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Backbone Trail: Encinal Canyon

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.3 (60)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …Southern California
  4. …Santa Monica Mountains NRA
  5. Zuma and Trancas Canyons
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“A fun, fast, beginner/intermediate, out-and-back ride on singletrack with great views. ”

Sam Brotherton
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Map Key

10.2

Miles

16.4

KM

100%

Singletrack

2,387' 727 m

High

1,385' 422 m

Low

1,177' 359 m

Up

1,177' 359 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (3°)

12%

Max Grade (7°)

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Allowed

Overview

This is a really fun trail for beginners and experienced riders alike!

Description

Start at the parking lot on Encinal Canyon Road and follow the singletrack up about four miles of not very steep switchbacks to Mulholland Fire Road. This ride turns around here, but at this point, you could take a left and ride as far as you want on fire road; you can ride all the way to the ocean if you have the stamina!

The singletrack descent back to Encinal Canyon Road is super fun - it's extremely smooth and non-technical, and most of the corners are heavily bermed. Have fun!

That being said, be careful and please don't go all out on the corners - the trail sees pretty heavy traffic in both directions and the sight lines are not long given how fast the trail is.

Contacts

Local Club: Concerned Off-Road Bicyclists Association - CORBA

Land Manager: Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

Shared By:

Sam Brotherton with improvements by Marcus Bengtsson and 2 others
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 60 votes

#1

in Zuma and Trancas Canyons

#287

Overall
  4.3 from 60 votes
5 Star
38%
4 Star
57%
3 Star
5%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Zuma and Trancas Canyons

#36

in California

#287

Overall
87 Views Last Month
23,208 Since Apr 21, 2013
Intermediate Intermediate
4%
8%
85%
4%
0%
0%
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Photos

Ride down Backbone Trail - Encinal Canyon down to the parking lot
Apr 6, 2021 near Thousan…, CA
The Backbone trail at Etz Meloy
Dec 12, 2017 near Thousan…, CA
Looking towards Thousand Oaks.
Sep 15, 2014 near Thousan…, CA
My friend rounding a corner on his first mountain bike ride
May 21, 2013 near Thousan…, CA
The fire road section on the top of the ridge
May 21, 2013 near Thousan…, CA
Looking north west (from Backbone Trail: Encinal Canyon) just as the fog is clearing up. Echo Cliffs appear in the background. They are part of Circle X Ranch.
Oct 23, 2014 near Thousan…, CA

4 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Oct 22, 2023
Aimee Devine
Apr 15, 2023
Marc Sternfield
1h 40m
Nov 13, 2021
Mykola Malyshenko
W eseee
Oct 31, 2021
Mason Friel
10.2mi
Sep 11, 2021
Nick Buendia
Hot! Had to turn back. Great trail. 7.5mi — 1h 08m
Sep 4, 2021
Marc Mandel
Aug 7, 2021
A V
Jul 8, 2021
Colby Decoteau
Trail was dusty but well defined, watch for Rattlesnakes crossing, flows well with berms and some rollers, soft shoulders and a touch of exposure.

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