Sandstone Peak & Tri-Peaks (Santa Monica Mountains) / Level 2+, Intermediate

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/e/9/b/600_433516027.jpeg

Hike requirement - each hiker must love herself, himself, oneself, or yo-self in order to attend. Drivers will also play Kendrick Lamar's hit single "I Love Myself" on continuous loop during the entire drive up to Malibu.

I will begin to add folks from the wait list beginning February 1st, at which point more hike details, including a game plan for carpooling, will be announced. I intend to scout the trail in late January and will further update the itinerary for this hike on the evening of February 1st. In the meantime, here are the basics for our non-Hallmark day of celebration:

General Description: Join us on an intermediate level loop hike to Sandstone peak, the tallest peak in the Santa Monica Mountains (@ 3,111 ft above sea level). Along our journey, we'll take in peek-a-boo views of the ocean, cliffs, valleys and our favorite hiking mountains to the east. It's truly a beautiful trail that inspires that special nature thing deep down inside each and every one of us.

Our hike will consist of an 8 to 9 mile loop hike along the Mishe Mokwa Trail with several stops and/or off-shoots along the way, including Balanced Rock, Split Rock, Tri-Peaks (perhaps discover a cave or two here), Inspiration Point, and finally Sandstone Peak. I would like to take a group that is willing to take a direct course to the base of Balanced Rock to decipher the physics of staying well-balanced and standing tall (no worries if you majored in poetry, as we need you there to capture the beauty of this very same moment). The path to Balanced Rock, however, will involve a moderate amount of bushwhacking along a creek bed for 1/2 mile (1 mile round trip).

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We will break for lunch/rest at Tri-Peaks (and discover us a cave or two), take a few deep breaths at Inspiration Point, and then finally bag Sandstone Peak before completing our loop and heading back home. *** Optional Post-hike celebration *** Should you be with appetite or thirst, we can hit up one of Malibu's great fish shacks on our way back home.

'Da Facts of Hike

· Trail head time: 9:00 AM (Malibu time)

· Adventure Parking Pass: Required

· Hike Duration: ~ 6 hours

· Difficulty Level: Level 2+, intermediate

· Pace: 2.0 MPH total average (Moderate)

· Elevation Gain: ~ 1,800 ft

· Distance: ~ 9'ish miles

· Trail type: Loop, mostly single-file

· Shade: Less than 33%

· Car Pooling: Highly recommended (recommendations/details to come)

· Driving distance - 90 miles (approx. 1.5 hours each way).

Photos from previous hiking trips to this destination by HikingOC:

https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=1167475

https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/photos/6115712/

*** General Rating / Difficulty ***

This hike is rated Level 2+/Intermediate due to terrain, elevation gain and some light scrambling and moderate bushwhacking. Click RATING TABLE (http://files.meetup.com/1554500/RATING%20TABLE.pdf) to learn more about hike levels. I reserve the right to admit/excuse any member from this hike. Know your limits!!!

*** What to Bring ***

Positive mental attitude, a lotta heart, hiking poles, plenty of WATER, snacks, hat/sunscreen, layers, snacks/light lunch and the Ten Essentials (https://www.meetup.com/HikingOC/messages/boards/thread/9535234).

*** What to Lose ***

Permanently rid yourself of any creepy nature and/or stalking tendency before attending this event. Do not attend this hike (or any other for that matter) and make any person uncomfortable, fearful or nervous about your presence. Hiking is and shall remain an enjoyable activity. Any personal interactions on this day shall be conducted in a positive, constructive and conscientious manner. Any failure to adhere to this ethos will result in immediate removal - pre-hike, mid-hike and/or post-hike - in addition to your removal from all future hikes.

*** DISCLOSURE ***

By joining the meetup, you agree to Meetup Terms of Service and release the Organizer and Assistant Organizers from any liability related to incidents that occur at Meetup gatherings. YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE ARE NOT PROFESSIONALS. YOU FULLY AND FREELY ASSUME ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOURSELF AND YOUR SAFETY.

*** Hiking is a rewarding and pleasant activity in nature, but there are certain dangers and risks that you should be fully aware of and understand. Those include, but are not limited to, trip and fall injuries, bee stings, poison oak exposure, ticks, mountain lions, coyote, snake bites or wildlife. By signing up for this event, you freely accept and fully assume all such risks and agree to hold harmless the hike organizer, assistant organizers and other participants of this event.