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Summary: This is a stunning adventure hike with swimming holes, rocky cascades, wonderful geologic formations and car-size boulders to negotiate around. This hike is at it loveliest after it rains, although also at its most challenging. The route follows the wooded flood plain near the coast, up through lower Zuma Canyon, bushwacking through the narrows, past the Edison fire road, eventually hitting a junction with Newton Canyon. The final half mile of the hike includes 3 seasonal waterfalls including the 40 ft Newton Falls and the lovely lower Zuma Falls (up a short side trail). For detailed directions go to Chris Brennens Adventure Hike web site. You must have excellent outdoor skills and carry the 10 essentials to safely complete this hike. Afoot & Afield shows an alternate loop hike that doubles back to the parking area via the Edison fire road and Zuma Ridge Trail. Trailhead: From the Ventura Freeway (101) in Agoura, take Kanan-Dume Road towards the beach for about 8 miles. With two cars leave one car at the Backbone trailhead parking area between the second and third tunnels (Newton Canyon). Take Kanan-Dume Road 4.1 miles south to Pacific Coast Highway, turn right and drive 0.8 miles, turn right on Bonsall Drive and 1mile to where the road ends in a broad, dirt parking area. This is Zuma Canyon trailhead. Park the second car here. (Lat:34.07631 Lon:-118.81524) Trail Guides for Zuma Canyon to Newton Falls: Afoot and Afield in Los Angeles by Jerry Schad (Wilderness Press) Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Winter, User Groups: Hikers, Ranger Contact: Santa Monica Recreation Area - (805) 370- 2301 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Eric Altizer, who has posted 13 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 1 of 2 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Michael on 7/28/2008 7/27/2008 This is a fun hike and is certainly not for anyone who isn't up for a challenge! Overall we finished in 7.5 hours, with two short breaks for food. Pools of stagnant water were along nearly the whole length of the trail - bring all the water you expect you'll need. It was a hot day but the whole hike is in the bush and shaded, we ended up needing only about 2~3 liters of water each. It is crazy to bring a dog like the previous comment! Lots of bouldering and a few steeeeeep slopes. Since very little water was flowing, we had lots of choices for paths. I can't imagine how difficult/impossible this trail is during the wet season! Good amounts of poison oak. Also a few patches of wild mint! Fun, beautiful, and challenging
Reviewed by jen rau on 4/18/2008 take this hike very seriously. it is amazingly beautiful and fun but very challenging. WARNING DO NOT TAKE YOUR DOG! we had to call 911 5 hours in, after our dog gave up and our dog was airlifted out by the sheriff helicopter. we weren't injured so they wouldn't take us. the whole emergency thing took forever. the sheriffs had to meet us and the entire thing took us 9 hours. my advice is if you ever think maybe you should call 911 do it, it took way longer than i could have imagined to get any help and never forget your cell phone. start this hike at 7am with lots of food and water.
Reviewed by Krook on 3/4/2008 We embarked from the Zuma Trailhead at 11:45. Slightly confused and pretty beat, we stumbled onto Kanan Road about five hours later. Good times! The first decent sized waterfall at the beginning of the ravine was impassable unless you were willing to wade through about 40 yards of knee deep water. We stuck to the ravine the entire time, which is the route I would suggest. I recommend going soon before the water level drops. You'll have a fun afternoon navigating 20 some waterfalls and an endless narrow passageway of boulders and large obstacles... and if you're lucky like me, you fall in and hike sopping wet. (allow 6 or more hours, if you like a more relaxed pace, or get lost) 
Reviewed by Miles on 2/20/2008 Great hike!!! We started at 3pm. Rock hopped for about two hours through beautiful terrain in the Zuma canyon. We only made it about 15 minutes past the power lines and had to make a decision to turn back, because the sun was going down. We were not equipped with a flashlight, only a machete, which wasn't really needed, but could be helpful. During the hike we encountered a bunch of ants crawling on our back and our head. They must of been above us on a branch or something. A lot of poison oak. I was wearing light colored, fully covered clothing. There was a tick on my jeans. We noticed lots of frogs and a water snake. We got wet a few times. We just about made it to the dirt road by sundown. Thankfully!! Next time we're starting at 9 a
Reviewed by Pinki on 1/20/2008 Wonderful hike. Beautiful views. Extremely challenging! The change in elevation does not come only once. You will ascend 1400 ft, descend 1400 ft and then repeat once more. Beware of doing the 4.11 off the fire trail hike from Zuma canyon to Newton Canyon. You will slip on the algae covered and may need rope to climb over large rocks and may end up crawling on you stomach for 1/2 an hour beneath shrubs. The 10 mile loop is doable in one day for a relatively fit person. Beautiful ocean views. Do the 10 mile loop!
Reviewed by Derek on 5/9/2005 Hiked it again on 5/8. Water is still very high, almost waist deep in places, knee deep everywhere else. Saw salamanders in the pools, and a little snake (not a rattler). Lots of ticks and poison oak. Edison fire road is overgrown and has major rain damage, but is perfectly fine to hike up. Still a very tough hike though. After the power lines were overhead it took us at least 1 hour to get to the fire road as well. If you want to see what all these canyons looked like before roads were built, go through Zuma.
Reviewed by Leslie on 3/7/2005 Parked on Busch Dr. and took Zuma Cyn upstream to (unmarked) Edison fire road to ridge then back down to Busch Dr for an 8 mile loop on 3/6/05. Took 4.5 hours alone to get up the canyon to the fire road. Water was to our waists in spots, lots of poison oak, rock climbing and bush wacking required. Afoot and Afield states once you see the power lines directly overhead it's a half mile to the fire road but it took us 1.5 hours to reach it from that spot. Either the mileage is wrong or this is one tough hike! I am sure its much easier when the water is lower. Edison fire road is straight up then straight down for about 4-5 miles to complete the loop. Total hike time 6.5 hours incl two snack breaks. A challenging and fun hike.
Reviewed by Derek on 3/4/2005 This really is a personal favorite. I have some variations on this hike - when it is not dangerous in the canyon, I take follow the creek fro miles until I get to the fire road, and I take that left (North), back up over the ridge. Alternatively, when the water is high and there is too much risk in the canyon, I go down to the valley, climb up on the southern ridge overlooking kanan road, take the fire road in one big loop down in the canyon and back out again. about 11 miles, with LOTS of elevation gain. A good workout with stunnign views. 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||