Dead Horse Trail to Eagle Rock

Eagle Rock is amazing.  I remember the first time I was on this hike, I was expecting a boulder outcrop like Sandstone Peak. At the last leg of the hike, you turn a bend and see Eagle Rock for the first time.  So that's what all the fuss is about!   In comparison to Sandstone Peak, Eagle Rock is huge.  See the photo below and notice how small the people are! And the hike through meadows and oaks is beautiful.   I like the loop, so it looks like this:  Dead Horse to Musch to Eagle Rock Fire Road to Eagle Rock.  For the return trip, back down the fire road and continue past the Musch trailhead.  Now you are on Eagle Springs Fire Road, follow that to a trail that breaks to the right, and will lead to Trippet Ranch.  Cross the bridge and get back on Dead Horse trail to Entrada Rd. This  is a very popular trail, but the trek from Dead Horse to Trippet Ranch isn't as well traveled, and it goes through meadows and woodland which is green and colorful (lots of different kinds of wildflowers) after a rain.
From Pacific Coast Highway, take Topanga Canyon for  4.7 miles, past the little town of Topanga  to Entrada Rd.  Turn right and go about .1 mile.  There are a few spots to park underneath big trees in a dirt shoulder to the right.  Dead Horse trail is across the street.

Eagle Rock

Its about .4 miles to Trippet Ranch, and with only 100 ft. elevation gain, its an easy trail.  We have seen deer in the meadows!  Enjoy the shade of the oaks and the peacefulness of lone traveling, because you'll have company once on the Musch Trail.  There are bathroom facilities in the parking lot at Trippet Ranch, turn right off the Dead Horse Trail to access these.  If not, cross the road and turn left to get to Musch Trailhead.
The 2.1 miles of the Musch Trail will be shady and oak-lined, and you will have a 620 ft. elevation gain...the trail starts out easy but it does get steep near the end.
Musch trail ends at "The Hub", a place where a few trails intersect.  Turn left at end of trail to continue up, up, up to Eagle Rock via Eagle Rock fire road, about .5 mile hike.  Its hot and steep, and you don't see the rock until halfway through, then you get a second wind because it is HUGE and you want to get there and hang your feet over the edge.  Well, maybe not, but at least climb to the top.

Eagle Springs FR. Eagle Rock in background.

On the descent, pass Musch Trail and continue on the fire road, which turned into Eagle Springs Fireroad. Take  It is a 2 mile trek to Trippet Ranch from Eagle Rock. Cross over the bridge and turn left to catch the .4 mile long Dead Horse trail back to car.


Total hike distance is about 5.5 miles, mostly shade, but the fire roads can get super hot and make the 900 ft. elevation gain strenuous.  I also recommend going with someone who has hiked this trail, as with any others near Topanga because the intersecting trails can be confusing. Hike in early morning to escape crowds and heat!