The GeekHiker

(Not to be confused with Red Rock Canyon State Park.)

Driving to the trailhead is, most of the time, a relatively straightforward thing.  The parking areas are usually well marked or easily definable (like a wide roadway shoulder).  Such is not the case with Red Rock Canyon Park.

Located off Old Topanga Road, the turn-off on Red Rock Road has no sign indicating the park at its end.  Driving down the road, one passes by numerous “no trespassing” and “no parking” signs.  The road turns into a single lane.  The asphalt ends and the road becomes gravel.  It’s not hard to wonder after a half-mile if you’re really on the right road or headed into the middle of nowhere.

Then, boom, there you are.

I’ve passed by Red Rock Canyon Park numerous times over the years without knowing it.  Heck, I’ve looked down on the park on previous hikes along the Calabasas Peak Motorway.  Last weekend I found an old newspaper clipping at home and figured I’d check it out.

(FYI: The park has a $5 entrance fee as of this writing, payable to the iron ranger at the park entrance.  Personally, I think anything over $3 is a bit steep, especially given that most of the NPS lands have no entrance fee, but it is what it is.)

The hike here is relatively short, but the geology is quite amazing.  The best display of the namesake red rock is near the park entrance.

Red rock formations near the park entrance

Most of the park consists of a mixture of sandstone and conglomerate rocks, uplifted and tilted.  Here and there you can find the remains of sea creatures from long ago captured in the rock.  This fossils below are found in a boulder, conveniently located near the trailhead:

Fossilized seashells

From the parking area (picnic tables, restrooms and water available), head up the wide fire road, which starts under the shade of chaparral and sycamore trees.

Starting up the main road/trail

Be sure to examine the large outcropping that appears on the left about .3 mile in.  There, you’ll find numerous weathered caves carved by wind and water.

Eroded sandstone formations and caves

At about .4 mile from the trailhead, an optional spur trail (marked on the park map as the Red Rock Trail) crosses the creek and heads uphill to a ridgeline, then continues to climb through low chaparral and rocky outcrops.

Heading up the Red Rock Trail

The geology here is amazing, with huge slabs of what was once flat river or seabed solidified, raised above sea level, and turned 90 degrees.

Uplifted and tilted sandstone formation

Detailed view of the layers of sandstone and conglomerate rocks

The trail reaches the park boundary about .8 mile from the turn-off.  A use trail appears to continue beyond, but becomes brushy.  After picking off two ticks already, I decided to pass on going through thick brush on a trail that didn’t exist on my topo.

Returning to the main fire road, turn right and continue climbing.  The trail gains altitude and views north towards the San Fernando Valley.  At 1.2 miles from the trailhead parking area, the trail reaches a T-junction with Calabasas Peak Motorway.

A small bench will allow you to stop, rest, and take in the view.  Looking south, the view takes in Stunt Road and the Stunt High Ranch (where you can hike the Stunt High Trail), with a small sliver of Santa Monica Bay visible on the other side of the ridge.

Turning left from the junction will take you down .7 mile to Stunt Road (an alternative starting point for Calabasas Peak).  Our trail turns right on the fire road, crossing though a large white sandstone outcropping and climbing 1.2 miles from the junction to Calabasas Peak.

Crossing the white sandstone formation along Calabasas Peak Motorway

After a couple of turns, the trail passes a high point and the rounded top of Calabasas Peak comes into view.

Calabasas Peak

A short spur trail to the left takes you to the top of the peak.  While not the highest peak in the neighborhood, it does sport good views on a clear day, particularly of the San Fernando Valley and the chain of the Santa Monica Mountains stretching off to the west

Panoramic view of the San Fernando Valley on a clear day

Return by the same route.