Started off my weekend with a 6 mile hike on a sunny and clear day. The hike starts on the trailhead for Backbone Trail (conspicuos board after 6 miles on Yerba Buena road from PCH). After ~0.3 miles on backbone, you will see the sign indicating the start of Mishe Mokwa Trail.

Trailhead for Mishe Mokwa

View of the valley

View of the valley

The trail is not shaded for the most part and offers a good 360 view of the valley.

Even a small shade was welcoming

Fern

Glimpse of the sky

Pretty backdrop

Boulder right on the edge

Saw quite a few of these lizards (I don’t like them much)

Mishe Mokwa Trail merges on to the trail leading to Sandstone peak. Its the highest point in Santa Monica Mountains. The path to the peak is way steeper, a bit rocky and short. I was hiking with a bad back already; so I decided to play it safe and skip it.  I feel like my back got better with the hike, sooo keep hiking! :)

Still caught some pretty gorgeous views of the hills.

I liked this trail mainly for the views it offered but would prefer to go really early to avoid the scorching sun. It’s great for a sweaty workout. But the terrain is more rugged & dry and not as green as I would like.

http://alltrails.com/trail/us/california/mishe-mokwa-trail-to-sandstone-peak-trail