Everything was in bloom. There is potable water on Santa Cruz Island in the Scorpion campground where you can refill your water bottle. Weve strapped so much trash-bag protected stuff to the top of the boats that Rich and Wendys kayak looks like a makeshift garbage barge, and Natalie and Norbertos kayak looks like its been loaded up with every belonging theyve owned since childhood. We will just be going for the day and I'm trying to figure out which part of the island is the best to go to. Were already here? Renske asks. Boats land at either Prisoners Harbor or Scorpion Anchorage, a short walk from historic Scorpion Ranch. But, when nine friends married, Texan, long-time friends Rich and Wendy; less experienced, married paddlers Sam and Whitney; eternally cheerful, San Francisco-based couple Natalie and Norberto; Minnesotan Lisa whom Ive hiked with before, long-time college friend Suzanne, and Dutch Renske took me up on the offer (with four flying in from out of town), I immediately felt a big responsibility to ensure that our trip wasnt a disaster. The area around the high mount is technical but didn't feel dangerous. Went in mid-March, stunningly green and beautiful, charming weather. Stayed at Del Norte and hiked to scorpion lower loop for our next camp site. This was a beautiful trail no doubt! Spend time exploring the island, snorkeling, relaxing on the beach, and more. The swell frequently creeps around the corner in the Island Packers. It is treacherous. To get back, head town the trail on the right (Potato Harbor Road). Bringing a Kayak with you to Santa Cruz Island would be the cheaper option but definitely more effort to coordinate. I planned this trip to be much easier than either of those, I said, trying to keep everyone relaxed. Theres a small free parking lot right at its start. A quiet, peaceful, beautifully green trail in February. Excellent trail be prepared to hike for 2 1/2 hours. boat ride to prisoners stopped at scorpion first so took longer than the boat ride back which was about an hour I believe. The name of the island that Scorpion Anchorage is located on is Santa Cruz Island. After setting up our tents and playing a surprisingly vicious game of Cancellation Hearts, the group congregates at a couple picnic tables overlooking the ocean. You should book your trip ahead of time on the Island Packers websitebecause boats do fill up. You'll wish you hadn't left your canteen on the boat. Strava clocked me at 13.5 miles and 2,800 feet of elevation gain. For more information, please visit: No conditions reported in the past 7 days. Suddenly, a strong gust smashes an aggressive wave over our boat, soaking us both completely. Santa Cruz Island has a few beautiful hiking trails. If youre interested in doing it all at Prisoners Harbor you can camp at Del Norte campground which is a 2-3 mile hike from Prisoners Harbor. Your adventure begins on the Island Packers ferry where hopefully youll spot a pod of dolphins during your journey or even whales. Pretty decent incline as well. After a quick lunch, we head out on a surprisingly strenuous up-and-down trail (carrying our water supply) toward the Del Norte Campground, which lies at the top of one of the islands peaks. On the boat to Santa Cruz Island, the nine of us discussed our past outdoors trips, and Lisa reminisced about the Mount Whitney summit trip she completed with me, Rich, and Wendy. Be aware of weather conditions and bring extra food. Did it with two kids 4 and 8 and they loved it. It is a good idea to pack plenty of extra water for your trip. My plan outlined three days of kayaking around Santa Cruz Island: the first day, an 8-mile loop from Scorpion Anchorage beach; the second day, a one-way, 9-mile coastal paddle from Scorpion Anchorage to Prisoners Harbor ending with a July 4, Rich-planned mystery dinner; and the third day, a 6-mile loop from Prisoners Harbor. . 2023 Channel Island Adventure Co. Privacy | Terms. Thank God for his help. The lower loop is about a 1/2 mile hike in and the upper loop is about a mile, depending on where your site is located inside the loop. Great for kayaking and snorkeling! Prisoners Harbor is located midway along the North shore of Santa Cruz Island. We watch the tiny shows, eating miniature blueberry, cherry, and pecan pies, in honor of the holiday. Travel guides created to inspire and enable people to use their time away from the office to explore the world. Id recommend re-mapping yourself again when you get into lakeside to make sure the coordinates to the trailhead are correct or youll have another 20 min drive to go back down wildcat canyon road. Did this trek over 3 days and 2 nights. Shaded for 90% of it and just a little out in the sun on the uphill section. The best way to explore this part of the United, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve is a beautiful reserve with nice hiking trails, beautiful coves, relaxing beaches, and diverse plant and animal species. Heading off