20-692: Big Sycamore Canyon , often shortened to Sycamore Canyon , is a major feature of Point Mugu State Park , in Ventura County, California , United States. Sycamore Canyon is situated in the northernmost region of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area below the 3,000 feet (910 m) peaks of the Boney Mountain State Wilderness Area . The canyon begins on the north slope of Boney Mountain and heads north down
40-817: A huge split boulder known as Split Rock. The return route on the Backbone Trail leads to Inspiration Point and culminates at Sandstone Peak, the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains. Both points overlook the Pacific Ocean, the Channel Islands, and the surrounding mountains. Parts of the trail lie within the city limits of Los Angeles and Malibu, California ; the rest sits in unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County and Ventura County . The following national, state, and privately administered wilderness areas are traversed by
60-551: Is a long-distance trail extending 67.79 miles (109.10 km) across the Santa Monica Mountains in the U.S. state of California . Its western terminus is Point Mugu State Park , and its eastern terminus is Will Rogers State Historic Park in Pacific Palisades . The trail is open to hikers throughout its length. Dogs, mountain bicyclists and horseback riders are only allowed on portions of
80-667: Is close to numerous trailheads, including the Backbone Trail . Other nearby trails include the Satwiwa Loop, Mishe Mokwa, Overlook Trail, Lower Big Sycamore Trail, and Wood Canyon Trail. Big Sycamore Canyon was for thousands of years a popular trading route connecting the Conejo Valley to the Pacific Ocean through the Santa Monica Mountains for the Ventureño Chumash and Tongva people who inhabited
100-628: The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in Southern California . The rugged, nearly impassible shoreline of the western Santa Monica Mountains gives way to tidal lagoons and coastal sand dunes at Mugu Rock . The western edge of the park adjoins Mugu Lagoon which is a protected area within Naval Air Station Point Mugu . Point Mugu SP consists of distinct landside and beachside areas with different ecosystems and their own parking lots, separated by
120-479: The Backbone Trail was designated a National Recreation Trail . The official opening ceremony for the Backbone Trail was held on Saturday, June 4, 2016, at Will Rogers State Park, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at 10:00 am. Portions of the trail were closed after the Woolsey Fire in 2018. Other trails and several parks were closed as 88% of the federal parkland within the Santa Monica Mountains burned in
140-478: The Backbone Trail: Chumash villages once stood throughout the Santa Monica Mountains. The California chaparral and woodlands and California coastal sage and chaparral ecoregions supported Indigenous people for tens of thousands of years. A wide range of flora and fauna can be observed from the trail. For the majority of its length, the Backbone Trail passes through terrain occupied by
160-523: The Backbone trail include: The Backbone Trail follows a well-maintained, single-track path with some dirt fire roads along the route. The trail is very well designed with climbs and descents occurring on well-graded trails full of switchbacks. The trail can be hiked in either the westbound or eastbound direction. There are no major differences between the two directions. Hiking westbound, you will progress towards more remote territory and can end your hike at
180-943: The Pacific Coast Highway. During low tide, the parks are joined by a walkway under an adjoining bridge. The park may be accessed from the eastern part of the Santa Monica Mountains from a National Park Service park, Rancho Sierra Vista in Newbury Park, California that includes the Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center , and from the western part of the Santa Monica Mountains by the Pacific Coast Highway . Point Mugu State Park features 5 miles (8.0 km) of oceanfront beaches, palisades, chaparral-covered mountains, two major canyons with seasonal rivers, grassy valleys highlighted with oaks, sycamores, and
200-542: The Pacific Ocean, but transportation may be more difficult from the Ray Miller Trailhead. There is no permit required for hiking the BBT. Camping along the Backbone Trail is restricted to established campgrounds. These include group campsites that can be reserved in advance and walk-in campsites that are available on a first-come, first-served basis. There are still relatively few established campgrounds right on
