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.

 

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

  17 Photos

  Photos showing some of the sights and views along this section of the Backbone Trail.