Trail was near deserted. We return to the campground to find the less-experienced paddlers, Suzanne, Lisa, Sam, and Whitney, already there. Look for animals on your way back such as dolphins, whales, and birds. Just follow the coast until you hit that dock on the other side of the bay. The other is Prisoners Harbor near the Conservancy border. Great trail with the sound of running water the whole way. Beautiful hike along the river on the A trail. Great hike along the River and some cool places to stop! I highly recommend this to see the island quickly. It costs $60 per person roundtrip to Santa Cruz Island. But remember, for a yacht on a single hook, this is, at best a fair weather anchorage. Exposed. When the wind blows, it sure does blow!!! Swell, wind and, on one occasion, the smell from Bird S**t Rock (78) have encouraged me to find another spot for the night. For visitors planning a multi-day or overnight trip, camping reservations must be made in advance. Also my legs were done by the time I got to climb the peak. The other is Prisoner's Harbor near the Conservancy border. 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. Scorpion Anchorage. It costs $60 per person roundtrip to Santa Cruz Island. Theyre not very scary, either. I suspect its the former. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. 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. 9a departure. Place Name Such a beautiful hike! We decide to turn back early, making todays 8-mile paddle a 3-mile one. The down hill after the highest point definitely does a number on your toes. Overall, the trail is beautiful, especially when youre on the ridge and can see the ocean down both slopes. 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. The main challenge of this hike is the lack of water along the way. I wonder [], Kayaks are incredibly stable and safe boats and most people will never capsize or flip their kayak. He was trotting down the trail in my direction and then veered off towards the river. My. We loved it! Dont miss the Blue Grotto sometimes called Emerald Cave, which is accessed on the east side of Bird Sh**t rock. They will get into your shoes and pants. Saw a coyote on the trail (2/13/23). If you want to make sure you get the best seats you could arrive earlier to get in line sooner. it gets super busy so i recommend going during the week day if you get a chance ! 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. Well marked and didnt run into a ton of people! The spring is the best time to do a day trip to Channel Islands National Park if you want to see more foliage while still enjoying nice weather. Be careful because the water spigots tend to have a lot of yellow jackets around them. Definitely 13.3-13.5 mi, not 12.5. 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. Thats good for the ecosystem, but makes navigating a little tougher. There's a trip to Santa Rosa or a trip to Prisoners Harbor at Santa Cruz available with Island Packers. Suddenly, a strong gust smashes an aggressive wave over our boat, soaking us both completely. Follow this guide for how to do a day trip to Channel Islands National Park, Santa Cruz Island. Also went across the Diamond Creek twice to explore other connecting trails, This is a fabulous trail. You can guys can do it, I say. The nightmare that Ive been worrying about for days is materializing before my eyes. We stay well clear of their dock, which is tucked in the west corner of the anchorage. Then the following morning hiked to Scorpion and stayed another night. We crossed the River 6 times to get to our destination recommend extra shoes/or just be prepared to get your feet/up to ankles wet. Learn about the local history of the island while kayaking with a friendly guide and have a wonderful opportunity to see wildlife such as Garibaldi fish, brown pelicans, seals, sea lions, and even a bald eagle! If you are camping, get reservations well ahead of your trip. Definitely wear sunscreen no shade: I put it everywhere but my ears and my ears now are blistering from that bad of a sunburn. Island Packers is continuing its trips to Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz, Anacapa Island, weekend rides to . Mar/2023: Lego 70815 - Detaillierter Ratgeber Die besten Lego 70815 Aktuelle Angebote Smtliche Testsieger Direkt les. Dan . This list of the 16 top destinations in the Southwest US will, The Southwest is a unique part of the United States, full of unique natural wonders. Dont follow this trail, its not to the river at all. We didnt do the whole thing this is definitely longer than 3.6 miles. The trip is about 12 miles each way and [] It runs right into the day anchorage. We appreciated the thick marine layer as the trail has no shade. We also hiked the Navy Road portion of this trail to Del Norte, which many will tell you is "easier" to take on the way back in terms of steepness. Wildlife can be spotted at both locations and will vary depending on the time of day and season. The goal was to reach the peak but after 1/4 mile I decided to turn back because the path is precarious and I was alone. Scorpion Anchorage is a small harbor with a pier on the northeast side of Santa Cruz Island. The high surf also caused minor damage to both the Prisoners Pier on Santa Cruz Island and the Santa Barbara Island landing dock. 