Katie Clary
Living Editor
We Malibu-dwellers sometimes forget that the space to explore “through the canyon” is much bigger than our narrow strip of beach and mountain. Taking that to heart, this week’s trail requires a trek inland, to Agoura Hills.
Cheeseboro Canyon is a national recreation area nestled between quiet neighborhoods in Old Agoura. Horse farms border the parkland and the trails are clearly used frequently by locals and out-of-towners alike. It’s the sort of place where you finish a hard trail run and then stop at a little kid’s lemonade stand. Or if you’re lucky, the three elementary school boys who sold me a bag of home-grown oranges for $1.50 will be in the parking lot waiting for you.
Incidentally, Cheeseboro Canyon is home to the Great Race of Agoura, which includes the 13.2-mile trail race soon to be completed by Pepperdine’s Half Marathon Class. So scope out the course before the race Saturday, March 19 either to compete or to decide where to cheer on your friends.
Comparable in size to Malibu Creek State Park, this fairly large expanse of land is crisscrossed with trails to travel by foot, bike and horse. As such, Cheeseboro Canyon merits a return trip to check out all the different trails.
But for a one-shot visit, the Cheeseboro Canyon Trail is a winner. This 4.6-mile, one-way ranch road meanders through beautiful green pastureland and valley oak savannah. Like Sycamore Canyon, this wide trail makes for an excellent trail run. The incline is slightly steeper than Sycamore, but still manageable — the rolling hills just keep it interesting.
A picnic area is located 1.6 miles from the parking lot and there are also several shallow stream crossings (puddle-jumps, really) in the initial few miles. For hikers seeking more challenging, strenuous terrain, take a left on the Palo Comado Connector Trail just before you reach the picnic tables. The Palo Comado Canyon Trail is also slightly shy of 5 miles long, but takes a steep 1,200-foot scramble at the end.
For the more mellow-minded and most trail-runners, stick to the main trail and continue uphill. You’ll know you’re coming close to your destination when you smell rotten eggs: Sulphur Springs is located 3.3 miles from the trailhead. After you clear a rocky section, the landscape transitions into a plateau colored with mint-green chaparral shrubs and sandy, red-dirt reminiscent of Utah.
Now one last short, steep climb and you’ve arrived at the end of the road — and the beginning of another. Here the Cheeseboro Canyon Trail intersects with the China Flat, yet another rolling expanse to explore. Turn back now and you will have completed more than a nine mile hike, but just remember there’s always more around the next corner.
02-10-2005
