This is the third installment in a four-part series on outdoor recreation in the Malibu area. Installments appear in the first edition of each month.
“There are wild places within the greater Los Angeles area and we encourage people to come out and enjoy them,” Zachary Behrens, senior communications fellow for the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA), said. The trails that access these wild places are often open to more than just hikers — bikers, equestrians and climbers are also welcome to explore much of this backcountry. In fact, the terrain in the Santa Monica Mountains, including the myriad fire roads, rock formations and cliffs, and stunning ridge trails is ideal for those who want to try new outdoor pursuits. Here are some tips and suggestions, plus some rules of the road.
On wheels
For those who want to hit the trails on a bike, the SMMNRA offers something for every level of rider — from wide, flat fire roads to more technical, rolling single track. Before heading out, check out nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/bicycle.htm and download the Mountain Biking Brochure, which is a comprehensive list of the trails open to mountain bikers, as well as rules, levels of difficulty and trail types. There are also occasional free classes offered for those who want to get into mountain biking, which can be found at samofund.org.
For a snapshot of the trails, Ken Low of the National Park Service has recommended beginner, intermediate and advanced options:
1.One of the most popular rides is the Big Sycamore Canyon Trail from Newbury Park down to the Sycamore Canyon Campground — about eight miles each way. The trail is wide, not very technical and part of it is paved. There is a steep climb on the way back, which is paved. The trailhead begins at Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa.
2.Cheeseboro/Palo Comado Canyons are another popular spot, which feature a selection of single-track trails and fire roads. For an easier ride, stay along the bottom of the canyon. For more advanced riding, cross over from canyon to canyon.
3.For more technical riding, try Guadalasca Trail and Wood Vista Trail in Point Mugu State Park, which are both single track.
For other trails in the SMMNRA system, Low advised double checking maps and signage along the trail to make sure bikes are allowed, as well as checking ahead after rain storms to see if the trails are in any shape to ride.
On hooves
For the same reason bikers love riding in the mountains, equestrians also take advantage of the hundreds of miles of trail riding for every level. A quick visit to nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/horses.htm provides a list of recommended riding sites that have suitable trailer parking, plus tips on horse safety and etiquette. Trailer parking is limited in many areas, and weekends are tricky when it comes to parking, so it pays to plan ahead or head out on a weekday. The most popular trails among equestrian enthusiasts are found in Zuma/Trancas Canyons, on the Backbone Trail, at Rancho Sierra Vista and in Cheeseboro/Palo Comado Canyons.
For those who don’t own a horse, but would like to experience the mountains on horseback, the NPS works with two concessionaires — Malibu Riders (maliburiders.com) and Rocking K Horse Rentals (rockingkhorserentals.com). Rates generally range from $35 to $100, depending on the length and duration of the ride (usually one to two hours).
On belay
The SMMNRA offers many climbing opportunities for those who have the proper equipment and training (nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/climbing.htm). Since climbing is a dangerous activity, it pays to learn the art of climbing, belaying and setting anchors from a trusted source, such as a climbing gym. Most indoor rock climbing gyms offer classes and many organize outings to the parks. Low recommends calling the permit office to get a list of the companies that have a commercial use authorization for conducting business in the park at 805.370.2308.
The most popular places to climb in the SMMNRA are the Echo Cliffs at Circle X Ranch and the Apes Wall in Malibu Creek State Park, so named after the movie “Planet of the Apes.” Access to each involves hiking in — the Apes Wall is about a mile, while the Echo Cliffs entails a lengthier 30- to 45-minute hike.
To combine a beach romp with mountaineering, Point Dume, which is outside the jurisdiction of the SMMNRA, is a popular spot among climbers that offers easy access, relatively simple terrain and spectacular views, with the added bonus of whale spotting from mid-December to March.
Rules of engagement
While the SMMNRA involves many different agencies, the rules for multi use trails are similar across the board. At the top of the food chain are the equestrians — hikers and bikers should yield to horseback riders by pulling off on the trail’s edge, or slowing down, depending on the riders’ request (it is not advisable to hide from view, as this can spook horses). Bikers are expected to yield to both hikers and equestrians. When it comes to any of the activities mentioned here, dogs are best left at home — where dogs are allowed, they must be on a six-foot leash, which is hard to wrangle on a bike, on a horse or climbing.
Armed with the right information, a foray into the Santa Monica Mountains atop a bike, a horse or a cliff wall can be an entirely new and exciting way to visit Southern California’s wild places.
