Starting out on the valley floor with a long climb ahead. The plan is to take the same roughly 14 mile route as the Malibu Creek Xterra race.
Looking up at the ridge. Hard to believe I'll be up there soon.
Some nice scenery along the valley floor.
Some great terrain in this area. I just wish there was more singletrack.
One of the few sections of singletrack on this route.
Still water in Malibu Creek.
Crossing Malibu Creek.
I wish it was like this the whole way!
Running along a dry creek bed.
About as technical as it gets on this trail.
Malibu Creek is where the M*A*S*H TV show was filmed in the 70s. There's a small historic site here with remains of some of the vehicles used on the original…
Signage showing the cast and crew at this exact spot almost 40 years ago.
Ready to head up the (in)famous Bulldog Road. Over 2,000' of gain in just over four miles. Four contiguous 500' miles on a hot day here can be pretty brutal.
Almost the whole climb is spent staring up at the ridge getting ever so slowly closer.
Getting closer.
The towers that were once tiny are now at-hand. Over halfway up to the ridge.
Great views of the valley below on a clear day.
You can see Malibu Lake in the distance.
The climb seems neverending, but the ridge is in sight.
Made it to the ridge. Level ground at last!