First, to get there- head up Corral canyon road from PCH until it ends in a dirt parking lot (closer to 7 miles than the four mentioned in the description).

I don't know why many descriptions include so many fireroads! I'll take out and back on singletrack anyday especially when the challenge differs in each direction.

OUT
Corral West to Latigo
Nice gradual downhill followed by weaving semi technical gradual up followed by sustained non-technical steep climb of about a mile to the "saddle." Following the saddle is a vaguely downhill .5 mile section with plenty of nice technical bits and leading into a steep, rutted and loose yet hella fun downhill winding all the way into the canyon. Semi-technical, short but steep climb up to Latigo trailhead.
BACK
Tight turns (a few close enough to 180 degrees) and narrow singletrack with a surprising drop-off to the rider's right... the you get to go back up the formerly hella-fun downhill. It's really quite steep and sustained but 100% ridable if you have the lungs for it. Follow the saddle back up and hit all of the little technical bits that took you by surprise on the way in and then drop back in on the other side of the saddle for a nice steep downhill followed by a pampas romp and a final long but not heinous uphill back to go. Proceed beyond your car to play in the psudo-slickrock until it turns into nasty nasty fireroad...

Be ready to climb but know that it's all ridable to a decent biker. The harder climbs are more difficult than the steepest parts of Backbone at Will Rodgers and in-all the trail is significantly more technical than Sully. Better still, there was virtually no one out there (I saw 2 other riders and one other track on a perfect Saturday). It might not be as fast as some trails (I spent all day in my little ring) but if you like the satisfaction of a technical climb well accomplished this is a fun area!

Have fun and watch out for snakes!

CuyContinental a 28 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a Beat to death black Jekyll from West Hollywood CA
Posted on 10/15/05 

Anyway, both trail directions are an out-and-back option. Heading over the tunnel eastbound can take you all the way to Las Virgines Cyn. Westbound will end at Encinal Cyn. The best route is to head west to Encinal. Turn around and ride back. Replenish your water supply from the cooler in your car and head out east to Latigo Cyn. Turn around and come back to your car. Go home and pass out on the couch for the rest of the day.

Lots of elevation gain, decent amount of miles, and one heck of a ride.

Upchuck riding a TurnIFreeMondONAdynaGT1x1
Posted on 09/20/04 

1) if parking at Kanan (tunnel 1)and taking the trail up and over Kanan where does that lead?

2) Taking the lower trail heads where...

3) do any of the 2 meet somewhere where I can make 1 continuos loop...

I'm looking for a 12-15 mile ride -single track is a plus
Peeler a 39 year old riding a GF from Chatsworth
Posted on 09/20/04 

2) Those gates are not on the Backbone trail. You should be on the single track that follows the Valley/Canyon below Castro Peak, which is indeed the Backbone trail and is fully open to bikes. There area you are referring to is technically not open to the public and should not be hiked or biked.

3) Your choice between the two options. They both suck and neither can be done on a bike, at least not by me. I generally choose the trail that starts further up by the landslide. I can ride much more of that and you get to look at the ocean as you hike the rest.

Hope that helps you out. No matter how good of shape you are in if you have not ridden a bike much I would recommend starting on something easier. Although it is not hard, much of the single track you are thinking of riding is somewhat technical and is much more fun with a little experience. Happy riding.

Matt a 35 year old Cross-Country Rider from Newvbury Park
Posted on 03/24/04 

1. Maybe a stupid question, but what the heck is a waterbar?

2. How do you deal with the two massive, barbed wire-enforced gates on the Newton Motorway going downhill from Castro Peak? There are very tight passageways to the right of the gate but not enough for a bike unless you literally want to toss your bike over the high gates.

3. When you are ascending the Mesa Peak Motorway from Malibu Canyon Road and you reach the top of the motorway before the very steep climb west to continue the last 2.5 miles to Corral Canyon, how do you get up that last stretch? Either section, the eroded, unmarked direct trail or the "landslide" trail further down, seem way too steep for bikes. They're tough even for hikers. What is the best thing to do?
SmegmaEnigma a 28 year old from Sherman Oaks E-mail:this user
Posted on 03/23/04 

1) Maybe a stupid question, but what the heck is a waterbar?

2) How do you deal with the two massive, barbed wire-enforced gates on the Newton Motorway going downhill from Castro Peak? There are very tight passageways to the right of the gate but not enough for a bike unless you literally want to toss your bike over the high gates.

3) When you are ascending the Mesa Peak Motorway from Malibu Canyon Road and you reach the top of the motorway before the very steep climb west to continue the last 2.5 miles to Corral Canyon, how do you get up that last stretch? Either section, the eroded, unmarked direct trail or the "landslide" trail further down, seem way too steep for bikes. They're tough even for hikers. What is the best thing to do?
SmegmaEnigma a 28 year old from Sherman Oaks E-mail:this user
Posted on 03/23/04 

1) Maybe a stupid question, but what the heck is a waterbar?

