Along the way are interesting outcroppings of sandstone that, to the creative eye, take on some interesting shapes, such as the Howling Wolf and the Curious Man, a cliff face that seems to show a man with his head cocked toward the trail. Upon exiting the picnic area, hiker's again begin to ascend on a gradual incline around the north side of Sandstone Peak toward Tri Peaks. As the Mishe Mokwa section of the hike approaches the Split Rock Picnic Area, the trail descends briefly through a lush riparian landscape that more closely resembles an eastern forest than southern California scrub. The trail begins with a moderately steep ascent, but levels off into a fairly easy stroll as it winds it through the canyon. The rock is a massive triangular boulder perched precariously on a promontory on the opposite side of the canyon. From the parking area, hikers pass through a towering forest of coastal chaparral in the canyon east of Sandstone Peak and past the gravity defying Balance Rock. This loop hike to the top of the Santa Monica Mountains' highest summit, Sandstone Peak, incorporates both the Mishe Mokwa Trail and sections of the Backbone trail for a 6.25 mile trek through three distinct environments and interesting sandstone formations.

Backbone trail water fountains