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    China Flats

    4.8 (12 reviews)

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    First view spot
    James B.

    Great spot with good views. Short hike up to a good spot with great view. Would recommend for easy hiking and fast escape.

    China Flats trail head via Oak Park-
    Bongiorno M.

    A great hike in the outskirts of the suburbs. Don't be fooled by the daunting tall dry mountain that looms ahead, looks can be decieving, once on the trail your local adventure becomes more lush as you progress. Just past the top of the incline lies lush meadows with mature trees, cool winds, a few caves and stellar views of T.O, Oxnard, Moorpark and even Simi Valley. NOTE: watch out for the mountain bike riding dads, they are huffing and puffing through their spandex laden mid life crisis all over them thar hills, so leave a wide berth.

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    1 year ago

    Helpful 4
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    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
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    Love this 3
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    7 years ago

    Helpful 12
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    Love this 9
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    77
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    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
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    5 years ago

    I got eaten by a mountain lion here. Great location. 10/10 Would get eaten by a mountain lion here again.

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    Photo of Bongiorno M.
    84
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    510

    12 years ago

    Helpful 3
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    Love this 8
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    8 years ago

    Helpful 1
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    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
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    6 years ago

    Helpful 0
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    6 years ago

    Great hike for the best view in Oak Park

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    8 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    Ask the Community - China Flats

    Review Highlights - China Flats

    There are 2 trailheads, one off of Lindero Canyon Road and another at the end of the cult-de-sac at King James Court.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    Lady Face Mountain

    Lady Face Mountain

    4.0(12 reviews)
    4.2 mi

    This is short 2 mile hike. There is no restroom in the area and it's free parking. Just follow…read morethe ridge going up to Ladyface Mountain as this is a one way in and back out trail. In the beginning, there is a split, make sure to go left up the ridge. Not quite sure where the trail going right takes you. There is a bit of rock scrambling but I did not have any difficulties getting past it. As you near the top, there is a rock where the American Flag use to be located. This does require some climbing, so be careful. If you don't want to try that, hike past the rock and continue on the small trail to Ladyface Mountain. Both location offers 360 views. When done, hike back down. There is no shades on this hike, so pack accordingly to the weather and have fun.

    This unofficial trail is a short and exhilarating. The trail ascends a steep ridgeline that, from a…read moredistance, supposedly resembles a silhouette profile of a lady's face. If you didn't already know this information then I apologize in advance since, from this point forward, you will forever attempt to make-out the ridgeline facial image whenever you drive by. The trailhead can be a little hard to locate since it is unmarked. The best landmark is the sign pointing towards Silver Creek Rd. Park along the side of the road on the dirt. I recommend wearing really good hiking shoes since the steep grade, combined with the loose dirt, makes the trail real slippery especially as you head down the mountain. The 2-mile out and back trail can be somewhat intimidating, especially if you are afraid of heights. It's really not that dangerous. There are some areas where the trail becomes narrow along the steep hillside. I surprisingly saw a number of families with young kids and pets. I suspect they didn't make it all the way to the end. The jagged volcanic rock outcrops make you feel as if you are walking along the spine of the mountain. I made it 0.6-miles before I decided to turn back. It was a little too steep for my liking. There was an American flag was waving to me in the distance encouraging me to continue on but I had to decline. I read that the final portion involves some rock climbing. If you're feeling less adventurous, and if you are interested in more of lower altitude adventure, then you may want to try the lower trail located one mile down the road. It curves around the backside of Ladyface Mountain. It's also 2 miles out and back. You will see signage in front of a metal gate. After a short distance you'll come across a monument commemorating David Balch who once owned and later donated this property to the state for preservation. Bear left at the junction with the monument. The trail takes you down into a canyon and then back up a mountain to the rear area of Ladyface Mountain. There are interesting rock outcroppings covered with brightly colored lichen. It's fun to explore all of the different rock formations. You'll feel like you have been transported to another county. Chances are you will also be the only one there to enjoy it which is a bonus

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    Lady Face Mountain
    Lady Face Mountain - Springtime. April 2020

    Springtime. April 2020

    Lady Face Mountain - Springtime. April 2020

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    Springtime. April 2020

    Cheeseboro and Palo Comado Canyon

    Cheeseboro and Palo Comado Canyon

    4.4(34 reviews)
    3.8 mi

    Cheseboro & Palo Comado Canyon Trail & Loop has amazing views that are absolutely stunning & scenic…read moreto hike especially during spring and is easily accessible. Hills are covered with greenery & lots of yellow & purple wild flowers can be seen blooming. We can hear birds chirping & can see colorful butterflies all along the trail. Lots of mountain bikers & horseback riders can be seen. Restrooms are clean & well maintained. Had a wonderful time & a Nice Place to Hike!!

