The Backbone Trail - Ventura County Trails

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P Parking Deer Creek Rd. 1 N CAMPGROUND 0 1.0 MILES Ray Miller Trailhead Danielson Ranch La Jolla Canyon Trail Big Sycamore Canyon Trail Point Mugu State Park Yerba Buena Rd. Deer Creek Rd. Danielson Ranch BONEY RIDGE SYCAMORE CANYON Circle X Ranch SANDSTONE PEAK P P P Rd. Buena 1 Cotharin Rd. Yerba N 0 1.0 MILES Mishe Mokwa Trailhead Point Mugu State Park CAMPGROUND P Parking Tuna Canyon Rd. Topanga Canyon Blvd. Entrada Road 27 P P 27 Sunset Blvd. N 0 1.0 MILES Will Rogers State Park Trippet Ranch Topanga State Park Eagle Rock Loop Trail Temescal Fire Road Flora and fauna The Backbone Trail cuts across seven of nine plant communities in the Santa Monica Mountains. Wildlife includes coyotes, mule deer, coast horned lizards, Southern Pacific rattlesnakes, bobcats, mountain lions, gray foxes as well as birds such as red-tailed hawks, California quail and golden eagles. Early baptism: Early in the 20th century, the area is known as the Devil’s Backbone Trail. Grand plan: Notion of a foot trail across the Santa Monica Mountains that spans two counties takes hold by early 1970s. Proposed Ridge Trail is expected to run roughly west from Griffith Park to the Pacific Ocean at Point Mugu State Park. Getting a spine: In 1974, California Legislature approves early version of (and funding for) what is now being called the Backbone Trail. Goodbye, Griffith: Development of private property around Griffith Park in the mid-’70s causes plans to shrink. Easternmost point is changed to Will Rogers State Historic Park in Pacific Palisades. The U’s turn: In 1978, Pepperdine University sells the state 145 acres in Topanga Canyon, the first parcel earmarked for the Backbone Trail. Politicians on the hill: Backbone gets a higher profile when Congress creates Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in 1978. Another engine: Plans pick up steam when the land-buying Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy is formed in 1980. Its No. 1 priority? You got it. The good book: Milt McAuley, known as the father of the Backbone, borrows against his insurance policy to print his “Hiking Trails of the Santa Monica Mountains” in 1980. Foot patrol: With an eye toward plotting the route, about 10 hikers in 1983 begin walking the length of the proposed trail. Some ranching paths date to the days of Mexican land grants. United, we dig: In 1986, Youth Conservation Corps builds the first segment of the trail on federal land, 1ƒ miles in Newton Canyon. Is that in dog years?: There’s a “good chance” Backbone will be completed within five years, a National Park Service official says in 1986. Define “almost done”: With 43 miles in place in 1990, “near completion” of trail is celebrated. Half are newly built trails, half are pre-existing trails and fire roads. Heard it all before: Campaigning for bond money in 1990, director of Santa Monica Conservancy “guarantees” Backbone will be completed within 18 months. Master of this universe: Trail blazer Ron Webster, who designs and oversees building of many segments, is honored in 1992 for his work on the Hondo Canyon section. Hello, Hollywood: In 1997, Gregory Peck makes a pitch to raise money to pay for the final 6-mile gap. Donors can buy it by the foot — at $100 a pop. Camp Backbone: In 1998, the Park Service invites hikers to spend the night at campgrounds along the route. Closer, closer: Closing of 3-mile gap in upper Zuma Canyon in 1999 creates 40 miles of continuous trails. It’s a wonderful trail: Ghost of Frank Capra joins the saga in 1999, when his heirs deed to the cause 160 acres the filmmaker once owned between Westlake Village and Malibu. 59.5 miles and counting: When will it be done? It’s complicated. Easements, land buys and trail-building slow finish of planned 64-mile trail to a crawl. One official prediction: 2007. Birth of the Backbone Elevation profile 3,000 (in feet) 2,000 1,000 0 (in miles) Three standouts Ray Miller Trailhead at La Jolla Canyon to Danielson Ranch For insatiable viewmongers, the Backbone saves the best for last. The western end of the trail starts at sea level from La Jolla Canyon then climbs quickly along a quiet path where you can gaze at the Pacific and debate which Channel Island is which or look inland toward grasslands and 1,266-foot Mugu Peak. Mountain bikers, allowed on part of this stretch, are diverted through Sycamore Canyon under a