Malibu Creek State Park - #MalibuCreekStatePark

Socal - Los Angeles County - Agoura Hills NickNames: #MalibuCreekStatePark

Take 101 Frwy to Las Virines/Malibu Canyon. Go south about 3.5 miles to the park entrance. From PC (CA 1) go north on Las Virines/Malibu Canyon about 6 miles to park entrance on your left. You can park in (day-use fee) or outside of the park. From the last parking lot, ride south to a road marked Authorized Vehicles Only (Crags Road). There are two other trailheads in Malibu State Park. 1. - Take 101 north to Liberty Canyon Rd. Go south 1 mile to Park Vista and park there.This is the trailhead for Liberty Canyon Trail. 2. - Take Las Virines south, turn right on Mulholland Dr. The Grasslands Trail crosses Mulholland about 1/4 mile from Las Virines. You can park along Mulholland. Call (818) 880-0350 for Malibu State Park information. Thomas Guide page 588

48 Review(s)19 Photo(s)Login

• Trail UpdateLiberty Canyon Rd Access-In regards to the no trespassing signs, the black gate that dead ends Liberty Cyn is public access. The chain link fence to the right of the black gate is in fact private property. There is room to park about 100' north of the gate on the west side of the road. We happened to meet the people that run the horse facility at the end of the fire road and they are seemingly quite nice, but understandably concerned about the number of folks that ride and hike through their property. They were tired of people stopping to urinate behind their buildings and insisting and arguing that the private facility is part of MCSP.

  The fire road on the E side of the creek is in decent condition and Phantom is doing OK, but a bit overgrown in several spots. Also came across several rattlers on the vacant development land - guess when the construction guys went on hiatus, the snakes moved in.
  ssw a Weekend Warrior

  Posted:06/05/2010

• Trail UpdateAccess From Liberty Anyon Road-You can easily access from the end of this road. There is a small housing complex on the Northwest side of the creek that is off limits. Stay on the Southeast side of the creek and there is a very good fire road access point from there that will take you all the way into MCSP proper. Also there is access to all the trails (most of which are closed to bikes) from this fire road as you make your way to MCSP. As you are facing the end of the road you sould see a small paved road (access point) on your left. Follow this and it quickly turns to dirt, which is the fire road. Happy cycling!

  Posted:06/17/2009

• Trail UpdateLiberty Canyon Road Access??-I drove south on Liberty canyon road yesterday, to the junction with Park Vista as described here and in a couple of hiking books I have. The iron gate at the corner of these two roads has huge "no trespassing" signs alllll over it. Am I looking at the wrong gate? Are these signs bogus (some private landowner not allowing access to public land, just because they can get away with it?)
  cougarmagic a 34 year old Weekend Warrior riding a Specialized Hardrock from Reseda, ca

  Posted:06/16/2009

• Trail UpdateWill Need To Re-Do This Trail-One morning I decided "What the heck" I'll try it out. First off I'll limit myself to this trail to only once a month since it's 10 dollars to enter the park.

  I wasn't ready for the twisting up hill climb and gave up and got off my bike. Once at the top you'll go DH again which isn't steep at all. Once you cross the bridge it gets really rocky. This is were I realized a hardtail (07' Rockhopper) bike isn't the best for this kind of terrain.

  I finally got to see the M.A.S.H area in person and it was exciting that I made there and didn't give up. I went all the way to the end of the road where you start seeing homes.

  The way back was better but more hikers and horse back riders I needed to avoid. Now I have my 08' Stumpjumper FSR and more riding experience under my belt to conquer this trail.

  Enjoy =D
  metalslug a 27 year old Weekend Warrior riding a 08' Specialized Stumpjumper FSR

  Posted:04/04/2009

• Trail UpdateMalibu Creek-We rode here today, March 27. From the parking lot past the creek, to the dry creek bed, up Bulldog and back. The creek bed is still a little rocky, but rideable. Bulldog is Bulldog. There are a few rocky spots there but it is also doable (if you are a mountain goat). 16 miles in just under three hours.
  old gringo a 56 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a Ellsworth Truth

  Posted:03/27/2009

• Trail UpdateLookout/Cage Creek/etc.-Decided to try out the Lookout trail, Cage Creek and a few others. Even though those trails are for hikers and equestrians, the rangers that spotted me didn't seem to have any issues with riding the trails and waved hello. Trail conditions were great. Everything was dry and these single track trails were lots of fun. Be sure to give right of way to hikers and equestrians and you shouldn't have any issues with getting kicked of the trails. BTW, I've posted a few pictures into the pictures section.
  waterdamage a 32 year old Weekend Warrior riding a Diamondback Recoil from Redondo Beach, CA

