Eagle Rock, the most impressive landmark in all ofĀ Topanga State Park, will afford us an airy perch overlooking the upper watershed ofĀ Santa Ynez CanyonĀ and the ocean beyond. We will eat, drink and exploreĀ on this impressive sandstone rock covered with crevices and caves.
We begin hiking atĀ Trippet Ranch, walking north on a paved driveway about 100 yards to where theĀ MuschĀ TrailĀ slants to the right across a grassy hillside.
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On thatĀ trailĀ weāll plunge into the shade of oak and bay laurel trees. After contouring around a couple of north-flowing ravines, we rise to meet a trailside campground at the formerĀ Musch Ranch.
Beyond the campground, MuschĀ TrailĀ climbs through sun-baked, fragrant chaparral.
After many twists and turns we will reach a ridgetop fire road atĀ Eagle Junction. We begin to see Eagle Rock looming over ravines plunging south toward the sea.Ā The rock, a sandstone outcrop pitted with small caves, is a good example of the 15-million-year-old Topanga CanyonĀ Formation that crops out in various parts of the Santa Monica Mountains.
Weāll return to Trippet Ranch via the rollingĀ East Topanga Fire Road.Ā HikeĀ is about 5 miles.
Bring a snacks and drink to share and weāll usher in the New Year
