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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 2 of 6 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by girljo on 2/11/2008 Hiked loop 2-9-08. Waterfall was a trickle, there is water in the pond! We did the loop counterclockwise. Nice reward to see the ocean after hiking through the flat meadow. Also, this way you don't get the sun in your face on the return loop heading back to the canyon where there is no shade. 
Reviewed by Hiker Lee on 1/21/2008 (Not the same Lee as below) - We hiked this Saturday -La Jolla Valley - Overlook Trail - Ray Miller Trail. There is just a trickle for the waterfall and the pond is bone dry, but this hike offers spectacular vistas of Wood Canyon, Big Sycamore Canyon, Magu Peak and, from the Ray Miller Trail, the Ocean and Point Mugu. Definately a personal favorite - we'll be back in the Spring to check out the wildflowers.
Reviewed by Lee on 9/24/2007 I hiked this yesterday. We did a slight variation of this particular hike and took the Mugu Peak Trail which then looped back to the La Jolla Valley Loop trail. This adds about 2 miles to this listed hike, but you are rewarded with breathtaking views of the Pacific up and down the coast. There was no water in the streams and waterfalls, despite the rain the day before, but it did help to improve visibility and air quality. No mosquitos and ticks, along with a pleasant cooling breeze, made this a very enjoyable 4-hour hike. We're heading back in the spring when the wildflower explosion occurs in the valley!
Reviewed by Max on 9/3/2007 Went to the ocean to escape record heat inland but it was in the mid 80s- too hot for ticks and snakes. Despite the extremely dry winter, there is still great color in the rocks and sand. Spectacular ocean views. Deet kept bugs at bay.
Reviewed by CJD on 8/17/2007 This hike is a jewel, no doubt about it. But the mosquitoes are abundant and ferocious at the moment - probably because of the extreme dryness (the pond and waterfall are completely dry).
Reviewed by Jenny J on 7/8/2007 Great hike! Not too crowded. I hiked this yesterday, what a workout! I will definitely return in the spring to see the wildflowers and hopefully some water at the waterfall, right now it is DRY up there. The walk in camp is a perfect picnic spot. I didn't see any ticks or snakes, but the mosquitos are definitely out. Wish I had a better map, there are many junctions, most are clearly marked.
Reviewed by DPB on 4/11/2007 I've done many hikes in the SM range, but this one has always escaped me until last weekend, and I was quite impressed. Very scenic and lush greenery despite the driest winter on record. I saw plenty of rabbits, lizards, birds, ducks and even a baby rattler (be careful!). Very few people for a Saturday afternoon. I did the loop clockwise which is the route I would recommend since you descend back to the trailhead with magnificent views North along the coast. Do yourself a favor and do this hike!
Reviewed by Greg on 3/10/2007 I would say this is a nice hike, good scenery, not steep. Waterfall was not very big, but pleasant. The yellow Coreopsis flowers are starting the bloom. We saw a lot of cactus, and some nice grasslands as we headed up. We parked at the La Jolla Ray Miller trailhead. When we got to the fork we went left and went up through the grasslands up to the Walk-in Camp which has a very clean Porte potty. Just before the camp there is a trail that goes to the right leading to the pond. I recommend going straight past the camp and looping around to the right and perhaps seeing the pond on the other side, because there were many ticks getting to the pond because the trail was narrow and brushed up against the plants. Buy Point Mugu map at REI B4 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||