Sandstone Peak Trailhead: Gateway to the Highest Point in the Santa Monica Mountains

Sandstone Peak Trailhead, located in the Circle X Ranch area of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, serves as the starting point for hikes to Sandstone Peak, the highest point in the range at 3,111 feet. This area, once a Boy Scout camp, now offers a diverse landscape of chaparral, rocky outcrops, and stunning views. The trailhead provides access to several trails, including the Mishe Mokwa Trail and the Backbone Trail, allowing hikers to create loops of varying lengths and difficulties. The Mishe Mokwa Trail offers views of Balance Rock and Echo Cliffs, while the Backbone Trail leads to Inspiration Point, a memorial offering ocean vistas. The trails pass through diverse environments, from forests of coastal chaparral to riparian landscapes, with interesting sandstone formations along the way. Sandstone Peak Trailhead is a popular destination for those seeking outdoor adventures and panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, Channel Islands, Conejo Valley, and San Fernando Valley. The area is also home to a variety of wildlife, including lizards, scrub jays, gray foxes and bats.