Liberty Canyon & Century Lake
Details
This is a 9 mi loop with about a 900 ft elevation gain -- 500 ft between the 2nd and 3rd miles.
Note: Fit beginners should be OK. If you are unsure but would like to join us there is an easy shorter option in Liberty Canyon. See the next paragraph.
We begin our journey where the Grasslands Trail meets Mulholland Hwy hiking north through Liberty Canyon. Liberty Canyon is one of three natural preserves in Malibu Creek State Park. The canyon has a rare stand of California valley oak. The Grasslands Trail crosses rolling grasslands and merges with the Liberty Canyon Trail at a bridge spanning Liberty Creek. The trail parallels the creek gently climbing through oak woodlands to the head of the canyon.
This leg is about 2 mi with 150 ft of elevation gain. This part of the hike is an excellent and easy hike for the beginner with an easy return to the car.
At the head of the canyon we will turn west onto Phantom Trail then back south and up along the western ridge of Liberty Canyon. After a couple miles the trail puts us back down onto Mulholland Hwy. We proceed across Mulholland onto the Cistern Trail. Cistern Trail ascends a bit as it leaves Mulholland Highway, but soon after begins heading downhill, with views of Reagan Ranch off to the right, and the Goat Buttes and Castro Crest of Malibu Creek State Park ahead.
After a short distance we will take the Lookout Trail down to the Century Lake dam for a short snack break next to the water. From here we will proceed on Crags Road and turn off onto the redwood lined Forrest Trail around to the other side of the lake.
Our return trip will be along Crags Rd and the southern spur of the Grasslands Trail.
Meet Wednesday 9 AM on Mullholland Hwy 0.1 mi west of Las Virgenes Rd. Use the following imaginary address for directions:
26950 Mulholland Hwy, Calabasas, CA 91302 (https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=26950+Mulholland+Hwy,+Calabasas,+CA+91302&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=29.578161,58.798828&ie=UTF8&om=1&ll=34.115784,-118.71397&spn=0.060259,0.114841&z=13&iwloc=addr)
Bring 2 qts water, hiking shoes, snacks and a camera