Calabasas Cold Creek

For decades, this location was a part of the Cold Creek Preserve which was kept strictly isolated to sustain the pristine habitat. In the past, visitors required written permission to enter the site before they could even get a map to the Calabasas Cold Creek Secret Trail. Nowadays, the Calabasas Cold Creek Secret Trail is open to the public, and the habitat remains spectacular.  Scientists and students at the nearby UCLA Stunt Ranch come here for biodiversity research, while L.A. County experts use the water quality metrics as the standard for other bodies of water in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Calabasas Cold Creek bench with man sitting and smiling
Calabasas Cold Creek rock formations
Calabasas Cold Creek bench
Calabasas Cold Creek trail view
Calabasas Cold Creek bench
Calabasas Cold Creek hills at sunset

Mulholland Hwy Trailhead 34°07'34.9"N 118°39'27.1"W - 2.6 mi RT

Bench coordinates: 34°07'09.4"N 118°39'05.4"W

    • Start on the 101 Freeway driving towards Calabasas

    • Exit 31 at Las Virgenes Canyon

    • Turn towards Pacific Coast (west) on to Las Virgenes Canyon, drive 1.5 miles

    • Turn left on Mulholland Highway, drive 1.6 miles

      • Address number is counterintuitive as it abruptly jumps up to the 34000 block after being in the 24000 and 25000 block

      • If you see Mountain Park Drive … you’ve just missed the trailhead. Turn around and come back 500 yards  

    • MRCA Signage, but no street address

    • Free parking on Mulholland Highway; please park off the asphalt on the side of the road

    • WiFi and cellphone access the whole way

    • No bathroom and no water

    • Trailhead is immediately behind the sign, the first 10 yards are quite steep. There is an easier trailhead about 50 yards to your right that also connects to the same main trail

    • Main trail is hiking path that curves up and around the mountain, running parallel to Mulholland Highway heading back the way you came

      • Many cutbacks to manage the climb, some ascent and descent en route

    • Halfway to the bench there is a hairpin turn and you will lose sight and sound of Mulholland Highway

    • You will see a trail marker

    • On your left is a large sandstone feature, marking the crest of the hill – on your right are more large sandstone features; the main trail heads between these over the crest

      • Before you get to the crest, there is a smaller trail to your right, the texture of the trail is soft and dusty, take this trail

      • The smaller bench access trail heads up and to your right

        • The bench will be about 100 yards up on your left

        • The bench is not visible from the main trail

    • Skill level 3; easy to find

    • Plenty of ascent and descents, some moments of walking next to a steep drop, crossing very small seasonal streams

    • Bring water, a hat, sunscreen, extra jacket, closed toe shoes and printed map

    • Intermittent shade, plenty of direct sun

    • No wheelchair accessibility

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Calabasas Cold Creek Trailhead

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