Musch Trail to Eagle Rock

Panoramic Views of Surrounding Canyons and Ocean – Beautiful Oak Groves and Meadows

Date: December 18, 2011
Time: 9:00 am
Near: Topanga, CA 90290
Distance: 7.25 miles round trip
Difficulty:  Moderate
Elevation: 800 feet
Hike Time: 4 1/2 hours
Trail Type: Trail/Fire Road
Hike Type: Loop
Higlights:  Beautiful meadows, oak groves, panoramic views, impressive Eagle Rock 

Summary: Trippet Ranch is the main entrance and parking area for Topanga State Park. We will start at the Musch Trail along a grassy hillside and soon plunge into the shade of oak and bay trees.  We pass a trail campground and soon begin our winding ascent through chaparral.  Soon we will see the imposing Eagle Rock.  This layered sandstone outcrop is pitted with caves and is part of a 15 million year-old Topanga Canyon Formation. Eagle Rock is easily the most impressive landmark in Topanga State Park and affords great panoramic views of the surrounding canyons and the ocean.  Back on the fire road, we continue along the ridgeline to “hub junction.”  We will take a short detour to Cathedral Rock before we continue our descent back to Trippet Ranch.