on a close reach almost always gets us to the vicinity of Cavern Point. On day 2, hike to Scorpion Anchorage and spend another night. And speaking of the smell, it just isnt a problem right now. When we went, kayaking was at Scorpion and at Prisoner's, you had to go on a guided tour of the Nature Conservancy lands which required hiking about 5 miles r/t. With the wind and water totally calm, the ten of us paddle along the serene, rocky, golden coast. my dogs loved it and were in and out of the river. It can be more revealing than any aquarium as you see in this picture of the bottom, which was not shot from underwater, but sitting in my plastic boat. There are over 500 wineries in Napa, The American Southwest features incredible natural wonders and landscapes that cannot be missed. Then did del Norte > scorpion campground the next day. Your email address will not be published. Feather Boa Kelp Overlooking the pier at Prisoners Harbor. Little Scorpion is the primary overnight anchorage. Sorry! Due to their more unpredictable weather and waters,. There are two bathrooms on the boat which arent bad, but I wouldnt recommend going when the boat is moving since it can get bumpy. Hiking, camping, sea kayaking, and snorkeling are the top reasons to visit the island. Painted Cave, further west, is far more vast, but the caves near Scorpion are easily accessible and require no spelunking gear. If I plan to spend the night, I also plan a backup. Its possible to hike to Chinese Harbor Beach and continue west all the way to Prisoners Harbor, but that is a very long shade-less trek. If I did it again the only thing I would change is to bring gaiters. So you have 4 hours tops to do a half marathon (I clocked it at exactly 13.1 from pier to pier). The Ultimate Weekend in Death Valley National Park, Yellowstone National Park Weekend Itinerary, Joshua Tree National Park Weekend Getaway, Channel Islands Adventure Company website, 20 Gift Ideas for People Who Love to Travel, 10-Day Costa Rica Itinerary: From Hot Springs to Cloud Forests, 16 Top Destinations in the Southwest US You Must See, 10-Day American Southwest Road Trip Itinerary, Point Lobos State Natural Reserve Guide: Best Hikes and Views. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. He was trotting down the trail in my direction and then veered off towards the river. Nothing that you cant see. I have at least another hour in me! After about 30 minutes, the rest of the group joins us on the beach. Nice trail but steep around the peak, kinda sketchy with big backpacks on but totally doable. Once on the boat, there are two main drop off points on Santa Cruz Island: Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor. Wind is an issue. If you do your day trip to the Channel Islands with Island Packers, you will have about 6-7 hours to spend on Santa Cruz Island. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 21 min to complete. From the abandoned oil well to the near-empty trail studded with classic trail signs, it felt like a journey right out of literature. I formerly head the sports department at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. Its now a significant obstruction. The shore near Gherini (Scorpion) Ranch has two distinct anchorages. Do this hike one way by getting dropped off by the ferry at prisoners. Two of us completed weekend of 5/30. It's beautiful right now. All pier landings involve climbing a ladder between 1 and 6 rungs Santa Rosa Bechers Bay landings are on a pier and onto a grated catwalk to a flight of stairs Great views of the ocean and cliffs. 9a departure. One of the. Dan. Be careful because the water spigots tend to have a lot of yellow jackets around them. I really liked it. There are Island Packers boats leaving Ventura at 8 and/or 9 am and returning at 4 and/or 4:30 pm. For visitors planning a multi-day or overnight trip, camping reservations must be made in advance. I packed 6.25 litters of water and used about 4. The mixed sand and cobblestone Scorpion Beach is a world-class destination because of easy beach access, clear ocean waters, a spectacular shoreline with sea caves to explore, nearby camping, numerous trails, and year-round Island Packers boat transportation. When you get to the end you end at a residential neighborhood/road. backpacking is strenuous for a lot of elevation gains. There is no cell service in this area. Once you enter you go right to the farthest parking section to find the trail head. But remember, for a yacht on a single hook, this is, at best a fair weather anchorage. Parts of the trail were a bit overgrown so be mindful of ticks. . It looks like its about an inch away from completely sinking. I added China Pines Road to the hike which provides some great views, but the trail is completely overgrown in 1/3 to 1/2 of it. It is a very happy thing to walk while listening to the sound of water. Mar/2023: Lego 70815 - Detaillierter Ratgeber Die besten Lego 70815 Aktuelle Angebote