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

    Santa Monica Mountains

    National Recreation Area California

Backbone Trail from Malibu Canyon to Stunt, Scheuren and Saddle Peak Roads

  • Mileage: 6.8 miles
  • Agencies: NPS, Mountains Restoration Trust, Malibu Creek State Park
  • Flora: Chaparral, Streamside, Oak Woodland
  • Human history: You'll see lots of urban encroachment in this area.
  • Cautions: From the parking lot, go inland on Malibu Canyon Road, across the bridge, then cross onto Piuma Road at the signal. Continue on Piuma Road about .3 mile to 26026 Piuma Road. The trailhead will be on your right by the telephone pole. After a short trail walk, you'll re-cross Piuma Road then begin the uphill that will eventually bring the trail out to Stunt Rd. A short walk up that road will bring you to the intersection of Stunt, Scheuren and Saddle Peak Roads.
 

Did You Know?

Rangers from California State Parks and the National Park Service discuss program ideas.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area was established in 1978, but the National Park Service did not own public parkland in the area until 1980.  National Park Rangers devised clever ways to promote the national park goals without land by creating thriving partnerships with many agencies.