Boney Mountain in Pt. Mugu State Park is one of my favorite spots in the Santa Monica mountains. Unfortunately, the area has been dramatically altered by recent fire and rain, but it's still great trail. One of the standard loops is 14 miles with about 2,700' of gain.
1 The plan was to run the same route as the Xterra race course. I thought for sure that between the trail map, and memory, I would be able to retrace the course. But the area had been completely wiped out by the Pt. Mugu fires from a couple years ago, and then recent heavy rains had washed everything out. The entire park was closed, but that didn't stop Dr. Rock and I from heading on. Here's the bridge at the end of the road that used to be in heavy tree cover.
2 Heading-up the Fossil trail, which isn't on the Xterra course, but is actually a lot more fun.
3 Great single track, and pretty steep.
4 The Fossil trail is aptly named!
5 Dr. Rock coming down the Old Boney trail. In the background is Boney Peak, and also Sandstone Peak, the highest peak in the Santa Monica mountains, which I've run from the other side.
6 Peekaboo ocean views. It's a very interesting color palette with greens growing back over the browns of drought and the black of fire.
7 Dr. Rock coming down some heavily rain-rutted trail. He loves this stuff.
8 Looking down Upper Sycamore Canyon.
9 The trail in the creek bed is completely gone.
10 Coming out of the creek bed.
11 Haven't seen that trail sign before. I guess it's a tsunami or flash flood warning?
12 We decided to detour off the Xterra course again to avoid some fire road. Here we're heading up the Coyote Trail, which is almost completely washed out in places.
13 Looking down the canyon from high up on the Coyote Trail.
14 We reached a little peak with great 360 degree views, probably the best vista in the area.
15 Hard to tell here, but you can see the Channel Islands in the distance.
16 Rolling hills and distant ocean.
17 360 video from the little peak.
For best performance, you can view the video on YouTube.
18 Dr. Rock dealing with some steep downhill on the way back.
19 Steep and technical downhill, almost back to the trailhead. Another great trail day in the books.