Mount McCoy

My all time favorite hike, Mt. McCoy is a fun hike. Whether you want to take the easier route (normal hiking trail) or you want to take the hard route (straight up the hill) you will have a blast.
If I had a dollar for everytime I’ve climbed this hill I would have plenty of money to build a statue of me at the top of the hill.
The normal trail (trail on left) is the friendly one. Lots of people (kids and families and dogs) go up this trail and it’s a bit challenging but pretty manageable. I usually take this one if I haven’t hiked in a while. Takes me about one hour to get to the top.
If I’m on the adventurous challenging mood then I go for the straight up the hill trail (right trail). It’s literally straight up for about 30 minutes. I am on my knees on this one. Holding on to rocks with my bare hands and getting down and dirty is my experience taking this trail. It’s my favorite though. Sweating is guaranteed. And grabbing on to rocks and plants for the sake of your life is a must if your trying not to slip down the hill ! I wouldn’t recommend coming down this trail to everyone because I fell into cactus once because I couldn’t find the brakes in my feet to stop once I got speed going downhill.
Either way, the two trails lead to the top of the mountain with beautiful 360 degree views of Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, and the Valley.
During the Easter and Passover months the cross lights up at night which is beautiful.
Lots of parking space by the curve and houses at the bottom. No sort of water access anywhere so if your one of those who drinks water constantly please bring plenty of H2O.

I took the bus from Long Beach. In case anyone else plans to catch the bus there, don’t go through Thousand Oaks. Get to the Simi Valley Metrolink Station. Pick up the «B» Route and get off on Madera & Royal. Walk North on Royal into the residential area. Turn Right on the very first street; left on Washburn. Keep going up Washburn. Trailhead is on left side.

Very nice hike. The trail isn’t strenuous and has lots of great views. Looking forward to my next Mt. McCoy hike!

Easy to Hard hike, nice windy reward on top.
Nice views
Sitting area
Low rattle snakes
Night hikes
5 – 10 miles of total path

Cool place to spend a couple hours. There’s a pretty good view of east Ventura County from the top.

This is a great family hike right in the town. Whenever I have an hour or more of free time during weekend, I try to go there. It is a great workout and offers stunning views from the top. Who can see almost all of Simi Valley from here. Sunsets are particularly awesome from there. On a clear day, you can see Pacific ocean and also Channel islands. It also offers nice views of the Reagan Presidential library.
Plus this hike is mostly facing city, it is very safe if someone wants to go alone. This is a great hike for kids and families. I have been taking my son on this hike since he was around 3.
There are various ways you can go up– some are strenuous and some are easy. This hike is around 1 mile depending on which track you take and has elevation gain of around 650 feet.
Highly recommended.

Great hike «hike to the cross». There are a couple different ways to get to the top. Go left for the easy switchbacks and straight on to do some «real hiking». Ether way is not too hard, but if your not feeling up to the whole «straight up the mountain» then take a left as your approaching the trail head. It will lead you to a switch back that’s is on the easier side.
As you climb up the views are awesome. Once you get to the top you have an amazing view all around the city and a perfect sight at about eye level with the Ronald Reagan library. And of course the cross you can walk up to and stand on the base.
At the top they have some benches for resting before the hike back down. Usually a great breeze to help cool you off while you enjoy the sights and pay yourself on the back for doing this short little hike.

Mount McCoy is a relatively easy hike by Madera Rd. You’ll see kids or family groups hiking up there all the time. It’s nice to see remnants of lone passersby who still leave prayers and small offerings beneath the big cross, wishing peace for their loved ones or tranquility with God. From my understanding & according to Rancho Simi Trail Blazers, the cross has been there since the 1800s, and served as a resting spot for travelers between the San Fernando and San Buenoventura Missions. Whatever the reason, hiking to the top of Mt. McCoy always leaves the traveler a little more salvaged in spirit and serene at heart… Do watch out for snakes and coyotes, though, as it’s also a place they call home.