The eighth annual sevenday trek along the Santa Monica Mountains’ Backbone Trail will begin on May 1, providing a 67-mile guided wilderness experience within sight of Los Angeles.

Hikers will assemble at the western end of the trail off Pacific Coast Highway in Ventura County and hike about 10 miles daily until arriving on May 8 at Will Rogers State Historic Park off Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades.

The event is sponsored by the Santa Monica Mountains Trails Council, an organization dedicated to establishment and maintenance of the public trail system throughout the Santa Monica Mountains.

The guides are experienced volunteers with a passion for the terrain. As interpreters, they can answer most questions on the flora, fauna, geology and history of the region. Hikers can expect to see wildflowers, geologic formations and vistas.

A support team will carry the camping equipment and sleeping bags and provide meals each morning and evening. Hikers will be expected to complete the miles each day, including average elevation gains and losses of 1,500 feet. Hikers will also carry a light daypack with water, lunch and other incidentals.

There is a fee to cover campgrounds, equipment transportation, insurance and meals. Participation is open to the public. The trek is limited to 25 hikers.

For more information, go to www.smmtc.org/bbtrek, e-mail the event coordinator, Jerry Mitcham, at backbonetrek2010 @roadrunner.com or call (818) 406-1269.