Oat Mountain (California)

Oat Mountain
Highest point
Elevation 3,750 ft (1,143 m)  NAVD 88[1]
Prominence 1,947 ft (593 m) [1]
Coordinates 34°19′47″N 118°36′02″W / 34.3297222°N 118.6006433°W / 34.3297222; -118.6006433Coordinates: 34°19′47″N 118°36′02″W / 34.3297222°N 118.6006433°W / 34.3297222; -118.6006433 [2]
Geography
Location Los Angeles County, California, U.S.
Parent range Santa Susana Mountains
Topo map Oat Mountain
Climbing
Easiest route Road hike

Oat Mountain is a peak of the Santa Susana Mountains overlooking the San Fernando Valley (near Los Angeles, California) to the south and southeast. Oat Mountain is the highest peak in the Santa Susana Mountains of California. The Los Angeles district of Chatsworth is to the south of the mountain. There are many microwave relay antennas as well as Doppler weather equipment at Oat Mountain. SoCal Gas has several wells in the area as well.

Climate

Climate on Oat Mountain varies from season to season. During the start of the year in January, occasional rain showers and thunderstorms may pass over the mountain. A few strong storms may produce light snow on the peaks of the mountain. Going into spring the weather may change. Some years it may be very dry on the mountain causing a lack of vegetation. In other years though the Springtime could have heavy storms that may bring sometimes upwards of 4" of rain and some snow. The summer has dry periods and occasional thunderstorms (brought in by Sub-tropical moisture in the Pacific Ocean) from the floors of the San Fernando Valley and Santa Clarita Valley. This may bring flash flooding and debris flows from burns scars in the area. Fall may have light weather activity but Santa Ana Winds in law November can cause Wildfires with areas where there is heavy brush on the mountain.

Flora and fauna

Wildlife in the area is very sparse in summer months (though occasionally a bear can be spotted). Oat Mountain has typically the same type of flora and fauna found elsewhere in the Mountain range. Mountain lions are particularly common in the region and can be seen almost all year round along with birds like the turkey vulture and the Canada goose.

Vegetation is not very diverse on the mountain. The mountain is usually covered in brown grass and oats in the summer but during heavy periods of rain the mountain is usually green and contains more wildlife.

Human interference

Oat Mountain has had many major problems in modern times starting in 1971 with the construction of 2 missile sites called "The Nike Missile Test Site(s)". Since then it was heavily contaminated and debris and abandoned buildings litter that area.

In 2015 a story made headlines when a gas leak was reported at one of the 7 oil fields littering the natural areas of the mountain. The Aliso Canyon Oil Field was involved in this situation. Many people reported nose bleeds, strong headaches, (etc.). That same year the oil field was shut down and taken to court. As of August 2017 the oil field is scheduled to reopen but may be taken to the city reigional court in Los Angeles, California or to the federal court in Sacramento.

Hiking and destinations

Oat Mountain has many hiking trails and scenic destinations. One of the main hiking trails ascends the San Fernando Valley side of the mountain and has 4 different connecting trails. One of these leads to the Nike Missile Site with abandoned buildings, vehicles, and rubble surrounding it. One expert route up the mountain follows the backbone of the mountain in Santa Clarita but is difficult because it is forested. The last trail is a 16 mile hike between Rocky Peak and Oat Mountain

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Oat Mountain, California". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
  2. ↑ "Oat Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
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