canopy of trees that cover the fire road. After 8.1 miles, you can stop for water and shade at Danielson Ranch. Load up your pack with camera gear and binoculars — it’s well worth the weight. Mishe Mokwa Trailhead to Danielson Ranch Solitude seekers and rock hounds take note: This may be the least-traveled section of the Backbone because the trailhead is remote and not well signed. Here, the trail meanders through meadows of shoulder-high grass, climbs toward Sandstone Peak, the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains, and traverses Boney Ridge, offering wide views of the ocean and the Oxnard Plain. But the towering rocks and dramatic crags really define this landscape. You can hike 7.9 miles west on the Backbone or, if you want to explore, take a spur trail to Sandstone’s 3,111-foot summit or do a 5-mile loop that includes a big-picture stop at Inspiration Point. Will Rogers State Historic Park to Trippet Ranch This eastern-most stretch is 11.5 miles of Backbone bliss. You can peer into cha parral-studded canyons from rocky ridges, scramble to the top of a hulking sandstone slab called Eagle Rock (no, not that Eagle Rock) or take refuge from the heat under sun-shielding oaks. But be prepared to share. Hikers sometimes bristle when mountain bikers appear on the narrow and steep single-track portion that starts near the beginning at Will Rogers. Don’t expect solitude — the masses flock to this well-signed, accessible segment. Elevation profile (in feet) 2,000 1,000 0 0 2 4 6 8 (in miles) Ray Miller Danielson Ranch Mishe Mokwa Danielson Will Rogers Trippet P CAMPGROUND P Parking P CAMPGROUND P P P P P Trippet Ranch toTopanga Canyon Blvd. Distance: 1.1 miles Parking: $5 parking fee at Trippet Ranch; $3 parking fee at Dead Horse Trailhead on Entrada Road Locating trailhead: Unsigned and difficult to find at Topanga Canyon Blvd. Look for it across from the Greenleaf Canyon Road bridge. Topanga Canyon Blvd. to Saddle Peak Road Distance: 5.2 miles Parking: $3 fee at Dead Horse Trailhead on Entrada Road; parking at Saddle Peak Road Locating trailhead: After crossing Greenleaf Canyon Road bridge and before the road takes a sharp right turn, look for a trail that goes up the hill to the left. Trail is signed as it comes down to Saddle Peak Road. Stunt Road to Malibu Canyon Road Distance: 2.1 miles Parking: Limited on Stunt Road; lot at Malibu Canyon Road Locating trailhead: Trail is unsigned as it leaves Stunt Road. Look for it 2.8 miles from intersection of Mulholland Highway and Stunt Road. Malibu Canyon Road to Corral Canyon Road Distance: 5.4 miles Parking: At either end Locating trailhead: Trail is signed but not visible at Malibu Canyon Road. Look for a lot south of Piuma Road intersection. Corral Canyon Road to Latigo Canyon Road Distance: 4.1 miles Parking: Limited on Latigo Canyon Road to turnout on shoulder Locating trailhead: Trail is signed, but in the brush several feet off Latigo Canyon Road. Will Rogers State Historic Park to Trippet Ranch Distance: 11.5 miles Parking: $5 parking fee at either end Locating trailhead: Signed at both ends. Saddle Peak Road to Stunt Road/Schueren Road Distance: 4.7 miles Parking: On Saddle Peak Road; limited parking on shoulder along Stunt Road Locating trailhead: Unmarked as it continues west of the Saddle Peak trailhead. Look for it climbing steeply at intersection of Schueren and Stunt roads; sign for a connector trail from Stunt Road is obscured by brush. Trailheads Thirteen segments break the Backbone Trail into day hikes. Hikers beware: Don’t leave home without a more detailed map.* Hiking directions are listed here from east to west. Latigo Canyon Road to Kanan Dume Road Distance: 2.3 miles Parking: Limited on Latigo Canyon Road; parking lot at Kanan Dume Road Locating trailhead: Trail is signed at Latigo Canyon Road, but hard to see from road. Look for trail 2.8 miles from the intersection of Kanan Dume Road and Latigo Canyon Road. Kanan Dume Road to Zuma Ridge Mountainway Distance: 2.5 miles Parking: Only at Kanan Dume Road Locating trailhead: Well- marked trail ends at unfinished segment. Walk north less than a half-mile to Encinal Canyon Road (no parking) or return to Kanan Dume Road. Encinal Canyon Road to Mulholland Highway Distance: 2.2 miles Parking: None at either end Locating trailhead: Unmarked at both ends, trail is hard to find. West end is a half-mile from the intersection of Decker Canyon and Mulholland Highway; look for hiking