Backbone Trek 2016

The Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council (SMMTC) is proud to sponsor the 14th annual Backbone Trek. This seven-day hike will traverse the 65-mile length of the Santa Monica Mountains and will be conducted Saturday-to-Saturday, April 30 - May

I am posting this for informational purposes. Any questions should be directed to Jerry Mitcham (818) 406-1269 or backbonetrek@yahoo.com. Register here: http://smmtc.org/bbtrek/

Registration will be by US mail. The number of hikers is limited to 25 and registrations are accepted on a first-come first-served basis. There is a registration fee to cover expenses for campgrounds, transportation of personal equipment, insurance, food and the like, with any excess fee going to improve and maintain the trails in the Santa Monica Mountains. The registration fee is $400.00 per person.

The Backbone Trail traverses the length of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. It follows ridges and canyons crossing chaparral-covered hillsides, oak woodlands, creeks and valleys. The daily hikes are rated moderate to strenuous difficulty and average about 10 miles per day, with daily elevation changes ranging from 500 to 3,000 feet. Hikers carry only a daypack with lunch, water and personal items. While this hike is much less strenuous than a backpack trip, it is not for the casual hiker. Each day's hike is classified as moderate or difficult. However, keep in mind a 10 mile hike every day may have a cumulative effect on one's physical condition, increasing the difficulty as the hike progresses day to day.

Volunteers truck the hiker's camping equipment between campgrounds and when necessary, a van shuttle is provided to and from the trailhead. Upon arriving at the night's campground, usually around 3:00 PM, participants may relax while being treated to light snacks and cool drinks. While accommodations at the campgrounds vary, all have potable water, toilets, picnic tables and some have shower facilities. Hot meals prepared by volunteers are served every evening. In the mornings, hikers prepare their own breakfast, lunch and trail snacks from an assortment of provided "fixings".The BBT begins at La Jolla Canyon in Point Mugu State Park.

The first day of the event, hikers will meet in the afternoon at the Thornhill Broome Beach Campground in Point Mugu State Park. After unloading individual equipment and shuttling private vehicles to a secure parking area, hikers have an opportunity to meet the other hikers and the BBT volunteers, share a light dinner and receive an event orientation. The BBT culminates at Will Rogers State Historic Park. A light lunch and cool drinks are provided while all participants share their experiences and say good-byes. After lunch, participants are shuttled back to the vehicle parking area to pick up personal camping gear and private autos.