○ TIER 1 — SOURCED & RESEARCHED
6.5 miRound Trip
1,500 ftElev. Gain
StrenuousDifficulty
3-5 hoursEst. Time
1,266 ftHighest Point
Out-and-BackRoute Type
YesDogs
NonePermit

Point Mugu Peak via Chumash Trail

๐ŸŒค Trail Weather โ€” Plan Your Hike Updated every 6 hrs ยท Trailhead coords
โœ…
Good Conditions โ€” Solid Day to Hike
66ยฐF, Clear Sky. Wind 5 mph. Standard 10 Essentials apply.
๐ŸŒ™
66ยฐ
Clear Sky
Feels 67ยฐF
๐Ÿ’จ Wind
5 mph W
No significant gusts
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
86%
High humidity โ€” pace yourself
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi
Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Cloud Cover
1%
Clear โ€” full sun exposure
๐ŸŒ… Sunrise
6:46 am
Ideal start time
๐ŸŒ‡ Sunset
6:49 pm
Off trail by this
Today โ€” 3-Hour Intervals
11 pm
๐ŸŒ™
67ยฐ
Feels 67ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ 2/4
5-Day Forecast
๐ŸŒ™
Today
Clear Sky
67ยฐF
feels 67ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
2/4 NE
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
82% High humidity โ€” pace yourself
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi โ€” Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
1% Clear โ€” full sun exposure
๐ŸŸก Warm & Humid โ€” Extra Water
๐ŸŒ™
Sat, Sep 26
Clear Sky
65ยฐF
feels 65ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
5/9 SSE
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
88% High humidity โ€” pace yourself
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
2.8 mi โ€” Reduced โ€” marine layer possible
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
5% Clear โ€” full sun exposure
๐ŸŸก Warm & Humid โ€” Extra Water
โ˜๏ธ
Sun, Sep 27
Overcast Clouds
66ยฐF
feels 66ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
2/4 E
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
83% High humidity โ€” pace yourself
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
0.4 mi โ€” Poor โ€” fog or smoke likely
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
100% Overcast
๐ŸŸก Warm & Humid โ€” Extra Water
๐ŸŒ™
Mon, Sep 28
Clear Sky
62ยฐF
feels 62ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
1/3 NNE
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
93% High humidity โ€” pace yourself
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi โ€” Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
2% Clear โ€” full sun exposure
๐ŸŸก Warm & Humid โ€” Extra Water
๐ŸŒ™
Tue, Sep 29
Clear Sky
66ยฐF
feels 64ยฐ
๐Ÿ’จ Wind/Gust
5/10 ENE
๐Ÿ’ง Humidity
36% Comfortable
๐Ÿ‘ Visibility
6.2 mi โ€” Good visibility
โ˜๏ธ Clouds
0% Clear โ€” full sun exposure
โœ… Good Conditions โ€” Go Hike
Trailhead elevation only. Conditions change at altitude. Check weather.gov before heading out. Sep 25, 8:13 pm

An aggressively steep coastal challenge right off PCH. The trail scrambles up a loose dirt ridge before opening to a beautiful grassy valley with ocean drop-offs that reach straight to the horizon.

Trail Overview

The first quarter mile of the Chumash Trail is one of the steepest sustained grades in the range. It is loose, dry, and relentless. Push through it and the trail opens to beautiful grassy terrain with outstanding ocean exposure. The summit is modest but the views south over the Pacific are exceptional. This is the wild western end of the Santa Monicas โ€” it feels remote in a way the more central parks do not.

This Hike Is For You If…

Fit hikers comfortable with steep grades and loose terrain. Adventure seekers who want the wilder end of the range.

Skip This Hike If…

Skip if the opening steep loose section will be a problem. Skip after 9am in summer โ€” exposed throughout.

What to Expect on Trail

Terrain: Steep loose dirt opening section. Grassy ridge terrain above. Some trail erosion sections.

Shade: Fully Exposed

Water: None โ€” Carry All Water. No water. Carry 2 liters.

Views: Outstanding

Crowds: Limited parking keeps this trail uncrowded. Often have the summit to yourself.

Dogs: Yes, dogs are welcome on this trail.

Best Arrival: Before 8am. The PCH pullout is tiny and there is no alternative.


This is a Tier 1 sourced review. Trail information is based on published sources and research. Andrew has not personally hiked this trail yet. Photos and firsthand sensory detail will be added when upgraded to Tier 2.

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6.5 miRound Trip
1500 ftElev. Gain
StrenuousDifficulty
3-5 hoursEst. Time
1266 ftHighest Point
Out-and-BackRoute Type
YesDogs
NonePermit

Trailhead & Logistics

Address: Chumash Trail, Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265
Parking: Dirt pullout on PCH near Chumash Trail. Free. Very limited โ€” arrive early. No restrooms.
Bathroom: None
Cell Service: Partial
Best Arrival: Before 8am. The PCH pullout is tiny and there is no alternative.

Trail Reality Check

The first quarter mile of the Chumash Trail is one of the steepest sustained grades in the range. It is loose, dry, and relentless. Push through it and the trail opens to beautiful grassy terrain with outstanding ocean exposure. The summit is modest but the views south over the Pacific are exceptional. This is the wild western end of the Santa Monicas โ€” it feels remote in a way the more central parks do not.

Terrain: Steep loose dirt opening section. Grassy ridge terrain above. Some trail erosion sections.
Shade: Fully Exposed
Water: None โ€” Carry All Water โ€” No water. Carry 2 liters.
Views: Outstanding
Crowds: Quiet โ€” Limited parking keeps this trail uncrowded. Often have the summit to yourself.
Who should do this: Fit hikers comfortable with steep grades and loose terrain. Adventure seekers who want the wilder end of the range.
Who should skip this: Skip if the opening steep loose section will be a problem. Skip after 9am in summer โ€” exposed throughout.