The Backbone Trail. It’s on the list.
This 68 mile trail traverses the entire Santa Monica Mountain range, starting near sea-level at the westernmost end in Point Mugu State Park, the trail climbs to the highest point at 3,111 ft. Sandstone Peak, then continues up and down eastward to Will Rogers State Park in Pacific Palisades. Total ascent is over 13,000 feet.
I’m planning a thru-hike of the entire trail, and will be creating detailed guides to go with it.
Interested? Leave a comment and I’ll keep you posted.
Jeff – how many days are you expecting to complete this in? When are you planning on going?
Still working that out. The biggest issue for me is availability. I’m toying with the idea of doing it over three LONG days — a Friday through Sunday.
As for when, I’m thinking sometime when it cools down. Maybe early December?
Ok, great, timing sounds better. I was thinking you might stretch this over a week. I have the same issue with availability. 68 miles in 3 days definitely sounds like 3 very long days…
Jeff
I would love to go with you please send me all the details!!
Bryon, that’s awesome! I’ve sent you and Brian an email, and setup a forum where we can begin planning and discuss the details: http://socalhiker.net/community/topic/hiking-the-backbone-trail/
Hey Jeff, did you hike this yet? Curious about the camping logistics….
LoveNote, what I learned is that there are only two campsites actually ON the trail, making a true thru-hike impractical at this time. Apparently they are plans to create campsites along the way once it’s “officially” completed.
And so I’ve revised my plan to do it in sections. I don’t have the dates nailed down yet, but I won’t be starting until sometime in March. We’ll be heading east-to-west.
The challenge with section hiking this is that it requires shuttling, making logistics a little more complicated. Ideally I’d like to have 4 people (two cars). We drive to the end point, drop off a car, then drive to the start point and park the other car. Hike to the end… you get the idea.
As we get further away from home, this becomes less convenient, and I may incorporate an overnight camp as near to the trailhead as possible.
Yeah, that’s what I had gleaned from looking at it awhile back, which is just a bummer. Shuttling logistics really kill it. Keep me posted, I might be interested in joining in as available (I’m in Santa Barbara).
Jeff,
Have you considered doing it in one really hard push? Say 36+ hours, likely no sleep…?
I have been toying with the idea for a little while now, and I’m trying to figure out if it is reasonable at all. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the idea as it seems like you have a pretty good grasp on the difficulty of the entire trail.
A friend and I have been chunking 25 mile sections of the trail to feel it out. At this point we feel like we have a lot of work to do before we could put it all together, but are hopeful that we can get it done some day.
68 miles in one shot? You’re an animal!
You might be interested to learn that there is an ultra-marathon trail run on the Backbone Trail. That would probably be the way to go, as there would at least be some support along the way.
Here’s the details: http://coyotebackbonetrail.com/
Wow that’s the real deal, thanks!
Jeff,
Let me know if you do a backpack. I’ve heard of them doing one in the past with a campsite at a n existing park with special permission. I’d just like to do that whole hike.
Peace
Jeff, I wish you well in your journeys. My friend and I have been tackling the Backbone Trail on cool weekends from Will Rogers. We are near Encinal headed west. Let me know if you want company on any of your hikes. We typically hike on Saturdays as we both work full-time M-F. On cool days we are typically hiking 15-20 miles up and down steep trails. Some off the maps. One hike was 28.2 miles and we will do a 50 kilometer hike in April. Best Wishes. Carl
Hi any update on doing this hike over four days? I’m very interested in doing this in 2015. Did you see this article?
http://www.backpacker.com/trips/california/how-to-thru-hike-l-a-county/
Hi everyone,
thanks a lot for this thread, I learned more about hiking the BBT here than on the official website!
Heather, that article sounds amazing!
I hope this thread is still active, Jeff hasn´t been around for a while.
We are an italomexican couple and are very interested in doing the 4 days hike this Fall. We´re experienced with day hikes but new to long-distance. We´re also looking into trail run, as we always feel the need to push it when we´re hiking anyway.
Would be great to get any tips or useful links from you guys, you all sound very much into this kind of things.
Best wishes with your journeys and adventures.
Mira
I attempted a thru hike during Spring of 2015, starting from La Jolla Canyon / Pt Mugu State Park and ending at Will Rogers State Park. My brother in law and I have made multiple, long milage day hikes and wanted to attempt this as trial to an upcoming overnight trip to Mt. Langley in the Southern Sierra. The plan was to break up the distance in thirds and camp at an off site private campground on night one and Malibu Creek St. Park on night two. Essentially, we ran out of daylight on day one and dry camped on the trail. Our second day was a bit slower due to fatigue and more difficult terrain. We would have had to make it to the eastern side of Malibu Creek but came up over 6 miles short. We dry camped again, on the western side of the park. We barely considered hiking with headlamps but wisely decided against it due to lack of knowledge of the train and upcoming terrain. Our third day consisted of the hike to our intended destination the night before where family was waiting. We ended the trip at this point, returning 3 weeks later to complete the final leg of our journey. Even with the break in our plan, this was one of the most memorable trips in my lifetime. Recommend you plan to hike from late Spring to early Autumn due to daylight considerations. Also, water became an issue on day two, having to borrow a spigot from a horse stable at a vacant home. I would have been a couple of liters short and had to resort to filtering / purifying ground water.
