2025 FALL BACKBONE TRAIL 2025 #1 Alternative – Trippet Ranch to Leacock

Our alternative first Fall 2025 Backbone Trail outing in the Santa Monica Mountains will be a 10 mile, 1500' gain outing going from Trippet Ranch to the Leacock Trailhead. The hike will traverse Eagle Rock, Cathedral Rocks, Howard's Peak (with a stop at his bench), and Skull Rock. This is a replacement for the usual Will Rogers to Trippet Ranch route that was impacted by the Palisades fire. Shortcuts off the fire road will be encouraged so though poles are not mandatory, they are recommended.

This is a Sierra Club hike, so participants must sign in, carry their medical form, and hike between the leader and sweep. We ask you to print it out and bring it with you, but the form will be available at the trailhead as well or you can download the form here. http://bitly.com/scmedicalform

TRAILHEAD LOCATION: We will meet at 8:00 AM at the Leacok Trailhead at 8:00 AM and shuttle to Trippet Ranch (parking limited there with parking lot construction). So this alternative will tranverse the Backbone Trail in the reverse direction from the usual.
From Sunset Boulevard take Bienvenida Avenue one mile to the Leacock Trailhead at the Via Floresta intersection. There is street parking, but remember to turn your wheels towards the curb to prevent being ticketed.

CAR SHUTTLE: The outing will be a one-way shuttle hike. The car shuttle to Trippet Ranch will be 10 miles. Be on time at the Leacock Trailhead to not miss the shuttle.