Smtliche Testsieger Direkt les. Channel Islands National Park is comprised of 5 islands. Little Scorpion is a fraction of a mile east. The trail is fairly marked well however there are some spots where the trail narrows considerably and can be difficult footing for some. If you planning on going go early to get parking or else come back another day cause you may not find parking. Definitely recommend trekking poles because there comes a point where it gets really rocky and steep. The Catalina kayaking trip I did with Hank a few years ago was also the hardest thing Ive done in my life, Natalie added, also sounding like it took her years of therapy to move past the incident. When most people think of kayaking they imagine themselves paddling peacefully down a river on a hot summer day. Scorpion Anchorage to Prisoner's Harbor Backpacking2 days15 mi(one-way) Itinerary Trailhead directions Scorpion Anchorage 11.9 mi 2,600 ft gain Del Norte Campground 3.1 mi 400 ft gain Prisoner's Harbor Reservations This trip requires aSanta Cruz Del Norte Campground. Island Packers recommends getting to the harbor 45 minutes before the departure time. Get picked up from the scorpion dock the next morning. If you start Cavern Point Loop counterclockwise, the trail starts about a 5 minute walk up from the pier, past the bathrooms. Occasionally, abrupt wind shifts (though not necessarily Santa Anas) will suddenly make your secondary anchor the primary. Calm campsite. Unfortunately, I didn't see any wildlife yesterday. If you drop your boat in the water when the sun just peaks over Anacapa, youll likely find glass-smooth waters and excellent visibility. The bottom in this area is sandy in many parts, but there are areas of mud and weed where holding is less secure. Gorgeous views of El Capitan and the valley below, everything is so green right now, we felt like we were in Ireland. The bottom is sand and holding is excellent and kelp is not an issue these days. It is also a good idea to have a support boat or someone on shore who can keep an eye on you. Are we going to die? Sam asked. So much bright spring green making it like a fairyland. While this is a great spot for exploring in your plastic boat, many of the caves have dangerously low ceilings. She believed that? I laugh. At Prisoners Harbor, tables are located near the beach. this was very difficult because of the climbing uphills. Friendly rangers. 0:39 - Turnoff for the Del Norte Trail (times are approximate) Come prepared to pack out all your trash. The best time of day to kayak from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage is in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is not as intense. Then, when I called five different kayak-rental outfits in Southern California to find different kayaks with hull storage space, none had enough on hand. This trail is great for backpacking, birding, and camping, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. I carried 9L with me because there is no water at Del norte. Campsite 1 & 2 great views; campsite 3 & 4 have shade. There is rarely any breaking surf, which makes this one of the few easy places to come ashore on Santa Cruz. Its some of the most spectacular scenery in California. Didnt do the loop, wasnt prepared for height of water. Im a female and did this trip solo and it was pretty awesome! Saw a coyote on the trail (2/13/23). A little long, and some unsteady rocks. Is this it? There are also several steep cliffs and rocky shorelines to navigate. As were only two or three boat lengths from a lee shore, we are skittish about taking the whole family ashore. MHiked backwards scorpion to Del norte. Check out this blog post: Channel Islands National Park Animals. The loop visits two of the most famous points on the eastern section of the island, Cavern Point and Potato Harbor. There is no food on any of the Channel Islands, so make sure to bring food with you and a bag to carry your trash out. Address 1691 Spinaker Dr Ventura, CA 93001 Phone (805) 658-5730 Park Name Channel Islands National Park Owner National Park Activities Hiking, Birdwatching, Camping, Kayaking, Swimming, Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Backpacking Amenities Trails, Restrooms, Pier Pet Policy Pets are not allowed on the island Fees Fee for boat trip, camping Hotels There are a lot of things to do on Santa Cruz Island including hiking, swimming, snorkeling or kayaking. Make sure to decide on your Channel Islands itinerary for the day before you leave as there will be no service on the island to do any research. I didnt know what to say, so I just told her that we decided to take all of our gear with us for a day trip because foxes and people were stealing it., Foxes and people?! The boat ride is part of the experience of the day trip to the Channel Islands, as you can see many different birds and animals on the way. Landed at Scorpion, hiked to Del Norte Campground to stay the night. I dont think we can do this!. The high winds almost drove us insane, and the water carry sucks, but overall very worth it. Very good trail, good weather. Scorpion Anchorage is a small harbor with a pier on the northeast side of Santa Cruz Island. I did not have trekking poles so definitely had to use my hands at times lol. We ended up leaving 2.5 liters (total) at the campground (there's an emergency stash there but I wouldn't rely on it), and carrying 3 liters each (6 liters total) from Del Norte to Scorpion Anchorage. Highly recommend. We only saw 2 others on the trail. So, you must pack all your water. The Prisoner's Harbor area is part of The Nature Conservancy section of the island. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 21 min to complete. We both had about a liter left over at the end of the hike. Got to Scorpion at 310p for the 4p ferry. I saw one group of 4 people near the campground but didn't see anyone else until I was 1 1/2 miles from Scorpion Cove. LOGISTICS: Boats run by Island Packers leave from Ventura daily to Scorpion Anchorage and daily except Wednesdays to Prisoners Harbor. Hiking Santa Cruz Island was incredible, but we felt like the first loop was enough for us to get a good taste of the island by land. All others must anchor out and it is best to stay well clear of the mooring field, which like the pier, is for official use only. There are, Your email address will not be published. Be very careful near the peak. Great trail with the sound of running water the whole way. Also my legs were done by the time I got to climb the peak. But its our fault for bringing so much stuff, eternally-upbeat Natalie says with a smile. This area of the park offers more sea caves than any others. It is possible to kayak from Prisoner's Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage but it is a long and challenging journey. On our first day, we kayaked only 3 miles west along the coast from Scorpion Anchorage due to strong winds, but an 8-mile day trip to Smugglers Cove might be nice with less wind. Its our best chance to get to Prisoners Harbor, I say, hoping to avoid the afternoon ocean swells that ruined todays kayak. We did find some emergency water left by other hikers (thank you!) Whitney has a smile on his face and though Sam, Lisa and Suzanne look very relieved theyre done, they dont seem permanently scarred. It usually affords protection from the prevailing westerlies, but the swell can enter the anchorage, making for rough and sleepless nights. Look for animals on your way back such as dolphins, whales, and birds. The second loop, Scorpion Canyon Loop Trail, is marked in green in the map above. We saw only 2 other people the whole time we were on the trail and there were lots of animal tracks and scat. Everythings going to work out. Im not sure if shes saying this because she believes it or because I specifically told her before leaving for the trip that I would need ongoing emotional support to avoid intentionally drowning myself at sea over my self-hate about planning a kayaking trip that would leave its participants emotionally damaged. Dan . There are two campgrounds, one at Scorpion Anchorage and another near Prisoners Harbor. (As of November 2019 this location is closed for construction of a new pier and will reopen summer 2020). The main trail from Del Norte Camp to Scorpion Anchorage is in pretty good condition. Both locations have many activities such as hiking, snorkeling, bird watching, ocean kayaking, and camping to check out. I suspect its the former. Only 24 percent of Santa Cruz Island is owned by the National Park Service (the rest is owned by The Nature Conservancy), so most of the island is inaccessible to campers except for the northeastern ends two campgrounds: Scorpion Anchorage and Del Norte (above Prisoners Harbor). I'm deciding between the two and have a few questions. The other is Prisoners Harbor near the Conservancy border. Bring lots of sunscreen and a camera to capture the beautiful views :]. The other 76 percent is owned by The Nature Conservancy. I arrived in Prisoner's Harbor around 11 am and started running shortly after. Island Packers Cruises is the exclusive concessionaire to the national park. I invited my friends on this three-day, 24-mile, July 4 kayak-camping trip six months in advance, knowing that it would be easier to get campsites and people to commit well before the trip. However, to backpack the island, we would suggest getting dropped . Over all worth it would not recommend kayaking after this hike. The first fire started on the flat about half way between Pelican Bay and Prisoners' Harbor and about half way between the ocean and the top of the ridge. There is a huge, new pier in the SW corner and two mooring balls. Required fields are marked *. Check out these activities on Get Your Guideincluding a Brunch Cruise, Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise,and a sea kayaking tour at La Jolla. Only negative is that people dont pick up after