33.9 hr
Overview
A Santa Monica Mountains ridgeline trail has been a goal for more than 50 years. Originally, it was set to stretch between Griffith Park to Point Mugu, but that concept never came to fruition. In the 1970s, with the start of state parks in the mountains, the idea began to gain momentum. The Backbone Trail would connect from Will Rogers State Historic Park to Point Mugu, heading right through the middle of Malibu Creek State Park. <br><br>During the 1980s, a number of supporters began to work on the project with California State Parks, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, and the National Park Service. By 1990, 43 miles of the trail had been completed. It climbed ridges, cut across chaparral-covered hillsides, dove into oak woodlands, and forded creeks and valleys. <br><br>Like Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, the Backbone Trail System has grown inch by inch across a collage of public lands. It has been constructed by volunteers, the California Conservation Corps, and professional staff from various parkland agencies. Sections of the trail were old animal paths that turned into singletrack trails; other segments were adopted fire roads. Only the most recently built sections have been created to modern trail standards.<br><br>Because of this trail-stitching process, some sections have different names and not every section is open to each user. For example, biking is limited to fire roads and is not permitted on singletrack trails\u2014unless that trail is sanctioned and signed for bikes. <br><br>With the finishing touches being completed in the summer of 2016, the trail is now completely connected from end to end, stretching an uninterrupted ~67 miles through breathtaking coastal California scenes. Stay tuned for a possible National Recreation Trail designation in the months to come.
Trail Stats
110.7 km
3760 m
906 m
17 m
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Photos
Best way to see Los Angeles. Downtown LA on the left, Century City in the middle and Santa Monica on the right
Best way to see Los Angeles. Downtown LA on the left, Century City in the middle and Santa Monica on the right
Heading up the Backbone Trail toward Sandstone Peak.
Heading up the Backbone Trail toward Sandstone Peak.
The Hub at Backbone Trail
The Hub at Backbone Trail
View from Inspiration Point on a cloudy day
View from Inspiration Point on a cloudy day
The Topanga Microwave Tower.
The Topanga Microwave Tower.
Nice views
Nice views
View of the Pacific Ocean
View of the Pacific Ocean
That little ribbon of green and lush awaits.
That little ribbon of green and lush awaits.
Looking towards Sycamore Canyon Fireroad.
Looking towards Sycamore Canyon Fireroad.
Valley.
Valley.
Take in the awesome lunchtime views atop Sandstone Peak.
Take in the awesome lunchtime views atop Sandstone Peak.
Popular trail on a July 4th. he trails personality changed every few minutes due to the patchy low clouds.
Popular trail on a July 4th. he trails personality changed every few minutes due to the patchy low clouds.
Coastal fog and low clouds helps keep some wildflowers blooming through early July.
Coastal fog and low clouds helps keep some wildflowers blooming through early July.
View
View
Chasing the sun rise from Rogers Road. View of Downtown Los Angeles.
Chasing the sun rise from Rogers Road. View of Downtown Los Angeles.
There's little shade in some areas along the trail, so you'll have to navigate its rocky tread in full sun.
There's little shade in some areas along the trail, so you'll have to navigate its rocky tread in full sun.
Good morning Los Angeles!
Good morning Los Angeles!
Eagle Rock in Topanga State Park. with permission from laollis
Eagle Rock in Topanga State Park. with permission from laollis
Admiring the view at the inspiration point at Will Rogers State Park.
Admiring the view at the inspiration point at Will Rogers State Park.
Beautiful vistapoint before turning onto Sandstone Peak Gem.
Beautiful vistapoint before turning onto Sandstone Peak Gem.
Rest area at the hub. Amazing views there!
Rest area at the hub. Amazing views there!
Steepest hill climb of the trail.
Steepest hill climb of the trail.
Eagle Rock.
Eagle Rock.
View of Catalina Island
View of Catalina Island
One of the first vistapoint views on the trail starting from the bottom of Sandstone Peak Loop.
One of the first vistapoint views on the trail starting from the bottom of Sandstone Peak Loop.
Great view even with the low clouds.
Great view even with the low clouds.
At the top of the trail right before the Overlook Trail intersection.
At the top of the trail right before the Overlook Trail intersection.
Clouds begin to fill the sky looking north from Sandstone Peak.
Clouds begin to fill the sky looking north from Sandstone Peak.
The view from Inspiration Point is pretty stellar.
The view from Inspiration Point is pretty stellar.
Echo Cliffs
Echo Cliffs
A gorgeous day and spectacular views make for a wonderful time on the Ray Miller / Backbone Trail!
A gorgeous day and spectacular views make for a wonderful time on the Ray Miller / Backbone Trail!
Owl's Clover: Found some nice patches along the trail.
Owl's Clover: Found some nice patches along the trail.
Amazing view of Santa Monica, you can see Catalina Island on the left side of the photo
Amazing view of Santa Monica, you can see Catalina Island on the left side of the photo