Sandstone Peak

Mishe Mokwa Trail

Sandstone Peak, highest peak in the Santa Monica Mountains, is one of the highlights of a visit to Circle X Ranch, 1,655 acres of National Park Service land on the border of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. The park boasts more than 15 miles of trail plus a much-needed public campground.

Half a century ago the land belonged to a number of gentlemen ranchers, including movie actor Donald Crisp, who starred in How Green was My Valley. Members of the Exchange Club purchased the nucleus of the park in 1949 for $25,000 and gave it to the Boy Scouts. The emblem for the Exchange Club was a circled X--hence the name of the ranch.

During the 1960s, in an attempt to honor Circle X benefactor Herbert Allen, the Scouts petitioned the United States Department of the Interior to rename Sandstone Peak. The request for “Mt. Allen” was denied because of a long-standing policy that prohibited naming geographical features after living persons. Nevertheless, the Scouts held an “unofficial” dedication ceremony in 1969 to honor their leader.

Sandstone Peak--or Mt. Allen if you prefer--offers outstanding views from its 3,111-foot summit. If the three-mile up-and-back hike to the peak isn’t sufficiently taxing, park rangers can suggest some terrific extensions.

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The hike: From the signed trailhead, walk up the fire road. A short quarter-mile of travel brings you to a signed junction with Mishe Mokwa Trail. Leave the fire road here and join the trail, which climbs and contours over the brushy slopes of Boney Mountain.

Breaks in the brush offer good views to the right of historic Triunfo Pass, which was used by the Chumash to travel inland to coastal areas. Mishe Mokwa Trail levels for a time and tunnels beneath some handsome red shanks.

The trail then descends into Carlisle Canyon. Across the canyon are some striking red volcanic formations, among them well-named Balanced Rock. The path, shaded by oak and laurel, drops into the canyon at another aptly-named rock formation--Split Rock.

Split Rock is the locale of an old trail camp, shaded by oak and sycamore. An all-year creek and a spring add to the camp’s charm.

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From Split Rock continue on the trail and begin your ascent out of Carlisle Canyon. From the road’s high point, look straight ahead up at a pyramid-like volcanic rock formation the Boy Scouts call Egyptian Rock. To the northwest is Point Mugu State Park. You are now walking on the Backbone Trail.

The fire road turns south and you’ll pass a trail camp located amid some cottonwoods. Past the camp, the fire road angles east. Look sharply to the right for a short, unsigned trail that leads to Inspiration Point. Mount Baldy and Catalina are among the inspiring sights pointed out by a geographical locator monument.

Continue ascending on the fire road. After a few switchbacks look for a steep trail on the right. Follow this trail to the top of Sandstone Peak. “Sandstone” is certainly a misnomer; the peak is one of the largest masses of volcanic rock in the Santa Monica Mountains. Sign the summit register and enjoy commanding, clear-day views: the Topatopa Mountains, haunt of the condors, the Oxnard Plain, the Channel Islands, and the wide blue Pacific.

After you’ve enjoyed the view, you’ll descend a bit more than a mile on the fire road back to the trailhead.

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