East Santa Susana Mountains

The Mission Peak bench is located on the eastern most summit of the Santa Susana Mountains. The Santa Susanas are a transverse range of mountains in southern California, separating the San Fernando Valley and Simi Valley on its south, from Santa Clara River Valley to the north, and Santa Clarita Valley to the northeast. Newhall Pass separates the Santa Susana Mountains from the San Gabriel Mountains to the east.

The Santa Susana Mountains are lower and more gentle than the San Gabriel Mountains in which the Wilson Canyon bench is located. The Santa Susana Mountains have a Mediterranean climate with wet winters and dry summers. Grasslands predominate on the southern slopes, while oak woodlands predominate on the ridge tops. Mixed coniferous forests of big cone Douglas Fir and Santa Lucia fir are found on the north slopes at the eastern end of the mountains. Chaparral and coastal sage communities are common on south facing slopes. Mission Peak is the second highest peak in the range, at 2,714 feet (827 meters). Other prominent peaks include Oat Mountain (1,142 m; 3,747 feet) and Rocky Peak (827 m; 2,714 feet).

These mountains are rich in history. Chevron oil company traces its origins to the Pico Canyon oil fields on the north side of the range. The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy manages Santa Clarita Woodlands Park, Rocky Peak Park, Joughin Open Space Preserve and Happy Camp Canyon Park. The City of Los Angeles maintains O'Melveny Park at the eastern end of the mountains.

Five trails lead to the memorial bench atop Mission Peak in the eastern Santa Susanas. The Mario de Campos trail leads from the end of Neon Way in Granada Hills. It provides the shortest and quickest route to the summit. Two parallel trails start in O’Melveny Park and join the de Campos trail at the boundary between the City park and the Gas Company property. The Weldon Canyon trail reaches the summit of Mission Peak after winding through Santa Clarita Woodlands. It can be accessed from the frontage road (Coltrane Ave.) on the west side of the Golden State Freeway near the summit of Newhall Pass. Perhaps the most scenic route to the summit of Mission Peak is via East Canyon, located on the Old Road between the Post Office and Newhall Church of the Nazarene. It is also possible to reach the summit from the Browns Canyon Road in Chatsworth. Unfortunately this road crosses private land, which is currently not open to the public.