Ride Report Backbone: Kanan Dume to Encinal Rd

Headed out this morning after work for a nice ride in the Santa Monica's. Heavy fog, light drizzle made for damp conditions today, but the dirt was perfect! Really good out and back route from Kanan Dume trailhead to Encinal trailhead/dirt lot. Equally fun in either direction as there's ups and downs both ways. This section of Backbone is probably the prettiest in terms sections covered in canopy. The climbs and descents in ether direction make for a nice route. Being midweek, I only saw 1 other rider and 2 hikers. Both going in the opposite direction I was headed and we all exercised good trail etiquette as we greeted one another in passing.

At the beginning the fog and light mist wasn't that bad


As I started to climb some, the fog got a bit heavier.


The dirt was nice a tacky throughout.



This pano shot makes this turn look tighter than it is.


As you can see, the fog gets a little thicker and more mist as well.


...still not too bad out.


1 of 3 bridges you'll cross over.


Looking back at bridge #1


The climbs are steady in either direction with a few sections that are a little steeper.


Lots of P.O. in the lower sections


As usual on any section of Backbone, you get good flow...,


...nice scenery even in heavy fog.


The end of the 1st section is only about 2.5 miles to Zuma Ridge.

 

continued...,

Heading towards Encinal Trailhead


The start of Trancas Canyon Trailhead


Getting more and more misty


Bridge #2 on this route


Lots of nice tight single track sections


The 3rd and final bridge on the out and back.


Encinal Trail head and my turnaround point. I was almost tempted to continue on to Etz Motorway which was only about 5 miles, but decided against it since I had to work again tonight


Heading back the mist subsided a bit...,


..., but certainly leaving things a bit wet.


which made it easy to spot the spider webs throughout the trail.




I was in and out of the mist and fog the entire ride



The final section back up the trail to Kanan


I love riding during the week in the Santa Monica's. I rarely see anyone else. It was only a 9.8 mile ride with just over 1,900 ft of climbing for this out and back. The fog and steady mist made this ride nice as the temps were much cooler than last week. I only went on 1 bottle and wore a windbreaker, never breaking a sweat.



This route combined with Encinal to Yerba Buena is a good solid 30 mile ride with just 4,400 ft of climbing or you can start at Malibu Creek State Park and go to Yerba Buena for a nice long ride..., about 60 miles round trip with 9,790 ft of climbing. I'm hoping to do one of these routes again before it really gets too hot.

 

Gorgeous, Gene! The overcast day made for some stellar photographs!

Just out of curiosity, what camera do you use on the trails?

 

Very nice. Ive never been there. I'll probably try it this weekend.

 

Thanks Quinn. I used a Canon Powershot SD1300 IS and my iPhone for the pano shots. I also have an app on my iPhone Pro HDR that gives me some of those really vivid pics like the last two.

 

Wow, that trail is stunning! If I didn't know better, the lush foliage would have made me think you were in Central CA.
The Santa Monicas are flow central, and that stretch is just beautiful. I need to ride that soon.
Thanks for sharing.

 

Holy cow! Some of those were taken with an iPhone app?! That's crazy! Downloading that one for sure!

I love your pictures.

 

Looks perfect!

 

Nice Gene! I'll have to ride this on a Friday morning sometime soon, but I promise I won't post a RR (mine aren't as good as yours...or anyone's else's for that matter).

 

Hey, I stopped and waited for your group on the section up to the fire road. I knew it was you on the lead on your SS niner, I was riding my Firefly wearing a Death Valley Velo Jersey, You were sucking air but looking OK. Lot's of riders on Backbone on Sunday.

 

Ya I remember. There was quite a few cars in the dirt lot, but seemed the riders were spread out pretty good. It was the 1st weekend of riding in a month for me after being in the hospital so I was a little gassed. I felt better on today's ride.

 

Don't listen to Gene. He's a liar and a scoundrel. Our trails SUCK compared to the Floop. I swear! Don't come out here! You saw how much PO there is!!!!

That said, anyone wanna ride? We might even see a bear (kidding -- they only have those in Fullerton when Dino's riding...).

- shud

 

Cool! Thanks for the pics!

That is a great ride. My wife likes the ride from Encinal to Sandstone and back...so she'll first drop me off at Kanan then drive to the Encinal parking lot and take off from there. I get a few extra miles in coming from Kanan and usually catch up to her somewhere between the Yerba crossing and Sandstone. Then we ride back to the truck at Encinal.

 

Lovely pics Gene ...

 

Yep.

Looks good Gene. Overcast is best riding weather.

 

I ran into a pair that did exactly that last week. I was out with my pal Tim. Was it you we spoke with at the Mishe Mokwa parking lot by any chance?

- shud

 

I agree shud! The trails here are garbage and that's why I haven't even bothered with riding them at all. Oh how I miss fully loop!#-o

 

I rode this last summer when it was extremely hot. Looks like a very good time to ride it now. Great pictures.

 

Hey, yeah, that was us! Fun ride.

 

Duke, I didn't know you moved up there. Let me know your schedule and maybe you, shud and I can hook up for ride sometime.