LA96C

LA96C, originally uploaded by Rick O!.

The wife and I went for a hike this past Sunday up in the Santa Monica mountains above Encino. We were able to access the trails in the northeast corner of Topanga State Park from the San Vicente Mountain area. While there we also enjoyed checking out one of LA's Cold War relicts...LA96C. One of a number of Nike-Ajax missile and/or radar installations. LA96C was the radar installation (tracking and targeting) for the Nike missile launch site located within Sepulveda Basin just down the hill in the valley. Apparently a number of these installations and missile launch sites ring Los Angeles and protected her from the menacing Soviet bombers of the 50's and 60's and were manned 24/7 when they were in service. The interpretive signs around the site were rather informative and I suggest taking the stroll up the hill to check this place out. Then bring your boots or bikes and enjoy the miles and miles of trails and fire roads that lace the ridge lines and canyons through out the Santa Monica Mountain Conservancy district and Topanga State Park. It was pretty nice, even with the 95 degree heat and lack of any shade the cool ocean breezes were quite refreshing when they blew up the canyons.