About This Event
Note: This is not an HWD Event. It is posted here for informational purposes
This may be your only chance to go camping on the Backbone Trail
REGISTRATION OPENS FEBRUARY 1ST (midnight Saturday night). The fee for this event is $400 and covers all expenses. It is refundable. See http://smmtc.org/bbtrek/ for registration and details
The Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council (SMMTC) is proud to sponsor the 9th annual Backbone Trek. This grueling seven-day hike will traverse the 65-mile length of the Santa Monica Mountains and will be conducted Saturday-to-Saturday, May 2-9, 2015.
The Backbone Trail traverses the length of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. It follows ridges and canyons crossing chaparral-covered hillsides, oak woodlands, creeks and valleys. The daily hikes are rated moderate to strenuous difficulty and average about 10 miles per day, with daily elevation changes ranging from 500 to 3,000 feet. Hikers carry only a daypack with lunch, water and personal items. While this hike is much less strenuous than a backpack trip, it is not for the casual hiker. Each day's hike is classified as moderate or difficult. However, keep in mind a 10 mile hike every day may have a cumulative effect on one's physical condition, increasing the difficulty as the hike progresses day to day.
THIS IS NOT AN HWD EVENT. I AM POSTING IT HERE SO WE CAN SEE WHICH ONE OF OUR HIKING BUDDIES WILL BE ATTENDING. RSVPing YES HERE WILL NOT RESERVE YOUR SPOT. SEE ABOVE AND BELOW FOR REGISTRATION AND CONTACT DETAILS
Volunteers truck the hiker's camping equipment between campgrounds and when necessary, a van shuttle is provided to and from the trailhead. Upon arriving at the night's campground, usually around 3:00 PM, participants may relax while being treated to light snacks and cool drinks. While accommodations at the campgrounds vary, all have potable water, toilets, and picnic tables; all but two campgrounds have shower facilities. Hot meals prepared by volunteers are served every evening. In the mornings, hikers prepare their own breakfast, lunch and trail snacks from an assortment of provided "fixings".
The BBT begins at La Jolla Canyon in Point Mugu State Park. The first day of the event, hikers will meet in the afternoon at the La Jolla Group Camp in Point Mugu State Park. After unloading individual equipment and shuttling private vehicles to a secure parking area, hikers have an opportunity to meet the other hikers and the BBT volunteers, share a light dinner and receive an event orientation. The BBT culminates on at Will Rogers State Historic Park. A light lunch and cool drinks are provided while all participants share their experiences and say good-byes. After lunch, participants are shuttled back to the vehicle parking area to pick up personal camping gear and private autos.
The fee for this event is $400 and covers all expenses. Registration begins on February 1, 2015 and closes on April 8, 2015. While registration is open there will be a link at the top of this page. Come join us for a great week in the local mountains!
Questions should be directed to the event coordinator, Annie Salerno (805) 907-1826 / email backbonetrek@yahoo.com
See also http://smmtc.org/bbtrek/
