Backbone Trail Map 4

Hiking distance: 12.4-miles.

Hiking time: 5 hours.

Highlights: Saddle Peak has some great rock formations and the views are spectacular on clear days. Many sections of the trail are shaded. Also, keep an eye out for fossilized rock.

Elevation gain/loss: Starting elevation is 480 feet, the highest elevation is 2,709 feet, the ending elevation is 879 feet and the lowest point is 436 feet.

Difficulty: Strenuous

Signs: There are many Backbone Trail signs, however not every junction is marked.

Spurs: None.

Dogs: Canines are not permitted in state parks and half of the hike is in Malibu Creek State Park.

Drinking fountains and picnic tables: None.

Restrooms: There is a restroom at both parking areas.

Directions to trailhead: Driving directions: Leave a shuttle car at the end of the hike. From Malibu Canyon Road and Highway 1, drive 7.4 miles east to Topanga Canyon Boulvard and turn left. From Highway 1 travel 4.7 miles north on Topanga Canyon Boulvard and turn right on Entrada Road. The parking lot is on the left 0.1 mile farther. If coming from Point Mugu, Topanga Canyon Boulvard is 32.7 from Las Posas Road and Highway 1. To the trailhead: From the parking lot turn right and then left on Topanga Canyon Boulvard and drive south 4.7 miles and turn right on Highway 1. Drive 7.4 miles west to Malibu Canyon Road and turn right. From Highway 1 travel 4.5 miles north on Malibu Canyon Road to a parking lot on the left. If there is a lot of traffic, go past the parking lot to the traffic light to get turned around.

Hiking directions: From the parking lot walk north over the bridge on Malibu Canyon Road and turn right on Piuma Road at 0.16 mile. Don't turn at the first Backbone Trail sign that is just a few yards past Malibu Canyon Road on the right. Instead, stay on the wide dirt shoulder and turn right at the next Backbone Trail sign at 0.47 mile which is just beyond the 30 mph sign. Beware of poison oak next to the trail in many places along this hike. Follow the narrow, shady foot path and just past a wooden fence cross a paved road at 0.61 mile. Straight across the road look for the foot path with a no bicycle sign. At 1.79 miles turn right, not downhill. At 2.05 miles cross paved Piuma Road and walk to the left looking for the Backbone Trail to Stunt Road sign. Follow this trail and at 2.13 miles stay to the right on the main trail. At 5.22 miles there are two Backbone Trail signs, turn right toward Saddle Peak. There are many places to take a lunch break in the Saddle Peak area. From Saddle Peak it is mostly downhill. After passing a large water tank there is a gate at 6.89 miles and a paved road at 6.93 miles. Pick up the foot path straight across the road. Bear left at the fork at 7.11 miles and you'll reach paved Stunt Road at 7.17 miles. Cross the road and turn right toward the stop sign. At 7.29 miles turn left at the Backbone Trail sign and go around the yellow gate. Turn right at the next Backbone trail sign, on the right, at 7.37 miles. Turn right at 8.03 miles and switchback to the left at the Backbone Trail sign. (Straight goes out to the paved road). Stay to the right at 10.56 miles and turn right, downhill, at the Backbone Trail sign at 10.86 miles. At 11.06 miles stay to the left (don't cross the creek). You'll come to Old Topanga Canyon Road, after climbing the embankment, at 11.66 miles. Cross the road and turn right and just before the guardrail and bridge look for a makeshift trail sign on the left. Just beyond the trail sign pole is a horse route sign and just past that turn left. Just past some water tanks follow the pavement and turn left, just before the brick school building, and climb the wood steps. The trail winds through an area with a small amphitheater and picnic tables and just beyond turn right and climb some more wood steps. Turn right at 12.1 miles and right again a little farther under some oak trees, and head downhill in the direction of traffic noise. At 12.3 miles you'll come to a paved road, Greenleaf Canyon Road, and lots of blue trash dumpsters. Turn right and Topanga Canyon Boulvard is at 12.4 miles. Cross the highway and a little to the left is the trail next to a power pole. Follow this trail and turn right under some trees and head uphill to the parking lot.