Murphy Ranch Trail To The Nazi Compound | Pacific Palisades, CA

If you have an adventurous soul and a fascination with history, hiking the Murphy Ranch Trail to an abandoned Nazi compound will be your dream destination. When I first stumbled across this hike on a fellow blogger’s site , I thought there’s no way this is true. After a lot of research and picture-stalking, I knew I had to set out to see the graffiti-bedecked ruins myself.

The History

The trail to Murphy Ranch is tucked away in an affluent area of Pacific Palisades in the Westside of the City of Los Angeles. The history of this area is a little vague, but from what I’ve gathered Murphy Ranch – built in Rustic Canyon in the 1930s by Winona and Norman Stephens – was designed because a man known as Herr Schmidt warned the couple that Germany would soon defeat the United States and take over the world. Taking his advice, the couple set out to build a massive area to keep them safe during the war.

Intended to be capable of self-sustaining for long periods of time, a building program was quickly underway, with an estimated total cost of 4 million dollars. The compound had a water storage tank, a fuel tank, a bomb shelter, and various outbuildings and bunkers ( source ). They had grand plans of dreaming up a mansion for the property: with a basement devoted to recreation, mechanical, servants’ work, a main “public floor” centered around a grand central hall, multiple libraries, social rooms and upper floors with bedroom suites and private rooms.

What happened to the plans after this are vague, however if you take a look at the iron gate at the entrance among other features of the ranch such as the never-ending concrete steps, concrete greenhouse and terracing it seems as though much wasn’t accomplished. It is clear workmen and contractors had to help install the double-generator power station and huge storage tank, but the construction process isn’t entirely known.

Now, all that remains behind is the power station, water tank, gardens and collapsed machine shed, stables all covered in graffiti: all ready to be explored.

The Hike

There isn’t an exact trailhead address for this hike, however parking at the corner of Capri Drive and Casale Road will be the best spot to park to avoid disturbing residents. Once you park, proceed uphill and turn left. Follow this road through a short stretch of suburban housing until you reach the start of Sullivan Ridge Fire Road, the road you will walk along to get to the abandoned structures.

You will walk along Sullivan Ridge Fire Road until you reach a chain link fence on your left. There will be a cut out in the fence that you can fit your body through to get to the top of the staircase.

This staircase isn’t for those who are out of shape – in fact it is over 500 steps in total. Proceed down the hundreds of steps until you reach the end. You’ll first come across a graffiti-covered water tank. There is a ladder you can climb, however it was a little rickety.

After the water tower, you will reach the first main attraction: The Stables.

The Stables

The stables are a truly eerie structure. It contains several gated areas where perhaps horses or other animals may have lived. There are quite a few rooms in the stables, each covered in graffiti and an upper level you can climb up to, which appeared to be an attic. The ladder is sturdy, however I wasn’t sure the wood floor was so I took a quick glance at the attic and headed back downstairs.

Machine Shed

After the stables you will follow the dirt trail forward about 0.7 miles until you reach the collapsed machine shed and garage. This is a truly beautiful place to capture some stunning photos, with vibrant graffiti covering every square inch of the decaying structure. Once you’ve had your fill of the machine shed, continue forward and you will come to the main and most photographed location: The Powerhouse.

The Powerhouse

The Powerhouse seems to still be a sturdy structure. I walked around inside and even on the roof without feeling any fear of the building caving in on me. This seemed better constructed than the stables you will pass by earlier.

Just outside the powerhouse are raised gardens, and concrete steps, all remnants of the $4 million Murphy Ranch project. The gardens aren’t anything spectacular – simply raised cement bed with overgrown grass. After you’ve had your fill of the powerhouse and surrounding gardens, head  up the steps. This will take you back to even more steps, the same steps you originally went down.

If you choose to proceed a half mile further down the road from the powerhouse instead, you will reach the main gate. The gate was the main entrance to the compound decades ago. If you go this way, you will complete the entire loop.

I’d highly recommend this hike to all hiking enthusiasts. I live in San Diego and the two and a half hour drive was worth every second to take in all three of these sights. Even though the Murphy Ranch Trail is covered in graffiti, something I normally don’t agree with in nature, it is truly spectacular and has become a work of art.

Murphy Ranch Trail Tips

Tip 1: Do not bring inexperienced hikers or out of shape individuals on this hike. The 500+ stairs you have to climb to get out are grueling, even for those in good shape.

Tip 2: Be careful where you park on the street as some areas are marked with “No Parking” signs.

Tip 3 : It is easy to get lost on this hike, as there are a number of ways back down and up. The safest bet is to do the entire loop. When in doubt, find trails that lead uphill when you are trying to get back to your car.

Tip 4: Some hikers have reported getting ticketed for entering these structures so exercise caution. There are chains protecting each of these sights, however holes have been cut out so they are easily accessible.

Tip 5: Be mindful of the residents in the suburban homes that surround this trail. Be quiet and respectful when parking and walking to Sullivan Ridge Fire Road.

Tip 6: Bring a camera! You will want to reminisce and remember this hike for years to come!

Difficulty: Moderate

Total Distance: 3.85 miles

Trailhead Address: Capri Drive and Casale Road, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272