Santa Susana Pass, Mountain pass in Simi Hills, California, United States
Santa Susana Pass is a mountain crossing in the Simi Hills that links the San Fernando Valley with Simi Valley through State Route 118. The area features sandstone cliffs, scattered large boulders, and open grasslands dotted with oak trees across its landscape.
Indigenous peoples traveled through this pass for thousands of years, making it a key route across the landscape before European arrival. Later, rail companies carved passages through the rock to connect growing settlements and expand transportation networks.
This pass reflects the movement of people who shaped trade routes and connections across the region for centuries. Visitors can still see traces of how communities used this passage to travel and exchange goods.
Several hiking trails give visitors access to explore the rock formations and open landscape, with parking areas near the main trailheads. Plan to visit during cooler months since the area receives full sun exposure and carrying water is essential for any visit.
Three railroad tunnels were blasted through the rock in the early 1900s to create a continuous rail link between major cities. These passages remain visible today and stand as a reminder of the engineering effort required to cross this barrier.
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