Sandstone Peak

Such a beautiful drive and also a beautiful hike! I feel so lucky to be able to visit places like this. Please leave no trace of your visit like trash or vandalism on natural features. As far as difficulty reaching the peak which contains a plaque or Steele and a compartment that contains a book and a pen for notes or what not, it’s rather difficult if you have sore knees but doable.

One of my favorite hikes in the Malibu area. I would highly recommend hitting up this spot early in the morning (arriving to the trailhead at 4am-5am depending on the time of year) to experience sunrise above the clouds. Having a group of friends rolling out is always better and will help make the early morning a little more bearable (😄). This hike especially in the morning isn't really crowded and is a pretty obvious trail. There are a couple different starting points but the closest one is only about 30/40mins hiking from the peak. Because you're going to a peak, plan on those 30/40mins to be all uphill of course. To make the most of it, plan a little time to recharge and relax afterward with a smoothie from SunLife Organics or coffee from Blue Bottle down in Malibu off PCH. One of the best ways to start your day or weekend!

Amazing hike with stellar views. There is a nice 6 mile loop. I would recommend going up to sandstone peak first and doing the loop clockwise. This will allow you to get the steepest part done first and will save your knees on the downhill. Everything is green and lush now after all the rain.

Great views following a really nice hike up! Moderately challenging hike, be prepared for a few hours of sweating, and be careful not to step off the edge of a cliff! The views are pretty spectacular the whole way up here although the end can feel anti-climatic with the little area to rest and take in the 360 degree view.

Not too crowded, which is great. A bit of scrambling at the top. Nice hike!

Some of the best hiking in the Western section of the Santa Monica Mountains. Connecting to The Backbone Trail. Views of the ocean can be had all around. This area is also called Boney Mountain, it's a very peaceful place, not a lot of overhead aircraft, if any. You can approach the top for two trailheads, the first from Mishe - lower trail and Circle X Ranch upper parking further down. Restrooms available at Circle X.

One if the best trails in all of Southern California. The views of the Pacific Ocean blends with the sky to the point where you can’t tell where one starts and the other ends. The ships looked like they were floating in air out there.

Absolutely an amazing hike..easier..almost mid level..the drive was almost as wonderful as the view

Such a beautiful drive and also a beautiful hike! I feel so lucky to be able to visit places like this. Please leave no trace of your visit like trash or vandalism on natural features. As far as difficulty reaching the peak which contains a plaque or Steele and a compartment that contains a book and a pen for notes or what not, it’s rather difficult if you have sore knees but doable.

One of my favorite hikes in the Malibu area. I would highly recommend hitting up this spot early in the morning (arriving to the trailhead at 4am-5am depending on the time of year) to experience sunrise above the clouds. Having a group of friends rolling out is always better and will help make the early morning a little more bearable (😄). This hike especially in the morning isn't really crowded and is a pretty obvious trail. There are a couple different starting points but the closest one is only about 30/40mins hiking from the peak. Because you're going to a peak, plan on those 30/40mins to be all uphill of course. To make the most of it, plan a little time to recharge and relax afterward with a smoothie from SunLife Organics or coffee from Blue Bottle down in Malibu off PCH. One of the best ways to start your day or weekend!

Amazing hike with stellar views. There is a nice 6 mile loop. I would recommend going up to sandstone peak first and doing the loop clockwise. This will allow you to get the steepest part done first and will save your knees on the downhill. Everything is green and lush now after all the rain.

Great views following a really nice hike up! Moderately challenging hike, be prepared for a few hours of sweating, and be careful not to step off the edge of a cliff! The views are pretty spectacular the whole way up here although the end can feel anti-climatic with the little area to rest and take in the 360 degree view.

Not too crowded, which is great. A bit of scrambling at the top. Nice hike!

Some of the best hiking in the Western section of the Santa Monica Mountains. Connecting to The Backbone Trail. Views of the ocean can be had all around. This area is also called Boney Mountain, it's a very peaceful place, not a lot of overhead aircraft, if any. You can approach the top for two trailheads, the first from Mishe - lower trail and Circle X Ranch upper parking further down. Restrooms available at Circle X.

One if the best trails in all of Southern California. The views of the Pacific Ocean blends with the sky to the point where you can’t tell where one starts and the other ends. The ships looked like they were floating in air out there.

Absolutely an amazing hike..easier..almost mid level..the drive was almost as wonderful as the view

Wonderful hike with well maintained trail and great views. Ample parking lots are available. This area is recovering well from the Woolsey fire, which is lovely to see. Bring lots of water: depending on the route you take, there can be steep inclines and lots of elevation gain. Free admission.

A little update since the last review. This review is for Mishe Mokwa To Tri-Peaks and Sandstone Peak which was a ~6.8 mile total round trip hike that took about ~3.5 hours to complete. Trail was rocky and exposed for the most part. Plenty of awesome views throughout the hike. Watch your steps at Sandstone Peak! Short video of the hike for those interested: https://youtu.be/4TyP0Sx7xhA

The most incredible, peaceful loop to hike with exceptional views. I love the variations between the rocky parts, the small stream, the narrow paths, and the wide ones. While hiking for a bachelorette party, we came across very kind people wishing the bride to be the best of luck. Really neat to see ppl rock climbing as well. Good memories made here and many happy trails.

Parked at the lot. There is little to no shade. It was warm and sunny when I went. Good for beginners. Great views at the top!