  Posted:01/19/2009

• Trail UpdateMalibu Creek-We rode here on November 25. Started in the parking lot , up to the creek bed, then up Bulldog to Castro and back by way of Tapia and Malibu Canyon Rd. The trails were in great shape with the exception of the creek bed. It is narrow and technical. Some poor guy blew out his rear derailleur on a rock there. Bulldog is as tough as ever.
  old gringo a 54 year old

  Posted:11/25/2006

• Trail UpdateCrags Tr/Century Lake/Grasslands-Yesterday at the CORBA Fat Tire Fest I rode the Crags Road, Century Lake and Grasslands trails. It was a little muddy going up the hill toward Century Lake early in the morning, but otherwise all the trails were in great shape, and even the wet places dried out as the day went on. Grasslands is an especially nice singletrack. It's narrow and worn down quite deep in places, so its difficult to get off the trail quickly when meeting other bikers, but a great ride.
  JimNo a 66 year old Weekend Warrior riding a Marin Hawk Hill from Northridge

  Posted:10/15/2006

• Trail UpdateCrags Rd-I went to Malibu Creek park for the first time this 'season' yesterday and the topography of Crags has changed dramatically since 6 months ago. It is not all that fun anymore. I find it to be a bit dangerous to the casual cyclist who tries to bike through it. It used to be you could get through there w/o dropping a foot but now it's near impossible except for the more experienced riders. There are so many rocks that have been exposed due to all the rains. Everything else seems to be pretty much the same. But when I reached the summit, I had to re-spell my nickname "BO" with rocks because it had been washed away from the year before. If you see my name up there, please don't mess it up. In fact, maybe you could add a rock to it or reorganize it if it is out of shape. I take great pride in being able to conquer that beast of a climb.
  The Bo a Weekend Warrior riding a GT Rebound from Redondo Beach, CA

  Posted:06/16/2005

• Trail UpdateAbandoned House-anyone know anything about the abandoned house? It looks like it was a cool place to have a party at one time.
  mr skunk a Weekend Warrior riding a specialized from el sereno

  Posted:04/27/2005

• Trail UpdateMalibu Creek Park/Craggs Trail-The section from the bottom of Century Resivoir hill to the trailhead of Bulldog Lateral is tore up. I spent the majority of that part hike-a-bike. The water level is down however the rocks/ruts are more than I could ride. I wound up taking the Yearling Trail back around after a brief ride through the Paramount Ranch trail area to avoid the Craggs Trail area. It is going to take quite a bit of work to get it back to rideable shape.

  I did enjoy the topless female equestrian rider that went by with big smile and bigger boobs!
  Haywood a 38 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Specialized M4 from Calablackless

  Posted:01/31/2005

• Trail UpdateBulldog-Corral cyn loop. Rode this on sunday 1/31. The bulldog climb suffered a small amt of damage from the heavy rains. A few deep ruts on some of the lower turns. Nothing that can't be repaired fairly easy. The steep rocky sections near the top are still do-able but tuff as always.
  Dirtshark a 42 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a Landshark/Yeti Kokopelli ultralite from Santa Clarita

  Posted:01/31/2005

• Trail UpdateBulldog/Tapia Loop-This is a great 15 mile loop that includes the Tapia Singletrack connector at the end of the ride. Did this the day after Thanksgiving and everyone on the ride agreed Bulldog seemed harder than normal--as if normal wasn't bad enough! The heavy rains in October definitely created a couple spots where ruts normally wouldn't be seen and the brutal stretch that comes about 70% of the way up Bulldog and lasts for 3-4 tenths of a mile is really hard now. Great scenery though on the ride including some fall colors in the MASH area and particularly riding through Tapia Park on the way to the Tapia singletrack. I also noticed the new singletrack connector up top that connects to the Tapia Motorway..very nice work.
  Ride rating: Advanced
  Ride distance: 15miles Elevation change:
  Wide load

  Posted:12/01/2004

• Trail UpdateCrags/Bulldog/Castro Peak-Nice early morning ride up Crags, Bulldog and then up to Casto Peak. Sunny and warm with dry trail conditions all the way up. A few hikers and MTBers. Crags Rd. portion that is narrow and rocky is dry. Great 360 view from castro Peak. Steep ride back down was sweet!!
  Ride rating: Advanced
  Ride distance: 12 +- miles Elevation change: 2500 +-
  Singletrack=20% Dirt Road=75% Paved Path=5%
  Double C's a 33 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a IronHorse Sinister Comp from Burbank

  Posted:10/03/2004

• Trail UpdateCorral & Bulldog-I live on the other side of the ridge, in Malibu. I often run up from the gates of Solstice Canyon Park near PCH. I've ridden this too. Run or bike from the bottom by PCH on pavement 5.0 miles to the parking lot where Corral Canyon dead ends. Then go up the fire road towards your left, past the yellow gate.

