Will Rogers State Park... from Reseda (19 miles RT)

Dec 13, 2025: I did this on my own today so I'm closing RSVPs. The Backbone trail was closed so I just went to some obscure intersection in Pacific Palisades. Report at https://goalhiking.org/ tomorrow.

[Read the whole post if you want to attend; you have to leave a comment or send a DM too.]

Sure, we could drive to Will Rogers State Park, but where's the adventure in that? Instead, let's hike the 9.5 miles there, starting from the top of Reseda Blvd in the SFV. Then, we'll hike back and might finish at night (on a wide fireroad).

I'll be doing this at a moderate pace with the goal of staying in (heart rate) Zone 2 as much as possible. YMMV and zones will vary so assume about 10 hours total. There's 3400' of gain and a significant chunk of that is on the return, so prepare yourself for that. See the route here:
alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/encino-to-will-rogers-park-b9db215

Bring a puffer jacket or similar, at least 2L of water, sun protection, a headlamp or two, and food items. Trekking poles are suggested. I've only done the part to Temescal Peak and I don't know the condition of the Backbone Trail after that but it should be all Class 1.

PARKING: Do NOT park in the MRCA lot. MRCA is more of a ticketing agency than a land manager. Do NOT even drive into their lot: they have a ticket camera. Instead, use one of the spaces before their lot. It only adds a little to the trip. (I didn't get a ticket from that, but I did get a nonsensical MRCA parking ticket on La Tuna Cyn.)

There are two requirements for this event:
1. You must not give MRCA any money (see above).
2. You must leave a comment or send a DM. That's so I know you aren't a bot.

(Image via Malibu Times. Polo has apparently stopped for the year so don't expect much of that.)