I always enjoy hiking this area. The trails are good and can provide a great workout whether its a good hike, walk, run, or biking. It does have some steep areas which allows you to have a great burn. The views are beautiful and enjoying to the eye. Well worth the hike and definitely give this place a try.

Absolutely beautiful! Highly recommend going counterclockwise from the trailhead for gradual ascent. If you go clockwise, it's a steeper incline. Did the full 6 mile loop last weekend and it was a great workout- for experienced hikers I would say it is on the easy/slightly moderate side. Trail is well maintained and views are beautiful. It was not crowded when I went and I would say majority of the hikers were wearing their masks when passing each other. It is also dog friendly- just make sure they are on a leash and you pick up after them please. At sandstone peak, it is incredibly rocky and steep so make sure you have decent treads on your shoes. At the top you will get an amazing 360 view.

This could be one of the best trails to hike for a while due to the Thomas fire and Montecito slides. I've always enjoyed the hike because of the scenic overlooks and nice loop to the top where you can see the ocean, islands, Westlake and into the Camarillo area out to Santa Barbara. We like the diversity of the landscape and watching the rock climbers at Balancing Rock. There is some shade and a challenging 3.5 hours. Enjoy!

Sandstone Peak, is the highest point of the Santa Monica Mountains with spectacular views at the top of the mountains! An easy to moderate hike with scenic views throughout the entire hike. I was expecting to be a tough hike but it wasn't, even though we took the longer route which is 6 miles round trip. Trails was shady and filled with lots of trees, weather is cool early in the morning and elevation is gradual. One of my fav hike so far! We took the longer route up (to your right) via the Mishe Mokwa Trail and the shorter route down. Total distance: 6 miles roundtrip Total time: 3 hours It is definitely worth waking up early for the sunrise and morning cool breeze. Highly recommended to wear proper hiking shoes as the trail on the way down is filled with rocks that can be very slippery.

Such a great hike! Driving to the beginning of the trail can be difficult as the road winds quite a bit around steep curves. However, it is definitely worth it! Once you arrive, parking is plentiful. The hike up took me a little over an hour and was just the right amount of difficult and fun. Make sure you wear good shoes because it is steep. Along the way, there are many different look out points and large rocks to sit on and enjoy the views. I began the hike around 3pm and the sun was really only bad during the first half up the mountain. Afterwards there was a decent amount of shade, but wear sunscreen if you're fair skinned.

Easily my FAVORITE hiking spot in Los Angeles. Sandstone Peak is the highest point of the Santa Monica Mountains. Everywhere you look, the view is absolutely breathtaking. You even forget you're in Los Angeles. A lot of other hiking places (Echo Mtn, Runyon Cyn, etc) have views of brown, dried up plants, but Mishe Mokwa has lush greens everywhere! You bet your bottom dollar I snapchatted the crap out of this place. OMG and the view. THE. VIEW. I cannot even explain to you how amazing it is. I took pictures, but it does not do it justice. You just have to go. Difficulty level is medium. I barely broke a sweat, but I was still sore the next day from the slight incline. To get the full experience, it's a 7 mile stretch. Because of time constraints, we opted for the 4 mile route where we passed by Sandstone Peak and Inspiration Point. Took 3 hours walking in casual speed. Burned 1000 calories, baby. Wear good hiking shoes for this trail. The reason, there's a bunch of scattered fist-sized rocks everywhere on the path. Not knowing this, I wore my Nike Frees, and I definitely felt the rocks through my soles. It was not pleasant. Once you get to the peak, there's a little mailbox with a notebook inside, where you can make your mark (all passing hikers can write in it). You can write cute little nothings about how you and your significant other conquered the mountain together. If you are looking for a great, organic date, this is it. You're welcome. DEFINITELY coming back.

Wow! What an amazingly beautiful hike. There's quite a bit of overgrowth due Covid crisis. But it's easy to stay on course. It's the type of course that's not that popular so there weren't that many people... yah. There were restrooms, but unfortunately out of service. There were outhouse, and they were both absolutely disgusting. Ample free parking. We saw so many bunnies, ladybugs, bees. I felt like I was in a jungle. The sounds of nature were filled the hike. We did see a dead baby rattlesnake, so be careful. Woolsey Fire damage was apparent but nature is at work and the trees are growing more beautiful than ever. In all the hike was about 7 miles, but I wouldn't call it extremely difficult but not for the beginner .

This was my first hike on the West side of LA and I am hooked! Make sure to download the map area on Google Maps before you drive up the mountain from the PCH because you most likely won't have reception. We arrived on a Sat at 8:30 AM and we snagged one of the last parking spots at the trailhead. Make sure to get here early! The trail is easy/moderate in my opinion. If you're doing te 6.1 mile loop like I did, I recommend doing a counter-clockwise loop so that you complete most of the hike before ascending Inspiration Point and Sandstone Peak- it's more rewarding this way. The trail is very well-managed, heavily trafficked but free from graffiti and garbage. There are quite a few rocks along the trail so be prepared for light rock scrambling as you loop around the mountain. We also saw a few people doing some outdoor rock-climbing in the canyon below if you're into that. The views are breathtaking along the trail but of course the best views are at the about 5 miles in at Inspiration Point lookout and Sandstone Peak (highest peak in the area). The trail took us about 1.5-2 hours including a quick snack at the peak (Brie, crackers, fruit and boxed wine.) This trail is part of the Backbone trail that spans 67 miles along the coast. I can't believe it took me this long to hike here because the terrain is interesting enough to keep my curious mind occupied and the breathtaking views the entire way keeps me motivated. I can't wait to return.