2) How do you deal with the two massive, barbed wire-enforced gates on the Newton Motorway going downhill from Castro Peak? There are very tight passageways to the right of the gate but not enough for a bike unless you literally want to toss your bike over the high gates.

3) When you are ascending the Mesa Peak Motorway from Malibu Canyon Road and you reach the top of the motorway before the very steep climb west to continue the last 2.5 miles to Corral Canyon, how do you get up that last stretch? Either section, the eroded, unmarked direct trail or the "landslide" trail further down, seem way too steep for bikes. They're tough even for hikers. What is the best thing to do?
SmegmaEnigma a 28 year old Weekend Warrior from Sherman Oaks
Posted on 03/23/04 

The waterfall he's talking about is on the right side(coming from the Kanan lot), and is off in the distance....500 yards from the trail.
Dusty Bottoms from Dogtown
Posted on 03/08/04 

Ride rating: Advanced
Ride distance: 24.5 miles Elevation change: whew!
Singletrack=95% Dirt Road=5%
Upchuck
Posted on 01/28/04 

Unfortunately this trail is turning into a big fireroad. It is still fun
to ride but it's getting less enjoyable every time. When are they
just gonna leave singletrack, singletrack?
Slupo a 28 year old Cross-Country Rider riding a 94 Mt. Tam from Sherman Oaks
Posted on 01/28/04 

Strongly suggest staying on the singletrack. I generally do, but I started near De Anza on Lost Hills, through Malibu Creek SP, up Bulldog, up Castro, through Solstice Canyon to Corral, then up Castro and back down Bulldog, etc - 3.25 hrs of riding and 3900 ft of climbing.

Was pretty hot by 8:30 am on Sat , when we got to the top of Bulldog.

Ride rating: Advanced
Ride distance: 25 miles Elevation change: 3900 ft
Singletrack=30% Dirt Road=70%
John Wallace a n old guy year old Die-hard Enthusiast riding a Specialized Enduro from Agoura E-mail:this user
Posted on 06/30/03 

First, I explored the fire road that heads up to Mulholland, and found that it does come out right where I thought it would, as I have passed that spot many times on my road bike. Then I headed east on the Trancas section. Very nice! Made it to Latigo Canyon Road, but turned around there and came back. As (if!) I get in better shape this season, I want to to attempt Mulholland to Corral Cyn. and back.

The singletrack is wider when you're closer to to Encinal, but it's funny how the exposure and fine layer of loose rock kind of keeps your speed in check on the way back... If you're not careful, you could easily go sailing over the edge on many corners!

Great trail!
The Preacher
Posted on 04/07/03 

Happy Trails!
The Preacher
Posted on 03/24/03 

Both sections of the new Backbone can be a little hard to find. Not trying to step on Spare Tires toes, I will try to do my best to tell you where to find the trails. The easiest way to find the trails it to park near Zuma Ridge fire road and begin riding as if you were going to go south on the backbone trail towards Kanan. Pass up the trail and continue on Zuma Ridge Road for about 200 yards. As you are making a fairly strong left hand turn you will see what looks like a really poor trail coming down from the right. This is the beginning of the connector to the Backbone Trail. Recently, in the past month there was a sign placed here that says “Closed for Revegitation”. I saw this sign last week while on my way up to Buzzards Roost. I talked to a ranger that day and he said that that entrance to the trail had been closed and that they were planning to build a new entrance to the trail but had not built it yet. He said the trail is technically still open and that the closed entrance is the only way in. He said they intended to remove the sign until the new entrance has been built but was not sure when that would be. I will leave it up to you to decide if you should enter there or not.
The first section of trail is about three quarters of a mile of fairly rough unmaintained trail. Even though it is considered unmaintained it sees quite a bit of traffic. I have seen several other bikes, hikers and horses on this section so take it slow. It is very rideable and will lead you to a fire road. Take this fire road to the right (uphill but fairly flat) for about one tenth of a mile and the official backbone trail will appear on the left. This is a fantastic 1.6 mile ride that will bring you through some great Oak forest over two bridges and back out to Encinal Canyon road. Directly across Encinal is another Fire Road that you can take that will lead you up to Muholland.
If you want to find it from below and ride in that direction, my personal preference, take Encinal past where you would park for Zuma Ridge. Driving west on Encinal makes it hard to see the trail. I would recommend when doing this the first time, look on the right for a “Fire Camp” sign. When you see this make a u-turn and drive back up Encinal a short distance and park in a fairly big turnout. There will be a small trail taking off to your right. Don’t take that. Not a fun ride. The actual trail is just up at the top of the hill on the right. If you see a gate across it you will know that you have hit the right spot. Hope this all makes sense. I love parking here and heading out from here with the goal of going all the way to Coral Canyon. That makes for a very long but unbelievable ride. It is my personal favorite in the Santa Monicas.

Ride rating: Intermediate
Matt a 34 year old from Newbury Park
Posted on 03/24/03 

Your'e sure right, though... the rest of the ride from Zuma Ridge on up is lush, right now. I highly recommend doing this ride asap, while the green lasts.
The Preacher
Posted on 03/24/03