  Bulldog branches off to your right in less than a mile. As many other riders have commented, that is a fun descent. If you stay towards the left on the main trail, you get to the antennas and microwave relays at Castro Peak. Total gain from the start is 2700 feet. Some short sections are typically both sandy and uphill.

  Any runners here will find this route brutal. It is not quite so bad cycling, since about 60-65% of the route is paved. The paved downhill part late in the evening is your big chance to kill a deer while riding a bicycle, or vice versa. They usually turn up about one mile from the bottom, at a blind right hand curve just south of a little neighborhood called El Nido.

  Though the parking lot/trailhead at the top really looks like it should have a water fountain, it doesn't. Good place to leave some water ahead of time.

  Total distance 14 miles roundtrip.
  Ride rating: Advanced
  Ride distance: 14 miles Elevation change: 2700
  Singletrack=5% Dirt Road=30% Paved Path=65%
  Brian a 41 year old Cross-Country Rider from Malibu

  Posted:08/25/2004

• Trail UpdateBulldog, Etc.-We did this one; Crags, Bulldog, Castro Pk., on
  January 11. It was 50 degrees in the Valley and 35
  in the parking lot at 8:30 AM. The creek bed trail
  was narrow, rocky; ground was forzen on the way
  out and muddy on the way back. Bulldog was
  tougher than usual; a few rocky spots. The view up
  on Castro Peak Motorway was incredible. Make
  sure you pay your parking fees. The Shrink got a
  $64 ticket for spacing that.
  Ride rating: Advanced
  Ride distance: 19 miles Elevation change: + 3K ??
  Singletrack=20% Dirt Road=20% Paved Path=10% Truck Trail=50%
  Gringo a 51 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a Ellsworth Isis from Chatsworth

  Posted:01/15/2004

• Trail UpdateBulldog/Tapia Loop-Several us did the well known 15 mile loop through Crags, up the Mighty Bulldog than east down the fireroad past Corrall canyon and down the Tapia fireroad/singletrack. We were finally able to locate the mysterious Tapia Spur singletrack now open to bikes. Trust me it isn't easy to find it.You will see a lot of small singletracks near the bottom of Tapia but none of these is the Spur trail. Once you are down to Malibu Canyon road go north across the bridge and turn left into Tapia Park. Ride the pavement and look on the right for a dirt road--take that for a half mile or so and you will eventually cross a paved road and see the well signed Tapia Spur trail on the opposite side. The trail itself is rather mild technically though there are a couple tight somewhat loose switchbacks that could lull you into some trouble if you are not paying attention. You also will have a bit of climbing to do as you must cross a small ridge to get back to the parking area of Malibu Creek State Park but the climbing isn't unbearably steep like you find on parts of Bulldog. Great views of Malibu Canyon road as you descend the Tapia fireroad.
  Ride rating: Advanced
  Ride distance: 15 miles Elevation change: 2700
  Singletrack=20% Dirt Road=80%
  Vern the magnificent

  Posted:12/01/2003

• Trail UpdateBulldog/Tapia Loop-Several us did the well known 15 mile loop through Crags, up the Mighty Bulldog than east down the fireroad past Corrall canyon and down the Tapia fireroad/singletrack. We were finally able to locate the mysterious Tapia Spur singletrack now open to bikes. Trust me it isn't easy to find it.You will see a lot of small singletracks near the bottom of Tapia but none of these is the Spur trail. Once you are down to Malibu Canyon road go north across the bridge and turn left into Tapia Park. Ride the pavement and look on the right for a dirt road--take that for a half mile or so and you will eventually cross a paved road and see the well signed Tapia Spur trail on the opposite side. The trail itself is rather mild technically though there are a couple tight somewhat loose switchbacks that could lull you into some trouble if you are not paying attention. You also will have a bit of climbing to do as you must cross a small ridge to get back to the parking area of Malibu Creek State Park but the climbing isn't unbearably steep like you find on parts of Bulldog. Great views of Malibu Canyon road as you descend the Tapia fireroad.
  Ride rating: Advanced
  Ride distance: 15 miles Elevation change: 2700
  Singletrack=20% Dirt Road=80%
  Vern the magnificent

  Posted:12/01/2003

• Trail UpdateCrags - $5.00 Afterwork Workout-Agreed Seaclasper, the riverbed rock section is cool. Carry a little speed through the section and it makes it easier to ride. Ride about 3 - 6 feet infront of you to prepare for obsticales. This is a cool afterwork ride in the summer. If the cost of a beer isn't to much for you. Pick a spot to bomb on the bulldog climb and go for it from the parking lot. 8 miles should be a decent 1.5 hour or less workout.
  Ride rating: Advanced
  Ride distance: 8 miles Elevation change:
  Singletrack=20% Dirt Road=80%
  Alteredman a 41 year old Weekend Warrior riding a Mongoose NX8.5 from Dominguez Hills, Ca