QUITE A WINDY ROAD trek to get to the trail head but the hike was well worth it!! we parked at the first parking lot which is the one without the bathroom (go down another 0.75 miles for the parking lot with a bathroom) we took the Mishe Mokwa Trail to Sandstone peak which ends up being a 6.5 mile loop since you come down the short way via Back Bone trail (which is much rockier)! The loop takes you around the back side which has much more interesting vegetation and breath taking scenery, especially the lookout towards the area where people belay on the way to Sandstone Peak (the highest point in the Santa Monica mountains) also stop at inspiration point! the hike isn't too strenuous, there are a few steep areas but they are short

Hands down my favorite trail in SoCal!! Be warned: this is not for those with a fear of heights or who hyperventilate easily! There's this one stretch where the trail is two feet wide with boulders at a 45 degree angle to your left, and a 90 degree precipitous drop to your right. I suppressed my burning desire to take a selfie and drop my phone, or worse.... Anyway. The top of Sandstone Peak is another one of those adrenaline moments. This time you're scrambling up a giant rock that forms a 45 degree angle with a 90 degree drop to the valley inches from your right. I heard there's a guestbook near the Mt. Allen sign, but the entire peak was maybe 20 feet across and I was so scared to even take a picture, let alone scramble to the guestbook! Next time.

Absolutely loved this trail! A good 7 1/2 miles of pure awesomeness! I've done a few trails and I have to say this one is by far my favorite. You get amazing views, good amount of incline, good locations to sit down and enjoy the scene and it gets better once you get to the peak. I also like that there are a couple of times during the trail when there's a good amount of shade, this is handy for those warm/hot days. One of my other favorite parts of the trail was the inspiration point. It's a point in the trail where you get a beautiful view and you can sit down and take pictures, eat a snack or chat it up with friends. I definitely recommend this trail.

The best hike in LA!!!! I've been to many hikes in LA and this is by far one of the greatest hikes I've been to!! You get a 360 degree view of the Santa Monica mountains, the Pacific Ocean, and the city of LA! It really doesn't get better than that! If you plan on doing the entire loop (make a right) it'll be 6 miles. However, if you are lacking time (make a left) and it's just a gradual uphill with no shade (!!!!), but you could easily go up in less than an hour. If you plan on doing the entire loop- Bring tons of water Wear plenty of sunscreen Bring snacks Don't arrive late / small (free) parking lot -- I got there at 7am, but I would suggesting getting there even earlier since the sun can get really hot! They have an alternative parking lot, but like I said get there early!!! This hike is not suitable for kids and not good for senior citizens. I would highly suggest you wear your hiking boots to avoid slipping!

Breath of fresh air. It's covid time and I have been looking for a peaceful respite from the quarentine of my quarters on the east side. I made the mistake of checking out Inspiration Point in Newport, and found no one adhering to social distancing and masks, along with the cheese factor that almost killed me. Because of this...I have a newfound appreciation for Malibu. Miles and miles of nature. This hike didn't disappoint. The wild flowers are in full bloom. if these things could glow in the dark it would feel like I stumbled upon the set of Avatar. People were gracious and allowing others to pass at a respectful distance. Not overcrowded at all. The hike to Sandstone Peak was a perfectly doable 3 mile round trip with an amazing view from the top. Check it. I didn't see any sign that alert to the end of the trail for the peak. We figured out you have to climb up the peak when you hit the fork at the top of the hill and signs point to other longer trails. You will know when you climb up and find the cement monument at the very top of the peak. The drive up to the trail was so beautiful but keep your eyes on the road it's windy! Getting into nature is my happy place and this trail doesn't disappoint.

A first timer and not difficult at all do bring plenty of drinking water and cap of some sorts. Not much shade on trail. Over all it's great views combined with some rugged trails for those who can enjoy the tough but not impossible trail!

Great hiking area! The drive here is very narrow and windy but manageable. There's also a parking lot that I haven't had trouble parking in, but I've heard from people that it's a good idea to get there early! What I like about this trail is that there's a few different options depending on what kind of hike you're looking for. Once you reach the fork in the trail you can turn left and go up a shorter, steeper hike - maybe a little over a mile. This hike is quick but still a good work out due to the steepness of some parts of the path. If you want even more of a work out, you can take the loop going right, which is about a 6-ish mile hike. Although there are less steep parts, this hike is much, much longer. Both hikes take you to Sandstone Peak which has a pretty amazing view. What's also cool about this hike is that there's a notebook at the top of the hike that you can sign! There were two notebooks last time I went and I was able to go back and find my old entries which was pretty cool!

Beautiful views! Great exercise! Moderate hiking with slope but doable. Worth the effort to see the top view. Definitely recommend it for casual hikers!

