View from Eagle Rock

Text and photography copyright 2010 by David W. Lockeretz, all rights reserved. Information and opinions provided are kept current to the best of the author’s ability. All readers hike at their own risk, and should be aware of the possible dangers of hiking, walking and other outdoor activities. The author does not take any responsibility for injuries sustained during hikes or walks on the routes described here. Check the informational links provided for up to date trail condition information.

Eagle Rock Loop in Topanga State Park

• Location:  Santa Monica Mountains, north of Malibu.  From Santa Monica, take Pacific Coast Highway north for 6.1 miles and then take Topanga Canyon Boulevard north 4.7 miles to Entrada (just past the center of town), take a right and drive a mile.  The park entrance is on the left.  From the Valley, take the 101 freeway to Topanga Blvd. and go south for 7.8 miles, and take a hard left on Entrada.  There is a $10 per day parking fee.
• Agency: Topanga State Park
• Distance: 4.5 miles
• Elevation gain: 900 feet
• Difficulty Rating: PG
• Suggested time: 2.5 hours
• Best season: September – June
• USGS topo map: “Topanga”
• Recommended gear: hiking poles
• More information: here; trip reports here.
• Rating: 8

Eagle Rock is probably the most famous landmark in Topanga State Park.  I have always thought of this hike as “Sandstone Peak, Jr.” both for the great variety of scenery it offers and the similar elevation profile.  However, this trail is a lot closer to Santa Monica and L.A. than Sandstone Peak, and it offers a surprising amount of isolation.  If you still need to burn off a few Labor Day calories–and the Claremont Hills Wilderness Park didn’t do the trick–take yourself up to Topanga.

The loop can be hiked in either direction, but I prefer taking the Musch Trail from the parking lot.  The trail head through a meadow and curves to the right, entering a grove of oaks and arriving at a trail camp after a mile.  From there, the climbing gets a little steeper, as the Musch Trail climbs the ridge to meet the Eagle Rock fire road.  At the junction, take a hard left and go half a mile to reach Eagle Rock, a sandstone outcrop from which the entire park can be seen.  The rock, with its skull-like caves, is quite a sight itself.  (Note that it is located slightly off the main trail; you can arrive at the top with a little scrambling.)

After heading back to the junction, either continue down the fire road, which will take you to back to the parking lot in 1.5 miles for a total loop of 4.5 miles, or return along the Musch Trail.

You may be surprised to know that with all of its expansive vistas and wide variety of scenery, Topanga State Park is entirely located within the city limits of Los Angeles.