In late 2003, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy completed the long-
awaited purchase of the 2,983-acre Ahmanson Ranch, a stunningly
beautiful property in the Simi Hills in Ventura County nestled at the western
edge of the San Fernando Valley. The new parkland is contiguous with and
accessed from the existing 2,650-acre Upper Las Virgenes Open Space
Park.
The huge parkland is part of a critical ecological linkage and wildlife corridor
between the Santa Monica Mountains and the ranges to the north. Rolling
hills studded with valley oaks, sycamore-lined canyon bottoms, miles of
potential trails, and vistas of unspoiled California landscapes are now part
of a parkland legacy.
This 12.7-mile lollipop is just one of several possible mountain biking routes
possible through this huge parkland area. The Victory Trailhead is only one
of several access points into this preserve.
The Ride: From the Victory TH parking, follow East Las Virgines Canyon Trail
to the Las Virgines Canyon drainage.
Turn right up the Virgines Canyon Trail and take the first connector trail to
the left that climbs up to the ridge.
At the top of the ridge, turn right onto Cheeseboro Ridge Trail. Be sure to
take time to look behind you at the long views.
Continue up Cheeseboro Ridge Trail until it crosses Sheep Corral Trail in the
bottom of a cross valley. Turn right onto Sheep Corral Trail and enjoy the
long descent you have earned.
Sheep Corral Trail will seamlessly merge onto the Upper Las Virgines
Canyon Road.
Take the trail to the left after Upper Las Virgines Canyon Road turns into a
double-track. This will bring you up and over another small ridge and will
lead you back to East Las Virgines Canyon Trail.
Turn left at the "tee" junction and return to the TH parking area.
Excellent views (from the Mary Weisbrock trail) of the San Fernando Valley, as well as the Upper Las Virgenes Open Space.
| ThankEasy. Great for conditioning.
| ThankA very good trail for beginners. Fairly good stretches of fire roads. You start with some good flowy downhill fun if you begin at the Victory Trailhead. Good for getting acquainted with riding downhill and just enough to get rid of those jitters and get some confidence going. The uphill climbs (especially on the way back to Victory TH) are not too steep and is just perfect for endurance training for new guys. Definitely worth checking out
| ThankCareful when using the Directions button in the app, it will navigate you to an address in a gated community with a grumpy security guard. Use the cross streets below or search Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve to get to the trailhead. Also, you can just follow Victory Blvd west until it ends.
Victory Blvd & Gilmore St
| ThankWest Hills, CA 91307
United States
This is a great easy / intermediate ride! You don't have to do the whole thing - there are different segments that make smaller loops. Not that it rains much in southern California but be wary of going here immediately after rain. There are a lot of low spots that get real soft &/or washed out pretty easily. Good combination of fire roads and single tracks, easy but fast downhills, etc. Definitely worth exploring!
| ThankDon't use the google link, search instead for Victory trailhead. The link will take you to a residential area.
| ThankNot a lot of technical sections but there are some really fun fast flowy single tracks breaking from the main fire roads.
| ThankIt's hard to believe you are on the outskirts of the greater metro Los Angeles area when, 100 yards down the trail, you feel like you are out in the middle of nowhere!
| Thank