Date of hike: 4.2.2011 The difficulty of this trail isn't bad compared to the hikes I've been on recently. The elevation gain/loss is about 1400 feet and the whole loop is about 6 miles. What I did like were the different views we saw. Early on the hike the sun broke free from the clouds and we were able to see Echo Cliffs and The Balanced Rock in the distance. Most of the trail is pretty shaded with trees around you. So even on a sunny day you'll be ok. The trail itself was mostly flat and maintained. However returning to the parking lot from Standstone Peak there are a lot of rocks. This part I didn't like because it was all downhill from there. You have to be very careful if you're not wearing the proper shoes. Unfortunately again when we reached the peak it was extremely cloudy. I have the worst timing with these things! What's really cool is you can sign a register at the top of the peak. It's quite a nice landmark for being the highest peak in the Santa Monica Mountains. http://www.flickr.com/photos/lamb1028/sets/72157626291603963/

Unplanned trips have a better result. This is yet by far the best hiking trail! It was worth the long, rough and zig zaggy drive. I actually loved it because it was something new. So I got a parking space pretty quickly. Then the trails. It wasn't steep and difficult but my daughter(5y/o) asked for about 5 water and snack breaks. She complained twice of wanting to go home and sleep. Lol. The view of the mountains, rocks, boulders and an Island was overwhelming. Mount Allen or Sandstone Peak is the highest point of Santa Monica Mountains. I was very proud of my girl. She climbed the peak with no sweat! So here are my 10 tips: 1. Bring your backpack, water, snacks, hand sanitizer and wet ones. This is a 6 mile loop and it took us 3.5 to 4 hours. 2. Some areas have no signal if you're AT&T. 3. Wear good sneaker or hiking pair. 4. Take the Mishe-Mokwa trail for split rock after reaching the Sandstone Peak. This trail is more challenging because it's narrower (very, very narrow) and closer to the cliffs. 5. Take pictures! Have fun with your creative idea. 6. Write something on the registry. Whatever and however! I just don't know what happens after. 7. Friendly dogs are welcome. 8. DO NOT USE THE BATHROOM that is located in the parking. I thought that was the most horrifying thing I have ever seen. There were flies, giant flies!!! Do not even attempt to open.....PLEASE!!! 9. If you have the ability to hold your pee, like me(12hour), then hold it. 10. NO LITTERING. Love mother earth.:) Hike like a pro!

I think this is an excellent trail for beginning hikers. It's just challenging enough, it was not crowded with people, and you get great views without gaining that much elevation. I started at the Mishe Mokwa Trailhead and went directly to Sandstone Peak (2 mi), then after summiting, we made a detour to Tri-Peaks. The trail is very easy to follow, and there are sweeping views at every turn. I'm not very good at giving directions, so I suggest looking up a write up of this trail if you need more help. At Sandstone Peak (elevation 3111 ft), you'll be greeted by the face of Herbert Allen, to whom the peak is dedicated. There's a little space underneath containing a register book, and it's quite pleasant to sit up there and read what other people have wrote before making your own addition. You can see pretty far out from this point! Even though it wasn't quite as rewarding as reaching an even higher summit to me, it was still enjoyable. I know this page isn't technically for Tri-Peaks, but I'm going to talk about it anyway. I highly recommend going if you like rock scrambling! It's just ~1.5 miles away from Sandstone Peak. We even found slot canyons and little caves to explore. I liked this part the best, actually. The trail is not as smooth as the one to Sandstone Peak, but that offers a bit more of a challenge and I love it. The way back is easy if you take the Mishe Mokwa trail. You'll run into a little picnic area with Split Rock, which is kind of cool and you can try to climb that for funsies. I really like this area's trails, and I look forward to coming back to the Santa Monica Mountains for more!

Solid 5 star hike! A different 5 stars than I have ranked other hikes but wonderful in so many of it's own ways. We hiked for around 4 hours on Saturday which is not a long hike for me, nor is this a strenuous hike in any way but it is quite lovely! a hike I'd certainly do over and over. I noticed right off the bat, the wide variety of plants lining the trail. Many parts reminded me of red dirt or clay like colored sand/dirt. I wanted to stop and check out so many different blooms, colors, plants, insects etc. along this trail. We very soon approached the Balanced Rock which you are able to view from many angles throughout this loop trail. It's really fun glancing out at this rock. Shortly after passing our initial Balanced Rock view and a few climate variations along the trail we came to Split Rock. How cool is this??? Ummm, super cool! You'll definitely what to snap a photo in between where this ginormous rock split. This is an up close and personal experience (unlike Balance Rock) which is really neat. From Split Rock we made the gradual trek up to what I had no idea awaited but by far my most fav part off of the Mishe Mokwa Trail - Inspiration Point. Sweeping, breath taking views of... Clouds! Yes! They never cleared but they were gorgeous and both fast and slow moving. I've only ever been above the clouds from an aircraft or the day I went skydiving so to sit above them was just amazing! I kept telling me boyfriend I I felt like we were filming for the show The Bachelor(ette), where they fly you to the top of some amazing place and drop you both off on the top of a rock or something :) but he reminded me, we weren't dropped off we hiked up here ;) love him! This can be quite the romantic experience. Perfect spot, to sit down, relax and have something to eat and drink. Our final highlight, one of the highest peaks on this mountain range - Sandstone Peak- and signing the registry book located under the Herbert Allen plaque. This is a fun spot, with several more people hanging about and snapping photos. We then made our way back down to the parking lot - a little over a mile. I love loop trails! I'm certain almost anyone will receive much satisfaction with this trail. There are big pay off areas without being a challenging hike which make it a fine option for just about anyones hiking level. I did not care for the windy road we had to drive to get to here but the views and trail are completely worth it. There is a restroom located in the parking lot and many folks along this trail were friendly and pleasant. Some shade, but not much - so as always, a hat, sunscreen, water, snackies, etc. are good ideas. Looking forward to the sweeping ocean views this hike offers on a clear day.

