Sandstone Peak via Mishe Mokwa Trail

Sandstone Peak, at 3,111 feet (948 m), is the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains and is reached by the Mishe Mokwa Trail loop in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area near Malibu, Los Angeles County, California. The Mishe Mokwa Trailhead is at 12896 Yerba Buena Rd, with a free parking lot; the site is reached by car or rideshare only, and no permit or fee is required. The loop is about 6 miles (9.7 km) with roughly 1,200 feet (365 m) of elevation gain and takes 3 to 4 hours. Difficulty is moderate: the surface is dirt and rock, with sustained climbing and some rocky steps near the summit. Shade is limited, and the route is exposed to sun and wind. The trail first follows the Mishe Mokwa Trail into a canyon, passing Split Rock, a large volcanic boulder with picnic tables, and Balanced Rock. It then climbs to the Backbone Trail junction and the summit spur, the Mount Allen Trail, which leads up the final rocky ridge to the peak. The summit has panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, the Channel Islands on clear days, and surrounding ridges. The peak is formed of volcanic rock, and the area is noted for its rock formations. Hikers can shorten the route by taking the direct summit trail from the trailhead, a shorter out-and-back, or turn around at Split Rock. Water is not available at the trailhead or on the route, so hikers carry plenty. There are no shelters. Poison oak grows along the canyon sections, and rattlesnakes can be present in warm weather.