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The Backbone Trail is a very popular and well known trail that covers 67 miles and spans the Santa Monica Mountains from Will Rogers State Historic Park to Pacific Palisades. It is enjoyed by hikers, mountain bikers and even horseback riders. There are several different ways to access the Backbone Trail because it crosses many roads which gives you the opportunity to try out various sections without having to backtrack to where you started. You can even do a two car trip if you want by parking a car at the beginning and end of your ride. The terrain of the Backbone Trail will vary depending on where you ride and can be anything from smooth singletrack to rocky terrain to stream crossings. The difficulty levels also vary a little from section to section but overall stays pretty consistent for the most part. |
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Backbone Video
Backbone Trail - Cessna Rd to Castro Mtwy Trail Review
This review is of the Backbone Trail covers the section from Cessna Rd to Castro Mtwy and is about 2.5 miles going one way. Since Cessna Rd is a dirt road and appears to be private you will need to park at the dirt parking lot on Latigo Cyn and then ride up Backbone to the starting point at Cessna Rd. This will add maybe another mile to your ride. Or you can start from Castro Mtwy since you can park right there at the trailhead but it's a longer drive if you are coming off the 101. Once you start the ride from Cessna it will begin with a flowing yet partially rocky downhill start to the ride. Then the trail will start to smooth out as well as level out and go through some trees which make for a nice riding environment, especially during the summer when it’s hot. You will also hit some more rocky areas but nothing the average rider can't handle.
As you approach Castro Mtwy you will start to climb and it will get rocky once again until you hit the parking lot at the top on Castro Mtwy. Overall this part of Backbone is very fun and is pretty popular with bikers and hikers so watch your speed on blind corners. Some parts may be a little intimidating for beginners but any intermediate rider should not have any problem with any part of the trail. If you do the trail as a round trip you get the benefit of having some downhill fun at the beginning on the way there and on the way back but of course that leaves you with the uphill on both ends too! The time required to do the round trip ride is about 1.5 hours at a moderate pace.
Backbone Trail Pictures
Directions
If you want to start this ride from Cessna Rd then you will have to do the extra ride up Backbone starting from Latigo Canyon Rd. To get to the Latigo Canyon parking lot take the 101 freeway to the Kanan Rd exit and then head west towards the beach for about 6.5 miles to Latigo Canyon and make a left. Then you will drive up the windy road 3 miles to the dirt parking lot that will be on your left.
If you are coming from the beach\PCH area then you may want to try it the other direction by heading up Corral Canyon Rd which will eventually turn into Castro Mtwy. From there just take it until it turns into a dirt road and you will be in the parking lot. The trailhead will be on the left as you come into the parking lot. If you take the trailhead to the right then that will take you on a completely different part of Backbone Trail.
