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[1] The Backbone Trail, Zuma Ridge to Corral Canyon and         (Watch the Video!)

Description There are two sections of the Backbone trail that experienced riders love. This is one and the other is Rogers Road. Usually we park on Kanan in the lot just north of the tunnel closest to the beach and ride east to Corral Canyon Rd. Except for a couple hundred yards, this is entirely singletrack. The trail goes through three canyons so there's a good amount of climbing;  mostly it's firm and well maintained, but there are some sections that are quite loose and rocky. The easiest section, at least on the way out, and possibly the most fun, is between the Saddle and Corral Canyon parking area. Here is the description of that part. The ride starts at Kanan with a very steep and usually rocky and loose climb or push up above the road and over the tunnel. From there it continues to climb, then descends to the first canyon. The climb up to Latigo Canyon Rd has a number of ruts and small steps that are really fun on the way back going downhill. After crossing Latigo the trail soon starts downhill. There is one short stretch shortly into the downhill that good riders can ride down and great riders can ride up on the way back. The climb up to the saddle has one loose, rocky section that almost everyone walks, so don't feel badly if you can't ride it. We normally take a break at the saddle to wait for everyone to catch up and maybe have a snack. As mentioned above, the last part to Corral Canyon road is really fun. At the Corral Canyon Rd parking area we turn around and ride back. Sometimes, for an extra challenge, at the end of the ride we'll continue past Kanan to Zuma Ridge. This is probably the easiest part of the Backbone in this area and is great for intermediate riders but will be a challenge in places for novices. The trail always seems to be in great shape, but it has a deceptive amount of climbing. And occasionally we start at Zuma Ridge and ride to Corral Canyon and back, but you have to be in really great shape for this. Trail Ratings: Zuma Ridge to Kanan: Kanan to Latigo Canyon Rd: (except for the first climb over the tunnel: ) Latigo Canyon Rd to the Saddle: The Saddle to Corral Canyon Rd:

Length (miles)	8.8 total, 6.3 from Kanan-Dume to Corral Canyon
Climb (feet)	2500 total, west to east, 1950 from Kanan-Dume to Corral Canyon
Descent (feet)	2000 total, west to east, 1450 from Kanan-Dume to Corral Canyon

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[2,3] Backbone Trail, Zuma Ridge to Decker Canyon Rd (23 South) , and

Description This section of the Backbone Trail unfortunately doesn't quite make it all the way to Zuma Ridge. It stops a few hundred yards short, so don't plan to ride west on the Backbone from Zuma Ridge unless you want to ride on Encinal Canyon Rd for about a mile. So, it's best to start at the west end at Decker Canyon Rd (23 South) and ride east almost to Zuma Ridge. Starting at Decker Canyon Rd and heading east, the Backbone Trail follows Clark Ranch fireroad ()downhill to Encinal Canyon Rd. A few hundred yards from the top, a singletrack heads up the ridgeline on the right side as you head down. The singletrack starts with a steep climb but it gets easier after that, continuing for about a third of a mile before you have to turn around and return the way you came.. Although not very long, the views make the trip well worthwhile. At the bottom of Clark Ranch fireroad, the trail continues as a singletrack () on the south side of Encinal Canyon Rd, a short distance to the east. The trail drops into Encinal Canyon and comes back out at an Edison Rd. Turn right on the Edison Rd and a somewhat disused singletrack () will join the road from the left. This trail goes towards Zuma Ridge, but dead-ends just before it reaches it, so it's not as well used as the other trails and therefore is somewhat overgrown. Furthermore it is a little rocky, loose and rutted over most of it, so it's best left to good riders. It's a challenge to climb, but lots of fun on the way back down!

Length (miles)	2.9
Climb (feet)	840
Descent (feet)	690

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[4] Edison Road

Description This is a well-maintained road that is accessible from Encinal Canyon Rd, although there is no parking at the entrance, and from the Backbone Trail. It's a fairly easy climb and descent, but keep in mind that the only way out is back the way you came. Near the bottom, at a fork, the road becomes completely overgrown to the left but has a bit of a trail hacked through it. This road used to connect to Zuma Ridge, but a landslide several years ago wiped out a section of the road in the middle, making it completely impassible. The road continues down from what is shown on this map, but we don't know how far because what is shown on this map is as far as we explored. (We were pretty tired after hacking our way through the bush to find the landslide, then hacking our way back.) Although this is a fireroad and is probably prohivitively hot and dead in the summer, it's really pretty in the spring when all the blooms are out and it's fun to ride on several soft grassy sections.

