Cornell, California
Traveled west for once to try out some unique rocks by the Santa Monica's. Malibu Creek State Park is home to some of the most popular volcanic rock. The area is filled to the brink with hueco formations and is often quite crowded. Despite the "No Diving" signs, Rock Pool is popular for its... well, cliff diving. The trail is a mixture of easy, exposed hiking mixed in with a canopy of shading trees. Rattlesnakes were singing in the grass so be extra careful with where you step.
Malibu Creek State Park is also known for its sport climbing. Once you reach Rock Pool, take a 5.0 traverse through the far wall where you'll reach the first series of bolts, Stumbling Blocks. The traverse is almost all 4th class expect for a small challenging cave section. Had a one hour traffic jam due to some hikers getting stuck at this section. Apparently you can loop the trail through to a dam all the way back to the parking lot. I'll have to leave this for another day.
Distance: 3.5 miles (Out-and-Back)
Elevation Gain: Flat most of the way.
Final Elevation: ~520 ft.
Directions to Malibu Creek State Park: Use the following coordinates in Google Maps to route your directions to the entrance of the park. Pay a $12 entrance fee and continue on to the second parking lot. Look for a bathroom with a neighboring soda vending machine. Head west across the street and you'll find some stairs leading to the start of the trail.
34.100778, -118.711226
Parking lot.
Beginning of the trail.
It's hot!
Not sure where this leads you but makes for a cool picture.
Follow signs to the Visitor Center. The trail to Rock Pool passes along side it.
Turn left here towards the Visitor Center.
Continuing on...
Passing by the Planet of the Apes Wall (all top rope).
Last stretch.
Made it!
#12.
We were climbing today so we had to get through the 5.0 traverse. Hated it. Here's the start of the traverse.
First climb of the day. Stumbling Blocks - Blockbuster.
Another climb. Stumbling Blocks - Unknown (nice warm up).
Chris's Difficulty Scale (to Rock Pool) - 1/10
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