Backbone Trail: Etz Meloy Bypass

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

After two years of battling private land owners who decided to close the Etz Meloy fire road to hikers and cyclists traffic, National Park Service and State Parks purchased land for the purpose of bypassing this section of the backbone.

The stubbornness of the land owners, who did not want to compromise and permit access to the good people who use this trail, cost the tax payers some money. But money well spent I say!

With the completion of this bypass, you can ride the Backbone Trail on your bike (with no interruptions) from Malibu State Park all the way to the Yerba Buena parking lot - approximately 30 miles one way.
And, if you're a hiker, now you can hike the ENTIRE Backbone Trail (70 miles) with no interruptions.

This bypass connects two of the best sections of the Backbone Trail:
(1) Encinal to Etz Meloy - a low grade, shaded and fast part of the backbone that contains many, many curves and side burns. This is the REAL Space Mountain Trail in my opinion (and not Los Robles West Trail).
(2) Etz Meloy bypass to Yerba Buena parking lot - This section of the backbone provides breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the peaks and valleys of the Santa Monica Mountains.