National Park Service Adds New Section to Backbone Trail

The following is an edited press release from the National Park Service:

The National Park Service announced that it has acquired one of the three remaining pieces of land necessary to complete the 65-mile Backbone Trail. The trail stretches from Will Rogers State Historic Park in Los Angeles to Point Mugu State Park, not far from the Malibu city limits.

The recently acquired five-acre property is along the Etz Meloy Motorway and is close to a popular lookout that offers a 360-degree view of the ocean, mountains and inland valleys accessible from the Encinal Canyon Trailhead.

The creation of the Backbone Trail has been a 25-year endeavor, involving the tireless work of citizen trail building groups like the Sierra Club, Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council, elected officials, the National Park Service, State Parks and the .

When completed, hikers will be able to walk the entire length without encountering private property gaps. Many sections of the trail are also open to mountain bikers and equestrians.

"We are so close to completion," said Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Superintendent Woody Smeck. "Through the relentless efforts of the Los Angeles community and the tireless support of our elected officials, we have slowly but surely pieced together one of the most significant and treasured trails in Southern California."