This question must be answered in the affirmative. The law is settled in California that it is reversible error for the trial court to fail to make a finding upon a material issue properly raised by the pleadings if, as in the instant case, there is any evidence which would support a finding in favor of such defense ( Due v. Swartz, 22 Cal.App. (2d) 217, 218 [ 70 P.2d 716]; Lyden v. Spohn-Patrick Co., 155 Cal. 177, 182 [ 100 P. 236]; Knoch v. Haizlip, 163 Cal. 146, 153 [ 124 P. 998].) There is no merit in plaintiffs' assertion that defendant is estopped from invoking the defense of the statute of frauds, for the reason that estoppel as to any defense which would otherwise be available to the defendant (appellant) under the facts stated in a complaint may not be relied upon by the plaintiff (respondent) unless the estoppel is pleaded ( Cohen v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co., 32 Cal.App. (2d) 337, 347 [ 89 P.2d 732].)

(City of Manhattan Beach v. Superior Court (1996) 13 Cal.4th 232, 238 (City of Manhattan Beach).)An express easement may be created by contract without words of conveyance, even though a grant or reservation in a deed is more common. (See, e.g., Knoch v. Haizlip (1912) 163 Cal. 146, 149, 151-153; Golden West Baseball Co. v. City of Anaheim (1994) 25 Cal.App.4th 11, 35 (Golden West).) A document creates an easement when it manifests an intent by one landowner to give another the right to use his or her land. (Rice v. Capitol Trailer Sales of Redding (1966) 244 Cal.App.2d 690, 692-693 [easement created in trust deed encumbering the dominant tenement at time trustor also owned the servient tenement].)