This hike will be a combination three hikes: Red Rock Canyon, Topanga Ridge and Hondo Canyon and will require a shuttle.

We meet at the Hondo Canyon Backbone Trail head on Old Topanga and shuttle to Red Rock Canyon Park where our hike will begin. Its about a 3 mile ride. I suggest we take the larger vehicles to Red Rock. We'll figure it out when we get there.

We'll hike west through Red Rock Canyon to Calabasas Peak Mtwy where we will turn south and proceed over Topanga Ridge to Topanga Lookout. From there we will hike to Fossile Ridge and hook up with the Backbone Trail.

We will take that trail east down Hondo Canyon and return to the cars we left behind. The shuttle drivers will then walk back to Red Rock to recover their cars while the rest of us head to Pat's Topanga Grill for lunch (j/k)

I estimate the hike to be a strenuous 9 miler with over 1500 ft elevation gain during the first 4 miles. Topanga Ridge will be the toughest part. It is a knife-edge ridge that will require some minor bouldering/scrambling (0.5 - 1.0). People with a fear of heights may want to avoid this. I give it a fear factor rating of IDCDIACDI (If Dean Can Do It Anyone Can Do It). There is a 200' sandstone slab that serves as an optional shortcut for the heartier hiker.

Red Rock Canyon's walls are fortified with huge red sandstone outcroppings, reminiscent of southwest canyons and gorges. Many of the formations have caves and arches.

Hondo highlights include streams, meadows, staggering views of the sedimentary rock formations known as the Sespe Formation, Hondo canyon's pink "V" gourge, Topanga Lookout and the Bragg home in the Bay Tree Woodland. (Paul C. Bragg was a pioneer in the health food movement in California. He had a chain of health food stores and popular radio shows in the 30?s and 40?s. He was the inspiration and teacher for later healthy living teachers like Jack LaLanne. His abandoned vacation cabin was here until the early 1990s, but was burned in the 1993 fire). At the top we will see many fossils in the sandstone.

Meet at backbone trailhead on south side of Old Topanga Road, 1/4 mile west of Topanga Canyon Blvd. Park on south side of street. Parking is limited so park like the lot is a sardine can

From the Valley: Take Topanga Canyon Blvd south. Old Topanga is 7.9 miles south of Ventura Blvd

From Calabasas: Take Mullholland Dr to Topanga Canyon and turn right. Or Take Old Topanga Canyon Rd all the way.

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