Between Corral Canyon Road and Castro Crest, the Backbone Trail passes though a remote segment of the Santa Monica Mountains know as Upper Solstice Canyon. While it is possible to feel quite removed at the bottom of this trail, the high ridges on both ends provide such sweeping views as to immediately restore your sense of place. From Corral Canyon Road to Castro Crest is 5.5 miles round trip with 525 feet of elevation between the low and high points of the trail. Beyond Castro Crest, one can trek another half mile up Newton Road toward the top of Castro Peak, or continue along the Backbone Trail toward Latigo Canyon Road and beyond.
There are trails going in a few directions at the top of Corral Canyon Road, making it a popular starting point for mountain bikers. Park at road’s end and locate the sign for the Backbone Trail on the left side of the road. Lace up and start hiking west.
At the start, the Backbone Trail is wide enough for an ATV, but shrinks to a more standard single-track further into the canyon. Strung out switchbacks lead to an unmarked intersection with a wide fire road, 0.6 miles from the start. To the right, the road ascends to Castro Mountainway, a fire road that connects to the top of Corral Canyon Road. To continue on the Backbone Trail, head straight through the intersection and pick up the trail on the other side. There are no further junctions between here and Castro Crest.
Descend the chaparral-covered slopes toward a narrow section of the canyon. After 1.3 miles, you will reach the canyon floor at an elevation of 1,725 feet. The trail turns northwest through toward Castro Crest, crossing several small (and usually dry) creeks as it travels through an enchanting forest at the bottom of the canyon. Even as Upper Solstice Canyon widens, the dense woods feel surprisingly isolating.
Half a mile before Castro Crest, and 2.25 miles from the start, the Backbone Trail begins to climb out of the canyon, switching up the western slope. The trees give way to broader views of Upper Solstice Canyon, offering an exceptional perspective on the world you’ve been hiking through. After ascending 525 feet from the canyon bottom, the trail reaches the saddle named Castro Crest.
Castro Crest provides partial ocean views beyond the mountains to the south, and there is a postcard perspective to the west of the highest peaks in the range. The Backbone Trail drops down the other side of the crest, continuing another 1.4 miles to Latigo Canyon Road. As an alternative, hikers may park along Latigo Canyon Road and venture to Castro Crest from that trailhead, for a shorter less-rustic experience that is still quite enjoyable.
In an ideal world, one would hike from Castro Crest up Newton Road to Castro Peak and take Castro Mountainway back to Corral Canyon Road. This fantastic loop was a reality for decades until recent private ownership closed the peak to through traffic, including hikers. Newton Road is currently only hike-able for another half mile. The road climbs 230 feet to broad views of the Santa Monica Mountains, and is worth the extra effort.
To continue up Newton Road, turn right and march up the mountainside to the hike-halting security gate. You are unlikely to see a higher concentration of uniquely phrased “no trespassing” signs anywhere else on the planet. Clearly hikers are not welcome on the other side of this fence, and it is a shame. Castro Peak is the fifth highest summit in the Santa Monica Mountains at 2,824 feet, but you can only hike to 2,480 feet. No Santa Monica Mountain to the east is any taller than Castro Peak, so on a clear day the view in that direction is nearly ceaseless.
Because the gate is so imposing, you have no choice but to turn around and head back the way you came. The owners of Castro Peak should really work out a system where hikers are allowed to access the peak a couple days out of the month, the way Azusa Rock Quarry provides access to Fish Canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains. With any luck, hikers will someday again have the option to hike that scenic loop over Castro Peak.
From Corral Canyon Road to the gate above Castro Crest is 6.5 mile round trip with 750 feet of elevation between the top and bottom of the trail. Without a true summit, or waterfall, or other landmark attraction, Upper Solstice Canyon quietly provides a very appealing hike, and may be of the more secluded hikes in the Santa Monica Mountains.
To get to the trailhead: From the PCH to Malibu and turn inland on Coral Canyon Road (West of Malibu Canyon Road and Pepperdine University at the intersection with the 76 gas station). Drive past the entrance to Solstice Canyon and continue another 5.2 miles up Corral Canyon Road to road’s end. Park along the right side of the road and find the trailhed on the left.
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