PDF maps on-line make it pretty clear which is the trailside parking area versus the opposite from trailside parking area. And there's no question as to how Balanced Rock received its moniker.Echo Cliffs and the well known Balance Rock as you head west on the Mishe Mokwa trail.There are a few areas where you have to do some low-key rock climbing as you get closer to Split Rock, but they are generally of moderate difficulty.Split Rock you will clearly see is named after a very large rock that is split in several places, including one crack that is large enough to walk through. For the purposes of this trip, just keep staying to the left.
Or you can take this short trail to the Backbone Trail and the more direct path to Sandstone Peak.You will soon start be seeing the Echo Cliffs area and Balanced Rock. Highly recommend to do the hike early since there is almost no shade.Most of the trail is well maintained, nice view. Continue towards Split Rock.
Very good, and very easy to follow. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, and nature trips. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Parking was filled up by 7:30am on a Sunday. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Great views and variety of terrain. I would definitely recommend but during the cooler months. Looking out from the Mishe Mokwa Trail Did this trail last week. And once you get to this wonderful geologically unusual formation, any frustration with the trail seems worth it.Balanced Rock is amazing to see from all angles, from both far away and up close.Once you reach Balanced Rock, you'll be amazed not only by its size but by the amount of shade it renders. Download the GPS track to help you find your way. To the right is the Mishe Mokwa trail. A good flowing trail network will have most trails flowing in a single direction according to their intension. We kept walking to the point we realized we are going out on a different starting point. Saw a baby snake and was quick to get out of my way. Overall was an awesome hike!
As you head down, you’ll be happy you didn’t just climb up this way.At 5.7 miles, take a right to head back to the trailhead. The trail here meanders on the north side of the Boney Mountain Ridge and makes a relatively slow ascent.At 4.5 miles, look for a wooden sign pointing you toward Sandstone Peak and climb up the stairs cut into the side of the mountain to begin your way up. Lots of folks up there to see the Neowise comet appearance. 'Balance Rock' near the Mishe Mokwa Trail. Think of this as a heatmap, more rides = more kinetic energy = warmer colors. We ran out of water but thankfully the last two miles we had to walk we literally had to ask these 3 wonderful hikers to give us a spare of water and they did. We went on a sunny 75 degree day but it felt more like 95. The views were not exciting as advertised, largely just brown valley. One of the best hikes in LA. ... a California state agency, was created in 1980 for the acquisition of land for preservation as open space, for wildlife and California native plants habitat preserves, and for public recreation activities. Hot. The trails that head west from here are the Chamberlain Trail/Backbone Trail, which will take you down into Point Mugu State Park and eventually to the Pacific Ocean.At 3.4 miles, stay to the left again and ignore the short fire road near the water towers, which dead-ends on the north flank of Exchange Peak (2,950 ft), the third-tallest peak in the Santa Monica Mountains.Here, the Pacific Ocean comes into view clearly for the first time on the loop and on most days the views are nothing short of stunning. I think they were getting burned in certain areas from the fire residue that was heating up under the sun. Once at a place called Hatu near Shimla and another at Pahalgam near Srinagar. There are stunning sandstone formations and breathtaking views from the top of Sandstone Peak and Inspiration point. There is a picnic table at this shady area and a nearby creek for a peaceful area to take a break.We took this trail roughly about a third of a mile to Balance Rock and it does get a bit challenging, between dealing with overgrown areas and finding the right trail (there seems to be multiple trails) and some challenging sections. I had landed the previous evening from Delhi (India) after a brief stopover in Europe. The trail here is much more rugged than what you’ve been on so far, and the established route dissolves into a series of use trails, all of which eventually make their way to a barren rocky slope that you’ll have to scramble up to reach the summit.It’s a challenge, but it’s completely doable.
It can be very hot and dry.
Or you can take this short trail to the Backbone Trail and the more direct path to Sandstone Peak.You will soon start be seeing the Echo Cliffs area and Balanced Rock. Highly recommend to do the hike early since there is almost no shade.Most of the trail is well maintained, nice view. Continue towards Split Rock.
Very good, and very easy to follow. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, and nature trips. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Parking was filled up by 7:30am on a Sunday. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Great views and variety of terrain. I would definitely recommend but during the cooler months. Looking out from the Mishe Mokwa Trail Did this trail last week. And once you get to this wonderful geologically unusual formation, any frustration with the trail seems worth it.Balanced Rock is amazing to see from all angles, from both far away and up close.Once you reach Balanced Rock, you'll be amazed not only by its size but by the amount of shade it renders. Download the GPS track to help you find your way. To the right is the Mishe Mokwa trail. A good flowing trail network will have most trails flowing in a single direction according to their intension. We kept walking to the point we realized we are going out on a different starting point. Saw a baby snake and was quick to get out of my way. Overall was an awesome hike!
As you head down, you’ll be happy you didn’t just climb up this way.At 5.7 miles, take a right to head back to the trailhead. The trail here meanders on the north side of the Boney Mountain Ridge and makes a relatively slow ascent.At 4.5 miles, look for a wooden sign pointing you toward Sandstone Peak and climb up the stairs cut into the side of the mountain to begin your way up. Lots of folks up there to see the Neowise comet appearance. 'Balance Rock' near the Mishe Mokwa Trail. Think of this as a heatmap, more rides = more kinetic energy = warmer colors. We ran out of water but thankfully the last two miles we had to walk we literally had to ask these 3 wonderful hikers to give us a spare of water and they did. We went on a sunny 75 degree day but it felt more like 95. The views were not exciting as advertised, largely just brown valley. One of the best hikes in LA. ... a California state agency, was created in 1980 for the acquisition of land for preservation as open space, for wildlife and California native plants habitat preserves, and for public recreation activities. Hot. The trails that head west from here are the Chamberlain Trail/Backbone Trail, which will take you down into Point Mugu State Park and eventually to the Pacific Ocean.At 3.4 miles, stay to the left again and ignore the short fire road near the water towers, which dead-ends on the north flank of Exchange Peak (2,950 ft), the third-tallest peak in the Santa Monica Mountains.Here, the Pacific Ocean comes into view clearly for the first time on the loop and on most days the views are nothing short of stunning. I think they were getting burned in certain areas from the fire residue that was heating up under the sun. Once at a place called Hatu near Shimla and another at Pahalgam near Srinagar. There are stunning sandstone formations and breathtaking views from the top of Sandstone Peak and Inspiration point. There is a picnic table at this shady area and a nearby creek for a peaceful area to take a break.We took this trail roughly about a third of a mile to Balance Rock and it does get a bit challenging, between dealing with overgrown areas and finding the right trail (there seems to be multiple trails) and some challenging sections. I had landed the previous evening from Delhi (India) after a brief stopover in Europe. The trail here is much more rugged than what you’ve been on so far, and the established route dissolves into a series of use trails, all of which eventually make their way to a barren rocky slope that you’ll have to scramble up to reach the summit.It’s a challenge, but it’s completely doable.
It can be very hot and dry.