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THE GROTTO HIKE

     DISTANCE:   2.6 Miles Roundtrip, plus .5 mile to and from
                             the upper parking area (3.1 miles total)
     ELEVATION: 1080'
     ELEVATION GAIN:  -580' from the parking lot
     TYPE: Out-and-back
     HIKING TIME: 1.5 Hours
     RATING:  Strenuous
     FEATURES: Views of Sandstone Peak, Santa Monica 

                           Mountains and a hidden grotto with seasonal
                           waterfall

TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS


WILDFLOWERS ON THE GROTTO TRAIL

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Bush Monkey Flower
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Hummingbird Trumpet
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Brittlebrush

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The Grotto is an almost otherworldly tumble of rocks and boulders that form a semi-circular cave at the lower end of a canyon below Sandstone Peak. During the rainy season, a small waterfall forms from the above creek bed and cascades down the inner recesses of the Grotto. The boulder field surrounding the Grotto provides plenty of opportunity to boulder and crawl around in unexplored spaces. Adventurous hikers can even make their way around the inside of the Grotto itself to get up close with the waterfall when it is flowing. The trail to the Grotto, however, can be somewhat deceptive. To start, there is a .25 mile hike from the parking area to the trailhead, which adds .5 roundtrip to the hiking distance. This fact is sometimes left out when describing the 1.3 mile trail to the Grotto on other sites and should be kept in mind when planning a trip. The trail also descends nearly 600' to the Grotto meaning you will be hiking uphill on the return trip with the bulk of that elevation change happening in the first third - or last third, depending on your perspective - of the hike. This can make for a very strenuous climb back to the parking area. The descent down the trail is actually fairly easy and after that initial sharp descent levels out to a more moderate and at times even easy trek. In fact, you will probably forget the steepness until you start huffing and puffing at the end of your hike, wondering where this incline came from. The trail ends at the boulder field above the Grotto, and you will have to scramble over some steep drops in the rocks to access the final destination. But the end result is worth the effort with some great views of Sandstone Peak and the surrounding mountains. While the trail is family and dog friendly, it is advised against letting small children scramble over the rocks to the Grotto and dogs are not permitted past the boulder field.

Click the full frame icon in the upper right corner for a larger map in a separate window.

Directions to Trailhead

Circle X Ranch
12896 Yerba Buena Road
Malibu, CA 90265 

Take the PCH Highway through Malibu. Turn right up Yerba Buena Road (alongside Neptune’s Net Restaurant) and continue for 5.5 miles until you arrive at the Circle X Ranch Ranger Station (on the right). Park here and follow the signs to the trailhead. Rest rooms and water are available at the Circle X Ranch Campground's host building. Pit toilets and water spigots are also available in the campground by the trailhead. Additional day use parking is located on the dirt road below the host building.

The Grotto Trail Guide

Click for printable .pdf trail guide and map.
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Parking

       Day use parking is located at the campground host building. 
       Overflow parking is located down the hill below the host building.

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Rest Rooms and Water

         A water fountain and restrooms are located at the campground 
         host building.

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Trailhead

           The trail begins .25 mile below the parking area.

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Trail Junction 1

      About a quarter mile into the trail you will reach the junction with
     a trail coming down from the Yerba Buena Road above. Turn to 
     your right and continue down the wooden steps.


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Open Clearing

        The trail opens up to a wide clearing with great views of the 
        surrounding mountains.

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Canyon View

Just after the clearing you'll find great vantage point to look
        down into the canyon.

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Oak Clearing

The trail opens up into a large clearing shaded with overhanging 
        oak.

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Boulder Field

The creek bed gives way to a tumble of boulders above and 
        behind the grotto. You will have to scramble down the boulders to
        find the grotto. This area is steep and small children should be 
        discouraged from attempting the climb down. Dogs are not 
        permitted past this point.

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End of Trail

       Congratulations! You've found the Grotto, a semi-circle-like cave
       with a small pond. During the rainy season, a small waterfall 
       tumbles down the interior of the grotto.

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Oak Clearing
LIghtbox feature now active. Click on any trail photo for a larger version.
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Trailhead
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Grotto Trail
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Trail Junction 1
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Sandstone Peak from Trail
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Canyon View
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Top Of Boulder Field
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The Grotto

Grotto Slideshow - with additional photos

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