The Best Trailhead for Trail Running in Malibu Creek State Park

Talepop Trail - Malibu Creek State Park

In a 2013 post, I suggested that the Cistern/Phantom Trailhead on Mulholland Highway might be the best trailhead to start the Bulldog Loop.

More than 10 years and a lot of trail running miles later, I still prefer to do the Bulldog Loop from that trailhead. More than that, most of the trail runs I do in Malibu Creek State Park are from the Cistern/Phantom Trailhead.

There are two key reasons — the scenery is spectacular and the route options endless. Over the past year, I’ve run from the Cistern/Phantom Trailhead a dozen times, on routes ranging from 2 to 23 miles.

Two of those runs were this March. One was on March 9. I’d done the Bulldog Loop several times recently, so the idea was to do a Bulldog-length run, without doing the Bulldog Loop. It was a “follow my nose” run that included Reagan Ranch, Malibou Lake overlook, Crags Road, Tapia Spur Trail, Grasslands Trail, Talepop Trail, Las Virgenes Trail, Liberty Canyon Trail, and Phantom Trail. It turned out to be about 17 miles, with an elevation gain/loss of about 2400′.

I enjoyed that run so much, I came back a week later and did a similar run. But this time the route included the Bulldog Loop. The idea was to use established trails and do the longest loop I could in Malibu Creek State Park, without repeating any part of the route. The run turned out to be about 23 miles, with around 4200′ gain/loss.

It was an outstanding run, with a delicate creek crossing, eye-catching halo, green hills, Spring wildflowers, and an unusual encounter with a Great Blue Heron (video).

Here’s an interactive, 3-D terrain view of the 23-mile loop in Malibu Creek State Park, and a few photos from the run.

Some related posts:
Best Trailhead to Start the Bulldog Loop?
Bulldog Loop Plus the Phantom Loop
Reagan Ranch at Sunrise
Wandering Around Malibu Creek State Park
Spring Fever Running the Phantom Loop in Malibu Creek State Park
Late Start on the Bulldog Loop

If Running at Ahmanson Could Always Be Like This…

Green hills and clouds in Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve

Cool weather, light winds, picturesque clouds, and Dales-green hills… If running in Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve (Ahmanson Ranch) could always be like this.

Here are a few more photos from the run.

Some related posts:
After the Kenneth Fire: The Theme is Green
Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve (Ahmanson Ranch) After the 2025 Kenneth Fire

After the Kenneth Fire: The Theme is Green

Green hills in Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve (Ahmanson Ranch), nearly two months after the Kenneth Fire.

The theme is green in Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve (Ahmanson Ranch), nearly two months after the Kenneth Fire.

This photo contrasts unburned and burned terrain along a firebreak and containment line in East Las Virgenes Canyon.

Some related posts:
Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve (Ahmanson Ranch) After the 2025 Kenneth Fire
Mountain Lion Tracks in Upper Las Virgenes Canyon
2025 Kenneth Fire Perimeter and Some Area Trails