Mission Point (California) Explained

Mission Point
Elevation Ft:2771
Elevation Ref:[1]
Prominence Ft:184
Prominence Ref:[2]
Location:Los Angeles County, California, U.S.
Map:California#USA
Map Size:240
Label Position:below
Range:Santa Susana Mountains
Coordinates:34.3117°N -118.5338°W
Topo:USGS Oat Mountain
Easiest Route:Trail

Mission Point, better known as "Mission Peak" to locals, is a spur of Oat Mountain in Los Angeles County, Southern California. At 2771feet high, it is the second highest peak of the Santa Susana Mountains after Oat Mountain.

Geography

Mission Point is located in the eastern edge of the Santa Susana Mountains. Newhall Pass lies to the east, separating the Santa Susana and San Gabriel mountain ranges. Mission Point is located above Aliso Canyon, north of California State Route 118 (Ronald Reagan freeway) between Porter Ranch and Granada Hills in the San Fernando Valley.

Recreation

Mountain hiking and mountain biking are popular in this area. The view from the top of Mission Point is striking, taking in most of the San Fernando Valley. In clear weather, one can see the Pacific Ocean and Downtown Los Angeles. Once at the top, there is a monument dedicated to Mario A. DeCampos M.D. (5/26/1924–2/17/1984) with the inscription:

"Share this peaceful retreat and enjoy the beauty.—Mario's Friends 5/26/1984"

There are at least two trails up to Mission Point. One begins at the end (the farthest from the entrance) of O'Melveny Park. Continue until you reach a split and take the trail going up. The other trailhead is at the end of Neon Way, a residential street. Watch for a pond (with live goldfish) to the east of the trail near the beginning (bottom). From that trailhead, you will see a gas line that also goes up to Mission Point. For those eager for a challenge, it is possible to go directly up in parallel with the gas line.

Trail closure

As of October 2007, the Southern California Gas Company has gated off areas near the top of Mission Point, although it is still accessible via a newly cut trail. The area northeast of Mission Point is part of the 500-acre Michael D. Antonovich Open Space Preserve which was dedicated August 12, 2002.[3]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. EW7383 . Mission Point . 2009-08-08.
  2. 13474 . Mission Point, California . 2010-05-23.
  3. Web site: Michael D. Antonovich Open Space Preserve . . 2014-03-04.