Nature’s race to reclaim the landscape begins even before the wildfires are extinguished. The Woolsey Fire swept through Puerco Canyon in 2018; more recently, the Franklin and Palisades fires threatened this public parkland and homes surrounding it.

A spring visit to Puerco Canyon revealed hillsides green with fast-growing non-native black mustard, wild oats and fennel. These invasive plants spread rapidly in the months after a wildfire, displacing native plants and subsequently drying out, becoming highly flammable, and contributing to the greater risk of future fires. But there were also hopeful signs of recovery at every turn. “Fire followers” such as bush mallow and lupine –  with seeds that wait in the soil to take advantage of minerals added by light exposure created by the burning of larger shrubs – were evident along the fire road (Puerco Canyon Motorway) and side trails. Green stalks of giant wildrye grass reached for the sky and towered over non-native mustard and clusters of milk thistle. Laurel sumac and narrowleaf milkweed, an important host plant for Monarch butterflies in California, were coming back green and robust.

Even the slower-growing chaparral – California sagebrush, ceanothus, various species of redberry (Rhamnus spp.)  – were showing signs of regrowth at their bases. These evergreen plants may take years to recover, but they will eventually come back as strong as ever, especially when the landscape is left in peace to recover on its own terms.

• This hike follows a fire road (Puerco Canyon Motorway) to two benches, half a mile apart, each with splendid uninhibited views of the Pacific Ocean and Malibu coast. 

• The well-maintained fire road is used by both hikers and mountain bikers. Each bench is located just off the fire road.

• There is no shade; bring sunscreen, hats and plenty of water. Expect some overgrowth and uneven terrain along the fire road and side trails in the spring following winter rains.

• Cell phone and WiFi coverage is limited; bring printed maps or download maps in advance.

• At the intersection for the first bench, a wooden post on the left marks the Zev Yaroslavsky Coastal Slope Trail. Also known as the Puerco Canyon Motorway connector, this trail branches off the main fire road and links to trails in nearby Corral Canyon. It is part of a long-term project to create a contiguous trail connecting public spaces between Topanga State Park and Point Mugu State Park in the far western Santa Monica Mountains.

• Follow Pacific Coast Highway north toward Malibu.

• Approximately 2.8 miles north of the Malibu Pier, turn right on Puerco Canyon Road and follow it 1.2 miles until it ends at the trailhead gate.

• 3817 Puerco Canyon Road; free parking on Puerco Canyon Road before gate (be sure to stay behind the white lines); 1 port-a-potty at trailhead.

• Begin at the fire road gate at the end of paved Puerco Canyon Road, 1.2 miles north of Pacific Coast Highway.

• The trail starts a steady ascent north along the fire road. At 0.6 mile, you will come to a clearing and trail marker for Zev Yaroslavsky Coastal Slope Trail. The bench is just beyond the marker on the left. 

• To reach the second bench, return to the fire road and continue following it uphill for another 0.6 mile to a Y with a bench marker. Take the trail to the left and follow it a short distance to the bench. 

• Those looking to extend their hike may continue another 1.8 miles along the fire road to a turnoff for a third bench (Mesa Peak). This bench may also be accessed via Malibu Canyon Road and the Backbone Trail. Directions and more information can be found here.