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Castro Mesa Buttress

California > Los Angeles Basin > Santa Monica Mountains

Description

Prominent buttress in the scenic summit area atop Corral Canyon in Malibu. Many other scattered sandstone outcrops hereabouts, most of them fairly small. The approach is along the southern segment of the 15-mile trail loop that eventually (after a 1.5-2 hrs hike) descends to run through Malibu Creek State Park to the north. Area known more for trail running, hiking, and mountain biking. The famous Back Bone Trail that stretches from Will Rogers State Park all the way to Point Mugu runs through here, along a breathtaking crestline with beautiful views of ocean on one side and the Malibu backcountry on the other.

Getting There

Off of the Pacific Coast Hwy in coastal Malibu, turn north onto Corral Canyon Rd and follow that all the way up. Near the mountaintop, after the pavement ends, the dirt road soon connects to the junction of the Castro Fire Road and the Mesa Peak Fire Road. Parking area has a trash bin but no restroom facilities. From the parking area, hike eastward and uphill along the Mesa Peak Fire Road for about 5 minutes, past a set of slanted sandstone fins and up to the next rocky peak. The prominent buttress is downhill and not far north of the rocky trail, with Cohiba Crack visible on its south face.

Routes from Left to Right

5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a PG13
 1
● Cohiba Crack
Trad
Route Name Location Star Rating Difficulty Date
● Cohiba Crack
 1
5.9 5c 17 VI 17 HVS 5a PG13 Trad

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Cohiba Crack on Castro Mesa Buttress, taken from the Mesa Peak Fire Road.  1 Feb 2014.
[Hide Photo] Cohiba Crack on Castro Mesa Buttress, taken from the Mesa Peak Fire Road. 1 Feb 2014.