The Backbone Trail is a 65 mile long trail system that spans from Will Rogers Historic State Park all the way to Point Mugu State Park and offers a variety of riding even though bikes are not allowed on all parts of the trail. One fun section of the Backbone Trail starts from Yerba Buena Rd and takes you up to Sandstone Peak which is the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains at 3,100 feet height. This part of the trail is all singletrack until you start the climb up to Sandstone Peak where the trail widens up as well as gets steeper up to the peak.

Backbone - Yerba Buena to Sanstone, Filmed and Rated by Mike Treiber Review Date: 6/14/2013 Trail Ratings  Fun Factor:  Technical:

The trail starts out with some up and down singletrack riding and has more uphill until you get about midway on Backbone. Then it will take you on a decent back down to where you cross Yerba Buena again. You will have a couple of options to get to the Sandstone Peak climb but be prepared to do some walking since it's a little on the steep side. Then when you get to the top you can check out the monument and the view before heading back down for more fun.

Backbone Trail Video

Backbone Trail Review

This ride is similar to many of the other sections of Backbone with windy fairly smooth singletrack riding that offers some good climbs and fun downhill sections. This part of the trail in particular offers some nice views of the mountains and valley below making your breaks more scenic.

If you like uphill climbs and downhill fun then you will get it in both directions if you do this part of the trail as a there and back ride. The section of Backbone you can take after crossing Yerba Buena is more of a walk and is very rocky. And it can be a little taxing if it's a hot day. Plus you will run into more hikers in this section since there is a trailhead parking lot here.

Then there is the final climb to Sandstone Peak. This climb is steeper than it looks and when its hot outside can be a little rough. The trail is covered with loose rock making it slippery to ride or walk up and offers little shade along the way. On the way down it can be fun if you are into navigating loose rocks which some people enjoy. It will eventually clear up making for a faster ride down towards the parking lot.

Overall this part of Backbone is worth doing for the singletrack fun and scenic views along the way. The section going up to Sandstone Peak is not too fun but if you want to make it to the top then you will have to power through it. If you do this ride as a round trip then it will be around 15 miles of riding which makes for a decent ride.

Backbone Trail Pictures

Directions to the Backbone Trail\Yebra Buena start

To get to the start of the trail you need to make your way to Mulholland Dr either from the 23 (Decker Rd) or from Kanan. Then when you get to Little Sycamore Canyon you hang a right and it will turn into Yerba Buena Rd. You will then get to some houses and a left sweeping turn and there will be open dirt area to the left where you can park. Then you will ride your bike back down the road the way you came around the bend and the trailhead will be on your right and a little hard to see so pay attention so you don't end up going back down the road too far.

When you get back down to Yerba Buena Rd again after the singletrack you can either cross over to the next parking lot and head up Backbone Trail to Mishe Mokwa Trail and hang a left to continue on Backbone since you can’t ride on Mishe Mokwa. You can also ride down the road to the left and hit the next parking lot and ride up to Sandstone Peak from there. Either way you will intersect with the climb to Sandstone Peak.

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