Mishe Mokwa Trail to Sandstone Peak

To the Chippewa Indians of Michigan and Wisconsin, Mishe Mokwa meant a great bear. To the Weekday Trailblazers of So Cal, it means the flagship weekday hikes are back in full force!

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The Mishe-Mokwa trail is a 7 mile loop with approximately 1,100 feet of elevation gain, most of it at the start. The trail begins near the Circle X Ranch on Yerba Buena Road. It follows Carlisle Canyon past weathered red volcanic rock formations. There are views across the canyon of the caves and crevices of Echo Cliffs, a physics marvel named Balanced Rock, and a huge, fractured boulder known as Split Rock (it lost the battle with physics). Occasionally you will see rock climbers dangling through the canyon.

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The return follows the Backbone Trail and takes us past Tri-Peaks, Inspiration Point, and Sandstone Peak, the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains, where, on a clear day, you can see LA, Ventura, and the Channel Islands. This is all national parkland, so the trails are very clearly marked.They vary from single track to fire road to pure rock, from fully shaded to fully exposed. It can get windy at the summit, so prepare accordingly.

Directions:

From the 101, take Westlake Blvd (Rte 23) south 5.5 miles to Mulholland. Turn right on Mulholland for 2.1 miles. Turn right on Little Sycamore, which becomes Yerba Buena Road, for 3.9 miles.

The parking lot on the right has a sign that says trailhead that is visible from the road. There is another lot about a quarter of a mile before the correct lot. Don't be fooled.

This is a very slow driving route (narrow, with sharp turns) and will probably take a half hour from the 101 to the lot. Give yourself plenty of time, then take it.

From the PCH, take Yerba Buena Road (near Neptune's Net), 6.9 miles.