5 Best Places To Visit In Malibu

Mesa Peak Motorway From Malibu Canyon Malibu Creek State Park

Calabasas Malibu

Hiking Distance: 5 Miles Round Trip Hiking Time: 3 Hours Configuration: Out-And-Back Elevation Gain: 1,400 Feet Difficulty: Moderate To Strenuous Exposure: Exposed Ridge

Dogs: Not Allowed (But Many 4-Legged Friends Have Been Known To Enjoy This Trail)

Maps: U.S.G.S. Malibu Beach Malibu Creek State Park Map Tom Harrison Maps: Malibu Creek State Park Trail Map

Mesa Peak Sits On The Oceanfront Mountains Just Outside The Southern Boundary Of Malibu Creek State Park (Back Cover Photo). Access To The 1,844-Foot Peak Is Via The Mesa Peak Motorway, Either From Corral Canyon (Hike 104) Or This Hike From Malibu Canyon. Both Routes Follow The Mountain Spine Along The Undeveloped Upper, Southern Portion Of Malibu Creek State Park.

This Trail From Malibu Canyon Follows A Forested Footpath Up To The Ridge, Connecting With The Exposed Fire Road. From The Dramatic Ridgetop Are Spectacular Southern Views Across Santa Monica Bay From Point Dume To Palos Verdes And Northern Views Across Malibu Creek State Park To The San Fernando Valley. The Mesa Peak Motorway Is A Segment Of The Backbone Trail.

To The Trailhead

From Santa Monica, Drive 12 Miles Northbound On The Pacific Coast Highway/Highway 1 To Malibu Canyon Road. Turn Right (North) And Continue 4.7 Miles Up The Winding Canyon Road To The Paved But Unsigned Trailhead Parking Lot On The Left. (The Parking Lot Is Located 0.1 Mile South Of The Traffic Signal At Piuma Road.)

From The Ventura Freeway/Highway 101 In Calabasas, Take The Las Virgenes Road Exit. Drive 5.1 Miles To The Backbone Trail Parking Lot On The Right. (The Parking Area Is Located 1.8 Miles South Of Mulholland Highway.)

The Hike

Walk Up The Slope Past The Trailhead Signs To A Posted Junction At 100 Yards. The Trail Straight Ahead Meanders Through The Hills And Dead-Ends Before Reaching The Deep Gorge At Malibu Creek. Bear Left On The Mesa Peak (Backbone) Trail. Wind Up The Hillside Along The Wooded Canyon Wall. At 0.6 Miles, The Footpath Connects With The Mesa Peak Motorway, A Dirt Fire Road. Make A U-Shaped Left Bend Around A Rock Formation. Continue Uphill On The Serpentine Road. There Are Great Views Of Brents Mountain, The Volcanic Goat Buttes, Malibu Creek State Park To The Northwest, And An Expanding View Of Malibu Canyon. At Just Under 2 Miles, On A Sharp Right Bend, Views Open Up To The Pacific Ocean. Follow The Ridge, Enjoying The 360-Degree Vistas, To A Junction At 2.4 Miles By Metal Posts, Located 40 Yards Shy Of A Sharp Right Bend. The Mesa Peak Motorway (Backbone Trail) Continues Straight Ahead.

Bear Left, Leaving The Main Road On The Puerco Motorway. Drop Down And

Cross A Saddle Between Malibu Canyon And Corral Canyon. Pass Through An Open Gate At The Base Of Mesa Peak, Leaving Malibu Creek State Park. The Dirt Road Curves Around Mesa Peak And Descends Down Puerco Canyon To The Pacific Coast Highway At Puerco Beach. Rather Than Continue On The Main Road, A Short But Steep Path At The Base Of Mesa Peak Climbs To The 1,844-Foot Summit. From The Summit Are Sweeping Coastal Views Across Santa Monica Bay, From The North End At Point Dume To The Southern End At Palos Verdes. Inland Vistas Expand Across The Layered Mountain Range. Return By Retracing Your Steps.