If we could purify water out there is there a reason to not make it a longer trip? Im just curious what the draw backs are in your mind, i could never do three days i was thinking more like 6
I’m definitely interested in hearing about your experience! I hope to do it in chunks but am a little nervous about doing a thru-hike and camping out because of Mountain Lions. Cheers!
Hey everybody… Loved reading the comments above.. Not sure if this thru-hike has actually been completed by anyone? I’m going to have a run at it next week.. East to West… Was planning 3-4 days.. Will post how I get on… Fingers crossed it should be ok.. Water is my only worry but there is plenty of water dtops throughout the trail… Wish me luck… Trig…
I’m trying to find a good guide/info about the best way to section hike the Backbone Trail since it’s completely open now, i.e. Recommended start/finish points with connector trails, etc. Do you know of any materials?
Hi Julia.. I just got back from finishing the Thru hike today.. I found it really hard to get updated materials so I decided to just go with the latest trail map offered by the NPS… I went East to West… Was pretty heavy going at times.. Some of the trail markers are most certainly missing.. Water was a challenge to.. Finally completed the hike over 3.5 days….
Some very weary legs and battered feet but all in all was an amazing walk… Lots of pictures and I also mapped it with my phone…. Pretty neat…. Think I might have been the first to complete the full trail in one hit….?… If you have any questions then please fire away…
Oh by the way Julia…. My earlier post was under the name ‘trig’
Thanks Paul! I’m not hard core and I have a bum knee that can act up, so I want to do maybe 1-2 days a week, max 10 miles/day. I was having trouble figuring out the access points so I can set up a shuttle with a friend, i.e. Will Rogers to Trippet Ranch, then connector to a parking lot, etc. I’ll have to see if NPS has anything more detailed, etc. Congrats on the through hike!
I would love to thru-hike this trail in 3 days but not alone as I have never backpacked overnight before. Until I find someone to do that with I decided to do the BBT in sections. Started today with a hike from Ray Miller to Danielson multi-use and back again. 16.5 miles in 5.5 hours. Tuesday I want to try another section but it is hard to find information especially since some of the trails are so new with the recent purchases.
I just did the section from Will Rogers to the Temescal Fire Road. The starting point is a bit hard to find but otherwise very well marked trail.
Hi Trig or Paul, How can I get more info from you? Do you have a blog? My husband and I are thinking about backpacking this trail.
Thank you for sharing!
Hi April, I have been contemplating a blog but I guess I’m not sure where to start.. I have some great photos and a few amusing/interesting tales from the hike…Any info you need please fire away.. You can find me on Facebook… (Paul Tregear) it might be easier to communicate through there… By the way if your planning on doing it over 4 days be wise in your direction choice… I walked east-west and its tough going. A lot of uphill hiking but in my opinion the better option..to walk down to the ocean at the end was out of this world..Best wishes….
Hi Paul, I will look you up in FB. My name is April Armijo. I have lots of questions!! I think I like the idea to end at the beach too 🙂
Paul, I started a Facebook group for hiking the Santa Monica Mountains. I would love to have your input and insights if you ever find the time. I have done a lot of short hikes through out with my kids and now my goal is to hike the Backbone. But it is always fun to talk with others about their experiences, favorites and not so favorite parts. https://www.facebook.com/groups/921346851344343/
Hey Paul,
Been thinking of doing this as a bikepacking overnight. Do you think West to East would involve fewer downhills?
Hey Ted, in truth I think the opposite.. West to East will give you a lot of downhills… Having said that it will also give you some crazy climbs too… When I walked East to West there was a lot of uphill walking and a few ascents that went up for miles and miles but some of the downhill sections were really long too.. They would prove tough on a bike… in my opinion West to East would be a little easier…. More freewheeling and less pedaling..
Hey Paul,
Ah! I meant uphills so thanks for elaborating. Looking at section elevation profiles it seems like burly climbs can’t be mitigated either way but I appreciate your info! Looking forward to giving it a try. Congrats on your completion.