  Posted:09/08/2003

• Trail UpdateCrags-Who said the rocky singletrack portion of Crags was nasty and better hiked than biked?!?! All I could think as I rode over them rocks, bumps and little drops was 'this trail rules'! Definitely some short sections that are somewhat technical, but that just adds a little spice to an otherwise bland day of blue skies, sheer cliffs, creek crossings, wildlife and other nonsense. Now that I've read the horror stories about Bulldog I am intrigued... will have to do that next week!
  Ride rating: Novice
  Ride distance: 8 Elevation change: small
  Singletrack=20% Dirt Road=70% Paved Path=10%
  Seaclasper a 33 year old Weekend Warrior riding a Trek sumptin-or-udder from Long Beatch, CA

  Posted:07/18/2003

• Trail UpdateCrags/Bulldog/Castro/Mesa Loop-What an intense ride this morning. This is definately a ride for the expert I come to find out.Took me almost 5 hours to complete the 15 mile or so loop (uphill sections up Bulldog and Mesa I hiked a bike). This was probably the most difficult ride I have ever been on in the Santa Monicas. The ride down the hill was worth all the pain and suffering. Great mountain and valley scenery. This trail has it all, (sand, rocks, ruts, singletrack, fireroad). Saw maybe about 10-12 MTBers and less than a dozen hikers. It was awesome along the ride, with fog on the malibu side and sun on the Calabasas side. Be careful coming down to Tapia Park from Mesa Peak portion, some parts were very steep. I had to hike a bike down some sections. Make sure you bring plenty of water and something to eat and don't forget the sunscreen. Water is available at the end of the trail in Tapia park. Tapia trail from Tapia Park to Malibu Creek State Park is now open. Nice way to ride back to the park so you won't have to ride on Las Virgenes Rd.
  Ride rating: Expert
  Ride distance: 15 miles Elevation change: 2000+-
  Singletrack=20% Dirt Road=80%
  Double C's a 31 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a Trek Mountain Track from Woodland Hills

  Posted:05/18/2003

• Trail UpdateCrags/Bulldog-Actually saw a few diehards pounding up the mighty Bulldog Saturday in almost perfect mid/low 60's weather. For those who have always wondered why Bulldog is so notorious a climb I did a little checking on my altimeter and degree of ascent on the ol' computer. Basically the net elevation gain from bottom to top is about 1800' though with the minor ups and down and false summit your actually gaining about 2000' in those 3.4 miles. The real pain begins about 2.1 or 2.2 miles in when you hit a long pitch that goes to the left. This is a constant double digit incline which goes up to about a 18-19% slope as you hang a right up a rutted slope. Farther up are streches that hit a 21% incline at times including one particularly brutal stretch that hits 23%--nasty stuff! I was able to ride in middle ring until that right turn at 2.3 miles in than downshifted to first gear most of the rest of the way. If you're an advanced rider from a cardio standpoint you should be able to do this without a dab, not that it will be easy of course. Intermediates and beginners will probably wish they went somewhere else.
  By the way Crags through the creEk bed seems a little easier and smoothed out with only a few tricky sections. I would rate this ride advanced from a cardio standpoint.
  Ride rating: Advanced
  Ride distance: 14miles Elevation change: 2000-2500'
  Singletrack=20% Dirt Road=80%
  SPARE TIRE

  Posted:11/04/2002

• Trail UpdateCORBA's 15th Birthday Bash!-It's this Saturday, 10/26. Poker Ride, BBQ, Bike Raffle, Mystery SWAG. This is CORBA's biggest fund raising event, so go if you can, and support the organization that has done the most to promote access in the Santa Monica Mountains.

  Saturday 10-26-2002
  Registration: 8:00 AM or register online here...

  http://www.corbamtb.com/
  The Preacher URL: http://www.corbamtb.com/

  Posted:10/22/2002

• Trail UpdateCRAGS ROAD TRAIL-This was an awesome ride and a very challenging trial.
  Once you ascent to the top and go around the curve it's when it really pays off. my buddy and I rode for about 2 hrs all the way to the end o the the dam. stayed on the right once passing the MASH "trash" set.
  It was extremely hot and we stopped by the "Rock Pool"
  and went for a copule of dives. It was AWESOME.."THIS WAS THE HIGHLIGHT"
  I am planning on going back before the end of Summer.
  Bring plenty of water.

  Any of you in the South Bat are interested in hooking up, shoot me an e mail. Later!
  Ride distance: 3 Elevation change: ?
  Singletrack=70% Dirt Road=90% Paved Path=5% Truck Trail=5%
  Walter Cartagena a 34 year old Weekend Warrior riding a Cannondale M300 from South Bay are.

