When I have a Sunday free in-town, I usually like to attend my trail running club’s weekly long run site – which this week was at beautiful Sycamore Canyon in Malibu, followed by a pitch-in picnic at Sycamore Cove Beach!
Sycamore Canyon and Sycamore Cove are both part of Point Mugu State Park, which straddles the border between Malibu and Naval Air Station Point Mugu. Having never run in the area before as it’s fairly far from where we live (and doesn’t allow dogs), I learned that much of the route overlaps with the Ray Miller 50, a very popular local race. While the ocean views and rocks were incredible, it was also an extremely hot day, even for the ocean breeze of Malibu with highs around 80 at the ocean and only climbing the further inland we went. Combined with full sun and very little wind, it was a sweaty endeavor uphill rewarded by beautiful outlooks of the ocean and rocky inland.
Running with another member who had just done 25 miles the day before and so was at my slow pace, I managed to go through 1,750ml of hydration!
Luckily, once we started our descent, more trees showed up and the breeze helped us through the canyon back to the beach where we were thankful for fresh bean tacos, carne asada, salsa, baked goods, and more. Pretty sure I ate back everything I burned and maybe beyond!
- Trip type: Trail Running
- Distance: 10 Miles
- Altitude Gain: 1400 Feet
- Length: 1 day
Yeah it’s hot out there… but the potluck bean tacos and carne asada at the end made up for it! That’s a good distance on such a day.. btw my heart rate maxes out on the elliptical at 152, which is close to the “recommended” age-predicted max heart rate (207- 49 = 158). I only stay there for a minute or so tho. The 1.75 L of water is good, I’m sure you were sweating a lot too. Now start planning for Dec 6, 2026, and the 50K at the Ray Miller 50!