THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Charge up and ride the Backbone singletrack from Encinal toward Sandstone Peak — a three-hour e‑MTB loop that mixes technical rock, fast berms and sweeping ocean views. Guided e-bikes and premium gear keep the focus on flow and scenery.
Charge up and ride the Backbone singletrack from Encinal toward Sandstone Peak — a three-hour e‑MTB loop that mixes technical rock, fast berms and sweeping ocean views. Guided e-bikes and premium gear keep the focus on flow and scenery.
You crest a ridge and the Pacific stretches like a floor of glass below; wind pushes at your shoulders and the trail drops away, daring you into a sequence of bermed turns. This is the Backbone singletrack between Encinal and Yerba Buena Road — a compact romp through chaparral ridges, shaded oak gullies, and exposed basalt outcrops that end in sweeping ocean prospects near Sandstone Peak.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by LifeRush Adventures · Malibu, California
You crest a ridge and the Pacific stretches like a floor of glass below; wind pushes at your shoulders and the trail drops away, daring you into a sequence of bermed turns. This is the Backbone singletrack between Encinal and Yerba Buena Road — a compact romp through chaparral ridges, shaded oak gullies, and exposed basalt outcrops that end in sweeping ocean prospects near Sandstone Peak.
The Santa Monica Mountains record coastal uplift and marine terraces sculpted over millions of years; you’ll ride on ancient shale and sandstone layers that tilt toward the sea. The area has long been used by Chumash people and later ranchers; remnants of old fire roads and rock cuts tell a pragmatic history of working this land.
Expect a mix of fast flow sections, technical rock gardens, and high berms similar to bike-park features. The ride takes in cool forested singletrack, sun-baked ridgelines, and a pit stop near the summit area of Sandstone Peak for panoramic photos and a short break. E-bikes smooth climbs but the route still demands line choice and confident cornering on narrow shoulders.
Practical notes: wear grippy shoes, carry hydration (3–4 bottles or a 2–3L pack), and start early to avoid midday heat and trail traffic. Guides provide a Specialized Kenevo e-MTB, helmet, eyewear and pads; they steer the line-finding and shuttle logistics. Trail conditions can be loose after rain and hot in summer — tide the timing to cooler hours or shoulder seasons for the best experience. With moderate fitness and basic technical MTB skills, this loop delivers big views and high-adrenaline singletrack that keeps you engaged from climb to coast.
moderate.
3 hours.
Moderate fitness recommended — you should be comfortable pedaling at a steady effort for a few hours and able to handle short technical sections.
No — guides provide a brief orientation; basic mountain bike skills and comfort with shifting power are helpful for managing speed and balance.
Climbs vary from sustained but manageable grades to short punchy pitches; e-assist eases effort but some technical line choices remain.
Policies vary by operator, but most require a minimum age (often around 12–16) and weight/height limits for bike fit — check booking details before arrival.
Rain can make shale and sandstone dangerously slick; operators often cancel for unsafe trail conditions and will advise rescheduling or refund policies.
This section of the Santa Monica Mountains has Chumash heritage and later ranching history; many trails follow old ranch roads cut into coastal uplifted strata.
The area is managed for recreation and habitat — stay on trail, pack out trash, and avoid riding closed segments to reduce erosion and protect native plants.
LifeRush Adventures operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
You crest a ridge and the Pacific stretches like a floor of glass below; wind pushes at your shoulders and the trail drops away, daring you into a sequence of bermed turns. This is the Backbone singletrack between Encinal and Yerba Buena Road — a compact romp through chaparral ridges, shaded oak gullies, and exposed basalt outcrops that end in sweeping ocean prospects near Sandstone Peak.
You crest a ridge and the Pacific stretches like a floor of glass below; wind pushes at your shoulders and the trail drops away, daring you into a sequence of bermed turns. This is the Backbone singletrack between Encinal and Yerba Buena Road — a compact romp through chaparral ridges, shaded oak gullies, and exposed basalt outcrops that end in sweeping ocean prospects near Sandstone Peak.
The Santa Monica Mountains record coastal uplift and marine terraces sculpted over millions of years; you’ll ride on ancient shale and sandstone layers that tilt toward the sea. The area has long been used by Chumash people and later ranchers; remnants of old fire roads and rock cuts tell a pragmatic history of working this land.
Expect a mix of fast flow sections, technical rock gardens, and high berms similar to bike-park features. The ride takes in cool forested singletrack, sun-baked ridgelines, and a pit stop near the summit area of Sandstone Peak for panoramic photos and a short break. E-bikes smooth climbs but the route still demands line choice and confident cornering on narrow shoulders.
Practical notes: wear grippy shoes, carry hydration (3–4 bottles or a 2–3L pack), and start early to avoid midday heat and trail traffic. Guides provide a Specialized Kenevo e-MTB, helmet, eyewear and pads; they steer the line-finding and shuttle logistics. Trail conditions can be loose after rain and hot in summer — tide the timing to cooler hours or shoulder seasons for the best experience. With moderate fitness and basic technical MTB skills, this loop delivers big views and high-adrenaline singletrack that keeps you engaged from climb to coast.