Mark's New Moon, 3-Bridges Hike. Social at 4:45PM, Hike at 6PM

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A VIEW FROM THE PEAK

Patty was right! M&V is closed. We are at the trailhead now with wine and sandwiches! 4:30PM

This is a trail you have not likely done before! My last trip through here, as of this posting, was yesterday, October 12. There are Three Bridges along this route, although the first one takes a little imagination to call it a bridge.

Pre-Hike:

I'll be at the Malibu Family Wines Tasting Room (Malibu & Vine) at the Malibu Country Club at 4:45PM sharing a bottle of wine or two with the first to show up. At about 5:40, I'll take off for the trailhead less than a half mile away for a 6PM hike start.

Find your way to Clubhouse Dr. leading to the Malibu Country Club on Encinal Rd. Stop in at the Tasting Room if you are early, or, continue on Encinal to the trailhead 0.4 miles further West (N34° 05.103' W118° 51.699').

The Plan:

We'll head down this section of the Backbone Trail, but only for a few hundred feet before heading east on a single track. Within a few minutes we'll reach a very short but "lightly" challenging downslope that may have you wishing you had shoes with a little better traction. In another 15 minutes or so we'll reach the even more challenging and slightly longer uphill section that might make some (hate me and) wish they had crampons on their shoes. OK, I've done these sections 7+ times and never slipped more than a few inches at a time, so I am sure we can get past these very short sections without too much of a problem.

From there it will be just a few more minutes (25-35 minutes total hiking time) to the high point of the hike where we can take a break, take in the view, and watch the sun set.

Or, if there's still much light left, we may decide to make it into the oak grove at the low point of the hike (15-20 minutes from the peak) in time to enjoy the view of that area. Either way, the hike from the peak, down into the canyon, and back up to the start is easily negotiated in the dark.

The total hike is only 2.4 miles long and takes 65 minutes (steady pace) to 85 minutes at a leisurely pace. I know it's short but it will introduce you to a great little hiking area with other directions to explore at a later date.

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Directions to Trailhead:

Take Westlake Rd. up to Mulholland and turn left (East). In a few miles, turn RIGHT at the stop sign (note that if you turned left you would be at the main Malibu Wines Tasting Room in about a quarter of a mile). Go West on Encinal, passing the Detention Center and the road up to Buzzard's Roost. Soon you will see Clubhouse Drive on your right (north off Encinal). Approximately 0.4 miles past Clubhouse Dr. is what looks like a fire road on the left (south) side of Encinal just past some pine trees on both sides of the road. You will see a Backbone Trail marker here and know you are at the right place. By 5:45, my blue, with gold trim, GMC Safari Van will be parked there.

THE MOON:
The moon rises 55 Minutes later each day and up until about 250 years ago was the ONLY clock that Humans had. The New Moon rises at Dawn, The 1st quarter at Noon, The Full Moon at Sunset, and the 4th quarter at Midnight.

October 23 is a New Moon - there will be darkness! Bring a good light as it will be particularly dark at the bottom section if we are running a little late. We'll only be an easy 20-25 minutes from the Start/End, on a well defined trail, at that point.

BELOW: At the field of cut trees, Bridge #2 (at bottom of trail), Bridge #3

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