• 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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  • Partial Park Closure Due to Hazardous Conditions

    Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa re-opens 5/14/13, with restrictions (sunrise to sunset, not all trails). Sandstone Peak & Mishe Mokwa trails will also open, as will Backbone Trail east of Point Mugu State Park boundary. Point Mugu backcountry remains closed. 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 5/24/13. Check back for updates or call 818-889-8996. More »

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?

The need for plants used in restoration projects loomed large for many years, but volunteers made it happen.

A core group of dedicated National Park volunteers, often laboring in the hot sun, built a native plant nursery from the ground up in 2002. Native plants, from the common Ceanothus to the endangered Lyons pygmy daisy germinated in this volunteer-run nursery will help restore disturbed habitat.