Newton & Zuma Canyon Falls

Three waterfalls in one short hike?!...I'll take it! That's what you'll get if you make the visit to these falls in the Santa Monica mountains in Malibu. The trailhead starts on Kanan Dume road, which is also where the Backbone trail meets. Park in the designated (free) parking area and take the vegetated downhill trail about .2 miles until you get to an unmarked junction. Take the trail to the left for another .2 miles which will lead you to a vertical 25-foot hidden waterfall. Once making your way down to the base of the falls, soak up the scenery and get a few shots. From here is where the fun begins!

 To see the other two waterfalls, be prepared to rock hop downstream. There's no immediate trail, so your only option is to hike through the water or scramble across the rocks. (Warning: The scramble can be easy or difficult, depending on how intense the flow of the stream is.) Hike your way downstream towards Lower Newton Canyon Falls. You'll know when you've arrived because the end of the stream will take you to a sheer cliff which is the top of Lower Newton falls. From here take the slightly beaten trail to the left and make your way on a steep downhill slope to the base of the 30-foot waterfall. I personally enjoyed this fall a bit more then Upper Newton Falls. The forecast and composition made for great photographs. Another couple hundred feet is where Zuma and Newton creeks join. Stay right for another 5-10 minutes until you get to Zuma Canyon Falls.

Note: I learned my lesson the hard way after being careless hiking through some brush of poison oak, so cover up and be careful! Zuma Falls is only about 23-feet tall, but this was my favorite of the three. So I guess you can say the waterfalls just keep getting better and better!...lol. This has a spectacular setting with the falls dropping over a sandstone ledge and surrounded by large caves. On a warm day, feel free to take a dip in the water! When done, make your way back the way you came.

Have fun and happy trails!