A half-century in the making | Backbone trail in the Santa Monica Mountains

Signage helps direct hikers, equestrians and mountain bikers of the Backbone Trail system near the property that former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and fitness advocate Betty Weider donated in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Hikers utilize a dirt road portion of the Backbone Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Kate Kuykendall, public information officer with Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, inspects wildflowers on the property that former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and fitness advocate Betty Weider donated.

Mike Zenan, right, trail crew leader for Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, works with Neli Navarrete, left, on trail building as crews work to complete the Backbone Trail.

Melanie Beck, left, high fives David Szymanski, center, superintendent of the recreation agency, on the morning the agency closed escrow on the property that former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and fitness advocate Betty Weider donated, allowing completion of the Backbone Trail.

Mike Zenan, trail crew leader for Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, and Neli Navarrete, walk trail they have cut as crews work to complete the Backbone Trail.

Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area officials survey the new Etz Meloy Motorway portion of the Backbone Trail trail under construction where it crosses Yerba Buena Road in Ventura County.