The GeekHiker

(The hike from New Year’s, juuuuust a bit late.)

I haven’t done a formal survey or anything, but I’d be willing to put good money on the bet that there isn’t a single LA hiking book that doesn’t include the following hike.

And why not? It includes a nice visitor center, a year round creek, a smattering of wilderness and a bit of Hollywood history.

This is an excellent hike pretty much year-round, though it can get quite hot in the summer. Like most trails, even at popular parks like this one, the number of people will diminish the further out you get; on the side trails I saw no one.

Most hikers begin this trip from the large parking lot off of Malibu Canyon Rd., but I prefer to start the trail from the intersection of Malibu Canyon Rd. & Mulholland Highway as described below. This short section, called the Grasslands Trail, winds through grass meadows dotted with oak trees and gives a nice introduction to the park.

Starting along the Grasslands Trail

Start from the trailhead and head south along the trail, which will shortly ascend to a ridge. When the trail splits, take the right path, which will take you quickly down to Crags Road.

Along the Grasslands Trail in the winter

The same tree along the Grasslands Trail during the spring bloom, 2005

After .7 miles you intersect with Crags Road, a large road along the creekside (another road runs parallel on the other side of the creek). Turning right, you continue under old oak trees that cover the road and have been seen in dozens of film productions. The next .6 miles are referred to on some maps as the High Road.

Oak-lined Crags Road

After the .6 miles of flat walking you reach a signed junction. To the left lies a bridge which will take you to the visitor center, which has exhibits on the local flora and fauna as well as the filming history of the park. Our path turns right and heads up the hill towards the M*A*S*H site.

Placid Malibu Creek

The area that is now Malibu Creek State Park was purchased in the 1940’s by 20^th Century Fox and was used as the studio’s private backlot for nearly 40 years. Today a number of productions still use the park regularly, but here and there remnants of the area’s heyday as the property of a major studio can still be seen.

Cresting over the ridge, look for the shady trail on the left. Take this short spur down to the shores of Century Lake.

Century Lake

Held back by a small dam in the narrow canyon, Century Lake is slowly silting in.

Century Lake & Century Lake Dam

Another View of the Dam

If the placid water and weathered volcanic rock seem familiar, you may be remembering them from the original Planet of the Apes.

Turning right and continuing along the shoreline, you’ll quickly re-connect with Crags road. Continue following the road, passing over a small bridge at 1.7 miles. Just past the bridge the trail splits; bend right to continue along Crags Road. The trail, originally the road out to the sets, has been broken into a rocky mess by subsequent rains and floods over the years.

3.1 miles from your starting point you’ll arrive at the original M*A*S*H. filming site. Not much is left after all these years, save for a couple of burned out and rusting jeeps and the flat area that served as the helicopter landing pad.

Panoramic view from the old helicopter pad

Most people turn around at this point, but I usually enjoy continuing along the road, an easy, flat mile (2 miles round trip) that follows the creek and has several nice spots for lunch.

Just past the M.A.S.H. site; what is it with me and boats along the trail?

The road dead ends at the chain-linked fence of Malibu Lake and its very nice looking housing, so from here simply turn around and follow the same path back to your car.

Along the trail back, Malibu Creek from the bridge near the Visitor Center

Along the way back, I highly recommend diverting to the informative visitor center or, just before the bridge to the visitor center, take the trail to the right down to the excellent (and very popular) swimming hole known as Rock Pool.

SIDE TRIP: Forest Trail: From the junction just past the bridge on Craigs Road mention above, the Forest Trail is an easy, flat two mile out-and-back along the south shoreline of Century Lake, terminating at the dam. I always take this side trip since it’s not very populated and is very quiet and is nicely forested. A dozen or so very out of place coast redwood trees eek out an existence along the trail as well.

Although the dam and nearby rock may look tempting to climb and look over the edge, I don’t recommend it due to the poor footing (and the long fall, of course).

Redwood tree along the Forest Trail

Century Lake Dam & Gorge from the end of the Forest Trail

SIDE TRIP: Cage Creek/Lookout Trail: I hadn’t taken this particular side trip before today. This trail is an up and down trip which affords some good views over the park. It is, however, very exposed and would be, I imagine, blisteringly hot on a summer day. To take this loop, look for the signed Cage Creek trail along Crags Road, about .3 miles past Century Lake. The trail will climb steeply up a small canyon for .3 miles and reach an intersection; turn right to head up the Lookout Trail. From the trail you will see beautiful views over this section of the Malibu Creek watershed and the Crags. Continuing along the trail will return you, after 1.2 miles total, to Crags Road.

Looking out over Malibu Creek State Park from the Lookout Trail

Total Distance (to M.A.S.H. site & back): ~5 miles

Total Distance (with side trips): 10 miles

Elevation Gain/Loss (to M.A.S.H. site & back): 700’/700′

Elevation Gain/Loss (with side trips): 1,100/1,100

Park: Malibu Creek State Park

Website: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=614

Directions: From the 101, exit Las Virgenes road south. Drive south along the road until the road intersects with Mulholland Highway (about 3.5 miles) and turn right. The trail head will be about .2 miles in on the left; park on the shoulder on either side of the road (make you’re your car is out of the traffic lane). From PCH (Highway 1), turn north on Malibu Canyon Road and follow the road about 6.3 miles north until you reach Mulholland Highway, then turn left. Follow the directions as above to the trailhead.