    This open space area recently took a big hit from the Woolsey Fire. Walking north along Cheeseboro…read moreCanyon Trail is like walking through a battlefield aftermath. The recent rains have transformed the charred rolling hillsides into a vibrant green color which shows us that, with time, the trees and vegetation will eventually rebound. Sadly, the historic Morison Ranch House, once occupied by Jim Morrison and his family in 1904, is gone forever and can never be replaced. What is left is a hole in the ground, an old rusted bathtub, and scraps of metal and nails. Fortunately, a number of other ranch artifacts, such as cisterns and corrals, still remain. They are a reminders of the past where, for 150 years, this land was used by ranchers for cattle grazing. There is a large network of over 20 different, well-maintained, trails that traverse the entire open space area. Some of the trails have quirky names like Suicide Trail and Dead Cow Trail. The trailheads are hidden throughout residential neighborhoods. This is one of those sites that require multiple visits, from different locations, in order to see it all. It was interesting to learn that this open space area also serves as a wildlife corridor connecting the Santa Susana Mountains with the Santa Monica Mountain ranges. This might explain the abundance of wildlife that I witnessed when I visited. I saw a number of deer, squirrels and beautifully colored birds everywhere. There are also interesting natural landmarks. The Baleen Wall is a geologic formation located along a cliff that resembles a Baleen Whale. You can view, and smell, the pools of Sulpher Springs. The terrain is versatile to suit your needs. If you are interested in cardio then you can climb to Simi Peak. If you are looking for a causal reflective walk, then you can stroll along the canyon floor that follows the creek and just appreciate the natural surroundings. It's a complete package and definitely worth a revisit.

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    Cheeseboro and Palo Comado Canyon
    Cheeseboro and Palo Comado Canyon
    Cheeseboro and Palo Comado Canyon - RIDE FAST!!!

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    RIDE FAST!!!

    Phantom Trail

    Phantom Trail

    4.8(4 reviews)
    5.6 mi

    It's not widely known but phantoms are natural-born hikers with hoods that provide sun protection…read moreand a scythe that functions as a trekking pole. Phantom Trail is 2.8-mile scenic trail that takes you up and back down a ridge that overlooks Las Virgenes Rd. You can start from two locations; from the north at Liberty Canyon and Park Vista Dr, or from the south, off Mulholland Hwy across the street from the Cistern Trail, 1.8 miles from Las Virgenes Rd. In my opinion it's probably better to start from the northern trailhead since you can complete the more challenging 1.75-mile uphill section early when you have more energy. This also saves the scenic views of Malibu Creek State Park and Santa Monica Mountains for the grande finale. Starting from Liberty Canyon, walk a short distance past a black metal gate. The trailhead is located off to the right. You'll walk through a scenic grassland meadow before you ascend the ridge. Along the way you'll encounter a number of signs located at junctions that will ensure you stay on track. A good place to take a break and enjoy the scenery is at the survey marker located at the peak. From there you can enjoy views of Malibu Creek State Park's volcanic rock formation called Goat Buttes, as well as panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. Looking south, some of the more prominent peaks from left to right are Saddle Peak, Castro Peak, Sandstone Peak and Ladyface Mountain. This trail has somewhat of an anticlimactic ending at Mulholland Hwy. If you decide to turn around before the descent you won't be missing much.

    This is a great trail. It's great for walking. This is my favorite trail that I have walked. Also…read morewatch out for ticks, rattlesnakes ( I have not seen rattlesnakes in this trail but had have a tick on me) I have been on this trail 3 times ( As of July 2022 ) All of the nice nature sounds go right into my ears. If you start the trail from Library Canyon Rd, at first it pretty much shade. Then, it becomes a normal trail with not that many ups and downs. If you start from Mulholland HWY, there is not much shade, and you will go up right away. Then again, it is nice and pretty smooth. All in all, this is a amazing trail in the Santa Monica Mountains. I highly recommend this trail.

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    Phantom Trail
    Phantom Trail - Pass through these gates.

    Pass through these gates.

    Phantom Trail

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    China Flats - hiking - Updated May 2026

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