Hiking Mugu Peak

Point Mugu State Park stretches from Newbury Park in Ventura County through some of the most majestic parts of the Santa Monica Mountains, all the way to the Pacific Ocean. It’s one of my favorite places to hike in Southern California, for its uniquely Californian landscape, stretches of rare native grassland, and extensive trail system.

This loop around Mugu Peak starts on the southern end of the park, just outside the Point Mugu Naval Academy Base. In fact, the trailhead is just across the Pacific Coast Highway from the rifle range — which you’ll occasionally hear from your hike. The dirt parking lot can be easy to miss as you’re coasting down the PCH, so be sure to slow down when you’re getting close to the Navy grounds.

There’s only one trail from the parking lot, and it’s marked with a large distance sign, as well as the requisite warning about ticks (even in mid January, I spotted a handful of the bloodsuckers waiting on grass along the trail!). Tighten your laces, pull up your socks, and start climbing up the Chumash Trail.

The Chumash Trail makes a pretty no nonsense ascent up the first incline, rising 845 feet in the first .7 miles. If it’s hot out, you’re going to feel this section — but it’s the steepest part of the entire loop, so don’t get discouraged.

The landscape is classic coastal scrub — lots of yucca, sage, and grasses. The ground is a bit loose on this section, and the fact that it’s so steep here doesn’t won’t help you keep your footing. Just take it slow, and be sure to look back at the Pacific every once in a while for a breather. Mugu Lagoon, just inside the Navy Base, makes for a nice view:

The trail makes its way up toward a rounded saddle between Mugu Peak and a slightly shorter bump to its north.

Here, the trail intersects with the Mugu Peak Trail, which appears to have been carved out of an old overgrown fire road. From the intersection, you can also make out a direct-ascent use trail up to Mugu Peak itself.

If you’re just aiming for a quick trip to the peak, climb up this very steep trail for .4 miles and return the way you came. But if you’re here for the loop, veer left at the intersection with the Mugu Peak Trail and ignore the use trail that climbs the north slope of the peak, instead continuing east on the Chumash Trail. And prepare yourself — you’re about to see one of Southern California’s last remaining stretches of native grassland spread out before you.

This the La Jolla Valley Natural Preserve, a jaw-dropping series of rolling meadows nestled in what will feel like your very own private corner of California. Since you’re close to the beach, the air here is usually more clear than inland stuff anyway, but you’ll be able to make out the prominent and aptly-named Boney Ridge almost immediately:

Continue a gentle descent into the valley as you hike northeast for about a half-mile, when you’ll reach the La Jolla Valley Loop Trail. Veer left at the junction to stay headed north. Taking the loop trail south here would cut out about a mile of your distance on the loop — and you’ll be stuck in the shadier La Jolla Canyon, where you won’t get to experience much of the meadows.

The north end of the loop trail continues for another .7 miles through some very tall grasses, which at times threaten to overrun you. It’s very passable and easy to navigate — just be sure to check for ticks every once in a while.

When you reach the next trail sign for the Loop Trail, turn right and head south back through the valley to continue this version of the loop. If you’re feeling extra frisky, continuing east will add up to 1.5 miles to your loop. You’ll pass a few backcountry trail camps, a small pond, and sections of a more dramatic canyon with a seasonal waterfall (see my La Jolla Canyon write up).

From here, you’ll be able to make out the trail cutting a straight path through the grassland, as well as the lumbering Mugu Peak.

As the trail takes a slight descent on its way south, you’ll pass very fragrant groves of sage and laurel, and you’ll get a great view southeast toward the steeper end of La Jolla Canyon as it presents the ocean once again.

After 1.1 miles, you’ll reach the shaded upper reaches of La Jolla Canyon (really, at this point, not much more than a streambed). Look for a large metal tank lodged beneath a sycamore branch. It shouldn’t be too tough to see:

This is where the Mugu Peak Trail leaves the Loop route and continues back toward the ocean. It can be easy to miss while hiking by, mainly because it doesn’t look like there’s a trail back there, but if you do happen to miss it, there’s a marker a bit further along the Loop route — you’ll just have to backtrack a little.

This is the lowest point of elevation you’ll be at since entering the valley, and it’s all uphill from here. It’s not nearly as steep as that first gain, though — 672 feet in 1.07 miles — and you’ll also have the pleasure of watching La Jolla Canyon open up near the Ray Miller Trailhead and the Pacific Ocean coming back into full view:

Continue on the Mugu Peak Trail until you hit a rough trail junction among some low cacti and brush on the south slope of Mugu Peak. The Peak Trail veers to the left here, missing the actual peak and looping around the west side of the mountain. Forget that, and head straight on a trail that makes tight zigzags through the brush up to the top of Mugu Peak. If you’re in doubt, keep an eye out for the peak with the flagpole on top — that’s your target.

When you reach the top of Mugu, you’ll be rewarded with 360-degree views of some of the most beautiful parts of Southern California — the Channel Islands, Boney Ridge, Mugu Lagoon, the Great Sand Dune, and all of the meadows you just wound your way through. All this, and an American flag to boot. Cue the patriotic music and you’re all set.

When you’re done soaking it all in, head north on the steep use-trail back down to the Mugu Peak Trail, then return to the trailhead the way you came.

Oh, and just so you know, the pictures from this hike were from January. If you can, try to time this area for the spring — not only will you potentially get to see some incredible flower blooms, but the grass will also be a thick bright green. Here’s the same meadow in April:

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Tagged as: Hiking, La Jolla Valley Natural Preserve, Meadows, Mugu Lagoon, Mugu Peak, Point Mugu State Park, Santa Monica Mountains, Ventura County