4900 Feet up the Cold Creek High Trail.
The Cold
Creek High Trail is one of the hidden gems of the Santa Monica
Mountains. It runs from Cold Canyon Road to Stunt Road in just
under 2 miles. From it you have great views of the sandstone
formations of Malibu Creek State Park, Calabasas Peak and
Saddle Peak. The trail is a bit overgrown so long pants are
recommended. It is pretty easy to follow except for one spot
in the middle where it diverts a few hundred yards to cross a
very small stream. If you think you might lose the trail,
email me and I will send you the GPS track. To see some of the
trail views, take a look at
this photo gallery.
The trailhead is on Cold Canyon Road about 0.5 miles south of
Mulholland. Park across from the trailhead. There is a chain across
the trail with a sign "Cold Creek Nature Preserve." Coordinates are
N34.091768 W118.679862.
You are looking for a plastic food container not far from a
dead-end spur. The real trail is on the other fork. On the nearby
rock face, you may notice a regular pattern of dimples in the wall.
I think these were created by a seaonal waterfall.
You can also access this trail from two points on Stunt Road if
you would prefer to come down from above:
- Coordinates are N34.09087° W118.65866°. Park at the side of
Stunt Road and walk down the paved drive a few hundred feet. The
trail starts on the left.
- Coordinates are N34.08843° W118.66232°. Park at the side of
Stunt Road and walk down the dirt road a few dozen feet. The trail
starts on the right, down some wooden stairs. If you continue past
the old stable, you'll come to a narrow trail that switchbacks down
the hill and joins the main Cold Creek High Trail not far from the
"Water Wall" cache.
See the
"
Remember the Alamo" cache for waypoints to the trailheads.