
Steep singletrack.
Technical Rating
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Length (miles) |
0.8 |
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Climb (feet) |
|
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Descent (feet) |
Trail Profile Back to the Top
Single Life
T2
0.5 miles long, gently rolling, firm singletrack. well used, little uneven from gopher holes
Slenderman
T2
Description This is
Watch this video, starting at 10:36 to see some of this trail.
Technical Rating T2
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Length (miles) |
0.64 |
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Climb (feet) |
30 from Finland to E LV Cyn Tr. |
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Descent (feet) |
210 |
Trail Profile Back to the Top
South Conservancy Trail
T3
Description This is
Moderately steep, big ruts at the bottom, there is a very steep and loose section at the top about 30' long, little shade.
Technical Rating T3
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Length (miles) |
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Climb (feet) |
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Descent (feet) |
Trail Profile Back to the Top
Description This is
Technical Rating T1
to Poison Oak Rock, T3
beyond there
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Length (miles) |
4.2 |
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Climb (feet) |
600 |
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Descent (feet) |
100 |
Trail Profile Back to the Top
Switzerland
T3
Description This is
Watch this video, starting at 1:34 to see Switzerland from the top.
Steep singletrack mostly firm but some sections with loose rocks. It's super fun to blast down on a mountain bike. Will be overgrown with weeds in the spring, mostly mustard.
Technical Rating T3.5
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Length (miles) |
1.1 |
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Climb (feet) |
20 (From North Ridge Trail to E. LV Canyon Trail) |
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Descent (feet) |
660 |
Trail Profile Back to the Top
Description This is
Technical Rating
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Length (miles) |
4.2 |
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Climb (feet) |
600 |
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Descent (feet) |
100 |
Trail Profile Back to the Top
Upper England T2
Description This is
Watch this video, starting at 0:44 to see some of Upper England.
Technical Rating T2
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Length (miles) |
0.56 |
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Climb (feet) |
120 (From Ireland to England) |
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Descent (feet) |
180 |
Trail Profile Back to
the Top
It's hard to tell from this profile, but Upper England connects England
and Ireland. It does not cross Scotland
Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Trail
(aka
East Las Virgenes Canyon Trail; Bell Canyon Trail)
Description This is a continuation of the Las Virgenes Canyon Trail and it is described with the Las Virgenes Canyon Trail.
Description
Crazy Snake
T2.5
(or T3.5
if you ride down it fast!)
Description This is
Watch this video, starting at 2:31 to see some of this trail starting at the top.
Fun downhill singletrack trail for mountain bikers. Some ruts; very uneven in places and a bit of exposure. Mostly firm tread. No shade.
Technical Rating T2.5
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Length (miles) |
0.8 |
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Climb (feet) |
15 (from Mary Weisbrock Loop to East LV Canyon Trail) |
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Descent (feet) |
305 |
Trail Profile Back to the Top
JJ's Jamboree T2.5
0.42 miles long, drops 201', climbs 10'
Pathway
T2.5
Mostly firm singletrack moderate grade except for one short, very steep climb off-camber. 0.17 miles long, drops 124', climbs 10'.
Shakedown T4
Very steep near the bottom where it joins Crazy Snake. A little loose and powdery with some small drops. The T4 rating is because of the steepness at the bottom. 0.24 miels long, drops 115', climbs 20'
Splitz T3.5
Very steep singletrack. 0.16 miles long, drops 150' and climbs zero feet.
Strollin' T2
Firm singletrack, gently rolling. Very pleasant. Can be overgrown with grass, but not mustard. 0.63 miles long from Crazy Snake to Tourist Trap.
Tourist TrapT3
Watch this video, starting at 13:39 to see some of this trail.
Fun short singletrack, broad and steep. 0.24 miles long, 135' of descent, 15' climbing.
Up and Over
T2.5
Description This is
Watch this video, starting at 12:30 to see some of this trail.
Mostly smooth rolling singletrack with firm tread, but downhill to Ahmanson Ranch House Trail is steeper and has some big ruts as seen in the photo to the right.
Technical Rating T2.5
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Length (miles) |
0.43 |
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Climb (feet) |
80 (from MW Loop to Ahmanson RH Trail) |
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Descent (feet) |
100 |
Trail Profile Back to the Top
This page was last updated August 17, 2022.
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Thanks for looking at Steve's guide to trails in Ventura County, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) and other locations. |
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Printable map
