Treeline Review: Backpacking the Santa Monica Mountains’ Backbone Trail

67 MILE HIKING AND BACKPACKING TRAIL IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Treeline Review: Backpacking the Santa Monica Mountains’ Backbone Trail

Last updated:
April 6, 2023
|  5 min read
Individual hiking on the backbone trail

Treeline Review: Backpacking the Santa Monica Mountains’ Backbone Trail

Treeline Review: Backpacking the Santa Monica Mountains’ Backbone Trail

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67 MILE HIKING AND BACKPACKING TRAIL IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

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Treeline Review: Backpacking the Santa Monica Mountains’ Backbone Trail

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Backpacking the Santa Monica Mountains’ Backbone Trail

67 MILE HIKING AND BACKPACKING TRAIL IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

The Backbone Trail traces a rollercoaster path across the spine of Southern California’s Santa Monica Mountains, traversing craggy peaks, lush canyons, and grassy ridgelines, often within view of the Pacific Ocean. It makes for a gorgeous backpacking route in winter and spring when hillsides explode with bright bursts of wildflowers and carpets of impossibly green foliage. Lack of “legal” campsites and natural water sources, however, creates a tricky logistical puzzle for hikers who want to cover its entire length in one go.

After connecting the dots on a recent eastbound winter thru-hike of the Backbone Trail, I hope to demystify this incredible route so that more people can experience what I feel is one of the best—and most challenging—multi-day backpacking trips located near a major city (that’s Los Angeles, if you’re wondering).

Find the full article written by Shawnté Salabert here.

Treeline Review: Backpacking the Santa Monica Mountains’ Backbone Trail

Backpacking the Santa Monica Mountains’ Backbone Trail

67 MILE HIKING AND BACKPACKING TRAIL IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

The Backbone Trail traces a rollercoaster path across the spine of Southern California’s Santa Monica Mountains, traversing craggy peaks, lush canyons, and grassy ridgelines, often within view of the Pacific Ocean. It makes for a gorgeous backpacking route in winter and spring when hillsides explode with bright bursts of wildflowers and carpets of impossibly green foliage. Lack of “legal” campsites and natural water sources, however, creates a tricky logistical puzzle for hikers who want to cover its entire length in one go.

After connecting the dots on a recent eastbound winter thru-hike of the Backbone Trail, I hope to demystify this incredible route so that more people can experience what I feel is one of the best—and most challenging—multi-day backpacking trips located near a major city (that’s Los Angeles, if you’re wondering).

Find the full article written by Shawnté Salabert here.

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Treeline
We’re outdoor adventurers from across the country who believe that less time researching means more time spent outdoors.
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Treeline Review: Backpacking the Santa Monica Mountains’ Backbone Trail

Backpacking the Santa Monica Mountains’ Backbone Trail

67 MILE HIKING AND BACKPACKING TRAIL IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

The Backbone Trail traces a rollercoaster path across the spine of Southern California’s Santa Monica Mountains, traversing craggy peaks, lush canyons, and grassy ridgelines, often within view of the Pacific Ocean. It makes for a gorgeous backpacking route in winter and spring when hillsides explode with bright bursts of wildflowers and carpets of impossibly green foliage. Lack of “legal” campsites and natural water sources, however, creates a tricky logistical puzzle for hikers who want to cover its entire length in one go.

After connecting the dots on a recent eastbound winter thru-hike of the Backbone Trail, I hope to demystify this incredible route so that more people can experience what I feel is one of the best—and most challenging—multi-day backpacking trips located near a major city (that’s Los Angeles, if you’re wondering).

Find the full article written by Shawnté Salabert here.

Photo thumbnail Blog Author
Media Mentions from Treeline Review
Treeline
We’re outdoor adventurers from across the country who believe that less time researching means more time spent outdoors.
Media Mentions
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