Backbone Trail - Encinal to Mulholland

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

easy

Length: 1.21 mi

Est. time: 30m

Gain: 269 ft

Loss: 54 ft

Max elev: 1,622 ft

NetworkUnknownhike

Elevation profile

+269 ft gain · −54 ft loss — an estimate from a DEM.

Trailhead & logistics

Circle X Ranch Campground - CLOSED (Campground)

Build a loop

stitched loop

Backbone Trail - Encinal to Mulholland + Mulholland Highway

2.4 mi · +516 ft · ~1.1 hr (est.)

Connects to:

Mulholland Highway Clarke Ranch Rd Connector Clark Ranch Rd Backbone Trail - Trancas Canyon Backbone Trail - Mulholland to Etz Meloy

Connect the dots

Learn:

National Park Legacy - Battle the Bully Plants and Conserve Water! Grades 5 - 6 National Park Legacy - Coyotes in our Cities! Grades 3 - 4 National Park Legacy - Light Right at Night! Grades 7 - 8 National Park Legacy - Santa Monica Mountain Lions Grades 9 - 12 National Park Legacy - Wildlife in Cities Grades K - 2 National Parks Legacy: Nature and Culture...NPS Protects Both! Grades Pre K-1

Journeys:

Alice Ballard

Plan smart, verify on site

Length, elevation, and difficulty are estimates derived from open data (NPS Public Trails GIS, medium confidence) — not a safety guarantee. Conditions change; check current closures, weather, and water, and carry the essentials. Always defer to NPS.gov and park rangers.

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