Secret Trail to Red Rock Canyon
Details
Join us on an easy-pace, moderate-to-strenuous 8 mile hike on the Secret Trail to Calabasas Peak and onward to Red Rock Canyon.
Red Rock Canyon is a unique riparian canyon within a sandstone gorge. It contains special rockland micro-habitats and acts as a key northern habitat linkage between Malibu Creek and Topanga State Parks. The canyon walls are fortified with huge red sandstone outcroppings, reminiscent of southwest canyons and gorges. Many of the formations have caves and arches.
Calabasas Peak (2163ft) towers over Red Rock Canyon, Old Topanga Canyon and bowl-shaped Cold Creek Canyon. From the top there are spectacular views into Ventura County, the Pacific Ocean and San Fernando and Simi valleys. The Calabasas Peak Trail passes a variety of interesting geological formations, such as large weathered sandstone outcroppings and colorful rock slabs.
Directions to the trailhead: from the 101 freeway, head South on Las Virgenes Road to Mulholland. Turn Left on Mulholland and continue 5.7 miles to a small dirt parking lot on the right.
From 101 Ventura Fwy take Valley Circle/Mulholland Dr exit south, turn right on Valmar Rd
(becomes Old Topanga Cyn Rd), then right on Mulholland Hwy 2.1 miles to dirt parking area on the left.
Use this link for turn-by-turn directions (https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=24220+Mulholland+Hwy,+Calabasas,+Los+Angeles,+California+91302,+United+States&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=30.544155,57.832031&ie=UTF8&lr=lang_en&cd=1&om=1&ll=34.127401,-118.652859&spn=0.050445,0.079823&z=14&iwloc=addr). Bring 2 qts water, snacks, sunscreen.
Note: This hike has an 1100ft elevation gain. There is a 900ft elevation gain during the return within the 2 miles between the bottom of Red Rock and Calabasas peak. That is too strenuous for the beginner. However, there are a couple of natural turnaround points along the way that makes for a nice 3-5 mile hike for the fit beginner. If you opt for the shorter option, please bring a buddy for the return to the car. It is unwise to hike alone.
Liability Waiver (https://hiking.meetup.com/276/pages/Liability_Waiver/)