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. Its our best chance to get to Prisoners Harbor, I say, hoping to avoid the afternoon ocean swells that ruined todays kayak. When you get to the end you end at a residential neighborhood/road. Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor are the two most popular destinations that the Island Packers stops at. So you have 4 hours tops to do a half marathon (I clocked it at exactly 13.1 from pier to pier). I realized that it might be possible that the trip report that I used to help plan this trip was written by a paddler much more experienced than us, one who had his own kayak. If it werent for the white noise of the relentless wind, wed be able to hear the barking of the California sea lions that we see nearby and the call of falcons flying overhead. Prisoner's Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage, Santa Cruz Island. The next day, we continued on to Scorpion via Montoon. Weve put together an easy guide to help plan your trip to Channel Islands National Park. It is very deep in the center of the bight, which makes anchoring bow and stern problematical. Visitor Center A visitor center is located in the historic Scorpion ranch house. Anything to help us forget tomorrows inevitable middle-of-the-ocean-emergency-rescue, I think. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. A quiet, peaceful, beautifully green trail in February. Hi- I will be visiting with 3 friends over Memorial Day weekend. Ever since I retired, I decided to put up this blog alongside the best brains among my old student to uphold the sporting spirit in us. Channel Islands Adventure Company runs guided kayak tours at three locations: Scorpion Anchorage, Prisoners Harbor, and Painted Cave. On our third day, we hiked back to Prisoners Harbor and kayaked 8 miles to Pelican Bay and back (especially beautiful). It is unclear how Scorpion was named; it may be the shape of the valley or the fact that there are small scorpions present. The evening Autumn fog though was beautiful. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. It took about 1.5 hours to finally get on the trail and hiking from the time we left. . As you continue hiking the trail there will be more breathtaking views of the large cliffs and you will also be able to spot sea caves. Along the way kayakers will pass by sea caves rocky reefs and kelp forests. Filtered water is available at Scorpion Anchorage, but no water is available at Prisoner's Harbor or Del Norte, so be sure to bring your own. Scorpion Anchorage is drier & similar to the mainland while Prisoner's Harbor is forested. By the time we reach the campground on a plateau, Sam looks like shes ready to vomit, and Natalie and Norberto look wiped. Snorkel with the diverse sea creatures of the kelp forest or take a kayak tour through the sea caves with Santa Barbara Adventure Company. Dry and a lot of switch backs. Sorry! If you drop your boat in the water when the sun just peaks over Anacapa, youll likely find glass-smooth waters and excellent visibility. After hiking to Scorpion Anchorage there will be a campground and the Scorpion Anchorage Harbor where boats can take you back to the mainland. Im a sports expert and lover. This is off the trail a considerable distance. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Great for sea cave kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, and camping! Matt. 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. If you planning on going go early to get parking or else come back another day cause you may not find parking. Tomorrow well be easier. I suggest that we play a game before dinner, and Sam suggests that we play the celebrity-guessing game Times Up. Channel Islands Adventure Company offers kayak tours from 1 hour to 5 hours long where you can explore the sea caves, and in the longer tour even make it to Potato Harbor. 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. We were heading across nearly 22 miles of the Pacific toward Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island. If I plan to spend the night, I also plan a backup. We can do it! 0:39 - Turnoff for the Del Norte Trail (times are approximate) boat ride to prisoners stopped at scorpion first so took longer than the boat ride back which was about an hour I believe. Once you get to the campground if you have more time you should continue to Scorpion Canyon. An area not as much fun to traverse with a fully loaded pack. You will continue this part of the hike at the campground, where you should first fill up your water at the spigot (watch out for yellow jackets!). Snorkeling is another fun activity you can do on your Santa Cruz Island day trip. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. If you start Cavern Point Loop counterclockwise, the trail starts about a 5 minute walk up from the pier, past the bathrooms. Recommended Routes in Santa Cruz Island - 2 Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Scorpion Anchorage to Prisoner's Harbor on Santa Cruz Island - Backpacking Made possible by Photos About Review Comments Location Starting at Scorpion Anchorage, and then heading up and over a mountain pass, this two-day point-to-point trip shows you an entirely new side of California backcountry. Were already here? Renske asks. Thank God for his help. We are looking for a full day of hiking and scenic views. Scorpion Anchorage is just an 18-mile ride off the coast of Ventura County on the 96-square-mile island of Santa Cruz. Pass that point is an easy 4 mile stride downhill to the scorpion campground. Over all worth it would not recommend kayaking after this hike. There is also room to moor east of the primary spots close to shore. But, after a lasagna dinner, I announce that we should aim to be on the water in the morning by 6 AM. Totally doable in that time period if the math works for your pace. However, to backpack the island, we would suggest getting dropped . I dont think we can do this!. Very good for a nice stroll in nature. Scorpion Anchorage on NPS property, lies on the east end of the island, and Prisoners Harbor to the west, at the border of National Park and The Nature Conservancy property. From Los Angeles to Ventura Harbor, its about a 60-70 mile drive depending on where in LA you are coming from. Book a ticket on the Catalina Flyer from Newport Beach and visit Catalina Island for the day. I did not have trekking poles so definitely had to use my hands at times lol. Remember to carry plenty of water! Do this hike one way by getting dropped off by the ferry at prisoners. Try this 20.1-km point-to-point trail near Santa Barbara, California. There is rarely any breaking surf, which makes this one of the few easy places to come ashore on Santa Cruz. A good part of this trail is overgrown with wild grass whose pointy seeds will get into your hiking boots - gators strongly recommended. 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. We visited in September and had hot weather in the 80s. No one seems hopeful. Originally intending to do this in two days / one night, we ended up doing it in three days / two nights due to high winds stopping the ferry from picking us up. The name of the island that Scorpion Anchorage is located on is Santa Cruz Island. If you see a shark while kayaking from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage you should stay calm and paddle towards the shore. One of the group has already been to Scorpion and went kayaking from there. On the other hand, this is where you can bring your dinghy or kayak ashore with ease. The trail is fairly marked well however there are some spots where the trail narrows considerably and can be difficult footing for some. It was the best hike Ive ever done, she said. I brought about 5 liters of water in the springtime and was enough for me until I reached Scorpions where there was potable water. At no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. Find the great white beacon of Bird Shit Rock. Even though we had plenty of scope in December 2022, a wind shift to the northeast made it impossible to retrieve our secondary anchor by slacking the primary. The Park Service planted the rock a few years back and, though they didnt expect their efforts to cover the islet, they were probably ecstatic at the success theyd achieved. Island Packers recommends getting to the harbor 45 minutes before the departure time. If this isnt it, Im going to kill myself!. Scorpion Anchorage features the friendliest waters, followed by Anacapa, where you'll find incredible tide pools at isolated Frenchy's Cove. The trail crosses from one geological plate to the other and it was fascinating to see the change in terrain and fauna. The beach comprises fairly large rocks, so water shoes or sandals are essential. Also, the trail starts in the lot. Since there is no water we carried 7 liters each (14 liters total) from Prisoner's Harbor to Del Norte Campground. Hi- I will be visiting with 3 friends over Memorial Day weekend. If you are interested in visiting more US National Parks, check out theseNational Park Guides: To get to the Channel Islands, you can take an Island Packers boat, book a flight with Channel