I got some great info after my last post about finding on road rides in and around Santa Monica and Malibu, so thought I’d try my luck with trails runs and mountain biking in the same area. I’ve heard there are some amazing trails in the Santa Monica mountains, any info would be truly appreciated. Thanks!
Chrisar,
For mtn try these…
One of the best single tracks in the are is, perhaps, best to drive to the start. Go up PCH ~2mi past Pepperdine and make a left on Corral Canyon (new light there, 76 gas station on corner). Drive to the top, it deadends in a gravel parking area. On the left of the parking lot (it’s small) as you drive in - there is a trail, it’s called Backbone and it’s the best section of Backbone: technical, challening, and about 15k to the tunnel at Kanan Dume Road. It’s a great out back.
More local to Santa Monica are some “ride-to” options.
One is head up Mandeville Canyon almost to the top, there is a road to the left called Garden Land. 70m off the road is a gate and a fire road and climbs up, up, up and pops out at the Nike Missel Station (water there). From there you can head west on dirt Mulholland, take this super gnarly, technical single track that is known by some as “broken arrow” (there’s an old rusted red car off to the side and you’ll be in awe of how it got out there) back onto dirt Mulholland, onto Trailer Canyon, past “The Hub” and down into the Palisade Highlands (right past my house - pm and stop in for an FRS, bike fit or any repair) and then PCH and beach bike path back to Santa Monica - Maybe 2.5 hours round trip if you’re moving. Too hard to nail the route in print so look here http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3131582.
Here’s another you simply must ride… It’s called the whoops. There’s lots of ways to get there but since we started with Mandeville, we’ll go there again. The start just before Garden Land (so where near the top) peels off to the right (Garden Lands is a left) and this one is ~300m before (down hill) from Garden Land - I can’t remember the name right now. The paved street is about 30m long and deadends into a gate - around that gate and up, up, up to the ridge. Go left and down to Mountain Gate (small, up scale hood with golf course built on old landfill) you’ll ride paved for 2 minutes and you’re back on fire trail. Go down to this saddle where there is a small concrete wall on the edge of the road. Peel off there to the right and you’ll be on a roller coser ride of whoop-de-doos that is incredible fun. On the lower section you’ll see where free riders have sculpted ramps for huge jumping. It’s great fun. After follow the map down another single track and you’ll pop out on Kenter - it’s all down hill from there paved and into Brentwood. http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3131590
All the best, Ian