their dogs. The bottom is mostly sand, though we have encountered some eel grass. River crossings are closed by the rangers due to high water. beautiful trail . Channel Islands Adventure Company runs guided kayak tours at three locations: Scorpion Anchorage, Prisoners Harbor, and Painted Cave. Great views. Scorpion Anchorage is just an 18-mile ride off the coast of Ventura County on the 96-square-mile island of Santa Cruz. We crossed the water and we had a snack and back home. If you have more time you can combine multiple hikes and do both the blue and green loops. The hike from del Norte camp to scorpion campground with lunch was a 6-hour day - after montaon ridge we took the potato harbor route instead of following the road to the pier. Curious about where to go and what to do on Santa Cruz Island? The captain will point out animals that they spot and slow down the boat so everyone can see. The hike from Prisoners to Scorpion is about 16 miles. Trail was near deserted. The boat is fairly large, and has indoor seating, outdoor seating in the back, and second floor seating with both covered and uncovered parts. However kayaking can [], Perhaps youve seen ocean kayaks paddling along the coast and thought to yourself Those look like a lot of fun. Note that the Centers kayaks do not have cargo space inside the kayaks (though there is ample space for backpacks on top of the kayaks even with two people), and they prefer that people dont leave Scorpion Anchorage with their kayaks. Other than that beautiful views. We hiked to Del Norte, camped, then finished on day 2 took about 5 hours leisurely. ROUTE: Strong winds start blowing southeast at around 11 AM on the north side of the island, so leave for any long kayaking trip early in the morning. We were heading across nearly 22 miles of the Pacific toward Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island. Support Most iptv box. However, only 24 percent of the island is open to the public. Long way down on either side of the trail at the mountain. Its just too hard of a paddle. Oh my God, our entire trip is already doomed, I thought. Theyre not very scary, either. The transportation to Santa Cruz Island is with Island Packers and goes out of Ventura Harbor. Check out Prisoners Harbor! Matt. Very quiet. Even with a helmet,you could still be crushed if youve picked a cave with poor clearance. Nevertheless, take time to observe the swell and surge before you make a decision about entering. At no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. Really fun trail. View full map. This hike would be the best in the spring when Santa Cruz Island has more foliage since it is mostly internal through the canyon. There are also snorkeling and hiking option, plus a great visitor center. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. The Park is undertaking two large construction projectsthe replacement of the pier at Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island and the crane on Anacapa Island. Reviews (4,028) Photos (4,701) 5: 4: 3: 2: 1: 4.5. We stop to watch a large group of sea lions playing in the water, one of whom comes a couple feet from our boat to investigate. View Our Latest Marine Mammal Sightings Prisoners Harbor is located midway along the North shore of Santa Cruz Island. Scorpion Anchorage is a better option for a day trip because it is closer and has more short hiking trails that you can do in one day as well as kayak and snorkeling tours. Very good for a nice stroll in nature. The trip is about 12 miles each way and [] The evening Autumn fog though was beautiful. Want to know about other wildlife on the island? I think thats Prisoners Harbor. Within an hour, Rich, Wendy, Renske, and I complete the last three miles of the nine-mile paddle. As a reminder, as of November 1st, the Scorpion Anchorage Pier was closed for repairs prohibiting guests to visit the Scorpion Anchorage area except for from December 21st to January 5th during the holidays. We were blessed with clear skies, mid 60 degree temps, and no wind which made for a perfect hiking day. From Scorpion Anchorage hikers can venture out to Smugglers Cove Beach and Potato Harbor Overlook (no beach access). Explore Prisoner's Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage, Santa Cruz Island - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. The companys service is generally good, though plan for the fact that the crew asks all passengers to help unload the boats cargo hold upon docking, which can take 30 minutes. This species of island fox evolved from the mainland gray fox. Youll likely spot Scorpion Canyon next. ( 4,701 ) 5: 4: 3: 2: 1: 4.5 fill. The nine-mile paddle we hiked to Del Norte, camped, then finished on 2... Could still be crushed if youve picked a Cave with poor clearance for... Parts of the Pacific scorpion anchorage vs prisoners harbor Scorpion Anchorage is just an 18-mile ride off coast... 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