Recently, while doing the Topanga Lookout Ridge Loop, I was surprised to find that the “Closed” sign and tape blocking access to the Fossil Ridge Trail had been removed. The Fossil Ridge Trail has been closed since the Palisades Fire and was closed when I did the Hondo Canyon Trail on May 4.
This 0.6-mile segment of the Backbone Trail connects the top of the Hondo Canyon Trail to Topanga Ridge Mtwy, near the Lois Ewen Overlook. From the overlook, the Backbone Trail continues west to Saddle Peak and then on to Malibu Canyon and other trailheads.
I decided to check out the initial stretch of the Fossil Ridge Trail, intending to turn around if it was obviously damaged, overgrown, or there was some other issue.
What I found was a trail that had been recently groomed and a hillside full of wildflowers — thousands of wildflowers. The number of large-flowered Phacelias — a showy, purple fire follower — was extraordinary. Also decorating the trail were caterpillar Phacelia, collarless poppy, bindweed, star lily, Catalina mariposa lily, yellow mariposa lily, blue Dicks, and false mustard.
Continuing east on the trail, I passed the rock slide containing fossil shell impressions. The impressions are on a rock that broke apart in the slide. The slide is on the north side of the trail, about a quarter-mile from the western trailhead and 0.4-mile from the eastern trailhead.
After checking the eastern end of the trail, I retraced my steps and returned to the Lois Ewen Overlook. From there, I continued west on the Backbone Trail, visited the eastern summit of Saddle Peak, and then descended the Backbone Trail to its junction with the Stunt High Trail. The Stunt High Trail was used to complete the loop.
Other than the top of Saddle Peak, virtually none of the Topanga Lookout Ridge Loop was burned. The Backbone Trail crosses a huge preemptive firebreak on the north side of Saddle Peak several times, but the firefighters who constructed the firebreak took care to preserve the trail.
Some related posts:
– Hondo Canyon Out and Back Trail Run
– Fire Followers Along the Backbone Trail
– Too Many Flowers on the Chamberlain Trail
– Topanga Lookout Loop, Plus Saddle Peak