Incredible hike! Parking is to the right as you come up Yerba Buena Rd & the trail head is across the street. It's a short trek up the trail & you already begin to see all the views. The trails are marked & easy to read. I took sandstone peak trail (I think) to the mishe mokwa trail head then hiked to the balancing rock. During my hike it was raining and debris had fallen all around parts of the trail to the balancing rock but it was possible to get to. It started raining on my way to inspiration point so that's when I called it quits. This hike is a must see & I would probably go back several times because there's so much to explore. Has a very majestic feel to the area.

Been hiking various trails all around LA and have to say that this has been the most scenic hike yet! I really can't wait to go back. Go for the real deal - the 6.5 mile hike. Start by 8 AM. Trust me on this... the drive up seems never ending, windy, and at one point becomes mini lanes... but even driving up, seeing the fog and the clouds start to get low really plays mind games on you as far as questioning where you are. There are two dirt lots. Skip the first one and go a little farther to the smaller one on the right. You will see 2 signs, I believe one is to the Sandstone Peak (one of the higher mountains, 3,111 ft elevation) and the other is going in a loop. Go left to the peak! The incline is quick but the views are SPECTACULAR - you are above cloud level!! It's really surreal and amazing. A cool bonus is that there's a notebook and pens at the top of Mount Allen (Sandstone Peak). People signed their name, wrote inspirational messages, etc. Further down the trail is another mountain head called Inspiration Point that also has amazing high views. Everywhere you turn is like a postcard from a different place. Then the trail descends into the valleys and by now it's hot so by doing the trail backwards, it continues being scenic and shady on a steady decline. You pass by Split Rock (hugh rock split in 3), some poison ivy, and then more amazing views. At one point I took a break to watch some real rock climbers in the distance. The end of the trail (or beginning, as most people do it) leads (or begins) at that first dirt lot. Doing it backwards and starting early morning though is the best. So glad I found this hike, can't wait to take more people here!

This is a really awesome trail!! You get a bit of everything here- hiking, beautiful scenery, and even some rock climbing! Though I was initially bummed that it was cloudy and dreary, it actually makes for great hiking conditions. I was kept cool and the bouts of sunshine were just enough. (And I even got sunburnt, hah) I would suggest getting here early because parking does fill up. There is a bathroom at the beginning of the trail so make sure to go there because there are none elsewhere. Bring some hand sanitizer too because there is no soap/water. Overall, a great trail and great photo ops everywhere :)

Agree with other yelpers in that this trail has beautiful diverse scenery up to Sandstone Peak, with clean and well maintained paths. I definitely felt transported from Cali. It was serene and quiet; we met no more than 10 groups total roundtrip. My one complaint was the signage -- OBFUSCATORY. All in all, though, an excellent peaceful hike to get away and get lost in Mother Nature.

Breathtaking view at the peak, love meditating here, great escape from the city life, cars, etc. it is very quiet here and the air is so fresh that I want to come back every time. Definitely one of the best hiking trails out there. Worth the visit, save it in your bookmarks!

Mishe Mokwa is a legendary mother bear of twins in Indian lore. It comes from Michigan, so I'm not sure it pertains to Ventura County California. This hike begins off Buena Yerba Road. I drove here from DTLA on the 10 and then north on the PCH to Yerba Buena Road. It's then a mostly winding 6 miles from the PCH to the trailhead. I had the track from modern Hiker (thanks kindly, Casey, for your great blog and EveryTrail posts). I chose to do the hike the way Casey described it. A few tenths of a mile from the trailhead, you come to a fork. If you take the right fork, you do this loop in a counter clockwise direction following the Backbone Trail. If you go left, your first stop with be Sandstone Peak, the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains at 3,111 feet. I took the right fork and went by Balanced Rock. This was not a typical hike for me because I live in Las Vegas and hike for the most part in the desert. Shaded trails are not typical here except at Mount Charleston in the summer. I eventually made it to the Tri Peaks cut off. I went to the top. The trail is a bit difficult to follow but you can get to the top. It makes the loop and extra mile in total. From Tri Peaks, I came back to the main trail and went to Inspiration Point. From there, I went past the Sandstone Peak steps. At that point, I couldn't spend the time to get to the top, get some photos, and get back to the car in time. I needed to be in Hollywood and then at my hotel because the safe had jammed and my time was limited. I would skip the Tri Peaks if you can only do one. I made it back to the car. Total distance was just over 7 miles in just about 3 hours. I echo what others have said. You need hiking boots, you need plenty of water, and make sure of your limits. If you attempt to do the loop, there's a point you reach where it's 6 of one, half a dozen of another. If you can't finish, you may be one of the helicopter rescues from the mountain. I went back to the PCH because I wasn't sure of the Mulholland direction to go. From the PCH, I took the Kanan-Dume highway to the 101 and I was in Hollywood when I needed to be. Besides, that way there's a Starbucks at Trancas Market in Malibu before you turn to head to the 101. Well worth the stop after this hike. Happy hiking!

