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 Reporter |
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 Squall on 10/23/2009 Nice Place. I would go after a bunch of rain. even when its dry its still Neat.
Reviewed by 100Robert10 on 10/21/2009 A hint from the Malibu Search and Rescue Team: Zuma Canyon can be hiked in four hours. I've done it. But six hours is a more realistic plan and is more typical of the hikers who visit the canyon. Heed the word where it says the route is through wilderness. There are no maintained trails. So, give yourself plenty of daylight for this hike. MSAR
Reviewed by Sam on 3/23/2009 I hiked this on a whim yesterday after the rain cleared out of Malibu. I've done the hike through to Newton Cyn before and decided to take the Edison road to the right, making an 8 mile loop back to the Bonsall trailhead. perfect conditions in the creek. everything is green and the water is flowing. taking the Zume Edison road to the Zuma Connector trail was the most strenous. 1,000' elevation gain. I passed some german (I think) hikers early in the creekbed, but then didn't see another soul until I was on the Ocean View trail heading back. So to sum up, Zuma Cyn Trail - creekbed - Zuma Edison Rd right - Zuma Connector trail - Kanan Edison Rd - Ocean View trail - Zuma Cyn trail - Bonsall Trailhead. excellent loop. 
Reviewed by Derek on 12/22/2008 Note - this is a 5 star hike, but I wanted to put out a warning: ticks are extremely active here right now. Went hiking along the canyon rim, and through the sycamores yesterday, with my dog. After a 1,5 hour hike I got home and discovered more than 50 (!!) ticks burrowed into him. Spent the whole day removing them - fun! Stunning hike, but bring deet! 
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 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||