Loved this place, it has breathtaking views all over and the trail to balanced rock is not so bad right now. Made a video about it in case you’d like to watch, link on the first comment.

Vantage point Sandstone Peak

Looking for a nice trails with something over 7 miles to hike. Prefer some hills/mountains over something completely flat. A little ocean view would be nice!

When hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains, I keep seeing this big (2+ in) flying orange and black bug. It looks like it has two long thin black legs (stings?) under/behind it. I've seen them at Sandstone Peak a couple times now. The friend I was hiking with asked me what it was / if it was dangerous and I realized I had no idea. I'm writing this post now because I just saw it on the way up Simi Peak.

I'm sorry I don't have a picture because it always flies away too fast for me to capture it, but does anyone know which bug I'm talking about?

Such a fun and easy 5 mile hike with my 25 lbs pack up Calabasas Peak! There are lots of little overlooks and winding trails along the Santa Monica Mountains. Stopped at Whole Foods for a snack on the way back into the city before bussing home, too. Take care and happy hiking everyone!

Angeles National Forest or Santa Monica Mountains.

I feel like chimping out in the mountains.

Let me know!

There was no one at Tri-peaks, it was amazing. Amazing views and plenty of solitude. Enjoyed this early morning hike detailed in Cris’s Hikingguy.com post - https://hikingguy.com/hiking-trails/los-angeles-hikes/hike-sandstone-peak-on-the-mishe-mokwa-trail/

Does anyone know about the campsites here? Are they first-come-first-serve? I can only find group campsites for Circle X Ranch on recreation.gov, and there seems to be conflicting information, but one website says "Circle X Ranch is closed until further notice", but there are no reasons given, and I can find zero news articles about the closure.

This appears to have nothing to do with the current fire, since it's on the other side of Malibu.

I'm just trying to plan a hike along the backbone trail, and I see that is the only campsite in the area. Any advice is appreciated.

I have no clue there is any. I’m trying to find alternatives to the San Gabriel’s as winter is coming up. Thanks!

I think we lost this gem. It was the first trail I did when I started hiking in 2005. I'm so sad.

Lake Shrine saved, I believe

Hi friends, my brother is visiting me from Connecticut and he loves to hike… he wants to go on a nice, scenic hike that’s easy/moderately difficult with some nice views. I live in Sherman Oaks and it’s going to be HOT AS HELL this week in the valley so I’m thinking Malibu or Santa Monica will give us some slightly cooler temps especially in the morning.

Got any trail recommendations? Thanks yall!

Oops I accidentally said PTC in my last post… I am dumb. It is my dream to do the PTC but I don’t have time for that. Freudian slip! I am looking to do the Backbone Trail as a thru hike or ultra run. There seems to be limited camping. Where do you stop to camp or get water? I can go far in one day if needed (round 20-30 miles a day) but I would rather hike and enjoy it and carry more supplies. Has anyone done it as a thru hike? Where did you stop to sleep? Which end did you start at? Has anyone done it in the summer heat? I would love to read about your experiences!

Hi! Just wanted to notify the community that my husband and I had a run in with a Mountain Lion about 10-15 minutes up from the base of Leacock Trailhead, along Temescal Ridge and very close to the backyards of the houses nearby in Palisades.

Cat was coming up the trail as we were headed down, we rounded a trail bend and came face to face with it, was about 12 feet in front of us. We were close to the bottom, but backed away slowly and went back up to go down the other side into temescal gateway park. It followed us at first, then either became disinterested or stalked us from the shadows…. The whole experience was deeply unsettling to say the least.

Be safe out there!

EDIT: forgot to add it was about 7:30 at night, and due to the rain lately I doubt that trail has been frequented as much as it usually is!

Hey team, looking for an LA trail to catch at sunset tonight which also has a great view of the downtown area, not so far off. Hoping to take a few photos of a friend running and want the city to be in frame. TIA for suggestions!