Tri Peaks Trail | Malibu

Tri Peaks
in the Santa Monica Mountains

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Tri Peaks Hike Malibu Backbone Trail Santa Monica Mountains

Want to add another peak to the Sandstone Peak-Mishe Mokwa loop? The side trail to Tri Peaks offers an additional 1.2 miles of rugged (but not too steep) hiking. The offshoot is far less maintained than the main loop and appears to get frequent visits from water runoff. Getting to Tri Peaks involves hiking up a trail that has devolved into a gully. If that doesn’t bother you, hike the extra track to Tri Peaks. The westward views are worth the extra effort.

First hike the initial 3 1/3 miles of the loop on Mishe Mokwa Trail toward Sandstone Peak. At the Backbone Trail junction turn right, following the sign for Tri Peaks. Make two more right turns at similarly well marked junctions to arrive at the base of this fun sandstone outcropping. As the trail disolves, make your way up upon the rocks and take in the view to the west over Point Mugu State Park.

Circle X Ranch
Tri Peaks

Climb around on the rocks and enjoy all that there is to see. Tri Peaks is only one hundred feet shorter than Sandstone and offers great views to the north and west. With Tri Peaks added to the Sandstone Peak loop, the hike comes to a respectable 7.45 miles.

Use the map below to create your own directions:

View Sandstone Peak GPS in a larger map
Or view Los Angeles Hikes in a larger map

Photos

These photos were taken in August of 2007 and May of 2011. Click to enlarge.

Nearby Trails

	Sandstone Peak This 6.25-mile loop summits the tallest peak in the Santa Monica Mountains.
	The Grotto This 3-mile out and back visits a remote grotto in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
	More trails in the Santa Monica Mountains Explore beyond Circle X Ranch to other destinations in the range.