BACKBONE TRAIL - Length: 3 miles. Elevation change:
950 ft.
From the Sandstond Peak Trailhead this trail climbs west towards
Sandstone Peak and then drops onto a plateau area beneath Boney
Mountain. The Mishe Mokwa Trail splits off to the north at this
point. The Backbone Trail continues west to Sycamore Canyon and
other trails in Point Mugu State Park. Note that Point Mugu State
Park is closed to bicycles in this area. Also, the Mishe Mokwa
Trail is closed to horses or bicycles.
Trailhead: The trail starts at the Sandstone Peak Trailhead
1/2 mile west of the Triunfo Pass on Yerba Buena Road. This is
in the Circle X Ranch area of the Santa Monica Mountains National
Recreation Area.
CANYON VIEW TRAIL - Length: 1.9 miles. Elevation change:
500 ft.
This trail parallels Yerba Buena Road running from the Sandstone
Peak trail head to the grotto trail near the group campground
at Circle X ranch. The trail provides excellent views.
Trail head: There are three trailheads along the Yerba
Buena Road in the Circle X Ranch Section of the Santa Monica Mountains
National Recreation Area. The upper trailhead is the Sandstone
Peak Trailhead about 0.5 miles west of the Triunfo Pass. The lower
trailhead is through the group campground behind the ranger station.
One more parking area with trailhead lies between these two points.
GROTTO TRAIL - Length: 1.8 miles. Elevation change:
500 ft.
The trail traverses the hillsides and West Fork of the Arroyo
Sequit and leads to the former Happy Hollow Campground, just west
of the Grotto area. The Grotto is below a small waterfall. The
trail to the Grotto is rugged and gets washed out with high water.
It involves a difficult scramble past a small waterfall. The Grotto
is closed to pets and horses.
Trail head: The trail starts at the group campground behind
the ranger station in the Circle X Ranch area of the Santa Monica
Montains National Recreation Area.