  Posted:07/17/2002

• Trail UpdateCrags/Bulldog-If you like climbing and punishment, than this ride is for you! Creekbed portion before MASH site is very unpleasant to ride-NASTY! It is now(for quite some time) more a hiking than a riding trail. After turning up that"famous left", a challenging climb awaits you..intense in some places. If you think you finally reached the top at the power lines, your just getting warmed up for the final ascent. The view at the top is astonishing! You can't help but feel a sense of accomplishment as you look down where you started. Make sure your bike is up to snuff-descending down on a broken shock is highly unrecomended. 20 mins in jaccuzzi caps off full day.
  Ride rating: Advanced
  Tystix a 43 year old Weekend Warrior from Studio City

  Posted:06/05/2002

• Trail UpdateTapia: Little Trail, BIG Deal.-Here's more info on why this little trail is such a big deal. Please everyone, write, call and attend the meeting if at all possible.

  Here's the link for more info:
  The Preacher URL: http://www.corbamtb.com/tapiapos.htm

  Posted:05/26/2002

• Trail UpdateThe Tapia Spur Is About To Open!-At Long Last, The Tapia Spur Trail
  Is About to Open!
  But We Need Your Help!

  June 13, 2002 at 7:00 p.m.
  De Anza Park
  3701 Lost Hills Road, Calabasas

  Click the link to read more....
  The Preacher URL: http://www.corbamtb.com/tapia.shtml

  Posted:05/24/2002

• Trail UpdateCRAGS/BULLDOG-Happened to be up for a climbing challenge so headed up the Bulldog today. Many of the posts below give a good descripton of this 3.4 mile grinder so I won't go over those details. However, in terms of the present condition of the trail, the ride through the creekbed to get to Bulldog is fairly mild compared to my previous ventures there in past years. There are still plenty of small rocks and boulders to negotiate but not as many as in the past--probably due to the dry winter. As for Bulldog the trail is in excellent condition up to and slightly beyond the false summit area. After that things start getting a little rocky and rutted at times and than even more so(as usual here)as you hit the really intense climbing starting about 2/3rds up.Aside from me anda friend we didn't see another rider on Bulldog today. Bulldog definitely is the bench mark for grueling lengthy fireroad climbs in the Santa Monicas--or anywhere for that matter. I've seen one of the best 100 books going on about Paseo Miramar being the toughest climb in the Santa Monicas but one has to wonder if the writer ever did Bulldog. Having done both, it's definitely Bulldog.
  Once up top there are plenty of options. At the very least head west a little farther and check out the rock formations and a view of the Pacific ocean.
  Ride rating: Advanced
  Ride distance: 15miles Elevation change: plenty
  Singletrack=15% Dirt Road=85%
  Old Bones

  Posted:04/21/2002

• Trail UpdateMalibu/Crags/Bulldog-Have been riding various sections of this trail for over a year now, and I have not seen the creekbed leading to the MASH site in better condition. Whoever is working this trail is making it better and better each time I ride it. Ride it now before the rains turn it back into it's old nasty self.
  David in Agoura a 39 year old Cross-Country Rider

  Posted:11/05/2001

• Trail UpdateBulldog's The Man !!!!!!-I rode this trail last weekend for the first time and I highly recomend it. Once you get past the park's picnic area and the dried riverbed, it's all good, all the time. Just be weary of those horseback riders and the heavy "artillery" they leave behind. You'll need lots of water and an oxygen tank. It's a steep climb but then it goes up just to go up some more. Once you get to the top, you'll know it was worth the trip. The downhill's a blast. Vaya con Dios, amigo.
  Ride rating: Intermediate
  Jorge Sosa a 30 year old Weekend Warrior riding a Giant Yukon SE from North Hollywood

  Posted:08/23/2001

• Trail UpdateUpdate: Waterholes @ M.C.-Bought a book on Santa Monica Mountains Best
  Trails. Malibu Creek is listed as one of the better
  places to ride. There is also a section on the
  history of the area. The waterholes have been
  there for 1000's of years. Hundreds of years ago,
  Chumash Indian tribes built their villages very
  close to these small lakes, or waterholes. They
  swam and bathed just as people do today. There
  have been some run-off pipes built underground
  for sewage, but they DO NOT run through Century
  Lake, Boulder Lake or some of Malibu lake. This
  area is considered an 'Abberation' to local
  geologists and anthropologists because of the fact
  that there is natural water and an abundance of
  wildlife throughout the park.

  In other words, do what you want in the park....the
  water won't kill ya if you swim in it....JUST DONT
  DRINK IT!!!

