Backbone Trail - Kanan-Dume Rd to Malibu Canyon Rd
Details
This will be a 12-14 mile one-way hike along the Backbone Trail with a net elevation loss of 1000 ft and will require some shuttling
The Backbone Trail (really a series of smaller connected trails) runs almost 70 miles through the Santa Monica Mountains from Will Rogers State Park in Pacific Palisades on the south to Point Mugu State Park, near Oxnard on the north. It follows the Santa Monica Mountains along their crest and the path has an appearance that resembles the spinal column of an animal, hence its name.
Our hike will be comprised of the following segments
Newton Canyon
Latigo Canyon
Upper Solstice
Corral Canyon
Mesa Peak
Highlights: brushy chaparral covered slopes, oak Woodlands, streamside communities, old growth chaparral forests, grassy meadows as well as fossils, a massive land slide, caves and strange sandstone formations.
There are 2 parking locations: One is free on the southeast corner of Piuma and Malibu Canyon -- We will meet here. (The other is $5.00 on Malibu Canyon a little south of Piuma).
Directions
From the 101
Get off at the Las Virgenes and go south approximately 5 miles to Piuma Rd. Turn left and park on corner lot
From PCH
Take Malibu Cyn Rd north around 4.5 miles to Piuma and park in corner lot on right
Shuttle:
From here we will shuttle to the hike's starting point at the Kanan-Dume trailhead (parking is free here). We'll then hike the 12+ miles back to the Piuma location where the shuttle drivers will get a ride back to their cars. We can use vans and SUVs for the shuttle to Kanan and regular cars to bring these drivers back to Kanan after hike. Volunteers please post in comment section.
Bring lots of snacks, water. Dress warm in layers, bring your rain ponchos, gloves, etc.