It’s done. The 8^th and last segment of hiking the Backbone Trail is water under the bridge, or more accurately for Southern California, dirt under my feet. The last 11.5 miles walking to Will Rogers State Park were as beautiful, secluded, and hard-to-believe near 10 million people as the rest of the trail. Except for coming upon the unexpected music of a big windchime hanging high in an oak near Topanga Canyon (after all, this IS the land of the free spirits), only the last ½ mile reminded us of the realities nearby.

The last wildflowers hung on but temperatures were high. Our trip was lined with mounds of buckwheat, waist high grass, and a few rare beauties such as pink Plummers lily. Chatting on the trail was subdued due to the sustained heat of 80+ degrees. We simply concentrated moving and not becoming overheated.

We cheered and high fived descending into the parking area making plans to have a celebratory meal on PCH along the way back north. Without saying so, the truth was we didn’t really want it to end. Being in long car shuttles over 2 months and on the trail for hours and hours together gave me one new good friend as well as 3 or 4 much deeper friendships with those I already knew. Naturally the 6 or so of us is thinking ‘Let’s do it again! Where to next?’.

So go out there and get on the Backbone Trail. It is 67 miles of magic. It will take you away from the city and put you back in nature. It will bring you friends and give you a rewarding lifelong accomplishment. And it’s right here in our own backyard.