Liberty Cyn, the Phantom Trail, and over to Malibu Creek State Park ~ 9 Mile RT

Saturday, January 31 -Liberty Cyn to Phantom Trail to Malibu Creek State Park and the Pools.

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Looking down at Century Lake (seen in the center)

Description: Back by popular demand!! This hike is a 9 mile loop with approx 900 ft gain in the Santa Monica Mountains through Liberty Canyon, the woodlands/ grasslands; then connecting to the Phantom Trail we climb to the ridge before crossing Mulholland drive into Malibu Creek State Park and hiking the old 20th Century Fox property to the south end of Century Lake/ Dam.

We will then take the Forest Trail along the north end of the lake, visit the rock pools if there is water again and view the climbing walls, before completing a loop back along the creek bed and up the meadows back to the trailhead. So......lots of terrain variety here!!

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We have seen deer, coyotes, water birds and wild parrots on previous visits. The hike will include mainly single track trails and some fireroads/ riverwalks. Due to distance, we will keeping a moderate pace that may be a little fast for beginning hikers.

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Carpooling from Santa Clarita Valley :

Meet the leader at Towsley Canyon outside the gate at 7:00AM for a 7:15 AM SHARP departure to the trailhead or plan to meet at the trailhead at ~8AM SHARP.

Meet near the Malibu S.P. Trailhead (Only 45 minutes from SCV!) at ~ 8:00AM:

Take the 405 Fwy South to 101 Fwy North and exit at Las Virgenes. Turn left on Las Virgenes. Turn right at the light for Mulholland Hwy (if you pass the sign for the entrance to the State Park, you have gone too far). On Mulholland Hwy, there is parking on the dirt shoulders on both sides of the road, please watch for traffic. 26990 Mulholland Hwy in Google maps will get you to exactly where we are meeting.26990 Mulholland Hwy in Google maps will get you to exactly where we are meeting.

We will meet and go through an opening in the fence on the RIGHT (North) side of Mulholland Hwy that leads to the North Grasslands trail to begin the hike.

Look for your leader wearing an orange bandana as there may be other hiking groups.

We will leave the trailhead at 8:15AM sharp!!

Bring: Plenty of water (3 liters recommended), electrolytes (e.g. Gatorade). Sunscreen, hat, lunch/ snacks, hiking poles (helpful on the uphill portion), and a camera. Wear layered clothing in case it gets hot or cold. Wear boots with lots of tread.

Adventure Pass: Not required.

Dogs Allowed?: Sorry , No (they are not allowed in Malibu Cyn SP).

Rating: Moderate +, mainly for distance and a little elevation gain.

Leader: Steve

!!! RAIN AT THE TRAILHEAD CANCELS ALL HIKES !!!

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