Day 31: Mishe Mokwe Trail to Sandstone Peak

Day# 31: Mishe Mokwe Trail to Sandstone Peak
Mishe Mokwe Trail/Balance Rock Trail/Backbone Trail
Malibu, CA
Sunday, July 26th 2015
Time:  3 hours, 36 minutes
Pace: 31:04/mile
Distance: 6.96 miles
Elevation Gain: 1244 feet
Dogs allowed?: Yes (note that if you decide to make the side trip to Tri-Peaks dogs are not allowed there due to it being state park property)

Directions:
From Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu:
Drive North on PCH for approx. 11.4 miles to Yerba Buena Rd
Turn Right onto Yerba Buena Rd and continue 6.3 miles to parking on left
Park in large dirt lot labeled for Sandstone Peak Parking  

Headed out with my sister today for a trip to the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains, Sandstone Peak.  We started at the Sandstone Peak parking area and headed up the Miske Mokwe Trail to take the more enjoyable loop route rather than going straight up the Backbone Trail to Sandstone Peak.

Our first stop along the way was Balance Rock. You can see this from the trail for a mile or so before you get to the turnoff for it. We took the little use trail all the way up to the rock for some pictures and a virtual geocache.  Fun little side trail, but can be a little tough for kids, it is steep and narrow in spots.

Balance Rock as seen from the Mishe Mokwe Trail

Approaching Balance Rock

Me at Balance Rock

My sister Danielle at Balance Rock

 Just before we hit the trail to Balance Rock, my sister yells "Snake!"  I quickly grab the little kingsnake as it goes flying across the trail. I couldn't believe it, another California Mountain Kingsnake!!  This is the second one I found this year, unbelievable.  Took a few pictures and let him go on his way.

California Mountain Kingsnake

 After the trip to Balance Rock, and the great little mountain kingsnake, we continued on toward the Backbone Trail.  And then, not a mile down the trail, another snake. This time it was a large Pacific Gopher Snake.  I was just able to pick him up before he disappeared into the bushes.  As we where taking pictures another family was hiking up so I showed them the snake and gave them some information on what it was and how to tell it was not a rattlesnake.  Always nice to educate along the way.

Pacific Gopher Snake

 

Almost to the Backbone Trail

Once we reached the Backbone Trail, we turned left to head toward Sandstone Peak.  On the way there we stopped at another nearby peak, Inspiration Point. Great views up here as seen in the cover photo for this post.

Inspiration Point

After answering some questions for a virtual cache here, we continued on to the main destination, Sandstone Peak. This is the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains at 3111 feet.

My sister and I at Sandstone Peak

The view of the ocean from the peak

Looking north from the peak back toward home

After a snack and a short rest at the peak, we continued down the steep trail back to the car. A great hike and one of my favorites in the Santa Monica Mountains....finding two snakes along the way doesn't hurt either. :)