XEROX Mountaineering & Backpacking Club

Peak 2049 from Tapia Park Moonlight hike 20 May 1989

When: Saturday 20 May 1989, 7:00 pm

Statistics: Rating Moderate. elevation gain 1500 ft; summit 2049 ft; 6 miles round trip.

Route and highlights: The trailhead is the parking lot in Tapia Park on the west side of Las Virgenes-Malibu Canyon Road. We cross the road, go south across the bidge, and then recross the road to the west side. A safer trailhead would be the parking lot southwest of the bridge, but a "no parking any time" sign prevents its use.

We hike on a steep road that leads up the slope to the west. A large boulder blocks the road to vehicles. About a half mile farther along the trail, a road branches right and dead-ends at a gate, so we DON'T take it. Instead, we follow the switchbacks up the hill for about two miles.

Before reaching the peak, we come to a fork in the road. The left fork drops down to PCH. We take the RIGHT fork. After another 1/3 mile, we turn right at a saddle and walk to the top of the peak. We return the way we came.

We should get a spectacular view of both the shore line and the city lights below. Miles away, you can hear coyotes howl and dogs bark.

Topo Map: Malibu Beach

Reference: McAuley, "Hiking Trails of the Santa Monica Mountains", hike #28

Bring: "ten essentials", jackets, insect repellent, etc. Leader will have first-aid kit

Driving Details: Take the 405 north to the 10 west to the end where it turns into highway 1. Continue up the coast, past Sunset, 7.0 miles past Topanga Canyon, until you come to Malibu Canyon Road. (If you pass Pepperdine University, you've gone too far.) Turn right up Malibu Canyon Road. Continue for several miles. Eventually you cross Malibu Creek. Immediately park on the left in Tapia Park. (If you cross Mulholland Highway, you've gone too far.)

Allow 1 hour driving time from the South Bay. Be at the trail head by 7:00 pm.

Leader: Bruce Hamilton work: (213)333-8075. home: (213)322-4602. E-Mail: Hamilton:OSBU South

Miscellany: Let me know if you'd like to meet someplace at 5:30 for a PRE-HIKE PIZZA or other gastronomic delights. Suggestions welcome. Details will be sent to those who sign up.

Write or call the leader if you plan to come. Let me if you need a ride or can offer a ride. Bad weather will cancel.

Pre-hike meal: meet at 5:30 pm in the food court at Fallbrook Shopping Center [Fallbrook Mall?] at Victory and Fallbrook. Directions to pre-hike meal: take 405 north to the Ventura Freeway (101) west. Exit at Fallbrook (on my map, this looks like the first exit after Topanga Canyon) and go north on Fallbrook a little over a mile. Allow 45 minutes to an hour from the South Bay. It should only be about a 20-minute drive from the meal to the trail head.

Meet at the trailhead at 7:00pm.

Directions to trailhead from the South Bay: take highway 1 up the coast, 7.0 miles past Topanga Canyon. (If you pass Pepperdine University, you've gone too far.) Turn right up Malibu Canyon Road. Continue for several miles. Eventually you cross Malibu Creek. Immediately park on the left in the parking lot in Tapia Park. (If you cross Mulholland Highway, you've gone too far.)

Directions to trailhead from the San Fernando Valley: take 101 to Las Virgines Rd. and go south. (On my map, this looks like two exits west of Topanga Canyon). Cross Mulholland Highway and you'll soon reach Tapia Park on your right.