sign and gate just off the highway. Trail gap to Mishe Mokwa Trailhead Distance: 4 miles Parking: Limited on Yerba Buena Road on narrow turnouts; parking lot at Mishe Mokwa Locating trailhead: Hard to find at Yerba Buena Road. Look for a small hiking sign (no mention of the Backbone) 1.7 miles from the intersection of Little Sycamore Canyon Road (which becomes Yerba Buena) and Mulholland Highway. Mishe Mokwa Trailhead to Danielson Ranch Distance: 7.9 miles Parking: At Mishe Mokwa Trailhead on Yerba Buena Road; no car access at Danielson Ranch Locating trailhead: Rerouted to continue from Mishe Mokwa to a connector route that leads to Sandstone Peak Trail. This segment is not signed at each end as Backbone Trail. Danielson Ranch to Ray Miller Trailhead/ Point Mugu State Park Distance: 8.1 miles Parking: $5 fee at Ray Miller Trailhead Locating trailhead: Backbone Trail designated at west end. 0 2 4 6 8 10 Riparian woodlands Streambanks; western sycamores, Fremont cottonwoods, California bay, big leaf maple, white alder. Coastal sage scrub Western slopes above beaches; coastal sagebrush, coyote brush, buckwheat and three different sages. Chaparral Widespread on inland slopes and ridges; chamise, ceanothus (known as California lilac), scrub oak, toyon. Oak savannas Open grassy areas; valley oak, at its southernmost limit. Oak woodlands Primarily in Topanga and Malibu canyons; coast live oak, bracken fern, at 11 feet tall believed to be the largest in the U.S. Grassland Not extensive, mostly in La Jolla Valley at Point Mugu State Park; many non-native grasses, but some natives, such as purple needlegrass, survive. Freshwater marshes Edges of ponds and lakes; sedges, tules and cattails. Graphics reporting by Mary Forgione, Leslie Carlson Times staff writers, and Bill Sharpsteen, for The Times 1 Pacific Ocean Malibu 1 23 27 27 1 1 N9 N1 N9 N1 Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Malibu Creek State Park Topanga State Park 1 1 Santa Monica Sunset Blvd. 10 405 2 Castellammare Brentwood Topanga Canyon Blvd. Malibu Canyon Rd. Kanan Dume Rd. Decker Rd. Encinal Canyon Rd. Mulholland Hwy. Yerba Buena Rd. Leo Carillo State Beach Charmlee County Park Deer Creek Rd. Mulholland Hwy. Mulholland Hwy. Latigo Canyon Rd. Kanan Dume Rd. Mulholland Hwy. Cornell Rd. Malibu Lake Calabasas Monte Nido Old Topandga Canyon Rd. Stunt Rd. Saddle Peak Rd. Tuna Canyon Rd. Las Flores Canyon Rd. Piuma Rd. Schueren Rd. Rambla Pacifico Los Angeles Pacific Palisades Las Flores Canyon Corral Canyon Rd. Solstice Canyon Encinal Canyon Rd. Little Sycamore Cnyn. Rd. Yerba Buena Rd. 1 Latigo Canyon Rd. Detailed Westlake Blvd. VENTURA COUNTY LOS ANGELES COUNTY 0 1 MILE Mulholland Hwy. * Trail segments rounded off to the nearest 10th of a mile account for the discrepancy in total mileage It’s 59ƒ miles of canyons and ridges stitched together with a few urban seams. And it’s not done yet. The Backbone Trail Elevation profile (in feet) 1,000 0 0 2 4 6 8 (in miles) The western end of the trail from La Jolla Canyon climbs steeply. Oaks provide shade along a stretch of the trail near Trippet Ranch. Sources: “Guide to the Backbone Trail”; National Park Service, “Flowering Plants: The Santa Monica Mountains, Coastal & Chaparral Regions of Southern California”; California Native Plant Society; Times files. Leslie Carlson Los Angeles Times Photographs by Al Seib Los Angeles Times View at sunset from Sandstone Peak looking northwest toward Camarillo. 0 0.25 MILE A smaller gap is an existing trail that runs a mere half-mile through Zuma and Trancas canyons on private land. The Park Service has made offers to the landowners and are awaiting their decision. A section between Mulholland Highway and Yerba Buena Road passes through private land. The National Park Service is waiting for Congress to approve the funds needed to purchase the land. KEY Trail exists, but public right-of-way needs to be secured Trail construction required Trail open to the public Missing links Currently the Backbone Trail is missing about five miles that straddle the border of L.A. and Ventura counties. Ray Miller Trailhead Point Mugu State Park Trippet Ranch Will Rogers State Historic Park SANDSTONE PEAK MISHE MOKWA TRAILHEAD DANIELSON RANCH Little Sycamore Rd. Mulholland Hwy. Decker Rd. Encinal Canyon Rd. LOS ANGELES COUNTY VENTURA COUNTY Yerba Buena Rd. ZUMA RIDGE MOUNTAINWAY Pacific Ocean 1 23 Oxnard Thousand Oaks Los Angeles 5 405 10 0 10 MILES Detailed 118 101 101

