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Backbone Trail in Topanga
17 reviews
3.76 of 5
6 miles of speedy singletrack downhill with epic vistas.
Topanga Canyon Blvd. to Entrada, up to Trippet Ranch entrance of Topanga State Park. Park just outside the gate to avoid the day use fee. Thomas Guide, page 590. Or you can climb it, from Will Rogers State Park in the Palisades, Thomas Guide page 631.
Summary: The top of the trail after the hub is washed out so sling the bike over your shoulder and hike about 20 yards through the wash to where the trail reappears. The top is also pretty overgrown which can make it tough to see the ruts from this years storms. Its fairly flat, not that fast at the top but it gets steeper and faster the further you go. Its definitely one of the better trails I've ridden in Southern California, take the time to check out the vistas, which are spectacular even on a smoggy day. Pack lots of water though, it was hotter than the sun up there the other day.
Recommended Route: Ride up Sullivan fire road, make a left on dirt Mullholland and ride past the hub to where the trail starts.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Sullivan canyon, Crags road in Malibu (short but fun).
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Summary: I ride this trail pretty often, since it's right around the corner from my house and the only singletrack I can get to without getting a ride. But I've got to say that it's never been this fun.
Rode it today (April 17, 05) and was amazed at how fast and smooth the ride was (even for a 14yr old like me, ha). The ruts from this year's rains were somewhat filled, so the entire trail was rideable. The little middle downhill section (does it have a name :D) was pretty loose, but just added a little challenge to the ride.
The trail overall got a bit less technical than it was maybe a month ago after the rains, but is instead now a really fast ride. The only weakness I can think of is that the beginning is a bit overgrown, and there are some really low branches, so make sure you're wearing a helmet, or you'll get to Will Rogers with an assortment of dents in your scalp.
I'd advise anyone in the area to head out there now before the trail crew comes through and makes this a four lane highway. I don't know much about trail maintainance, but you'd think they'd do something to it because of the recent storms.
(Btw, the aroebic difficulty is based on a ride down the Backbone, not up)
Recommended Route: Take Trailer Canyon to the Will Roger's trailhead to mix in a climb into your ride.
If you're coming from he valley side, take Fire Road #30 to the Hub and just head down for maybe 0.3 miles to the trailhead. Might want to mix in Caballero Canyon for some fun.
A longer route from the beach would be up sullivan (ridge or canyon) and then left on Mullhuland untill you get to fire road #30. Take that to the Hub (like the route above.)
Other recommended trails in the same area: Sullivan Ridge/Canyon
Paseo Miramar(best fire road in the area)
Caballero Canyon (fun little downhill with a couple small stream crossings)
Malibu Creek is a great place to ride too. Going to explore it more, but what I've ridden is fabulous.
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Summary: fun ride about 2-3 hours loop for me. fire road and fun downhill singletrack. it used to be much more narrow and rutted, but has been bulldozed recently. a shame. the rain had indeed taken it's toll on the trail and it needed repair. but repair does not mean a trail needs to be widened and in this case it was literally bulldozed wide and flat. a real shame. for good trail maintenance, check out ken burton or latuna, fun fun rides.
Recommended Route: sullivan up to mullholland, left on mullholland towards the hub, hub down the backgone to will rogers, then sunset back to sullivan
Other recommended trails in the same area: ken burton, el priety, la tuna, kenter, maibu state park
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Summary: This trail used to be terrific. This spring the lower section of the Backbone Trail was basically bulldozed. This great trail has been ruined, and is basically just for hiking now. Very sad.
Recommended Route: Pick another trail.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Backbone Malibu.
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Review Date February 16, 2004
Overall Rating 3 of 5
Aerobic Difficulty 3 of 5
Technical Difficulty 3 of 5
Ridden Trail: Once a week
Visitors rate this review 1.00 of 5,
2 votes
Reviewed by:
,
Downhiller
Summary: It's ok but better at night. It's not that wild so all you padded yahoos are playing yourself. Best to go on Mon-Fri. Weekends are to full of hikers and you'll just get it closed trying to be hardcore. Ride it at night if you want a challenge and to avoid hikers. I'm that guy always up there with the 50 pound Big Hit DH bike smokin all the wannabe XC racers. If I wanted to go DH I'd go to the real DH spots (none in the Santa Monicas). I just ride there to get my XC on since I like to race both classes.
Other recommended trails in the same area: None they all suck
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