La Jolla Valley Gear Checklist
The La Jolla Valley Hike-In is a dry camp on a grassy plateau above the coast in Point Mugu State Park. Nothing here supplies water, and the park currently tells campers to pack in their own. People who stayed carried a stove because campfires are banned, rain gear for storms that blow in off the ocean, a headlamp, and a way to keep food in the new table boxes safe from coyotes. Writers disagree with each other and with the National Park Service on the number of sites, the fee, and which trail is the way in.
What shapes your gear on La Jolla Valley Hike-In
- Sites and distance off the Backbone Trail
- The National Park Service counts just 3 tent spaces and no water or fires, and places the camp 0.5 miles off the Backbone Trail. A 2007 hiker described numbered sites, including a secluded site 5 in an oak grove, and a group site that could hold about ten tents. He noted that a fallen tree had shifted the group camp restroom off its base.
From National Park Service, Santa Monica Mountains NRA and Pete Warden's blog
- The walk in
- In 2007 the way in was the La Jolla Canyon trail for 2.5 miles with about 600 feet of gain, past a waterfall that had run dry. A 2015 camper and a 2016 hiker both found that route washed out, so they reached the valley by the Ray Miller Trail and the Overlook Fire Road instead.
From Pete Warden's blog, Wild Southland and Scott Turner Hikes
- Fire damage
- The Springs Fire burned the camp in 2013. Two writers after the fire found the vegetation recovering but messy. One said park staff were clearing brush to restore the camp.
From Wild Southland and Scott Turner Hikes
- Fee and how to pay
- The National Park Service lists $10 per night, paid at an automatic machine at the La Jolla and Ray Miller parking area. A 2015 camper confirms the self-serve terminal at the Ray Miller trailhead. The 2007 fee of $3 per person was collected at the Thornhill Broome beach booth.
From National Park Service, Santa Monica Mountains NRA, Wild Southland and Pete Warden's blog
- Crowds and wildlife at night
- Both overnight writers were nearly alone on a full-moon night and heard coyotes close to camp. The state park also posts a notice about mountain lion sightings in the Point Mugu area.
From Pete Warden's blog, Wild Southland and California State Parks
What the agency requires on La Jolla Valley Hike-In
Packing in all your water
The state park says water is shut off at the La Jolla day use area and group camp for maintenance, and tells hikers and campers to pack in their own. The National Park Service says the hike-in camp itself has no water.
From California State Parks and National Park Service, Santa Monica Mountains NRA
No campfires
The National Park Service lists the hike-in camp as a site with no fires. Cooking happens on a stove.
Leaving dogs at home
Point Mugu bars dogs from its backcountry trails and dirt roads. Leashed dogs are allowed only in day use areas, campgrounds and beaches.
Paying the nightly fee at the parking area
The fee is listed at $10 per night, paid by an automatic machine at the La Jolla and Ray Miller parking area.
What hikers carry on La Jolla Valley Hike-In
Every drop of water for the stay
No source supplies it at the camp, and the park says the nearby La Jolla facilities are shut off. The 2007 couple judged they had brought too much after a gruelling climb of about 600 feet, and a solo hiker in the same area advises carrying lots of water. Pack for dinner and breakfast along with the walk.
From National Park Service, Santa Monica Mountains NRA, California State Parks, Pete Warden's blog and Monica Goes
A compact gas stove
Campfires are banned, and the 2007 couple cooked on a new compact gas stove. A 2015 camper made coffee the next morning without a fire.
From National Park Service, Santa Monica Mountains NRA, Pete Warden's blog and Wild Southland
Rain gear and a tent that sheds rain
Rain fell on the 2007 couple as they arrived and they needed to pitch quickly. A 2016 hiker came equipped with a poncho, and rain set in by the time the hiker reached Mugu Peak. The hiker saw another group in shorts and cotton shirts caught in the downpour.
From Pete Warden's blog and Scott Turner Hikes
A headlamp
A hiker on a day loop from the Sycamore Canyon campground was caught by dusk in a canyon with no headlamp, and walked on past mountain lion caves. The state park also posts a notice about mountain lion sightings.
From Monica Goes and California State Parks
Trekking poles or a walking stick
A 2016 hiker came with trekking poles and climbed the very steep Mugu Peak Trail. A solo hiker on a day loop through the valley kept a walking stick pointed out when mountain lion caves came into view.
From Scott Turner Hikes and Monica Goes
Food sealed in the table box, not a canister
In 2015 the park had added a new food box to the picnic table at each site, and the campers kept their food there away from small animals. The 2015 campers heard coyotes close by, and so did the 2007 couple. Check that the box is still in place before you rely on it.
From Wild Southland and Pete Warden's blog
Long pants and boots for the grass
The valley grass stands knee high in spring. A solo hiker advises high boots and long pants against rattlesnakes.
From Scott Turner Hikes and Monica Goes
Going as a group? Split this list between you so nobody carries two stoves.
Plan a trip hereWhat hikers regret or leave behind on La Jolla Valley Hike-In
Cotton shirts and shorts when a storm is coming
On the Chumash Trail a 2016 hiker saw a group walk up in shorts and cotton T-shirts just before a heavy downpour. He had a poncho and poles.
From Scott Turner Hikes
Skipping the headlamp on a long day
A solo hiker misjudged the descent from Mugu Peak after taking extra trail from the Sycamore Canyon campground, had no headlamp, and ran the last part to the trailhead as the canyons darkened.
From Monica Goes
Too much water for the short walk in
The 2007 couple found the 2.5 mile route harder than expected with about 600 feet of gain and said they had brought too much water.
From Pete Warden's blog
Gear questions for La Jolla Valley Hike-In
Is there drinking water at the La Jolla Valley Hike-In?
No. The National Park Service says the camp has no water, and the state park says the nearby La Jolla facilities are shut off for maintenance and tells campers to pack in their own. A 2007 couple found a dry waterfall on the way up.
From National Park Service, Santa Monica Mountains NRA, California State Parks and Pete Warden's blog
Can you use a stove at the La Jolla Valley Hike-In?
Campfires are not allowed, and the National Park Service lists the camp as no fires. A 2007 couple cooked on a small gas stove, and a 2015 camper used a stove for coffee.
From National Park Service, Santa Monica Mountains NRA, Pete Warden's blog and Wild Southland
How many tents fit at the La Jolla Valley Hike-In?
The National Park Service says 3 tent spaces. A 2007 hiker described more numbered sites and a group site for about ten tents, but that was before the 2013 Springs Fire burned the camp.
From National Park Service, Santa Monica Mountains NRA, Pete Warden's blog and Wild Southland
What trail leads to the La Jolla Valley Hike-In?
The shortest way in 2007 was the La Jolla Canyon trail at about 2.5 miles. A 2015 camper and a 2016 hiker found that trail washed out and took the Ray Miller Trail to the Overlook Fire Road instead, which adds mileage. Ask the park which route is open on your dates.
From Pete Warden's blog, Wild Southland and Scott Turner Hikes
Sources
- Camping on the Backbone Trail · National Park Service, Santa Monica Mountains NRA · Agency
- Point Mugu State Park · California State Parks · Agency
- La Jolla Valley hike-in campground · Pete Warden's blog, Pete Warden · Blog
- Glamping at La Jolla Valley Trail Camp · Wild Southland · Blog
- Trip Report: La Jolla Valley and Mugu Peak · Scott Turner Hikes, Scott Turner · Trip report
- Hiking La Jolla Valley to Point Mugu · Monica Goes, Monica · Blog