Name: Nicholas Pond and waterfall (?) Loop in west Malibu
Start: 2017-01-21T12:00:00-08:00
End: 2017-01-21T15:00:00-08:00
Location: Nicholas Pond Trailhead

WHERE: Nicholas Flats (part of Leo Carrillo State beach park)

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pretty easy, hike features total elevation gain of 300 to 400 feet, and is between 3 and 4 miles

Hike ends at waterfall: https://youtu.be/zREb1toVlSw

(video from 2011)

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POST HIKE EARLY DINNER AT THE REEL INN, LOCATED AT PCH AND TOPANGA CANYON BLVD.

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PHOTOS AND MAPS

TOPO MAP CLICK HERE

https://a248.e.akamai.net/secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/5/8/5/event_22074661.jpeg

https://a248.e.akamai.net/secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/5/8/0/event_22074656.jpeg

(Above: the famous lilac tunnel trail at Nicholas Flats)

THE PLAN: we will start at the dead-end of Decker School road, head north thru the old burnt out cabins area, take the trail to the left which gives us a great view of Sandstone Peak and Boney Mountain.

--Then we climb the hill and head south toward the ocean thru various tunnel trails that run on the west side of the grasslands at Nicholas Flats. This hill is covered with wildflowers in the spring. Usually, the tunnel trails are full of smelly lilac flowers which are a feast for the nose.

--Then we pass the pond and roost on the rocks that form the natural dam on the south end of the pond.

Purchased by the State's park department in 1978, the park's Nicholas Flat area is one of the best spots in the Santa Monica Mountains for spring wildflowers because it's a meeting place for four different plant communities. Chaparral, grassland, coastal scrub and oak woodland all converge near the flat. Another reason for the remarkable plant diversity is Leo Carrillo's elevation, which varies from sea level to nearly 2,000 feet.

MORE INFO:

https://www.hikespeak.com/trails/malibu-springs-trail-nicholas-flat/

DIRECTIONS TO NICHOLAS FLATS: TAKE PCH TO WEST SIDE OF MALIBU: drive north for three miles or so on Encinal Canyon Road, turn left onto Decker Canyon road (Maps also show it as Hwy 23), and follow it downhill 1 mile on the curvy road to Decker School Road. (Note--do not turn onto Decker school LANE. It is the wrong street. Go another half mile until you can turn onto Decker School Road.) Turn right. (A short distance after turning onto Decker School Road there is a fork--take the right hand fork) Then we follow this road one mile to the end, and park.

Parking is Free!!!

For full size printable version of this map: https://a248.e.akamai.net/secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/5/e/1/highres_22085601.jpeg

https://a248.e.akamai.net/secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/5/e/1/event_22085601.jpeg

AS USUAL, BRING HAT, SUNSCREEN, WATER, CAMERA, Snacks, lunch....

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Nicholas Pond and waterfall (?) Loop in west Malibu

Nicholas Pond Trailhead

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Los Angeles Hiking Group

Nicholas Pond and waterfall (?) Loop in west Malibu

Los Angeles Hiking Group

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WHERE: Nicholas Flats (part of Leo Carrillo State beach park)

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