Length (miles)	2.2
Climb (feet)	670
Descent (feet)	870

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[5] Zuma Ridge Motorway

Description The Zuma Ridge Motorway is a fireroad that starts at Encinal Canyon Rd, climbs about 1000 feet to the crest before dropping down two and a half thousand feet into Malibu. Even though it's a fireroad, it has three real advantages over the fantastic Backbone Trail singletrack that intersects it. First, it has tremendous views of the coast and, when it's really clear, the Channel Islands. Second, when it's wet, the Backbone Trail quickly becomes a quagmire of super sticky, tire-clinging mud, but Zuma Ridge is made up mostly of sand and broken sandstone so it sheds water quite well, similar to Space Mountain. This is a good place to ride in the winter. Third, If you're looking for a really good workout, this road has a lot of climbing! The top half is part of the infamous Upper Zuma Loop ride that has over 5000 feet of climbing in about 18 miles. Even if you don't want that much exercise, a simple out and back has 3500 feet of descent and climbing over twelve miles. As you can see from the profile below, it's a pretty constant grade, and too steep for many riders. Even though it's a fireroad, this trail is rated because the surface is uneven and unpredictable. In the summer, even though most of the surface is very firm, some of the corners are sandy and it's easy to get up too much speed and wash out on a turn. Year round, there are sections that are somewhat rocky, but again, firm. And in the winter, there are generally some ruts to add to the challenge. One note of caution. With all the climbing on this trail, it's best to avoid it when it's hot out, so this is really a ride for the fall, winter and spring. If you think this trail is steep, see how it compares to other steep trails.

Length (miles)	5.9
Climb (feet)	1100 (Encinal Canyon Rd to Malibu)
Descent (feet)	2400

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[6] Zuma Canyon Edison Rd

Description This fireroad is a key part of the Upper Zuma Loop ride, connecting Zuma Ridge with Kanan-Dume Rd. Starting at Zuma Ridge, a little over a third of the way down from Buzzard's Roost (the intersection is just a hundred yards or so beachside of the power lines you go under), the road starts with a fairly steep drop into Zuma Canyon, crosses the sandy, when dry, or rushing Zuma Creek, then climbs over the next ridge and down to Kanan. In the picture to the right, the descent can be seen in the foreground and the climb out is in the distance. The road is in good shape, fairly smooth and firm, but the climb out is the real challenge. It is generally considered to be harder than Bulldog, even though there's only about 1500 feet of climbing, about two thirds as much as Bulldog.      Once you get down to Kanan-Dume road, it's a fairly easy ride uphill on Kanan and through the tunnel to get to the Backbone Trail parking area, or you can turn downhill about a half mile to continue on Dume Canyon Motorway, the next stage of the Upper Zuma Loop ride.      This trail is rated "very difficult" because of the climbing involved, not because of any technical challenges. This trail is for very strong riders only! If you think this trail is steep, see how it compares to other steep trails.

Length (miles)	4.8
Climb (feet)	1500, approximately
Descent (feet)	2000, approximately

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[7] Kanan Dume Rd, Dume Canyon Mtwy, Ramera Mtwy and Newton Mtwy

Description This is a key part of the Upper Zuma Loop ride, connecting the east end of the Zuma Edison Rd with the Backbone Trail at the Saddle. It is 100% pavement and fireroad, although not as easy as one might think due to the relentless climbing, especially after climbing out of Zuma Canyon. This part of the route starts where the Zuma Edison Rd meets Kanan Dume Rd. Head downhill (right) about a half mile on Kanan to get to Dume Canyon Motorway on the left. This road is paved and has some vehicle traffic on it, but not much. After about a mile of climbing, there is a sharp left turn onto Ramera Motorway, which is also paved. This road follows the ridgeline and, typical of such roads, has short climbs and descents that are on the steep side. After another mile, the pavement gives way to dirt and it gets a little steeper. Cross Latigo Canyon Rd to get onto Newton Motorway, also dirt, and no less steep. It crests after about a half mile, then descends to the Saddle where the Backbone Trail singletrack crosses it.

Length (miles)	4.3
Climb (feet)	1550, approximately
Descent (feet)	600, approximately

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This page last updated on June 10, 2007

Thanks for looking at Steve's guide to trails in Ventura County, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) and other locations.