This hike definitely has something for everyone. The parking lot is located directly off of the Pacific Coast Highway and from there it is a 1 mile walk up a paved road past some HUGE Malibu homes to the trailhead. Great people watching on the walk to the trailhead.
Once at the trailhead there is about a 2 mile walk through the canyon to the base of the falls. This walk is moderate over decently maintained trails and criss-crosses a creek several times. There were also several tree falls that needed to be navigated.
The base of the falls was much more impressive than I expected. Water dripped down from several overhanging tiers of rock and plant life into a clear pool at the bottom. There was no clear or obvious path to the top of the falls so I had to scout around the area to find the trail. Loose rock to the right side of the falls appeared to be a path of least resistance that had been used before for the same purpose previously. Although a short climb distance wise it was challenging as I had to use my hands while scrambling over lose rock to gain the top. Do not attempt unless comfortable with heights and scrambling over loose rock.
Once at the top I was able to look down into clear pools of water that flowed over the precipice and form the falls. Previous hikers had taken time to carve their names into several trees at the top.
View from the side as water flowed off the top of the falls.
The view into the canyon floor with the Pacific Ocean in the background. A truly wonderful hike that surprised me with its beauty and the challenge of scrambling to the top of the falls. Definitely a hike I would return to and do again.
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