This one has been in my bookmark for a while now, and I finally made it out with my brother. And it is now one of my top 3 favorite hiking trails. We arrived at the parking lot around 1:00 pm, and there were a lot of people coming down, but also going up. Parking is of course free, and there is a bathroom, which is nice (but no flushing water obviously). To get to the Sandstone Peak, you have the 2 options. Either go left (the short way), or right (the long way). The short way is about 3 miles round trip, while the long way is around 7 miles (reading from other people's reviews.) I did the short trip and it was just the perfect distance. The hike isn't too rigorous, but it's not easy, either. There are a lot of rocks, so I recommend wearing good shoes. Once you get to the peak, you will see big rocks everywhere. This is when you have to literally climb up to get to the peak. The climb isn't hard, but it is kind of scary if you're afraid of heights. The view is AMAZING. You can see beautiful greenery and rock all around, with drop dead Malibu Ocean in the back, with never ending blue skies. We took some amazing photos up there. Also, there is a notebook which you can register in. I really enjoyed this hike. It was so peaceful and the view at the end was so worth the drive and the hike. I would definitely return, but next time I want to try the long trail since you get to see two other peaks that way. Please don't be like me and forget to wear sun block... I forgot mine, and got sun burnt on my shoulders :(

What a Great Hike! Get there early to get parking this place has a small lot and it gets very crowded. The trail is all outdoors and very little shade. The trail is intense and I would rate it about an 7 in toughness. The trail is a good amount of incline but has a lot of good flat areas to stop and take a good rest. This place has many spots to stop and enjoy the views all the way to the top but the best views are at the top. Once you get to the top make sure you open the box and sign your name in the book, it's just something fun to do and leaves your mark. On my visit there was a lot of people hiking but it was a Saturday so seemed as weekends are busy here. On the way down you can either take the same route back or towards the right you can take the path that will take you to the same beginning spot at a shorter time. The hike is about 6 mile turnaround, but if you take the shorter trail back down it is about a 4 1/2 mile turnaround. If needed pack a lunch, bring sunscreen, and lots of water. Happy Hiking!

This is a 7.1 mile round trip hike. With the cool ocean breeze it made it more enjoyable then difficult. There are steep up hills with loose rocks and gravel but easy enough for beginners. When you get near the top, make sure to stay left to get to the Sandstone Peak. Once you get there, there's a monument for Mount Allen. You can step up to get to the best view. Be careful of high winds and enjoy the magnificent views of the Santa Monica ocean.

I've always thought the Santa Monica Mountains were kinda blah....Solstice Canyon being totally trashed w/graffiti, trash, and random parties going on w/loud music around the ruins....although it does offer nice ocean views, it just felt like any other "city hike." Boy was I WRONG though. The Mishe Mokwa Trail to Sandstone Peak is absolutely GORGEOUS! The road to get to the trailhead is pretty gnarly and narrow so if you're not used to mountain driving it may bring some sweat to your hands & a faster heart rate. I've tried getting there from both PCH & the freeway, and both are gnarly. The parking lot is very easy to find as there is a fairly large sign that says "Sandstone Peak Trailhead." Pit toilets are available at the parking lot. This trail is quite busy during the weekend but has way less traffic on the weekdays. After climbing a little less than 0.5 miles, the trail splits: making a right will take you to the Mishe Mokwa trail (longer but gradual incline) and making a left will take you to Sandstone Peak (shorter & steeper grade). I always make a right and follow the Mishe Mokwa trail and do a loop. Doing the loop is about 6.5 to 7 miles, depending on which places you decide to visit. I DEFINITELY recommend doing the Mishe Mokwa trail instead of going directly to Sandstone Peak since you will be missing out on SO much beautiful scenery! You will have a chance to see Split Rock, have the option to go visit the Balancing Rock, and also have the opportunity to check out Tri Peaks. Inspiration Point is another beautiful stop before reaching Sandstone Peak. It's not as crowded as Sandstone Peak and yet has the 360 view of the surrounding area. Highly recommend stopping here. Lots of solitude if you can come during the weekdays. The trail is fairly exposed so I probably wouldn't do this in hot weather. The terrain is very rugged in certain sections with lots of loose rocks...not the best trail when you have an IT band and ankle problem. Coming down from Sandstone Peak to the main trail may be a challenge if you don't have shoes with good traction. Total Miles - 7.1 miles (stopping by Tri-Peaks) Total Elevation - 1,621 ft Adventure Pass is not required to park. Dogs allowed on leash. Hiking permit not required. Amazing rock formations! Go visit!!

This was my 2nd time hiking to Sandstone Peak! I think I hiked it for the first time back in 2010 or 2011 (can't really remember) and reached the top of Sandstone Peak! This past weekend, I did the same. Went with my husband and his cousin this time, and the 3 of us reached the tallest peak of the Santa Monica Mountains! woohoo! :) Felt great, we did it and it was relatively moderate hike. Definitely needed at least 3 water bottles per person and some snack bars to recharge and boost our energy levels. All dirt paved, not much shade, but scenery was nice with the mountain rocks and the distant view of Ventura County. You could also catch some glimpses of Malibu waters from afar too. As you near the top of the peak, that's when it gets a bit harder because we had to get on our hands and do some rock climbing to get there. :) Be sure to reach the top to sign the guest book! haha We saw many kids and dogs along the trail too. The parking lot got busy very fast, so recommend that you arrive before 10am.

