At first, when you turn inland off Pacific Coast Highway onto Busch Drive by Zuma Canyon, the canyon looks like many others in the Santa Monica Mountains: huge haciendas perched on precipitous slopes. But the road winds up to a dead end with parking at the beginning of the trail. Hike for Zuma Loop is 9.8 total miles, 1,700 feet.. but you can just do the Zuma Ridge Trail, 1 mi to get to the creek. The seasonal creek cascades over magnificent sandstone boulders, a jungle of willow and lush streamside flora, fern-fringed pools and towering rock walls.

Zuma Canyon, which opened to public use in 1989, is one of the gems, if not the scenic gem, of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Over 15 years of National Park Service stewardship have brought improved trails, better access and signage to the canyon; however, the agency wisely left well enough alone, preserving the wild and remote flavor of this rugged country. There are even courtesy maps at the foot of the trail, by the large posted trail map. Enjoy your hiking… you may even come across, horses and riders on the trail. Dogs okay on leash, Kids okay.. no leash necessary for them…. oh ya.. and watch out for those New Zealand Mud Snails..??

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