Ladyface Mountain

14 AUGUST 2020 W6/SC-285

Elevation:	2,031′
Route:	Cross country
Hike Distance:	2.2 miles round trip
Elevation Gain:	1,240′
Navigation:	Easy
Steepness:	Extremely steep
Vehicle:	Passenger car
Road:	Paved road
Cell Coverage:	Good Verizon

After a great weekend in the San Gabriel Mountains, I was inspired to hit the road again before it was light and head out to the Agoura Hills to activate a mountain I have not visited for over 40 years. Ladyface (2036′) is a prominent peak of igneous rock south of Highway 101 just off the Kanan/Dume road.

I was treated to a spectacular sunrise colored by the recent Lake Hughes fire. Smoke hung like ground fog in the valleys. The hike is a short steep jaunt up the rocky ridge. A few third class sections are easily scrambled over. It’s about 1,200 feet in a little in under a mile, so it’s a pretty good cardio workout.

The summit blocks are of the same breccia and afford a nice view of the San Gabriel Mountains, the Sespe/Topotopo region of the Las Padres, a view of the Palos Verdes peninsula through Malibu Canyon and, of course, a superb view of the Santa Monica Mountains – Sandstone Peak, Triunfo Lookout, Castro Peak, Saddle Peak, Calabasas Peak, High Peak and even a nice view of Lake Sherwood.

I made contacts in Altadena, Burbank, Woodland Hills and for my confirming fourth contact I heard from KG6MZR at home in Topanga Canyon. Thanks Cassie! 73 & 88 KG6MZS