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 Reporter |
Summary: This is a wonderful hike, particularly in the spring when the wildflowers a blooming. The trail takes you along a small creek with a number of small waterfalls, then opens up onto lovely rolling grasslands studded with oaks and a peaceful pond. The length of the hike can be reduced to 4 miles by returning via the La Jolla Canyon Trail, rather than looping around via the Overlook Trail. I really like this trail and found the rolling grass, particularly if there is a breeze, to be breathtaking. Trailhead: Drive up the coast north on Pacific Coast Highway from Malibu. About 1.5 miles north of Big Sycamore Canyon camp ground is the Ray Miller Trailhead, which is used to access La Jolla Valley. (Lat:34.08396 Lon:-119.03565) Trail Guides for La Jolla Valley Loop: Day Hikers Guide to Southern California by John McKinney (Olympus Press) On The Trail - Malibu to Santa Barbara by Cathy Philipp (Cathy Philipp Publishing) Best Seasons: Fall, Winter, Spring User Groups: Hikers, Horses Ranger Contact: Santa Monica Mtn Recreation Area, 818-597-9192 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Jim Zuber, who has posted 104 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 1 of 6 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Jenny J on 4/19/2009 Hiked this one today. Beautiful views! The waterfall is more of a drip right now. Many blooming wildflowers! The meadow is just gorgeous. The only downside....TICKS! Tons of ticks! Bring DEET and be prepared to flick ticks off of your pants the whole way. 
Reviewed by Lisa on 4/13/2009 We've been hiking this trail for about 15 years, my favorite SM mountain hike. Just hiked it Easter '09. Pond dry. Waterfall a trickle. Wildflowers blooming! Also heard a loud pack of coyotes howling as they made a kill. Bring bug spray and wear long sleeves to avoid the abundant poison oak on the canyon part of the trail. I picked up two ticks this time around! But the meadows at the top and mountain and ocean views, as always, made it all worth it. I also hike it counter clockwise to end with the ocean views and avoid sun on our faces...Usually takes us about 2-1/2 hours to do the loop. Happy hiking!
Reviewed by Dave on 10/9/2008 For a shorter alternative, try the Backbone trail at the Ray Miller trailhead. On the right side of the parking lot facing the canyon. Did this on 10.4.08. The trail has great views of the ocean and coastline, better yet no bugs! Fog was thick on top towards the fire road which hooks up with the loop trail and others. You can go on for days up there. had to head back at the water tower because I had no rain pancho, Boo. Saw a few other hikes but mainly runners and mtn. bikers on the fire roads: See current conditions at: http://www.pbase.com/dsograph/backbone_trail_2008
Reviewed by FCH on 5/26/2008 My favorite hike in the SM mounts! Takes awhile to get here, along the beautiful PCH. Leads up La Jolla Canyon, which has unique chapparral along its steep walls. Waterfall is a trickle, but Valley is beautiful, especially in spring. Campground is located in a cluster of oaks, which is a nice pitstop on a hot day! Valley is a sheltered ecosystem, with the highest percentage of indigienous flora and fauna in the region. Lots of mosquitos though, and/or flys on a hot afternoon. Bring sunblock and bug spray (if you don't want to get eaten up!), and of course water. You'll finish this hike with the ocean peaking through the mouth of the canyon at you. Bring your shorts!
Reviewed by calhiker on 4/23/2008 Some mosquitoes, not too bad though i did apply some repellant. Hazy day. Temperature was pretty good. 
Reviewed by Wolf on 3/31/2008 End of March 2008: Swarms of nasty aggressive large biting MOSQUITOES 2 miles in made this an unpleasant experience. Only very few wildflower right at the entrance on south side. Parking is now $ 10 on the beach side. Popular with bikers, its a slow climb on a decent dirt road. Go up to Mugu point maybe there are no bloodsucking bugs there. I saw no ticks.
Reviewed by Sandy on 3/28/2008 Nice hike, especially counter clock wise BUT there are TONS on mosquitos! We came out eaten alive. We didn't think to bring spray. They are especially bad by the waterfall and the pond but they are all over. You can see swarms.
Reviewed by tom on 2/27/2008 Good to hear the pond is back! I'll be going out this sunday! Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: California Hiking, California Trails, California Hikes, Los Angeles County Hiking, Los Angeles County Trails, Los Angeles County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||