[1] The Backbone Trail, Circle X Ranch and Sandstone Peak segment

Looking towards the ocean from near Sandstone Peak on the Backbone Trail Description This segment of the Backbone Trail, like Ezt Meloy Mty, provides some great views of the ocean to the south and Hidden Valley and beyond to the north and of course it provides access to Sandstone peak. Combining this with the Mishe Mokwa Trail makes a great loop hike. It is open to biking but it isn't an easy ride. The uphill section from Yerba Buena Rd is very slightly steeper than the upper section of Bulldog but looser and more rutted. Biking is not permitted west of the Mishe Mokwa Trail because the Backbone Trail then enters the Boney Mtn Wilderness Area, which, like all wilderness areas, is closed to mountain bikes. However, this could be combined with the Yerba Buena single track segment of the Backbone Trail, with or without Etz Meloy Mty, to provide an extra challenge.

Length (miles)	2.5
Climb (feet)	1100 (from trailhead on Yerba Buena to Mishe Mokwa Trail)
Descent (feet)	450

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[2, 2b] Mishe Mokwa Trail  (hiking only: no bikes, no horses)

On the Mishe Mokwa Trail Description This is a somewhat rugged trail that provides interesting scenery and diverse terrain. From the trailhead on Yerba Buena Rd, the trail quickly reaches the edge of a canyon with the Echo Cliffs and Balanced Rock on the opposite side. In less than a mile the trail drops to the floor of the canyon where it becomes less rugged,but the views of the sandstone formations and rockfalls don't stop. The trail ends when it meets the Backbone Trail fire road, 3.1 miles from the trailhead. Returning on the Backbone Trail will provide some great views of the ocean.

Length (miles)	3.1
Climb (feet)	1000 (from trailhead on Yerba Buena to Backbone Trail)
Descent (feet)	400

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[3,4] Backbone Trail, Yerba Buena Rd segment and Yellow Hill Fire Road

The Yerba Buena single track segment of the Backbone Trail Description This is a fairly gentle trail, built to modern multi-use standards, meaning it's not too steep, reasonably smooth, about 4-feet wide and perfect for novice riders or for an easy hike. The views are pleasant, but not as good as you get from higher up, for example Etz Meloy Mty or Yellow Hill Fire Rd. Nevertheless it's a lot of fun and much less crowded than similar trails in the Santa Monica Mountains. Strong riders and hikers should climb the Yellow Hill Fire Rd spur for much better views of the area. There is no parking at the trailhead at the east end of this trail, although there is a small space for a couple of cars at the side of the road about a quarter mile west. The eastern trailhead partly hidden - there is just a small gap in the heavy brush and it's almost certain you won't see it when driving in your car. It is located on Yerba Buena Rd a couple hundred yards east of the bottom of Etz Meloy Mty where the houses start when coming from Decker Rd. On the other hand, there is lots of parking at the western end, across the street from the Mishe Mokwa trailhead. The Yellow Hill Fire Road is 0.68 miles long and has 350 feet of elevation gain. Some sections are covered with loose rocks so it can be a bit of a technical challenge to ride, particularly on the way down. There are some great views from the top, however, that make the climb worthwhile.

Length (miles)	4.5
Climb (feet)	It's pretty much impossible to measure the amount of climing or descent on the Backbone single track from the GPS track because the steepness of the side-slope makes the elevation at any point quite inaccurate. You'll have to estimate it yourself from the profile below.
Descent (feet)

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[5] Etz Meloy Motorway

Looking  towards Sandstone Peak along Yerba Buena/Little Sycamore Rd from Etz Meloy Mty Description This fire road provides some spectacular view in all directions, to the ocean to the south and into Hidden Valley, Thousand Oaks and beyond to the north. The first half mile is quite steep and can be quite a challenge to climb. Once, when it was loose after it had just been graded, we pushed our bikes up most of the first hill. After that it follows the ridgeline, accounting for the great views. The descent back to Yerba Buena Rd at the west end is somewhat rocky and rutted. The trail starts on Decker Rd/Westlake Blvd, about 0.2 miles south of the northern-most branch of Mulholland Hwy. Start up the driveway on what looks like private propery, then turn left immediately up the steep hill. There should be a white metal gate with the name Etz Meloy Mty painted on it.

Length (miles)	2.6
Climb (feet)	800
Descent (feet)	520

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[6] Clark Ranch Fire Road

Description The Clark Ranch Fire Road connects Decker Rd to Encinal Canyon Rd and the Trancas Canyon section of the Backbone Trail. Sometime in 2004, a new singletrack section of the Backbone Trail [7] was built that starts and ends in the same place, but is better in every way. The Clark Ranch Fire Road is covered in the Zuma section of these maps.

[7] Backbone Trail, Decker Rd segment

Description This single track section of the Backbone Trail starts and ends at the same place as the Clark Ranch Fire Rd, but is built to modern single track standards (smooth, wide and gentle slopes) and so is much more fun to ride, and great for novices. The trailhead at the top is very close to the top of Clark Ranch Fire Rd, then runs next to Decker Rd for a little further than a tenth of a mile, through a grove of pine trees, before turning briefly onto a private driveway, then continuing on the single track. It comes out near the bottom of Clark Ranch Fire Rd.

Length (miles)	1.1
Climb (feet)	150 (starting at Decker Rd)
Descent (feet)	400

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[8] Trancas Canyon segment of the Backbone Trail

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This page was last updated May 13, 2008

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