Elsmere Canyon
Elsmere Canyon is located in the Newhall Pass, adjacent to the Angeles National Forest, and the protected lands in Whitney and Placerita Canyons. Elsmere Canyon is an area of significant importance, providing connectivity to existing wildlife corridors and increasing the City's greenbelt of protected open space. Elsmere Canyon is located on the Rim of the Valley corridor and is a popular spot for local hikers, bikers, and equestrians.
Previously used for oil production under the ownership of Rockefeller's Standard Oil Company and Chevron Oil Company, in the 1900s Elsmere Canyon oil production reached as much as 57 barrels a day. However, production quickly slowed and the oil wells were eventually shut down, leaving the land unused for decades.
In the 1980s, a landfill in Elsmere Canyon was first proposed. It would cover 1500 acres and eventually contain 190 million tons of waste, becoming the world's largest dump. Local community activists were outraged and battled to keep this pristine canyon from becoming the largest landfill in the U.S. The City partnered with Los Angeles County through a Proposition A Grant, and funds dedicated by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (SMMC) and fought for Elsmere Canyon to be protected as Open Space.
View a PowerPoint presenation regarding the preservation of more than 842 acres.
Wildlife Use of Los Piñetos Underpass
The Los Piñetos underpass is currently a corridor under SR14 that provides a connection between Mountains Recreation Conservation Authority (MRCA) and City of Santa Clarita protected land and this site. To document wildlife use of this underpass, ten remotely triggered camera were installed in stages over two months around the area. Read the pdf report (with images) prepared by the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, UCLA.
Directions
Elsmere Canyon is located at the intersection of Sierra Highway and Remson Street, just south of Eternal Valley Cemetery. Parking is available along the road at the gate. The trail is accessible on foot, non-motorized bike or horseback from Remson Street. Continue under the freeway to the canyon.
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Some photos by Douglas Steakley |
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