Piuma To Saddle Peak

High above central Malibu is Saddle Peak, just east of Malibu Canyon, one of the highest points in the Santa Monica Mountains at 2,805 feet. Up here you are literally in the sky, often above the clouds over Malibu. On a clear day, facing south, you can see a vast stretch of the Pacific coast, Catalina and Channel Islands miles out in the water. If facing north, you can see the inland valleys of the Malibu Creek watershed or east toward Calabasas and the San Fernando Valley. On a cloudy day, you look down on the cloud tops as if in an airplane.

There are three ways to get to Saddle Peak. This time we will start at the backbone trail head on Piuma Rd, climb Piuma Ridge and hike along Dark Canyon. This is the same path used by the old Bulldog 50K run

The hike will be a strenuous but easy-paced trek of 12+ miles with about a 2300 ft ascent. We will have a well-deserved lunch on Saddle Peak. Note the earlier start time of 9:00 AM. Should be sunny with highs in the low 70s -- bring plenty of water.

DIRECTIONS

Park on the Southeast corner of Piuma Rd and Malibu Canyon. We will meet there and walk 1/2 mile up Piuma to trailhead. (Same parking situation as with the Mesa Peak and Tapia Spur hikes).

From the 101: Get off at Las Virgenes Rd/Malibu Canyon and go south approximately 5 miles. Make a left on Piuma and park on small corner lot

From PCH: Take Malibu Cyn Rd north about 4.5 miles and make a right into the corner lot at Piuma

Note: There is overflow parking across the street on Malibu Canyon. You will need $5.00 exact change to park there.