Transcript of The Backbone Trail - Ventura County Trails

Page 1: The Backbone Trail - Ventura County Trails

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Flora and faunaThe Backbone Trail cuts across seven of nine plantcommunities in the Santa Monica Mountains. Wildlifeincludes coyotes, mule deer, coast horned lizards, SouthernPacific rattlesnakes, bobcats, mountain lions, gray foxes aswell as birds such as red-tailed hawks, California quail andgolden eagles.

Early baptism: Early in the 20th century,the area is known as the Devil’sBackbone Trail.Grand plan: Notion of a foot trail acrossthe Santa Monica Mountains that spanstwo counties takes hold by early 1970s.Proposed Ridge Trail is expected to runroughly west from Griffith Park to thePacific Ocean at Point Mugu State Park.Getting a spine: In 1974, CaliforniaLegislature approves early version of(and funding for) what is now beingcalled the Backbone Trail.Goodbye, Griffith: Development ofprivate property around Griffith Park inthe mid-’70s causes plans to shrink.Easternmost point is changed to Will

Rogers State Historic Park in PacificPalisades.The U’s turn: In 1978, PepperdineUniversity sells the state 145 acres inTopanga Canyon, the first parcelearmarked for the Backbone Trail.Politicians on the hill: Backbone gets ahigher profile when Congress createsSanta Monica Mountains NationalRecreation Area in 1978.Another engine: Plans pick up steamwhen the land-buying Santa MonicaMountains Conservancy is formed in1980. Its No. 1 priority? You got it.The good book: Milt McAuley, known asthe father of the Backbone, borrowsagainst his insurance policy to print his

“Hiking Trails of the Santa MonicaMountains” in 1980.Foot patrol: With an eye toward plottingthe route, about 10 hikers in 1983 beginwalking the length of the proposed trail.Some ranching paths date to the days ofMexican land grants.United, we dig: In 1986, YouthConservation Corps builds the firstsegment of the trail on federal land, 1ƒmiles in Newton Canyon.Is that in dog years?: There’s a “goodchance” Backbone will be completedwithin five years, a National ParkService official says in 1986.Define “almost done”: With 43 miles inplace in 1990, “near completion” of trail

is celebrated. Half are newly built trails,half are pre-existing trails and fire roads.Heard it all before: Campaigning forbond money in 1990, director of SantaMonica Conservancy “guarantees”Backbone will be completed within 18months.Master of this universe: Trail blazer RonWebster, who designs and overseesbuilding of many segments, is honoredin 1992 for his work on the HondoCanyon section.Hello, Hollywood: In 1997, Gregory Peckmakes a pitch to raise money to pay forthe final 6-mile gap. Donors can buy itby the foot — at $100 a pop.Camp Backbone: In 1998, the Park

Service invites hikers to spend the nightat campgrounds along the route.Closer, closer: Closing of 3-mile gap inupper Zuma Canyon in 1999 creates 40miles of continuous trails.It’s a wonderful trail: Ghost of FrankCapra joins the saga in 1999, when hisheirs deed to the cause 160 acres thefilmmaker once owned betweenWestlake Village and Malibu.59.5 miles and counting: When will it bedone? It’s complicated. Easements, landbuys and trail-building slow finish ofplanned 64-mile trail to a crawl. Oneofficial prediction: 2007.

