Mishe Mokwa Trail to Sandstone Peak, 15 May 2010
Posted: Mon May 17, 2010 7:51 am
This weekend I led my fourth outing with the local after school program. We scheduled an exploratory climb along the Mishe Mokwa Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area west of Malibu.
I was pleasantly surprised by this spectacular hike through some of the most interesting and exciting topography in California's coastal mountains. The trail basically loops around the north of the Boney Mountain/Sandstone Peak massif before climbing up to a sort of small, high plateau covered with dense chaparral and accented by jutting rock formations, joining the Backbone Trail. It is really beautiful.
Most important of all, the kids really seemed to have had a good time, despite some challenging aspects of the trail, which alternately climbs and plunges steeply as it makes its way to Sandstone Peak, the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains. Everyone made it to the top, and took justifiable pride in what for most was their first summit climb of any kind.
It was a gorgeous day, but a little warm. I wouldn't expect to come back here until the autumn. It would be a good cool weather hike, especially on a clear winter day.
Moar photos!
I was pleasantly surprised by this spectacular hike through some of the most interesting and exciting topography in California's coastal mountains. The trail basically loops around the north of the Boney Mountain/Sandstone Peak massif before climbing up to a sort of small, high plateau covered with dense chaparral and accented by jutting rock formations, joining the Backbone Trail. It is really beautiful.
Most important of all, the kids really seemed to have had a good time, despite some challenging aspects of the trail, which alternately climbs and plunges steeply as it makes its way to Sandstone Peak, the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains. Everyone made it to the top, and took justifiable pride in what for most was their first summit climb of any kind.
It was a gorgeous day, but a little warm. I wouldn't expect to come back here until the autumn. It would be a good cool weather hike, especially on a clear winter day.
Moar photos!
I like the one looking down at the climbers at Echo Cliffs. Glad you and the kids had such a good day and that they enjoyed being able to claim a summit. The views from there are awesome, especially after a storm when the islands feel so close you can touch them and you can see the San Gab's and San G.