  Have fun!!
  WLASean a 30 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Trek FS VRX 300 from W. Los Angeles

  Posted:07/24/2001

• Trail UpdateSwimming Holes In Malibu Crk. SP-The main western sewer line to Tapia Treatment Plant runs through MCSP, past the MASH site, and downstream along Triunfo Creek. In addition, all houses around Malibu Lake, just upstream from the park, are on individual septic systems and percolate into groundwater that is trapped on impermeable Conejo Volcanic bedrock. This bedrock continues down through the park, and you're swimming in the trapped groundwater. During wet winters Malibu Lake smells like a sewer, which it is. The water is green for a reason, and I wouldn't swim in it, drink it, or eat any fish caught from it. I don't know of any declared health hazard in the park, but knowing where the water came from keeps me out of it.
  ScottR riding a hepatitus virus alert away from pretty green water

  Posted:07/18/2001

• Trail UpdateMalibu Creek: CROWDED!!!-Riding through the beginning of the park can be
  extremely dangerous if you arent careful. There
  are TONS of hikers. People on bikes NEED TO
  YEILD TO HIKERS AND HORSEBACKRIDERS!!!!
  The park rangers will not allow us into the park
  anymore if we continue to mangle the trails (we
  are not allowed on ANYTHING too small for a
  car)..The trails we can ride are worth every cent of
  the 3 bucks (two for parking and one for a trailmap)
  ....trust me. There are pools to swim in(if you like
  green water.....but people were swimming..!! :-)
  and all and all just a beautiful park. No need for
  full armor for this one. Craggs Road is an easy
  ride through the park but WATCH OUT when you
  get to Bulldog motorway!!!! It's a climb and 3
  quarters!!! (aka: lungbuster..) Best to do this ride
  early in the morning as it is getting hot and the
  mountains block the ocean breeze.
  Happy biking!!! :-)
  WLASean a 29 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Trek FS VRX 300 from W. Los Angeles

  Posted:07/17/2001

• Trail UpdateThe Bulldog Bites Back!!-First time in the Park. Rode the whole trail and it nearly killed me. Parked the Jeep in the car park and purchased a map from a Park Warden. After inspecting the map I decieded that the Circle was the way to go.

  Headed on down the trail to do the Bulldog circle, the first couple of miles and pleasant and flat with only a little sand to slow you down any. It gets very confusing once you hit the dried riverbed but persevere and bear right, hike and bike a mile or so across the rocks etc and you be soon pedaling before you know it. Though the M.A.S.H site where you see a very fragile Willy’s Jeep and a deuce-and-a-half, held together with rust and graffiti. Another mile on so on and you find a turning on your left- take it.

  The path heads up hill then up hill and then up hills some more, you'd think they put the pylons at the top- wrong! there’s still more up after that.

  Finally summated, you can turn right towards the antenna farm or left along the ridge line, headed left as the clock was ticking and I’d been on the go for an hour and a half with only 9 miles on the clock. This was mountain biking is all about stunning views across the canyons and State Park, fantastic.

  Carried along the spine and I could see the marine layer blowing in from the West, to my amazement I was above it cycling in the clear blue skies with a mile of cloud between me and the sea level. I felt at one with bike and the trail, dialed in to a tee and not missing a beat.

  Carried along and stated the downhill, well deserved if I say so myself. End up on the road by the car park with a lone car and a rather amorous couple and in the cloud, turned left back on to the trail.

  More downhill, which was by now rather chilly and the cloud was thickening up, got to the bottom and realized I’d missed a turning somewhere along the line as I was ant the Reservoir gate covered in “NO ENTRY” signs, backtracked and made my way down the road.

  A quick 15 mins on the tarmac brought me back to the car park.

  A fantastic day, met nobody, felt like I had the park to my self and once the cloud was below me the world was mine.

  A tough ride but believe me the downs and view make up for the lung busting climb.

  Not for the faint hearted but anyonne with determination and basic skills level can do it.
  
  Ride rating: Intermediate
  Ride distance: 18 miles Elevation change: lots & lots
  Singletrack=10% Dirt Road=70% Paved Path=10% Truck Trail=10%
  R. Soverelbo a 33 year old Weekend Warrior riding a Stumpy Hardtail from Watterlogged West LA

  Posted:06/14/2001

• Trail UpdateBulldog Motorway-Bulldog is one of my favorite climbs. It is 3.4 miles long and a bit of a lung crusher. It goes from 719 ft. to 2,500 or so feet at the top. This climb should be done between 45 minutes to 75 minutes if your in good riding shape. My brother does most of it in middle ring but he's a great rider and he is also an ex Yetti team rider, enough said? Long live Bulldog!
  Ride rating: Advanced
  Ride distance: 6.8 miles Elevation change: 1,900 ft.
  Singletrack=25% Dirt Road=75%
  Kiko a 44 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a Gunnar Rockhound-xt drivetrain-wtb laserbeams,ect. from San Diego,Ca