Birth of the Backbone

Elevation profile

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Three standoutsRay Miller Trailhead at La Jolla Canyonto Danielson RanchFor insatiable viewmongers, the Backbone saves the best forlast. The western end of the trail starts at sea level from LaJolla Canyon then climbs quickly along a quiet path where youcan gaze at the Pacific and debate which Channel Island iswhich or look inland toward grasslands and 1,266-foot MuguPeak. Mountain bikers, allowed on part of this stretch, arediverted through Sycamore Canyon under a canopy of treesthat cover the fire road. After 8.1 miles, you can stop for waterand shade at Danielson Ranch. Load up your pack with cameragear and binoculars — it’s well worth the weight.

Mishe Mokwa Trailhead to Danielson RanchSolitude seekers and rock hounds take note: This may be theleast-traveled section of the Backbone because the trailhead isremote and not well signed. Here, the trail meanders throughmeadows of shoulder-high grass, climbs toward SandstonePeak, the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains, andtraverses Boney Ridge, offering wide views of the ocean and theOxnard Plain. But the towering rocks and dramatic crags reallydefine this landscape. You can hike 7.9 miles west on theBackbone or, if you want to explore, take a spur trail toSandstone’s 3,111-foot summit or do a 5-mile loop that includesa big-picture stop at Inspiration Point.

Will Rogers State Historic Park to Trippet RanchThis eastern-most stretch is 11.5 miles of Backbone bliss. Youcan peer into cha parral-studded canyons from rocky ridges,scramble to the top of a hulking sandstone slab called EagleRock (no, not that Eagle Rock) or take refuge from the heatunder sun-shielding oaks. But be prepared to share. Hikerssometimes bristle when mountain bikers appear on the narrowand steep single-track portion that starts near the beginning atWill Rogers. Don’t expect solitude — the masses flock to thiswell-signed, accessible segment.

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Trippet Ranch toTopangaCanyon Blvd.Distance: 1.1 miles

Parking: $5 parking fee atTrippet Ranch; $3 parkingfee at Dead HorseTrailhead on Entrada Road

Locating trailhead:Unsigned and difficult tofind at Topanga CanyonBlvd. Look for it acrossfrom the Greenleaf CanyonRoad bridge.

Topanga Canyon Blvd. toSaddle Peak RoadDistance: 5.2 miles

Parking: $3 fee at DeadHorse Trailhead on EntradaRoad; parking at SaddlePeak Road

Locating trailhead: Aftercrossing Greenleaf CanyonRoad bridge and before theroad takes a sharp rightturn, look for a trail thatgoes up the hill to the left.Trail is signed as it comesdown to Saddle Peak Road.

Stunt Road to MalibuCanyon RoadDistance: 2.1 milesParking: Limited on StuntRoad; lot at Malibu CanyonRoad

Locating trailhead: Trailis unsigned as it leavesStunt Road. Look for it 2.8miles from intersection ofMulholland Highway andStunt Road.

Malibu Canyon Road toCorral Canyon RoadDistance: 5.4 milesParking: At either end

Locating trailhead: Trailis signed but not visible atMalibu Canyon Road. Lookfor a lot south of PiumaRoad intersection.

Corral Canyon Road toLatigo Canyon RoadDistance: 4.1 miles

Parking: Limited on LatigoCanyon Road to turnout onshoulder

Locating trailhead: Trailis signed, but in the brushseveral feet off LatigoCanyon Road.

Will RogersState Historic Park toTrippet RanchDistance: 11.5 miles

Parking: $5 parking feeat either end

Locating trailhead:Signed at both ends.

Saddle Peak Road to StuntRoad/Schueren RoadDistance: 4.7 milesParking: On Saddle PeakRoad; limited parking onshoulder along Stunt Road

Locating trailhead:Unmarked as it continueswest of the Saddle Peaktrailhead. Look for itclimbing steeply atintersection of Schueren andStunt roads; sign for aconnector trail from StuntRoad is obscured by brush.

TrailheadsThirteen segments break theBackbone Trail into dayhikes. Hikers beware: Don’tleave home without a moredetailed map.*Hiking directions are listedhere from east to west.

