6.7 hr
Overview
From the top of Inspiration Loop Trail, within the grounds of Will Rogers State Historic Park, you'll find a kiosk standing post beside an uphill singletrack, branching north around a hillside. The trail is narrow, so be sure to slow or stop for the large amount of hikers in the first mile. DO NOT BOMB THE HIKERS ON THE WAY BACK DOWN! The local community is wary of bikes here and are easily upset by your passing. BE RESPECTFUL. There are those who would like to ban us from the park. <br><br>After a tough climb, one mile from the kiosk, a bridge spans a particularly bad part of the ridge line. By law, you must walk your bike across the bridge and up the steep rock face just beyond it. (I know a guy who says he saw a ranger at the top watching one day)<br><br>About 1.5 miles up trail from the bridge there's a left-hand bend in the trail and a large oak tree near a drop-off. Under the shade of its branches is a large space and, with a commanding view of the valley beyond, is a great place to take a break. <br><br>What follows is roughly a mile of very pleasant, easy slope in the shade, to a mixed section of ups and downs, to a butt-kicking mile-plus of loose-pebble, rut-divided, sun-exposed slope from hell. Just when you've had enough, it ends. A short, steep downhill bends left, to the west, along the base of a left-hand hillside. Now in the shade, the trail takes on a different feel. There are more plants, and the dirt is darker, softer, and for about 3/4ths of a mile the trail is flat and easy. The trail narrows to a left-hand corner and to a sign "Backbone Trail - the hub" pointing left. This last section is super fun. Full of tight turns and thin tree trunks, it has a very nice flow. Too bad it's only a half-mile. <br><br>Well, that's it. The trail dumps out onto a wide, boring fire road, Temescal Ridge Trail, that spans away left and right. These connect to many other roads in the area and can be combined to form very long loops, but that's another day. <br><br>Turn around and re-trace the trail back to the c
Trail Stats
22.8 km
595 m
629 m
140 m
—
Photos
SoCal singletrack
SoCal singletrack
Accelerating after a switchback
Accelerating after a switchback
A really fun section weaving through the trees at high speed.
A really fun section weaving through the trees at high speed.
Easy, flowing section
Easy, flowing section
Trailhead at the top
Trailhead at the top
Fast approach to some chunky stuff.
Fast approach to some chunky stuff.
Powering through a tree tunnel on one of the flatter, shaded sections.
Powering through a tree tunnel on one of the flatter, shaded sections.
The beginning of the Backbone Trail, at the top of Inspiration Loop Trail in Will rogers State Park.
The beginning of the Backbone Trail, at the top of Inspiration Loop Trail in Will rogers State Park.
Singletrack on Backbone.
Singletrack on Backbone.
Bottom of the trail on the Inspiration Loop.
Bottom of the trail on the Inspiration Loop.
Panorama overlooking the bridge on this section of the Backbone Trail.
Panorama overlooking the bridge on this section of the Backbone Trail.
About 1.0 mile up, looking into Santa Monica+Pacific Ocean
About 1.0 mile up, looking into Santa Monica+Pacific Ocean
Inspiration Loop.
Inspiration Loop.
Hike-A-Bike to the ridge bridge. Santa Monica Bay, where Sunset Blvd meets the Pacific beyond.
Hike-A-Bike to the ridge bridge. Santa Monica Bay, where Sunset Blvd meets the Pacific beyond.
Good rest stop, halfway up Backbone.
Good rest stop, halfway up Backbone.
One of only a few switchbacks on the Backbone Trail
One of only a few switchbacks on the Backbone Trail