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Summary: This hike is a bit challenging, but rewards the hiker with some great scenery. The hike starts out following the Inspiration Point loop trail up a ridge line with great views of the ocean and city below. Just past the spur that leads up to inspiration point (at 1 miles), you will turn onto the Backbone trail. A quarter mike or so after you cross a bridge spanning a saddle, you will come to an unmarked trail on the right that drops steeply into Rustic Canyon. Once you're on the canyon floor, head left towards the Camp Josepho scout camp. This section of the trail is my favorite, with lovely meadow like areas shaded by giant sycamores. When you reach the scout camp, turn around and back head down Rustic Canyon. As the canyon narrows, the woods get quite dense and at times the trail disappears, forcing you to walk in the streambed. Watch for an obvious trail to the right once the canyon flattens out again, leading back to Will Rogers Park. I found a topo map and GPS helpful. Trailhead: From the San Fernando Valley, take the 405 south to Sunset, turn right (toward the beach), and in 7 miles turn right into Will Rogers State Park. Drive to the end of the almost 1 mile long entrance road. The trail head is behind the visitors center. (Lat:34.0545 Lon:-118.51181) Trail Guides for Rustic Canyon - Camp Josepho: Day Hikes Around Los Angeles by Robert Stone (Day Hike Books, Inc.) Afoot & Afield In Los Angeles by Jerry Schad (Wilderness Press) Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers Ranger Contact: Will Rogers State Park (310) 454-8212 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Jim Zuber, who has posted 104 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 1 of 10 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Tim L on 11/1/2008 Did this hike for the first time at night (on Halloween even). Very spooky and somewhat treacherous in regions, so I definitely recommend doing it in the day unless you're an experienced night hiker. Having done both directions, I'd definitely recommend hiking counter-clockwise. Were dozens of spiders, but they were easily avoidable. 
Reviewed by William on 10/31/2008 This was our second time on our hike. It was a beautiful day and very little traffic on the trails. We enjoyed ourselves immensely until we began traveling the creek bed. I walked face first into a spiderweb as thick as thread, when I backed up I recoiled at a large crablike looking spider nestled in the web. As we meandered down the creek our travels were hindered by hundreds of these spiders. Every 5 feet we traveled we were ducking these half-dollar sized beasts. This was not our experience the first time we hiked this trail. Undoubtedly, this was my me and my wife's most frightening Halloween in a long time. The spiders most resemble the Tree Spider Araneas Gemma, but there are still some differences. 
Reviewed by JH on 10/7/2008 I did this hike Sunday. The comments here were all very helpful. Especially the tips about the trail at the bottom right of the dam. However, I had a lot of trouble getting around the dam. We ended up going down the left side. Sliding down the hill and then jumping the last 6 feet or so. Not sure if this was the correct way to get down, but we couldn't find any other way. Anyone know if this was the only way down?
Reviewed by SB on 9/16/2008 Really cool hike with some sketchy trail conditions on the way out. The hike down into the canyon from the Backbone was nothing spectacular. The buildings and plant life in the canyon made the trip worthwhile. However, once you head west from the graffiti power building, be certain to look for the almost hidden trail next to the creek. Don't take the road you've been following. Trail conditions from here on out definitely on the "not maintained" side of things and we could have used a machete at times! The path to the right of the dam (from up top) was a good piece of advice. Lots of geocaches in here as well.
Reviewed by VV on 7/23/2008 i did this hike alone on a nice Wednesday afternoon (there have to be some advantages to being back in school :-). the sky was smoggy (so whats new ?!) but the views from the Insp/Backbone legs were still pretty good. The hike out was a little interesting, but fortunately, I never got lost. The only place where things looked iffy was at the dam, but I saw the trail down the right side. The ranger's advice - keep the creek in sight always - was spot on. Want to go back with a little more time to get lost a little :-)
Reviewed by Viewer on 7/21/2008 I did this hike on a sunday, (very few people hiking). I started at the back of the polo field, (rustic canyon trail). The trail is a bit challenging because you are following a stream, but easy to follow. Some difficulty in certain areas, but not hard to follow. The most confusing part was where to go on certain trail turn points, I started at noon and finished at 5pm. Great hike not for the faint of heart, alot of uncertainty along the way, and unsure footing. Bring lots of water. Leave the pussys at home, cuz they will be crying!!
Reviewed by OB1 on 6/13/2008 I don't enjoy the first part of this hike in the dry chaparral leaving Will Rodgers park (though the views are nice on clear days), but after leaving the Backbone trail for the path down into the canyon, everything changes for the better. I was the only person in Rustic Canyon on the weekday I went, which was both refreshing and admittedly a little spooky. The hike back out the canyon is a great little adventure through the ruins and jungle-like overgrowth, and I found the trail to be in good shape and not hard to find at all. The trail on the right down around the dam was easily found. If not for the forgettable beginning ascent, this would be a 5 star hike.
Reviewed by T on 5/21/2008 The abandoned buildings were part of a abandoned Nazi-sympathizer camp known as "Murphy Ranch." You can read more about it at http://crimesofthefree.blogspot.com/2005/10/nazi-commune-ruins.html and http://www.newnation.vg/forums/archive/index.php?t-71720.html. While these sites are certainly biased the info about this camp is backed up by a LA Times article (Sept 4, 2005) and local history books. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: California Hiking, California Trails, California Hikes, Los Angeles County Hiking, Los Angeles County Trails, Los Angeles County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||