02 EDISON ROAD/ZUMA RIDGE/BACKBONE TRAIL

KEY AT-A-GLANCE INFORMATION

Length: 11.2 miles

Configuration: Loop

Technical difficulty: 3

Aerobic difficulty: 5

Scenery: Zuma Canyon, Santa Monica Mountains, Zuma Ridge, Trancas Canyon

Exposure: 80% exposed to sunshine

Trail traffic: Virtually nonexistent on Edison Road and Zuma Ridge, moderate on Backbone Trail

Trail surface: Dry hardpack with some loose, rocky sections—20% singletrack

Riding time: 2.5–3.5 hours

Access: Sunrise–sunset, 7 days a week

Maps: USGS 7.5-minute quad: Point Dume

Special comments: Don’t embark on this ride if you’re a novice—once you get to Zuma Creek, you must make 2 very tough climbs to get out.

GPS TRAILHEAD COORDINATES (WGS84)

UTM Zone 11S

Easting 333526

Northing 377444

Latitude N 34.03′41″

Longitude W 118.48′14″

DIRECTIONS

From Los Angeles, take CA 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) north until you reach Kanan Dume Road, then turn right and look out for the entrance to Edison Road, which will appear on your left after about 3 miles. If you have trouble seeing it, follow the power lines on the hillside down to Kanan Dume Road. There is ample parking on the shoulder.

In Brief

It’s baffling that so few people ride Edison Road to Zuma Ridge. Perhaps the reason is that the trailhead is concealed on the side of Kanan Dume Road and closed with a fence that, ironically, has a sign welcoming users. Lift your bike over the fence and do this route, because it is one of the wildest, most aerobically challenging rides in the Santa Monica Mountains. Its lack of trail traffic and remote location ensure you a good chance of seeing rare wildlife such as bobcats and horned toads.

Description

Once you’ve found the elusive entrance to Edison Road, get your gear together and start pedaling. You’re in for a small bit of climbing in the first mile, and then at the 1.3-mile mark you’ll begin the descent into the depths of Zuma Canyon, during which you’ll lose more than 800 feet of elevation. The Edison Fire Road gets an occasional grooming, but it can be pretty rocky and technical for a fire road.

When you cross Zuma Creek at the 3-mile mark, stop and appreciate the wildness of the environment around you—here is an entire canyon that has somehow remained free of urban encroachment despite being situated in the heart of Malibu. Don’t stop too long, however; it would behoove you to keep your legs somewhat warm for the monstrous climb ahead—approximately 1,700 feet of elevation to gain over the next 3 miles. If you’re in good enough shape to ignore the pain of this climb, you may treat your eyes to a visual feast—about halfway into the climb, the scenery opens up, with Trancas Canyon and the Pacific coming into view.

Splendid views aplenty along Zuma Ridge Motorway

The lone home at the top marks the summit, after which you descend along Zuma Ridge. The views are spectacular here also, and the fire road is smooth, with fast-sweeping corners to get sideways on. Keep an eye out for the entrance to the Backbone Trail; it will appear on your right at roughly the 7.6-mile mark, about 1.2 miles from the estate atop Zuma Ridge.

The ensuing 2.4 miles of Backbone Trail are a delight, taking you across the upper part of Zuma Creek, then paralleling Kanan Dume Road for a while. This section is quintessential chaparral singletrack, with dead oak leaves contributing to a nice loamy trail surface that provides plenty of grip. This section is particularly popular with hikers, so avoid recklessly high speeds around the numerous blind corners.

Your last mile on the Backbone Trail will leave you euphoric after its nice little oak-canopy-shaded ascent and subsequent descent. Tires will say goodbye to dirt at the 10-mile mark when the last leg of the journey begins—a 1.3-mile southward spin on Kanan Dume Road south back to your car. Mostly downhill, this pavement portage includes two tunnels to keep things interesting. Unless your bike racks drew other cyclists’ attention, your car will most likely be as alone as you left it. Edison Road gets very little cycling attention, and when you’re done, you’ll agree it’s deserving of far more.

A common sight in the Santa Monicas during the summer

After the Ride

Virtually every international flavor of cuisine can be found on PCH as you head back to Los Angeles. Cholada Thai Beach Cuisine at 18763 Pacific Coast Highway offers fiery fare as well as cold bottled Thai macrobrews to wash it down; (310) 317-0025. For American food, a full bar, and possibly a musical display from forgotten bands of the ′80s, visit The Malibu Inn, across from the historical Malibu Pier at 22969 Pacific Coast Highway; (310) 456-6060.