220-484: The Santa Monica Mountains ), the trail is more frequently graded than level. Scenic views of Ventura County are seen from the six-mile loop trail, starting at the trailhead off Yerba Buena road. The Mishe Mokwa Trail in Circle X Ranch follows Carlisle Canyon along Boney Mountain past weathered red volcanic formations. There are views of the sculpted caves and crevices of Echo Cliffs and a forested streamside picnic area by
SECTION 10
#1732783255277240-415: The area for thousands of years. At the top of the canyon is the Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center located in the historic Satwiwa village site adjacent to Rancho Sierra Vista in southern Newbury Park . 34°07′05″N 119°00′18″W / 34.118°N 119.005°W / 34.118; -119.005 Point Mugu State Park Point Mugu State Park is a state park located in
260-659: The backcountry trails, i.e., any trail that is not paved. The western terminus of the Backbone Trail , a multi-use long-distance trail extending nearly 70 miles (110 km) across the Santa Monica Mountains, is the Ray Miller trailhead at La Jolla Canyon in Point Mugu State Park. Sycamore Cove, La Jolla Beach and Mugu Beach have parking and sandy beaches. Views of dolphins, seals, pelicans, and whales are possible all along Pacific Coast Highway. No fishing as of 2011 . Backbone Trail The Backbone Trail
280-465: The fast-moving fire. The Backbone Trail fully reopened in July 2019. As the Backbone Trail passes over the peaks and through the canyons of the Santa Monica Mountains, it climbs and falls in elevation nearly constantly. From its lowest point, the sea-level Ray Miller Trailhead at Point Mugu State Park, to its highest point, near Sandstone Peak (which, at 3,111 ft (948 m), is the highest peak in
300-479: The ground-hugging bushes and shrubs that characterize the coastal sage scrub and chaparral ecosystems. Relatively few trees line the trail, an essential consideration for travelers looking for shade. More than 450 vertebrate species have been observed within the Santa Monica Mountains NRA, including more than 380 species of birds. Lizards, seven species of which inhabit areas surrounding
320-580: The occasional native walnuts trees. A major landmark, the Boney Mountain State Wilderness Area features pinnacles visible from many areas of the park. Opportunities for camping , hiking , swimming , mountain biking , picnicking , wildlife viewing , and horseback riding exist within the park. Horseback riding is available from the National Park Service entrance. Like all California State Parks, dogs are permitted when leashed in campsite areas. No dogs are allowed whether on or off-leash on
340-547: The slope. The canyon then heads southwest past Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa to Sycamore Cove on the coastline. The canyon in the park is one of the riparian woodlands along the California coast. It contains a number of California sycamore trees. As a primary pathway through the Santa Monica Mountains between the Conejo Valley and the coast, Big Sycamore Canyon Trail is a popular trail. The sycamore -lined canyon
360-615: The trail as posted. Construction on the backbone trail began in the early 1980s. It involved the cooperation of the National Park Service , the California Department of Parks and Recreation , and private parties interested in connecting existing trails within the Santa Monica Mountains NRA into a single trail spanning the length of the park. The range of conditions found on the trail - ranging from flat, wide fire roads to narrow single-track trails - reflects
380-533: The trail's origin as a series of unconnected paths and backcountry roads, connected to form the Backbone Trail System. In 2016, the National Park Service completed land acquisitions from former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and fitness pioneer Betty Weider to enable right-of-way for the trail. In May 2016, a new section of the trail was completed on the east side of Yerba Buena Road in support of these acquisitions. Upon its 2016 opening,
400-502: The trail, are particularly numerous, and can be easily found on or alongside the trail. Southern Pacific rattlesnakes can be numerous in early spring, particularly along Temescal Ridge in the eastern section of the trail. Mountain lions have been observed in the western section near Sandstone Peak trailhead in June 2008. At least eight mountain lions are believed to remain from Pt. Mugu to Topanga State Park. Notable species that can found along
#276723