Malibu Creek State Park is one of those hidden spots in the Santa Monica Mountain range that has something for everyone, depending on the season. Even in the summer heat of July, I found plenty to see. Rabbits, lizards, hidden streams and, of course, the M*A*S*H filming site were all available for the discerning eye.

However, my two days at Malibu Creek were yet another experience of how one day in Southern California can vary greatly from the next.

I jumped out of bed Friday morning, surprisingly ecstatic and ready for my pre-hike hike. When I arrived at Malibu Creek SP, clouds were scattered in the sky. A cool ocean filled breeze protected my skin from the heat of the sun. And, everything   serendipitously lined up so that I was able to get the $10 parking fee waved. It was beautiful and perfect.

I took photos of main signs along the road so that I would recognize the markers for the next day. I saw a bunny eating grass. It even patiently allowed me to photograph it. Perhaps curious about me, it even hopped along the path close behind me before crossing the trail. Lizards were a plenty. Armed with my map, given freely at the entrance kiosk, I was in adventuring bliss.

With the minor cloud covering, Century lake was beautiful. The lily pads and calm water reflected the surrounding mountains and sky beautifully.  Even the random yet clearly marked path to the two cars of the M*A*S*H set was great. The heat was so that I didn’t even touch my water bottle until the journey back to my car from the M*A*S*H site.

Based on Friday, I felt sure that everything on Saturday would be set. But, as this is Southern California, that was not the case.

The hike was scheduled to start at 10 am on Saturday morning. When everyone arrived, I realized that the tone of the sky and heat that I had experience on Friday morning had completely changed. The cloudless sky, impending heat and the energy of the group led me to realize this was going to be a very different kind of hike.

After the usual introductions, we were on our way. Almost immediately, the group organically separated into two groups: the Hiking Photographers and the Photographer Hikers. As I am a Photographer Hiker (one that Photographs first, hikes second) I immediately became a part of the second group. As I had told the group at the onset of the hike the hiking plan (Crag Road to Century Lake to the M*A*S*H site), I felt confident that everyone would be aware and knowledgeable of their surrounding and aware of their responsibility to their body. Specifically, if it’s July in Southern California, BRING WATER. There are absolutely no excuses to that rule. However, some people in the Hiking Photographer group weren’t prepared for how much water they would need. Likewise, because they were hiking so fast, they didn’t take enough time to rest in the shade.

There are certain things hike leaders can control during hikes. The summer heat and people not bringing enough water for themselves are not on the list. But, it was extremely interesting to see the group dynamics that went into play. Water from different group members was passed around freely for other water hungry members to partake in. On the return path back to the parking lot, I made sure to stop the group in the shade, remind people to drink water, and take a long sojourn at Century Lake again, for those in the front group that had walked by the turn off.

Regardless, some people will bitch and moan just for the sake of bitching and moaning. You can do whatever you can in the situation, and they will still bitch and moan. And frankly, that’s not my problem.  Plan for the heat and work with it, not against it. Granted, it might have been better to push the start time of the hike from 10 am to 8 am or 9 am. But, constantly bitching about how hot a place is will only make it hotter. Complaining that it should be earlier while your on the hike is fruitless, as the event’s time and location have been available for review for over three weeks. But, all was not lost on bitching and moaning…..

While at the return stop at Century Lake, Reina and I got into a conversation about food. The second she mentioned the Tuna Burger from Malibu Seafood Company, I was salivating at the mouth. As I’d carpooled with her to get to Malibu Creek SP, it was pretty much an easy hook that we’d be going. We, along with a fantastic group of other hike members sojourned at the Malibu Seafood Company, sitting over a patio and staring at the ocean. It was a blissful, cool (79 degrees, shockingly enough) end to an otherwise awesome (if not challenging due to the heat) hike with a great group of people.