  Posted:01/17/2001

• Trail UpdateMCSP CLOSED-As of 12/25, Malibu Creek State Park is closed due to extreme fire hazard. There's a fire currently burning in North Ranch, and Arson Patrol cars all over the local roads. Call the park before heading up Mesa Peak, Bulldog, Castro Crest, Backbone, etc. etc. They will lift the closure when the winds die down.
  ScottR

  Posted:12/26/2000

• Trail UpdateBULLDOG/Malibu Creek-Ahh, it was time for the annual post Thanksgiving Bulldog climb to test the cardio. Always enjoy the mile or so of technical riding through the boulder fields in the dry creekbed first as a warmup. At one spot the trail disappears completely and it's pick your line time through the boulders--lots of fun. Than comes the grunt up the 3.5 miles of Bulldog. We all love the technical riding but sometimes you have got to just challenge yourself--Bulldog certainly does that. Hate to admit that unlike the last 2 times I rode Bulldog when I did it without stopping, me and the boys stopped once at the 2.3 mile mark before the nasty right turn and climb--bad day I suppose, we all have them. Anyway the trail is in good condition. Enjoy the views up top by hanging a right and riding to those interesting rock formations on the left side and check out the Pacific Ocean.
  Ride rating: Advanced
  Ride distance: 14 miles Elevation change: 2000-2500'
  Singletrack=15% Dirt Road=85%
  THE BIG SHIP

  Posted:11/27/2000

• Trail UpdateBULLDOG......-RODE IT FOR THE FIRST TIME APRIL 15,2000.... AND I THOUGHT MY TAX BILL HURT.

  OUTSTANDING CLIMB.
  RECOMMENDED FOR ANYONE WHO NEEDS TO PUSH BEYOND THEIR CURRENT LIMITATIONS. CONQUERING THIS HILL WILL CERTAINLY LIFT YOU TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

  P.S. GET THAT SONG IN YOUR HEAD SO YOU CAN ZONE OUT ON THE CLIMB.
  Ride rating: Advanced
  Ride distance: 16.8 Elevation change: 2000-2500
  Singletrack=20% Dirt Road=80%
  DOMINOES DELIVERS a 16 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a 1978 GREEN VEGA WITH FUZZY DICE AND WHEEL ROT from HERE TO ETERNITY

  Posted:04/16/2000

• Trail UpdateBULLDOG-Rode the trail today including the warmup to the Bulldog grind by going through Crags. The trails are in great shape. The ride through the riverbed is fun with some good technical rocky challenges, but all rideable. As for Bulldog, there wasn't any problem with the trail being too loose as the rains from several weeks back have packed it down very well. For those of you who have never riden Bulldog, it is aptly named. It is 3.4 miles from the bottom to the top. I would estimate the altitude gain is between 1600 to 1900 feet but since I don't have an altimeter, I'm guessing. The first 1.4 miles have some tough climbing but nothing too bad. You then actually get a downhill for about a tenth of a mile. Than come a stretch of perhaps 6-7 tenths of a mile with a solid steady climb. At this point things get tough as the trail becomes steeper--you'll notice it when you hang a left and go up a hard climb than make a right with another hard climb. This is the start of a 6-7 tenth of a mile stretch which will burns your legs leading you to wonder why in the hell did you go up this trail. Mercifully, the last part of the trail eases up as you finally reach the peak, which is 2670' above sea level. When at the top, you have 3 options. You can return the way you came or you can go right or left. Right will take you towards Castro Peak(over 2800 feet in elevation) though you will see a option to the left before you get there which you can use to bomb down the fireroad and hook up with the Newton canyon trail, arguably the best singletrack in the Santa Monicas. If you hang a left at the top of Bulldog you will go down to Corral canyon and can hook up with the Newton canyon trail or continue the Backbone trail. If you ride Backbone far enough you can run into the Tapia fire road which will take you down to Malibu canyon road.As for Bulldog, a strong rider should be able to ride it up without stopping though beginners will certainly have to stop several times for breaks as you question your sanity for taking on such a challenge--remember though what doesn't kill you makes you stronger!
  Ride rating: Advanced
  Ride distance: 13-14 miles Elevation change: 2000-2500'
  Singletrack=10% Dirt Road=90%
  DAN a 36 year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a GIANT from THOUSAND OAKS

  Posted:11/28/1999

• Trail UpdateCrags Road-Rode last weekend. I agree with Dave. Would be a nice flat ride if not for the washed out surface. Still fun but not for the novice.

  The lost cabin trail that wraps around the back side of the lake is worth a visit. It has a completely different feel from anything I have found in SoCal. It is a very short, very flat approximation of a trail one could find in western PA. ( i.e. dirt- not sand, trees and shade, leaves under your tires, trees to dodge (above and below).

  It is short, (approx 1/2 mile or less) and flat(tiny little bumps of hills) . It dead-ends at the dam. (very cool spot).

  take 10 minutes and visit a different world.

