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From the mountains to the sea, this route has amazing views and thrilling singletrack.


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Map Key

8.9

Miles

14.4

KM

Singletrack

2,067' 630 m

High

475' 145 m

Low

642' 196 m

Up

1,848' 563 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

18%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Description

From the upper end of the Eagle Springs Fire Road, this section of the Backbone Trail starts at "The Hub". Head uphill towards Eagle Rock, an interesting place to stop and check out the views.

At the top, you’ll stay to the right and head around to the Backbone singletrack, a descent that has plenty of fun and flow, a very playful downhill experience.

As you make your way back to the trailhead, you'll encounter a mix of fast, open ridgeline sections, short sections in the trees, and unlimited views. The vegetation cover changes throughout with everything from chaparral and open meadows to oak woodlands and coastal sage scrub.

Take care near the J-Drop (Josepho Spur Trail) intersection above Chicken Bridges. The trail skirts an exposed sidehill with a sketchy-looking railing before crossing the bridges, one metal and one made of dirt.

The lower part of the descent is swooping and playful, connecting a series of small ridges. Take care with your speed on this section - there will be a lot of users headed uphill from the Will Rogers trailhead.

The route ends just above the polo fields on wide doubletrack lined by large trees.

Contacts

Shared By:

Leslie Kehmeier

Trail Ratings

  3.8 from 10 votes

#11698

Overall
  3.8 from 10 votes
5 Star
20%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
20%
2 Star
10%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#783

in California

#11,698

Overall
11 Views Last Month
3,596 Since Dec 4, 2016
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
9%
45%
18%
27%
0%

Photos

Backbone Trail to Will Rogers State Historic Park
Jan 18, 2021 near Topanga, CA
The Backbone Trail from the Hub to Will Rogers is great fun!
May 12, 2017 near Topanga, CA
More fun this direction :) -- watch for blind corners
Dec 23, 2015 near Topanga, CA
The Hub at dusk. It looks lonely here, but this is the confluence of several trails and roads in the area and a good place to make new friends. Shade, trash, and restroom available, but no water.
Jun 10, 2017 near Topanga, CA
One of only a few switchbacks on the Backbone Trail
Mar 16, 2014 near Santa M…, CA
Good rest stop, halfway up Backbone.
Nov 2, 2017 near Topanga, CA
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

May 30, 2022
Dresden Kaiser
as of May 30th 2022 the trail is still fun but is now extremely overgrown which really puts a damper on things.
Jun 25, 2021
Roman de Jesus
Started at Will Rogers, fun singletrack sections
Aug 23, 2020
Derek W
3h 30m
Jun 27, 2020
Rex Lacambacal
Aug 2, 2019
Colin Arnott
1.4mi
Apr 13, 2019
Luis Martinez
Dec 27, 2018
John Gump
Feb 28, 2018
Matthew Burr
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