La Jolla Valley & Canyon via Chumash Trail

http://c0278592.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/original/196205.jpgLet's join the small animals and birds in La Jolla Canyon on this loop hike with panoramic views of coastline and Channel Islands, phenomenal flower blooms in the spring, and a small spring and waterfall (during wet years), the main attraction are large swaths of native California grassland — some of the last remaining unspoiled areas in the state

Our 9.5 mile hike starts off on PCH by walking in the footsteps of the Chumash to the top of Mugu Peak. The Chumash Trail is an ancient trail which leads from the Pacific Ocean to La Jolla Valley in Pt. Mugu State Park. It was used by the Chumash 7000 years ago, and believed to be the oldest trail still in continuous use in the Santa Monica Mountains.

The first mile is strenuous (1200 ft ascent in one mile) with the remainder of the hike being moderate.

Direction to trailhead

Do not use the google map. Print this out instead.

On PCH coming from Malibu, cross into Ventura County, proceed past Sycamore Canyon and then past La Jolla Canyon. Look for the Point Mugu Naval Base on your left past Mugu Rock. There is a small dirt lot across from the rifle range, about 8.5 miles north of Mulholland.

If you are coming from Ventura, this turnoff is 2.3 miles south of the intersection between the PCH and Las Posas Road.

Here is the approach from the south. Turnout is across the street from NAWS rifle range:

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Lat, Lng: 34.091496, -119.065871