Malibu Creek Trail

Love Me Tender - If it was good enough to be the setting for Elvis’s debut as a movie star, Malibu Creek State Park (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malibu_Creek_State_Park)should be just the ticket for a lovely and leisurely pre-Valentine’s Day hike. Bring your loved ones and/or your own sweet self for this treat of a trail.

The original 2,000-acre ranch property offered such a variety of terrain that 20th Century Fox Studios purchased it in 1946, and considered moving its entire studio operation there. that never happened, but instead, it served as an “ultimate backlot” for shoots of films ranging from “Cleopatra,” “Dr. Doolittle” and “Planet of the Apes” to the famous MAS*H television series, that shot most of its exteriors in the park during its 11-year run.

While this jewel of a park offers miles of options for hikers, for this first time out, we’ll do a straight shot of about 8 miles (http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=25212) (pending how many side trails we take) through the lower canyons. Beautiful streams, man-made lakes, rolling, grassy hills, lichen-covered boulders, an impressive variety of trees, myriad picnic areas, a charming Visitors Center, and the well-known, rusted remnants of MAS*H vehicles deliver a lot for a few hours' investment of time.

This is almost an entirely-flat walk, with one quick 200-ft. elevation bump up and down. Mostly a wide fire trail, with some single-track and rocky sections. Going to our turnaround point at the southern end of Malibu Lake and back will take about 3-1/2 hours, but since this is an in-and-out trail, you can return earlier if you wish.

Thanks to member Chrissy who suggested this hike. . . a mere six months ago!

Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, and a hat since this is mostly an exposed trail. There are restrooms and porta-potties throughout the park. Bring a few Valentine's sweets to share at a particularly-scenic site halfway. Please note that pets are NOT allowed in this state park. Arrive a little early to warm up. Rain Friday or Saturday morning cancels; check this site before leaving for the hike if you're unsure about the status.

DIRECTIONS

From the South

Take Pacific Coast Highway (1) North and turn Right/East on Malibu Canyon Road. Continue for 6.1 miles and turn left into the entrance station. Park in the southernmost lot that you can, near some information kiosks, covered picnic areas and restroom buildings. We’ll meet by the kiosks.

From the North

Take the 101 North to Calabasas to the Las Virgenes Road exit. Turn south on Las Virgenes Road for 3.4 miles to the Mulholland Drive intersection. The park entrance is .25 miles south, past the intersection, on your right.

NOTE: Since the parking fee is $12 per vehicle (but a great investment in the upkeep of our State Parks!), we strongly encourage carpooling. Email Shawn if you’re interested in carpooling from the north lot of the Griffith Park Zoo (~ 7 am).

Shawn's mobile: 213/308-7372.

Here’s a map (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=malibu+creek+state+park&aq=&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=30.268266,74.53125&ie=UTF8&hq=Malibu+Creek+State+Park&hnear=Malibu+Creek+State+Park,+1925+Las+Virgenes+Rd,+Calabasas,+Los+Angeles,+California+91302&ll=34.116495,-118.703327&spn=0.058126,0.210972&z=13).

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A bit further West from our trailheads, Richard Glick and Christine Dickey from the Sierra Club - Angeles Chapter are organizing a Hawaiian Adventure May 10-16, and they asked us to let our members know about it. If you're interested, please visit their site for more details. (http://members.cox.net/rmglick/hawaii.htm) (http://members.cox.net/rmglick/hawaii.htm)Saturday Morning Hikers is not in any way in affiliated with this group.

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The Organizer, Assistant Organizers and event hosts in this group are not professional guides. The function of the organizer is only to organize the trip, and each person who signs up for a trip/meetup or outing is responsible for his or her own safety and the safety of his or her guests. By signing up for a hike, or any other event organized by this group, you are acknowledging that you are aware and have made your guests aware of the risks, dangers and hazards associated with any outdoor activity and freely accept and fully assume all such risks, dangers and hazards, and further agree to release and discharge the Organizer, Assistant Organizers and event hosts of this Meetup Group from and against any and all liability arising from your and your guests' participation in the group activities.