Santa Monica Mountains Map 3 – Malibu Creek
Malibu Creek State Park & the M*A*S*H site.
Liberty Canyon & Las Virgenes Trail.
The Backbone Trail from Malibu Creek to the Zuma Canyon Trail.
Bulldog, Castro & Mesa Motorways.
ISBN 978-1-906184-16-2
The area shown on this map and guide includes Malibu Creek State Park and the surrounding area to the north and west. It includes the Backbone Trail along the Mesa Peak Motorway through Solstice Canyon, to the end of the Zuma Canyon Trail. Also shown is Rocky Oaks Park and the Paramount, Peter Strauss and Reagan Ranches. There are 3 great routes marked clearly on the map and described in detail in the guide. Suitable for bikers and hikers alike, try one of the suggested routes or just explore this terrific area using the map as a reference.
Specially made for biking and hiking around Malibu Creek.
3 suggested routes with clear description.
Malibu Creek State Park & the M*A*S*H site.
Liberty Canyon & Las Virgenes Trail.
The Backbone Trail from Malibu Creek to the Zuma Canyon Trail.
Bulldog, Castro & Mesa Motorways.
Rocky Oaks Park, Paramount Ranch.
UTM grid for GPS use.
Printed on waterproof paper.
Red Route. A hard circular route up the Bulldog Motorway and along the Mesa Peak Ridge. 15 miles, 4hrs bike or 6hr hike.
The first part of this ride, as far as the M*AS*H site, is straight forward and mostly suitable for beginners.
Leave the parking lot by the Park Entrance and head west, along the High Road and past where the Grasslands trail joins from the right. The visitor center is worth a quick look (open weekends), then continue on past Century Lake. This is barely visible because of overgrown bush. The path narrows through a rocky stream bed but soon opens up at the M*A*S*H site. This area was used for filming the 70’s TV series and is now marked by a couple of old rusting vehicles.
A little further on take the trail to the left and start to climb, gently at first but soon steeply on the Bulldog Motorway……
Orange Route. Intermediate. An out-and-back route on the Backbone Trail single track. 18 miles total, 4hr bike 6 hr hike.
This route can be joined at any point but probably the most enjoyable is to start at the parking lot at the top of Corral Canyon Road. (Turn north off Highway 1 a couple of miles west of Malibu Beach).
The trail is a glorious single track, moderately technical and mostly very rideable. It is considered one of the best rides in the Santa Monicas. Head out of the parking lot downhill towards Solstice Canyon, pick up a fire road for a very short section then continue on the fantastic single track through Solstice Canyon……
Yellow Route. Easy. 10 miles, 2hr bike or 4hr hike. A mostly easy route to the M*A*S*H site and back.
Start at de Anza Park on Lost Hills Road, just off Las Virgenes Road. Head south out of the park on a narrow single track. The trail is mainly easy going although there are a couple of short steep climbs that will stretch the less fit.
Just before White Oak Farm turn sharp right and a short distance further on take the trail to the left. This drops to a small bridge over the creek and continues to an access road. Turn right and then almost immediately left onto the Grasslands single track.
Go straight across at Mulholland Highway and continue on the Grasslands single track. This section is a little tricky as there is a steep hill to climb and descend before reaching the High Road. Now follow this, as described in the Red Route, as far as the M*A*S*H* site. The return is back the same way.
Other easy rides can be found close by on the Mott Road and Liberty Canyon Trail. Also the ride up to Inspiration Point, although a bit of a climb is not too difficult. Slightly further afield the trails at Rocky Oaks Park are good for beginners although they can be busy with hikers.
