BACKBONE TRAIL COMPLETION FREE

The Trek progresses across a patchwork of public lands, including state parks, national parkland and other land holdings, following ridges as well as tree-shaded valleys and open chaparral.īeginning this weekend, for the first time since the trail began to be stitched together out of old ranches and public land nearly 50 years ago, the Backbone Trail, a 67-mile hiking route that winds through Malibu’s backyard will be one continuous path. The 67-mile follows the Backbone Trail from Ventura County to Pacific Palisades. As one of only five Mediterranean ecosystems in the world, SMMNRA preserves the rich biological diversity of more than 450 animal species and 26 distinct plant communities.Hikers from the 2010 Backbone Trek. A unit of the National Park Service, it comprises a seamless network of local, state and federal parks interwoven with private lands and communities. Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) is the largest urban national park in the country, encompassing more than 150,000 acres of mountains and coastline in Ventura and Los Angeles counties. The long-term vision is to create a small number of backcountry tent sites that would be available by permit only. The Backbone Trail traverses one of Southern California’s largest remaining tracts of undeveloped landscape, a well-preserved mix of chaparral-covered hillsides, oak woodlands, and rocky outcrop spires.īecause overnight camping options are minimal at this point, the National Park Service recommends hiking the trail in sections (see camping options here).

BACKBONE TRAIL COMPLETION FREE

The event is free and open to the public. The National Park Service and its partners will celebrate the grand opening of the trail on Saturday, June 4 from 9am-12pm at Will Rogers State Historic Park. “Its completion is a testament to the strength of our shared values, the power of idealism, and so many determined people - quite literally - on their hands and knees with spades in hand navigating the twists and turns of topography, land acquisition, and political will.” Edmiston, FAICP, executive director for the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. “The Backbone Trail has been a more than 40 year journey to preserve, protect, and connect the parklands of these extraordinary mountains while providing recreational access for everyone who seeks the solace of nature here,” said Joseph T. The primary sources of public funds were state and local park bonds, as well as the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. “We congratulate all of the partners, including volunteers, who worked for so long to make this long-held dream a reality.” “California State Parks is proud to have played a key role in protecting and preserving some of the most pristine and and undeveloped sections of the Backbone Trail,” said Craig Sap, district superintendent for California State Parks.

State Parks owns more than 60% of these lands. In addition to this recent donation, the public has acquired more than 180 parcels, valued in excess of $100 million, to complete the route. “I am honored to accept this donation from two of our nation’s most recognizable proponents of fitness and physical activity,” added Szymanski. The property, valued at more than $500,000, represents the single largest private donation for the Backbone Trail. One of the key actions to complete the trail was the generous donation of a 40-acre parcel of land in Zuma Canyon by former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and fitness entrepreneur Betty Weider.

When finished, the trail will form the spine of a 500-mile network of trails that connects the residents of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties to their public lands.” “The Backbone Trail has been a 40-year labor for elected officials, parks agencies, volunteers and philanthropists.

“The Backbone Trail shows what a dedicated community can do if they set their minds to it,” said David Szymanski, superintendent for Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. On June 4, a group of partners, including the National Park Service, will officially celebrate the grand opening of the Backbone Trail, a 67-mile trail that stretches from the city of Los Angeles to Ventura County. CONTACT: Kate Kuykendall, 80 or 80 (cell)Ħ7 Miles and 40 Years Later, Backbone Trail Set for Completion

Backbone trail completion