• Afternoon clouds cover the distance peaks of the iconic Boney Mountain

    Santa Monica Mountains

    National Recreation Area California

There are park alerts in effect.
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  • Update on Park Closures

    All NPS trails are open, w/the exception of part of the Satwiwa Loop Trail. Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa is only open sunrise to sunset. Point Mugu State Park re-opens 5/24. More »

  • Trucks on Cheeseboro Canyon Trail

    Occasional truck traffic (approx 6 trips per day) will take place on Cheeseboro Cyn Trail weekdays between 8am & 4pm for demolition and removal of Cheeseboro Tank. Should be completed by 5/31/13. Check back for updates or call 818-889-8996. More »

Backbone Trail from Latigo Canyon parking area to Malibu Canyon parking area

  • Mileage: 9.5 miles
  • Agencies: NPS and Malibu Creek State Park
  • Flora: Again traversing many canyons through chaparral, oak woodland, and streamside communities.
  • Geology: The Castro Crest area beside the Corral Canyon parking lot has wind and erosion carved sandstone. Fossils are frequently seen on the Mesa Peak fire road.
  • Cautions: The trail is sometimes hard to find through the rocky area east of the Corral Canyon parking lot. You can walk down south from the parking lot to Corral Canyon Road, then continue about .25 miles to the gated Mesa Peak Motorway on your left where the BBT continues east. As you descend towards Malibu Canyon and approach the Las Virgenes Municipal Water property, watch for the small trail to your right which is the BBT, or you'll be stopped by the locked gate.

Again, GPS units and hiking poles are recommended.

 

Did You Know?

Sue Nelson, Jill Swift, and Margo Feurer were instrumental in the movement to create a national recreation area near Los Angeles.

Four state parks were the triumph of a grassroots movement to protect open spaces minutes from Los Angeles in the 1950s & 60s. Three women, Sue Nelson, Jill Swift, and Margo Feuer further galvanized the movement that helped make Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area a reality in 1978.