Backbone Trail (Santa Monica), part 1

This is a six-part series where we try to hike the 70-mile Backbone Trail from east to west, nabbing as many peaks as possible along the way.

Part 1 will begin at Will Rogers State Park and end at Topanga Canyon Blvd, a trail distance of 12 miles, 2050' gain. Along the way we will visit Temescal Peak (2126') and a rock formation named Eagle Rock.

This hike will require setting up a car shuttle. We will need to pay some parking fees.

We will tour Trippet Ranch and see the (somewhat) historic Musch cabin.

An optional excursion to two prominence points, Pt 1629 and Pt 1614 can be added (5.5 miles, 600' gain).

Stats: (including optional peaks): 17.5 miles, 3100' gain.

Dogs: not allowed on this hike, sorry.

Map: http://caltopo.com/m/MG3J

Map from meeting point to Will Rogers TH: https://goo.gl/maps/X9ZfVKs7nzM2

Further reading: NPS Information (http://www.nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/backbone-trail-from-trippet-ranch-at-topanga-state-park-to-will-rogers-state-historic-park.htm)

Note: please contact me if you would like to meet at Will Rogers instead of the ride-share point.