Best, Ted
What are the camping options on this trail? Ideally we would like to backpack this trail over a week. I have done a couple of department of interior properties before through their permit process (which is different at every location). It sounds like a permit process is coming but is not yet in place here yet.
i’m thinking of backpacking the entire backbone this weekend. starting Friday afternoon and finishing Sunday evening. water is definitely a concern for me so I may need to carry more than I would like. i’m planning on camping wherever I end up each night. anyone interested in a strenuous hike? hit me up: wsong2216@gmail.com
What time were you thinking on leaving on Friday? I am free after 5:00. Also would you be ok with me only doing until Saturday night or maybe early Sunday morning (say 7:00 am if I can find someone willing to pick me up)? I have plans on Sunday. I am also wondering if sleeping without a tent would be possible. I also have a facebook site Hiking – Santa Monica Mtns. I would love to see any pictures and have you share your experiences when you are done.
On my hike we camped on the trail or slightly off trail (of course not permitted), and I used a bivy and friend used a one person tent. There was a lot of moisture in the air and we would have been soaked and miserable without cover. I rocommend a tarp or bivy to stay dry and to keep the pack weight down. Good luck!
Hi,
If you’re tired of turning your head sideways to read the map on your computer you could try this one. I rotated the map and reuploaded it.
https://www.pdf-archive.com/2016/10/13/bbt-brochure-2016-rotated/
Is anyone planning on doing a thru hike in November? I will be doing it at a medium to fast pace over 4 days.
Which dates will you be going and which spots are you planning to set up camp?
I’m planning a thru hike for December 17- 20 with a couple of friends. We’re not super experienced hikers so we’re thinking four days would be better for us. If anyone is interested or has any advice please email me.
Arielathan@gmail.com
Can you tell me what your thru-hike plan was? I’ve done the JMT and want to do the BBT but see the lack of water/campgrounds.
Hi Melanie… a little late with a response.. sorry… I they hiked in July last year.. took me 3.5 days.. the only plan I made was to have someone bring me water at key locations on day 2 and 3.. I actually found a water stash on the 3rd night so didn’t need re-supply on 4th morning..
I took a hammock and a jet boil so I could camp on the trail each night…
there is a distinct lack of facilities or options on the trail which is why most people complete this hike in sections..
It was a challenge for sure because of the heat and lack of water but great fun with amazing views…. enjoy…
That’s ‘thru hiked’ not ‘they hiked’…..
Hi All, I’m looking to do this in prep for some Easter Sierra distance trips. Has anyone compiled an elevation graph for the BBT? I’d like to figure out how to balance distance with elevation over 3-4 days. Thanks all!
@Matt — Here you go: https://socalhiker.net/community/topic/backbone-trail-elevation-profiles/
Jeff,
Awesome website, and great info on the Backbone trail. My son and I completed a couple nights starting in Will Rogers with the plan of night one in Musch camp and night two in Malibu State Park.
Here is a video of our trip for anyone interested.
https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=lgp7MiFPbV0
Looking to do a hike thru around 9/18
Want to break up into at least 5/6 sections
Using crossing roads as stop/starts
Do you have a good map that shows the crossing locations
My idea is to get transportation to motel/hotel at each crossing and back again the next day
Appreciate any input
Thanks
Where did you hammock camp along the BBT?
Is a thru hike available? Everything I read indicates there isn’t camping permitted along most of the trail. Can you provide your overnight camping locations. I’m looking to do this in 4 days, 3 nights. Thanks
Yep it’s definitely a trail to thru hike however you are correct with regards to no camping locations on the trail itself.. I thru hiked the trail during the summer of 2016.. you just have to be respectful and smart as to where your going to sleep.. I took a hammock and made camp along the trail for 3 nights.. but in truth , camping isn’t really too much of a concern, it was the lack of water that is the greatest challenge.. Not too much of an issue this time of the year, but in the summer months you have to be real careful..
I can give you the locations of where I rested up in the trail, but it’s only relevant if you head out from Will Rogers.
When do you plan on hiking?
I see the lack of water is an issue. My brother, friend and I plan on starting at 0400 and trying to finish it by sunset at Point Mugu State Park. Since we will be running, is water less of an issue. It appears the longest stretch with out water is between 18.8 miles and 24.2 miles. Can any one confirm
Yes, but you can preset a water cache.
Jeff-Thanks for the great write-up. I’m finishing the hike w/ a friend this saturday 4/7/18 (section hiking) and the trail itself is awesome. After all the recent rains it’s amazingly pretty! I grew up and live in the Santa Monica mtns and just never thought to hike the whole trail till now. BTW I also did the Rae lakes loop last year and this summer doing the N-S lake loop out of Bishop w/ help from your site so thanks again!!!
Planning on doing this thru hike solo sometime in the next 12 months. Can you camp trail side just to sleep or do you have to camp in an official camp site? Would it be best to do it in the fall or spring or is it doable in the summer months?
Hi Claire!
You can’t legally camp trailside, unfortunately. Not saying it hasn’t ever been done, but we wouldn’t suggest it.