We begin our journey hiking south into Liberty Canyon — one of three natural preserves in Malibu Creek State Park. The canyon has a rare stand of California Valley Oak. Soon we will cross Liberty Creek turn west onto and up the Phantom Trail. After a couple miles the trail puts us down onto Mulholland Hwy. We proceed across Mulholland onto the Cistern Trail in Malibu Creek Stat Park. The Cistern Trail ascends a bit as it leaves Mulholland Highway, but soon after begins heading downhill, with views of Reagan Ranch off to the right, and the Goat Buttes and Castro Crest of Malibu Creek State Park ahead.
After a short distance we will merge with the Lookout Trail and take that down to Century Lake for a snack/lunch break next to the water. For our return, we will take Cragg’s Rd to Grasslands Trail back to Mulholland and then north on Liberty Canyon to close the loop.
HIKE IS ABOUT 9 MILES WITH ABOUT 1,300 FT TOTAL ASCENT AND IS RATED MEDIUM+ DUE TO TERRAIN. SEE THE HIKE RATING GUIDE
Directions
Park on the south end of Liberty Canyon Rd
