This Part of the Backbone

Hike the Ray Miller Trail in Point Mugu State Park

The Ray Miller Trail comprises the final stretch of the Backbone Trail in Malibu’s Point Mugu State Park, an idyllic moderate beach hike during spring and early summer. This well-maintained 5.1-mile out-and-back begins right off PCH and zigzags via gradual switchbacks to a 1,000-foot elevation, offering numerous ocean vistas from atop the tranquil La Jolla Canyon.

The climb begins at the trailhead on the north side of the parking lot and shortly reaches a bend that curves around a small campsite. Follow the trail upward; yucca flowers festoon the rocky hillside in spring, as do wooly sapphire, violet snapdragons, and the small white flowers of rattlesnake weed meandering lazily across the dry slopes of the chaparral. The floral punch may be waning now that it’s early summer, but there’s an ocean view that’s a staple of this hike and a place to feel the cool Pacific breeze (the trail is overall quite exposed so avoid hiking in the thick of heat).

Halfway up the switchbacks is a coastal panorama showcasing Point Mugu Rock to the west and Sycamore Cove to the east, with the elegant silhouette of the Channel Islands sitting neatly off the shoreline. At the end of the 2.7-mile incline you can see the top of distant Boney Mountain and connect to other trails along Sycamore Canyon via the Backbone Trail, or simply turn around and enjoy the gradual descent back to the parking lot. 

Take the I-10 W to Pacific Coast Hwy. (CA-1) and follow CA-1 N to Ventura County. The parking lot is located a few hundred feet off PCH, or you can park on the street for free. No dogs.

 Story and photos by Lena Marceca

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. All right, Almaden!

    Take a trip through time on this 5-mile loop in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Explore the ruins of an old cinnabar mine and enjoy the first hints of wildflower season.

    View
  2. Waterfalls and Wine Pours

    Cooler temps, green hills, and the return of our magnificent waterfalls! This family-friendly 2-mile hike at Uvas Canyon County Park in Morgan Hill is a great way to get the most out of a short hike post-rain.

    View
  3. Woman hiker is climbing up the ladder in the Steep Ravine section of the Dipsea Loop Trail on Mount Tam

    Misty on Mount Tam

    Mount Tam’s 3.9-mile round-trip Steep Ravine and Dipsea Trail Loop weathers the wets and wilds with some confidence, sheltered in parts by redwoods, and wowing with a waterfall.

    View
  4. Mile-Long Cataract Club

    In winter after heavy rains, the north flank of Mount Tam glows with flows. The nearly mile-long series of waterfalls—Cataract Falls—transforms into a supercharged spectacle. Starting at Alpine Dam, a 1.6 mile (one-way) narrow trails threads through redwoods and ferns along Cataract Creek.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Peace Labyrinth

    Hidden in LA’s historic West Adams district, the Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens is a welcome respite from the norms of urban noise.

    View
  2. Weekend Sherpa Podcast: Take It Outside

    Adventure for your earbuds. What's new in the world of the outdoors? Listen to Weekend Sherpa co-founders discuss local hikes, beaches, bike rides, camping spots and all kinds of travel and adventure in California and beyond!

    View
  3. Hikers sitting on a large rock slab next to Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest Southern California near Julian

    Three Sisters

    Good things come in threes at this hike to a lovely trio-tiered waterfall in Cleveland National Forest. The 4.25-mile out-and-back hike rambles among rolling hills, with rocky mountain views as switchbacks take you down to a lush canyon and the falls.

    View
  4. People gathered around a tree at an LA Park as part of the Tree Tour led by Stephanie Carrie

    LA's Tree Tour

    Los Angeles is famous for its iconic palm trees but did you know that LA is home to one of the most diverse urban forests in the world? With over 1,000 different tree species lining its streets, LA offers a unique urban canopy waiting to be explored. One of the best ways to discover it is by joining a Tree Tour

    View