Backbone Trail - Santa Monica Mountains

Hiking and Camping
Backbone Trail, Santa Monica Mountains
I've been section hiking the Backbone Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains. I've also been documenting each section with video, so that you can see exactly what they're all about!

GAIA GPS Map Files

Sign up for a free Gaia GPS account, then import my Gaia GPS map files to get the different sections I've hiked. Each GPX map file correlates with one of the videos posted below.

I've found the best way to import these is to save the file on your laptop.  Then import the saved file into Gaia.  Next just log into Gaia on your phone, and look in your 'saved' folder for the map.

Then you can walk with the map on your phone, as you hike the different sections.

These files are on my Google Drive, so just left-click the map file, and it will take you to a Google page where there is a download button.

  • Section 1:  Topanga State Park Deadhorse Parking Lot to Fossil Ridge Trailhead, via Hondo Canyon (download map file)
  • Section 2:  Fossil Ridge Trailhead to Stunt Road Connector, via Fossil Ridge Trail and part of Saddle Peak Trail (download map file)
  • Section 3:  Saddle Peak Trailhead to Piuma Road Trailhead, via part of Saddle Peak Trail (download map file)

Videos of hiking the Backbone Trail

Section 1 - Topanga State Park Deadhorse parking lot to Fossil Ridge Trailhead, via Hondo Canyon

Section 2 - Fossil Ridge Trailhead to Saddle Peak Trailhead, via the Fossil Ridge and Saddle Peak trails

Thanks for checking out my Backbone Trail, Santa Monica Mountains page!  For more hiking, camping, and gear topics, click this link to get to my main page.  See ya out there...