As a hiking veteran, I was super stoked that I was able to finally check this place out this past weekend. Goods: 1. Trail is mostly incline, meaning it's going to BURN 2. Spectacular view 3. Pretty short hike, finished in about 2 hours Bad: 1. Trail gets narrow at some points 2. Not much shade, I recommend going super early at 8-9 am to avoid the heat 3. NOT FOR BEGINNERS! There's so many loose rocks around the trail. My friend slipped and fell enduring scrapes on both arms and legs. I, myself on the other hand endured scrapes on my thighs because i just decided to slide down on my booty. Tips: 1. Best to wear hiking shoes and using hiking sticks. 2. Pretty huge parking lot at the trail head, so no need to worry about not getting parking. 3. You will be circling the mountain for a long time. If you see Circle X ranch, just keep going. There is signage that will mark the trail head.

Great hike. Can't beat the views and its just challenging enough, not too easy, not too hard. The reason I gave it 4 stars its a little too crowded for my taste. Too crowded to smoke bowl. But early birds can beat the crowds or late birds with head lights. Do it when its cool and leave bo trace. Enjoy!

This is my favorite hike in southern Cali - hands down. There's something to see every step of the way, and it's a pretty well kept trail. Park at a small free lot off of Yerba Buena Road called Sandstone Peak. You'll hike steadily uphill for a bit, with a great view of the Santa Monica mountains and the ocean around you. There's a bunch of rock formations as you go further inland. At almost halfway, there's a small picnic area next to a rock called Split Rock. It's a nice shaded area to rest before continuing on. The view you continue seeing makes you feel like you're in Arizona - absolutely gorgeous! The best part of the trail is the little side trip up to INSPIRATION POINT. Do a little climbing and you'll see a fantastic view! A little further is another point called Boney Peak which is the highest point on the trail. Hike up, sign the log book, and enjoy the view for a while! The trail from there back down to the parking lot is all downhill. The whole hike took us 3 hours (but you can easily spend 4 if you stop there to enjoy the view longer!) Note: some parts of the trail are shade-less, so go early!

Beautiful hike and worth the trip to explore and enjoy the scenery!! There's two different, and small, parking lots on Yerba Buena Road. The first one is the Circle X Ranch parking lot (there's a noticeable outhouse) and connects to the trail head for Sandstone Peak. If you decide to hike up to the peak and back, it's a nice gradual uphill trail with spectacular views of the mountains. Round trip hike will be about 3 miles. If you drive further up Yerba Buena Road, you'll come to the parking lot for the Mishe Mokwa trail head. If you decide to do this entire loop trail (which connects to Sandstone Peak), it'll be about a 9-mile trip and that only if you decide not to take any side trails (i.e.: Inspiration Point and/or Balancing Rock). I highly recommend both trails. If you don't feel up to doing a 9+ mile hike, at least do the shorter trail up to Sandstone Peak. The scenery is breathtakingly beautiful!

Awesome hike with amazing views! Parking is fairly easy to find so no issues there. The hike is a moderate difficulty, 6 mile hike with quite a bit of incline especially if you're going all the way to the top - Sandstone Peak. If you're going to do this hike do yourself a favor and go all the way up. Sandstone Peak is the highest point of the Santa Monica Mountains at 3,111 ft. elevation. The trails up to the peak are easy to follow but be cautious as there are areas with loose rock and some parts where you may have to do a little climbing. Hey, I saw 6 and 7 year olds up there so grow a pair and get it done! I recommend hiking shoes or ankle support for this hike. Approx. time for the full hike is about 3 hours because once you get to the top you'll want to chill up there for a bit and take it all in. The views from Sandstone Peak are spectacular. You see miles of mountains and coastline. It truly is one of the most beautiful views I've had the pleasure of experiencing. You feel so at peace up there to the point you forget you're in LA. It's a dog friendly hike so bring the fur balls with you. My dog loved it! Just remember to bring your leash as this is not an off-leash park like Runyon Canyon. Oh, and bring plenty of water!

I loved this trail. Not too far from the trailhead you'll hit a fork in the trail. If you go left, it's 1.5 miles directly to Sandstone Peak. If you go right it's the longer route (6.5 miles) and takes you to two other sights - tri peaks and split rock - then finally to Sandstone Peak. We did the 1.5 mile trail, and by the time we finished, about 2 hours later, our tracker said it had been 4 miles. The reason this trail gets so many stars is because depending on the weather you will be above the cloud level which means you can take some pretty incredible photos!!

This 6 mile hike had epic views and is surprisingly moderate for a hike that takes you to the highest peak in the Santa Monica Mountains. There are cool features along the way like Split Rock, Balancing Rock, Echo Cliffs, Inspiration Point, and Baseball Glove Rock. Sound like Wizarding World of Harry Potter or what? The trailhead is already pretty far from sea which helps as an assist to help you summit Sandstone Peak the highest peak in the Santa Monica Mountains ( though its only 3114 feet above sea level )

This place is freaking far! I went with my sister and brother and it took us about 3 hours to get there. At first, the path to get there was a little confusing but we found our way. Just look at your map and follow it. Keep going up the mountain until you see a sign that says Sandstone Peak. The whole hike is about 4-6 miles round trip depending on which trail you take. We took the right side first going up. This place is really rocky so be careful. I swear I tripped and slipped so many times. It wasn't even funny! But I was careful not to fall flat on my face. Thank goodness. When we got to the top, the view was amazing. I really like it. It's so beautiful. Just take a moment to escape reality! We spent an hour at the top just taking countless pictures and enjoying the view. Also, there's a composition book where you can write and draw whatever you want. It shows whoever went there. That's cool!! This hiking trail is nice but the downside is that it's toooo far. I wouldn't wana drive here again unless someone else take me with them! But we'll see. Until next time ^_^ Second hike of the year 2015