  Where: trail splits back and left (reverse y) from crags road just after the far bridge (2nd bridge after the visitors center)
  Singletrack=20% Dirt Road=80%
  Vern a 36 year old Weekend Warrior riding a canondale f500 from Simi valley

  Posted:03/09/1999

• Trail UpdateJust rode this yesterday with my wife. The middle section of Crags Rd. (prior to the MASH site) is rideable if you've got the technical skills--really rocky, but a kick. I did better the second time through. I had the pleasure of seeing my roadie wife tackle her first real technical section and whoop it up. Other than this section, the ride's a breeze. And that tip about getting a map is a good one!
  Dave a 43 year old Weekend Warrior riding a Trek 8000 from Los Angeles

  Posted:03/01/1999

• Trail UpdateI highly recommend that you stop by the ranger booth and pickup a map for this trail for $1. The booth is on the Las Virgines entrance to the park near Mullholland. The trail is confusing and some parts of it are washed out. You have to walk your bike on the part of the trail that is right before MASH set. Be patient because the trailhead will reappear. Once you pass the MASH set then you quickly get to the Bulldog road trailhead. After that you have ferocious climb ahead of you but no more walking the bike (that is due to road conditions!) This is a nice senic ride if you don't mind walking the bike a bit.
  Singletrack=9% Dirt Road=90% Paved Path=1%
  a 38 year old Weekend Warrior from Santa Monica

  Posted:10/16/1998

• Trail UpdateMalibu Creek State Park/Bulldog-I rode these trails last Saturday (6-1-98). El Nino has turned the middle section of the ride into a hike. For a better ride, enter the park from Crags Road behind Malibu Lake. From that side, the trail is in good shape until you reach Bulldog. If you're heading out there for the first time, know that Bulldog is aptly named. While it is not a difficult technical challenge, it is a leg-burning climb. Bring two water bottles or you may pop out of the toaster before you reach the top. And remember - watch out for people on horseback.
  Dirt Road=97% Paved Path=3%
  Dumptruck a 31 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a Cannondale hardtail from Agoura

  Posted:06/06/1998

• Trail UpdateTreky-This used to be a great, breezy ride with a gnarly Bulldog climb that when beatn made ya feel like a Mountain Dew commercial. Unfortunately El Nino has ravaged the mid-section, meaning it's walk, walk, walk and then walk, walk, walk some more.
  Which normally doesn't bother me as long as the trail is long enough to justify the pause. I can't really say that this one is.
  And don't even think about this on during prime time weekend/holiday hours. Horses and hikers galore make this a rather unpleasant jaunt.
  Treky a 25 year old Cross-Country Rider from Los Angeles

  Posted:05/23/1998

• Trail UpdateCrags Rd.-Just Got Back from doing a weekend ride on the Crags Rd. At Malibu Canyon Park. Seems like El Nino took a bite out of this trail, the middle part of this trail is about a half mile portage over large rocks and water and is absolutely unrideable. If yo can Handle carrying your bike for half a mile than the ride is still nice. Besides the portage the trail is relatively flat with only short nice climbs at the beginning and the end of the trail. El nino has also left some minor rutts on the hills too, bu they are very rideable.
  Singletrack=5% Dirt Road=85% Paved Path=10%
  Steve a 27 year old Weekend Warrior riding a Bontrager Privateer from L.A

  Posted:05/16/1998

• Trail UpdateCrags Road-A easy 7+ mile out & back round trip trail. Check out the old M.A.S.H. set about 2.5 miles in.

  Posted:05/16/1998

• Trail UpdateBulldog Motorway- - A easy ride on Crags Rd., then climb, climb, climb on Bulldog Motorway.

  Posted:05/16/1998

• Trail UpdateParamount And Malibu Parks-Malibu State Park is off Las Virgenes. Paramount is off Mulholland. Paramount has a cool Western Town where they currently film Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman.
  Start in Malibu Park and take Lost Crags Rd to the end of the Park. Near Malibu Lake you can go right to the Dam. The dirt road dead ends but its a nice ride. In fact, at the beginning of Malibu Park take Motts road to the end and back too. The dirt road ends at the Park Boundary and you are in Malibu Lake country. Go up and down the road and turn rt on Malibu Lake road around the lake. Look for the private road just passed the big white gated house at the other end of the lake. Turn left on the private road for a 100 yards and left again to go under Mulholland Hwy. A single track lets you into Paramount Ranch. Find the western town and take Coyote Trail behind the fake train depot for some single track. There are trails that go all over Paramount. You link back up with Malibu Park by taking Mulholland back to the grassland trail or illegally taking the deerleg trail behind park headquarters. Walk your bike like me.
  SingleTrack=20%, DirtRoad=70%, TruckRoad=10%
  Dave a 45 year old cross-country rider from Ventura {retadave@aol.com}

  Posted:05/16/1998