Intermediate/Advanced Hike!
Bust out your Trekking Poles and boots with good traction!
DESCRIPTION: This is not a trail for the faint of heart, there are also some technical spots with some mild scrambling. Trekking poles are highly recommended. This is about a 6-mile loop that will feel more like 10 when you’re done. The Backbone Trail isn’t just a walk in the park—it’s more like a rollercoaster ride with Mother Nature at the controls. We will be zigzagging our way through the Santa Monica Mountains, dodging bushes, and scrambling over beat-up uneven trails. Why would we do such a thing? Epic views of the Pacific and nature’s version of abstract art and yet another view called “Inspiration Point”.
Hike leader volunteers: Paul Huskey. Gary Sande.
Meet: at the trailhead at 8:00 am, departure at 8:15 am sharp.
Distance: 6 miles
Elevation gain: 1,354 ft
Time: ~ 3.5 hours hiking with one snack break
Conditioning: you need to be in generally good physical condition, able to keep a 2 MPH pace uphill we will be moving.
Dogs: OK as long as they are well-behaved and on leash.
Restrooms – There was an Andy Gump at the trailhead when I went a month ago, not sure if that is still the case, so plan accordingly.
Adventure Pass: Not Required
WARNINGS:
A lot of this hike is along narrow switchbacks on the side of the Mountain and is not recommended with anyone with a fear of heights.
ESSENTIAL GEAR: You will be emailed a full list of Recommended Hiking Gear, but these are essential for this hike”
- Hiking shoes/boots and Poles.
- Layers recommended. Temps are getting colder!
- Snacks and 2+ liters of water and electrolytes or salt tablets; camera, hat, and sunscreen.
- Appropriate hiking gear and survival essentials are recommended.
**THIS HIKE RANKING: Level 4 (Intermediate/Advanced – see chart below)**:
HIKE RANKING SCALE – Consider your capabilities before RSVP’ing for a hike to ensure you are properly conditioned for a hike:
1) Beginner: 1-3 miles, less than 500 feet elevation gain
2) Beginner/Intermediate: 1-7 miles, less than 700 feet elevation gain
3) Intermediate: 5-10 miles, 1000-2000 feet elevation gain
4) Intermediate/Advanced: 7-12 miles, up to 3000 feet elevation gain
5) Advanced: 10-17 miles, 3000 feet or more elevation gain
DISCLAIMER / RELEASE OF LIABILITY – IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ BELOW IN ITS ENTIRETY:
When you sign up for this event, you are releasing Community Hiking Club from any liability or responsibility with your participation in this group activity.
While safety is a priority for everyone in the group, hiking can be inherently risky. By participating in any posted event, you are assuming responsibility for your own safety and well-being. The Community Hiking Club (CHC) Meetup Group and its organizers and hike leaders are not trained leaders and we do not confirm the qualifications of any of its members to lead or participate in our events. All participants take full responsibility for their own actions. If you choose to sign up for any Community Hiking Club Meetup events, you are releasing the Community Hiking Club Meetup Group and Hike Leaders from all liability in case of possible injuries or death as stated in paragraph 6.2 of the Meetup “Terms of Service” located on the bottom of the Meetup website. Your safety depends on your judgment and experience. If you sign up for this hike, you are verifying that this hike is within your abilities.
We will email you a Recommended Hiking and Survival Gear List to review, and a GPS map of this trail that you can import into the GAIA app on your cell phone. We highly recommend GAIA and What3Words be installed on your cell phones!
The Community Hiking Club is a Non-Profit 501C3 organization. We rely on donations to continue sponsoring hikes such as this. Please contribute by donating via Cash contribution (at each hike), via Zelle at 6617135610; or via Venmo at @Heidi-Webber-5