If you start the trail from Mishe Mokwa, you will experience the breathtaking view. To get there, instead of turning left...turn right. All incline, but worth a climb! When you get to the top, there's a signature guest book. Must sign it The view on the very top is beautiful, breathtaking. You never want to leave...lol Must bring at least 2L of water specially with this heat

It's really good to be back in Southern California! One of the first things I wanted to do after landed was go hiking, and I'm really glad I found the Mishe Mokwa Trail on Yelp :-) The landscape of native wildflowers, ancient oaks, sagebrush, and majestic rock formations you'll see when you're here is truly unique and beautiful. It made me think of the Native Americans who might have used these trails hundreds of years ago, but there have been some obvious modern touches (i.e., bathrooms at the entrance) without spoiling the overall natural feel. The hike itself isn't especially difficult; it took us about three hours round trip. Beginning at the Sandstone Peak trailhead, when we hit the fork we turned right and took the Mishe Mokwa trail; that trail connects with the Backbone Trail, and that loops you back to the trailhead. Tip: The Backbone Trail will lead you to the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains - Sandstone Peak. The views from there are nothing short of breathtaking! I've visited this venue before, but on my most recent visit, I took the time to hike all the way to top, and the views made the trek totally worth taking :-) A word to the wise - if you drive up Highway 23, be careful, as the road is VERY windy! Taking it too fast is not only dangerous, but it can make you feel nauseous, even if you're the driver ;-)

This trail is amazing! Today was the first time I had visited this trail, and it was a great experience. I came here with my girlfriend for valentines day, just expecting a normal hiking trail. It was way better than we expected and even more fun than described by others. First of all, the weather here is a few degrees cooler than in the valley. There is also quite a strong breeze on this trail, making it a bit easier fight the Cali heat. When you first start the hike, there are maps which show you all the different trails. You can take one when you begin and return it when you come back. This was helpful, without the map we would have surely taken a wrong turn. The trail you want to follow is Sandstone Peak (stay left at each fork). This is the highest point in the Santa Monica mountains at 3,111 ft above sea level. The view once you reach the top is spectacular! Once you reach the top, there will be a monument. Open the mailbox and pull out the notebook. This is something that everyone signs once they reach the top. This added some character to the hike, and I have never seen anything like this before. Very cool. Overall, the hike was about 5 miles and took us about 2.5 hours. It was such a fun experience. So cool. 5 stars! Best hike ive ever been on.

My favorite hiking spot in Malibu! I've been to several hiking trails in Malibu (including Escondido Falls, Solstice Canyon, and El Matador) and this is by far my favorite. I think the trails are pretty easy here. Either that or I'm a SoCal approved certified hiker. The views are amazing when you get to the very top! Spent at least an hour chilling up there. It was so nice that I didn't even want to hike back down. The hike is about an hour going up, very simple. Be careful when you hike back down bc we got lost haha. It looks simple but one wrong careless turn will give you a detour to hell. My group freaked out a little but good thing I was in total control =)

Was not an easy 6 mile hike. There's loose rocks and steep inclines and declines. Many trails to the top of the peaks require climbing rocks at a slant. I recommend parking at the second lot which will have a sign that says "sandstone peaks". At the beginning of the trail, there's a bulletin board with a map in it. The trails are obvious and it is hard to get lost. We took the trail at the right which took us to past the balancing rock first, then the split rock, the inspiration point, and to Santa Monica peak last before finishing back at the parking lot. The whole hike took us 3 and a half hours. Consider bringing 2-3 16.9 fluid oz. of water or a hydration pack, snacks or light lunch, long pants and shirt (because there's bushes that you need to push by), a hat and sun glasses) The road up to the hike is long and weaves a lot. The parking lot is just dirt with one restroom. No other restrooms along the trail. We got there early (7:30am) and did not bump into anyone until 10am. I kept my dog on leash the majority of the time since it was our first time here. Other owners were friendly and didn't mind that our dog wasn't on leash when we met them. Don't need to worry about dangerous wildlife. We only bumped into two small lizards, two or three birds, and the rest are ants, bees, flies, and butterflies.

Preface: I'm not an athletic person. I don't hike (very often) and I consider my daily exercise the stairs up to my apartment. So I would say I am about average in terms of physical prowess (meaning not very impressive). So for people who are not outdoor junkies but would like to try something new, read on. For me, this place was on the more difficult side of things. The trail is steep and windy especially when you close in on Sandstone Peak where it gets a bit more rocky. But man, it was so worth it. It really felt like something straight out of Lord of the Rings. Every step you take, you're just marveling at the 360 view of nature at its best. All of these pictures don't really do this place justice because they just don't capture the depth of all that mesmerizing scenery. All in all, I would highly recommend this place. If you aren't the outdoorsy type, I still say it's doable, but be prepared for taking many breaks (no judgement, I've been there :). There is a parking lot and a bathroom right before you start the hike. I have to say though, be prepared when you're driving up to the place. It's at least 15 minutes of super winding, steep roads and I definitely got carsick before I even hit the trail. But so worth it.