Explore This Park

Backbone Trail from Trippet Ranch, Topanga State Park to Will Rogers State Historic Park

• Mileage: 11.5 miles
• Agencies: Topanga State Park, Will Rogers State Historic Park
• Flora: Chaparral, Streamside, Meadow, Oak Woodland, Coastal Sage Scrub. You traverse them all in this lengthy hike.
• Human history: From Native Americans (Topanga - where the mountains run down to the sea) to vacation homes (Oscar Trippet, Will Rogers). Oscar Trippet was an early 20th century circuit court judge who had a ranch at what is now Topanga State Park. Early movie hero and humorist, Will Rogers had his family home here. Mr. Rogers enjoyed living at his ranch and playing polo. A tragic airplane accident cut short his life. His restored family home is now a State Historic Park open for tours. Some days you can see polo matches played on the polo fields.
• Cautions: This is a long hike with no easy road access. Again good maps, GPS units, hiking poles and hiking with someone are recommended.