Comments:

“Thanks Kimberly for showing us the MASH site, I always wanted to see it.” – Sondra

“Hiking with 4 hours of sleep prior is highly recommended, as long as it’s with this group. Side effects may include: forgetfulness, crazy antics and mild euphoria.” – Kenny

“My first time with this group. Everyone was friendly, and welcoming to new members. A fun hike, with views worthy of photography. High Points were the Century Lake dam, and water lilies, and the old M*A*S*H tv location, including a couple of rusted vehicles from the series. A reasonable hike for most people. Being out-of-shape and middle aged, a bit more than I am used to, and the summer weather made it a bit tougher.

Be sure to bring water (a mistake on my part). Clear paths, and mild grades for hiking. Roughly five miles total, in and out. I stopped to take pictures more than most, but the nature of the hike permitted a wide range of interests (some were more hikers than photographers, some were more photographers than hikers).

A good group, and I will be participating in future events. Summer heat is a factor for some locations, like this one, and should be taken into consideration.” – Tom

“Great hike, lots of sun and shade. M*A*S*H* area was fun to visit and the water areas cool and relaxing.” – September

“FUN HIKE!!! Great job Kimberly… met a lot of fun people; looking forward to next one!!” – John

“Good hike, good people — what more do you want? (OK, cooler would have been better.)” – Thomas

“It was a great hike — Kim always does such a kickass job of planning our events! My only thought is that it would have been a bit cooler to have started an hour or two earlier since it got pretty hot right away.” – Carla

“A very pretty hike, with lots of nice people.” – Lauraine

“This was a really well-organized event with a great group of people.” – Judy

Gallery:

Malibu Creek State Park Gallery

Information:

Malibu Creek State Park
1925 Las Virgenes Rd
Calabasas, CA 91302

Malibu Creek’s trails offer great hikes within the Santa Monica State Park system. There are a plethora of lizards, rabbits, flowing water, beautiful rock formations and oak trees to entice your shutter to snap.

When you enter the park, continue to the second parking lot, closest to the Backcountry Trails. We will meet at the seating area between the bathroom and information kiosk. There is plenty of parking, so do not worry about finding a spot.

From the meeting point, we will decent to Crags Road. After a turn and stop at Century Lake Dam, we will resume our route to the two rusty cars that make up the  M*A*S*H filming site. If the group is interested, we can continue to Regan Ranch before turning and heading back the way we came.

Distance:

4.6 miles round trip

Directions:

Ventura Fwy (101) to Las Virgenes Rd. South on Las Virgenes Rd. 3 miles to Mulholland Hwy intersection (traffic light). Park entrance is 0.25 miles south of the intersection on Las Virgenes Rd/Malibu Canyon Rd.

Or

From Pacific Cast Hwy, north on Malibu Canyon Rd to park entrance on left.

Or

Take Pacific Coast Highway north / west to Malibu Cyn Road and turn right past Pepperdine University. In the canyon, you’ll pass through a tunnel and go through one light (Piuma Road). Just before Mulholland Hwy, turn left into Malibu Creek State Park.

Parking:

Parking is $10 per vehicle inside the state park. Think of it as you doing your part in contributing to keep the State Park system open. There is parking along the street, on Mullhohand, where you can park and walk in.

Those that want to carpool from the SFValley, please meet at 9:00 am at Jerry’s Famous Deli at 21857 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, Ca 91364 (off of Topanga Canyon Blvd). This is a meeting point with a wide variety of different breakfast options in the strip mall. From there, we will select drivers and riders and continue to the State Park. In your RSVP, please select if you are interested in this option.

Dogs:

As this is a State Park,  dogs are not allowed on the trails. However, they are allowed in the parking lot areas and in the campgrounds.

Additional Resources and Websites:

• MALIBU CREEK DOCENTS – MALIBU CREEK STATE PARK:
  http://www.malibucreekdocents.org/
  
• Malibu Creek – Rock Pool, Century Lake:
  http://www.localhikes.com/HikeData.asp?DispType=0&ActiveHike=0&GetHikesStateID=3&ID=4014