Backbone West from Decker Rd

Backbone West from Decker Rd

Description: Ride a few hundred yards on Decker Rd to get to the base of Etz Meloy Motorway, a future segment of the Backbone Trail. The first hill is pretty steep and a lot of people will push up it, but it gets to the top of the ridge pretty quickly and then there will be spectacular views in all directions, including into Hidden Valley and Lake Sherwood. After 2.6 miles on the fire road, cross Yerba Buena Rd to get onto the singletrack Backbone Trail and ride it 4.5 miles to the base of the the Mishe Mokwa Trail. Turn around there and retrace your path, with a possible extra 0.6 mile segment, each way, to the top of Yellow Hill on a very rocky fireroad. An easier option on the way back is to take Yerba Buena/Little Sycamore Canyon Rd back instead of the Etz Meloy Motorway.

Ride Statistics	Explanation of technical ratings
Ratings: E3.5, T3 Distance: 16.1 miles Climb: 2660 feet Descent: 2660 feet	T3 means 'Predominately uneven surfaces & somewhat rocky'

Directions to the Trailhead (Decker & Mulholland NORTH): Exit the 101 Freeway at the Westlake Blvd and head south. About 3.5 miles past Potrero, turn left onto Mulholland and park on the shoulder. If you come to a stop sign with Mulholland on the right, you have gone too far; turn around and drive back 1.5 miles to the northern leg of Mulholland. Westlake Blvd south of Potrero is a slow, twisty road so be sure to allow plenty of time to arrive on time.

Step	Trail Name [Trail Number]	Instructions	Leg Details			Total Miles
			Dist (miles)	Climb (feet)	Desc (feet)

1	Decker Rd [S3]	From Mulholland Hwy (North branch), turn left onto Decker Rd [S3] and watch for the entrance to Etz Meloy Mty on the right	0.2	20	30	0.2
2	Etz Meloy Mty [5]	Turn into the private driveway then immediately turn left up the hill onto Etz Meloy Mty [5].	2.6	700	420	2.8
3	Yerba Buena/Little Sycamore Canyon Rd [S1]	Turn left onto Yerba Buena/Little Sycamore Canyon Rd [S1] and watch carefully for the Backbone Trailhead on the right. It's only about 200 feet!	0.05	0	0	2.9
4	Backbone Trail, Yerba Buena Segment [3]	Turn right onto the Backbone Trail, Yerba Buena Segment [3]. The Yellow Hill Fire Rd will be on the right; just continue straight.	1.6	230	50	4.5
5	Backbone Trail, Yerba Buena Segment [3]	At the Mishe Mokwa Trailhead, take a break before starting back.	2.9	350	500	7.4
6	Backbone Trail, Yerba Buena Segment [3]	Turn around and head back on Backbone Trail, Yerba Buena Segment [3] the way you came.	2.9	500	350	10.3
7	Yellow Hill Fire Rd [4]	Watch for Yellow Hill Fire Rd [4] on the left, turning up it. Ride or push to the top. Take another break and enjoy the view.	0.7	360	0	11.0
8	Yellow Hill Fire Rd [4]	Turn around and head back down. Be careful on the loose rocks!	0.7	0	360	11.7
9	Backbone Trail, Yerba Buena Segment [3]	Turn left onto the Backbone Trail, Yerba Buena Segment [3] and continue to Yerba Buena Rd.	1.6	50	230	13.3
10	Yerba Buena/Little Sycamore Canyon Rd [S1]	Turn left onto Yerba Buena/Little Sycamore Canyon Rd [S1] for about 200 feet, then turn right to get to the Base of Etz Meloy Mty.	0.05	0	0	13.3
11	Etz Meloy Mty [5]	Climb up the Etz Meloy Mty [5], continuing all the way down to Decker Rd.	2.6	420	700	15.9
12	Decker Rd [S3]	Turn left onto Decker Rd [S3] and ride back to Mulholland Hwy (North branch) and the cars.	0.2	30	20	16.1

This page was generated on February 19, 2006