Latigo Canyon Road toKanan Dume RoadDistance: 2.3 miles

Parking: Limited on LatigoCanyon Road; parking lot atKanan Dume Road

Locating trailhead: Trail issigned at Latigo CanyonRoad, but hard to see fromroad. Look for trail 2.8miles from the intersectionof Kanan Dume Road andLatigo Canyon Road.

Kanan Dume Road toZuma Ridge MountainwayDistance: 2.5 miles

Parking: Only at KananDume Road

Locating trailhead: Well-marked trail ends atunfinished segment. Walknorth less than a half-mileto Encinal Canyon Road (noparking) or return to KananDume Road.

Encinal Canyon Road toMulholland HighwayDistance: 2.2 miles

Parking: None at eitherend

Locating trailhead:Unmarked at both ends,trail is hard to find. Westend is a half-mile from theintersection of DeckerCanyon and MulhollandHighway; look for hikingsign and gate just off thehighway.

Trail gap to Mishe MokwaTrailheadDistance: 4 miles

Parking: Limited on YerbaBuena Road on narrowturnouts; parking lot atMishe Mokwa

Locating trailhead: Hardto find at Yerba BuenaRoad. Look for a smallhiking sign (no mention ofthe Backbone) 1.7 milesfrom the intersection ofLittle Sycamore CanyonRoad (which becomes YerbaBuena) and MulhollandHighway.

Mishe Mokwa Trailheadto Danielson RanchDistance: 7.9 miles

Parking: At Mishe MokwaTrailhead on Yerba BuenaRoad; no car access atDanielson Ranch

Locating trailhead:Rerouted to continue fromMishe Mokwa to aconnector route that leadsto Sandstone Peak Trail.This segment is not signedat each end as BackboneTrail.

Danielson Ranch to RayMiller Trailhead/Point Mugu State ParkDistance: 8.1 miles

Parking: $5 fee at RayMiller Trailhead

Locating trailhead:Backbone Trail designatedat west end.

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Riparian woodlandsStreambanks; western sycamores,Fremont cottonwoods, California bay,big leaf maple, white alder.

Coastal sage scrubWestern slopes above beaches;coastal sagebrush, coyotebrush, buckwheat and threedifferent sages.

ChaparralWidespread on inland slopesand ridges; chamise, ceanothus(known as California lilac),scrub oak, toyon.

Oak savannasOpen grassy areas; valley oak,at its southernmost limit.

Oak woodlandsPrimarily in Topanga and Malibucanyons; coast live oak, brackenfern, at 11 feet tall believed to bethe largest in the U.S.

GrasslandNot extensive, mostly in La Jolla Valley atPoint Mugu State Park; many non-nativegrasses, but some natives, such as purpleneedlegrass, survive.

Freshwater marshesEdges of ponds and lakes; sedges,tules and cattails.

Graphics reporting by Mary Forgione , Leslie Carlson Times staff writers, and Bill Sharpsteen , for The Times

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* Trail segments rounded off to the nearest 10th of a mile account for the discrepancy in total mileage

It’s 59ƒ miles of canyons and ridges stitched together with a few urban seams. And it’s not done yet.

The Backbone Trail

Elevation profile(in feet)

1,000

00 2 4 6 8(in miles)

The western end of the trail from La Jolla Canyon climbs steeply.

Oaks provide shade along a stretch of the trail near Trippet Ranch.

Sources: “Guide to the Backbone Trail”; National Park Service, “Flowering Plants: The Santa Monica Mountains, Coastal & Chaparral Regions of Southern California”; California Native Plant Society; Times files.

Leslie Carlson Los Angeles Times

Photographs by Al Seib Los Angeles Times

View at sunset from Sandstone Peak looking northwest toward Camarillo.

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A smaller gap is an existing trail that runsa mere half-mile through Zuma andTrancas canyons on private land. The ParkService has made offers to the landownersand are awaiting their decision.

A section between Mulholland Highway and YerbaBuena Road passes through private land. TheNational Park Service is waiting for Congress toapprove the funds needed to purchase the land.

KEY

Trail exists, butpublic right-of-wayneeds to be secured

Trail construction required

Trail open to the public

Missing linksCurrently the Backbone Trailis missing about five milesthat straddle the border ofL.A. and Ventura counties.

Ray MillerTrailhead

Point MuguState Park

TrippetRanch

WillRogersStateHistoricPark

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