Sandstone Peak- Tri Peaks / Vanalden Cave (Level 2+ / Moderate Pace)

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/8/3/8/600_110575352.jpeghttp://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/e/0/5/8/600_273657432.jpeg Meeting at the trailhead: 9:15-9:30 AM

Let's visit Malibu, Santa Monica Mountains

We will have two hikes: Carpool from OC is highly recommended. Meet at Fullerton Park and Ride at 7:30AM or at Circle X Ranch Ranger Station at 9 - 9:15 AM. Direction for carpool at the end of the post.

What to bring: Comfortable Hiking Boots. Lots of Water, Snacks and a light lunch. Most important 10 Hiking Essentials (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/messages/boards/thread/9535234)

Hike 1: Sandstone Peak-Tri Peaks

Difficulty: Level 2+ / Moderate Pace. Click on RATING TABLE (http://files.meetup.com/1554500/RATING%20TABLE.pdf) for more about hiking levels

Highlights: One of the best hikes in SoCal. Sandstone cliffs, peaks, streams, views.
Near: Malibu, CA (11 miles away)
Distance: 7 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 2000 ft
Hike Time: approx. 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Condition: Well maintained trail
HikeType: Loop

About Mishe Mokwa Trail - Sandstone Peak: This is one of the most beautiful hikes in the Santa Monica Mountains. Highlights include the spectacular Echo Cliffs where rock climbers ascend shear cliffs, a house sized boulder delicately balanced on a small rock beneath, a giant split rock where kids can dash between the sheer walls, stunning giant sandstone formations, and breathtaking views from the top of Sandstone Peak and Inspiration point. The side trail to Tri Peaks offers an additional mile of rugged (but not too steep) hiking. The offshoot is far less maintained than the main loop and appears to be a center for runoff, which means you are basically hiking up a gully. If that doesn't bother you, it is only half a mile to Tri Peaks Trails Map (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/7477272/110575352/) and about the Backbone trail (http://www.vcstar.com/news/2008/feb/15/backbone-trail/)

Direction to Trailhead: The trailhead is 1 mile east of the Circle X Ranch, which is located 5 ½ miles from Pacific Coast Highway on Yerba Buena Road in Malibu. Alternately, from Frwy 101, exit on Westlake Blvd- go 0.4 mi turn Left on S WESTLAKE BLVD - go 3.2 mi Continue on DECKER CANYON RD(CA-23) - go 2.2 mi Continue to follow CA-23 - go 1.9 mi Bear Right on MULHOLLAND HWY - go 0.4 mi. Turn right onto Little Sycamore Canyon and it will become Yerba Buena Road as you cross the county line. Proceed on Yerba Buena Road for about 4 miles to trailhead (about a mile before you hit the Circle X Ranch Ranger Station). (Lat:34.11161 Lon:-118.92643 this is a parking for Sandstone Peak, not Backbone trailhead)

Click on Circle X Ranch Ranger Station (http://www.nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/circlexranch.htm) for more info or address: 12896 Yerba Buena Road, Malibu, CA, 90265.

Photos from past times:

1. Nov., 2010 (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=1167475)

2. Jan., 2011 (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=1222256)

3. Feb., 2012 (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/6115712/95448022/)

4. Apr., 2013 (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/7477272/110575352/)

Hike 2: Vanalden Cave (http://www.hikespeak.com/trails/vanalden-cave/) (Exploratory)

I haven't done this trail. According to hikespeak.com, this is a very short hike (.6 mile RT or 1.55 miles RT to have the high view)

Vanalden Cave near Tarzana is one of the most unusual sandstone formations in the Santa Monica Mountains and is quite easy to hike to. Vanalden Cave is a sandstone den about 25 feet tall, 25 feet wide, and 50 feet deep. The roof of the cave is only a few feet thick with a few holes that, like skylights, illuminate the cave walls, which are covered with curious carvings and graffiti. You can hike 0.6 miles round trip to Vanalden Cave for a short excursion with 100 feet of elevation change, or extend the hike to 1.55 miles round trip with 350 feet of elevation change to reach a nearby vista point on Vanalden Trail that provides a panoramic amphitheater-like view of the Santa Monica Mountains.

Direction to Trailhead: Take the 405 Freeway to exit 24 for Tampa Avenue (5 miles west of the 101 Freeway). Turn south at the bottom of the ramp and drive one block down Tampa Avenue to Ventura Boulevard. Turn left on Ventura Boulevard, drive three blocks, and turn right at the first traffic light onto Vanalden Avenue. Drive three miles south to the end of Vanalden Avenue where the trail begins. Free street parking is available from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Trailhead address: 3630 Vanalden Avenue, Tarzana, CA 91356
Trailhead coordinates: 34.134666, -118.563017

CARPOOL LOCATION: we will leave OC from Fullerton Park and Ride at 7:30AM

It's the Metro Station off the 5 Freeway and the 91 Freeway, intersection of Orangethorpe Ave and Magnolia Street.

***Please read on the trails description above to get the direction to each trail. Map your direction first and don't rely on the GPS alone.

REMINDER:

By joining the meetup, you agree to Meetup Terms of Service releases the Organizer and Assistant Organizers from any liability related to incidents that occur at Meetup gatherings
> YOU acknowledge THAT WE ARE NOT PROFESSIONALS.
> YOU ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR SAFETY Hiking is a rewarding and pleasant activity in nature, but there are certain dangers you should be aware of. Those include, but are not limited to, trip and fall injuries, bee stings, poison oak exposure, ticks, mountain lions, coyotes, snake bites or wildlife. By signing up for this event, you agree to hold harmless the hike organizer, assistant organizers and other participants for any injuries sustained during this hike***