A moderate hike through wildflower
country along exposed ridges and valleys. Ideal for springtime.
Location: Malibu Creek
State Park Region: Malibu/Santa Monica Mountains Distance: 3.8-mile loop
Difficulty: Moderate When to go: November through May Hours: Sun up to sunset Phone: 818-880-0350 Elevation Gain: 500 ft. Are dogs allowed: No Restrooms: At the Yearling trailhead and about halfway through the
loop. Parking: Free street parking at the intersection of Mulholland and
Cornell
Trail Information
Full Review: Sometimes the only
difference between a great hike and a miserable hike is timing. On a searing
midsummer afternoon when the greenery has shriveled and the brown hills
offer no solace from the blistering sun, walking the exposed ridges of the
Yearling-Lookout loop can be an exercise in self-torture. But that same
trail, when explored on a mild spring morning with the wildflowers in full
bloom, is one of L.A.'s greatest outdoor pleasures. (Point being, don't make
the same mistake I just did -- if you insist on hiking this loop in the
middle of summer, do yourself the favor of waiting for an unseasonably cool
day.) At its best, this trail hosts a dazzling variety of poppies, lupine,
mustard, and just about every other wildflower that ever graced the Southern
California soil. To reach the trailhead, walk down the dirt road at the
southwest corner of the Mulholland/Cornell intersection. Just past the park
headquarters, you'll find the sign for the Yearling Trail.
Follow this trail through the meadow and turn right onto the Deer Leg Trail,
which takes you through an oak-shaded stretch across the often-dry Udall
Creek. Turn right onto the narrow trail that climbs up to a ridge before
briefly rejoining the Yearling Trail. Stay to the right, then turn right
again onto the Cage Creek Trail, which drops you down onto Crags Road. Turn
left onto Crags, and keep to the left until you reach the narrow Lookout
Trail, which takes you uphill for a view of the less-than-pristine Century
Lake. Stay on the main trail and look for a single large shady oak off to
the right. If you packed a picnic, this is your lunch spot.
Continue along the main trail until you reach an intersection. Don't turn
left - this will take you through razor-sharp chaparral to a dead end. Stay
to the right, then veer to left, away from the steep uphill climb. This
takes you back down to the Yearling Trail, where you'll turn right to return
to the start.
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