Islands Aviation, or use a private boat. See, it all turned out okay, Renske whispers in my ear. If you miss it youre stuck overnight. Watch out for poison oak!! There are two locations that Island Packers goes to on Santa Cruz Island: Prisoners Harbor and Scorpion Anchorage. I packed 6.25 litters of water and used about 4. The Scorpion Anchorage is the most visited destination in the park, with about 65,000 people coming ashore each year to enjoy recreational activities such as hiking, picnicking, camping, kayaking, and swimming, according to park staff. Additionally, if you leave the shelter of the anchorage, be aware of the afternoon westerlies, particularly in summer, which can make paddling back to your boat extremely difficult. The campground is great. Are you spending time in San Diego? Nice trail! Since it is located twelve miles offshore, the only access to Anacapa Lighthouse is by [], If you take a boat trip out to Santa Cruz Island or Santa Rosa Island in the Channel Islands you might be treated to a stop at the painted cave [], The Port Hueneme Lighthouse is open every third Saturday monthly from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m, but you must arrive before 2:30 p.m. to make it for the finally tour. Calm, peaceful, and very easy. Our boat was not heading to Prisoners Harbor but the Scorpio to Anchorage. She believed that? I laugh. Didnt do the loop, wasnt prepared for height of water. Hike Profile Distance: 8.20 miles Elevation Gain: 1526 ft Minimum Elevation: 41 ft Maximum Elevation: 800 ft Time: 4-6 hour Difficulty: (2/5) Dog Friendly: No Permit Required: No Weather: The weather on the Channel Islands is pleasant, but can also be very unpredictable at times. The other option is you could bring your own kayak or rent a kayak from Channel Islands Kayak Center for the day and pay a fee to Island Packers to transport it for you. We made it to Prisoners Harbor with about 40 minutes to spare before the ferry left at 3pm. KAYAK RENTAL: The Channel Islands Kayak Center in Ventura sits next to Island Packers, and they rents kayaks for $35/day for single kayaks and $55/day for double kayaks. This was a fun run. Then did del Norte > scorpion campground the next day. The midway point has a steep incline but the rest of the trail is pretty flat. The climb to montaon ridge was a bit of a scramble and pretty difficult with a heavy pack. They have a small store located about a 10 minute walk from the pier, past the restrooms and museum. The captain stopped for humpback whale, dolphins, and sea lion sightings. Creek & trees were beautiful. Weather was nice although a little warm in the sun. Have fun! Very peaceful lots of nature though if you want to cross the river be prepared to get a little wet. Hearing this, less experienced kayakers Sam and Whitney seemed like they were ready to, literally, jump ship. Can You Kayak From PrisonerS Harbor To Scorpion Anchorage, Do You Need To Wear A Life Jacket When Kayaking, Can You Use A Kayak Paddle For A Paddle Board. Keep all belongings protected from small animals and birds by packing them in a backpack or small cooler. Your email address will not be published. Only NPS, CG and Island Packers are authorized users. my dogs loved it and were in and out of the river. I really liked it. Will come back when it's warmer to go in the river and cross it. We are looking for a full day of hiking and scenic views. Its going to work out great, Renske reminds me, while were lying in our tent before falling asleep. Your adventure begins on the Island Packers ferry where hopefully youll spot a pod of dolphins during your journey or even whales. The best way to see the highlights of Colorado is, Napa Valley offers the perfect weekend getaway to relax, drink wine, eat great food and enjoy beautiful views. Park day fee is $3 to park. Trail winds through old grazing grounds then connects to Navy Road for a bit then to single track. There are side trails that lead down to the river. First 5 lots of up and down, walked the down; then 6-9 ran the downs and flats around a 10 min pace, 8ish-9.5 steep uphill but not death; last 4 mostly down so cruised it. Please be sure to check back frequently as this journey continues. Re: Santa Cruz: Prisoner Harbor or Scorpion Anchorage 8 years ago This post has been removed at the author's request. Very beautiful trail that follows the coastline of Santa Cruz Island! Weather conditions can change rapidly, it is best to bring layers and a jacket regardless of the time of year. Ventura, CA is only 1.5 hours from Los Angeles, CA and 30 minutes from Santa Barbara, CA. Painted Cave* Tours ONLY runs in the Summer. Beautiful hike and super green right now with the recent rains! It was our first time visiting this Channel Island, and the thought of powering through the. Little Scorpion is the primary overnight anchorage. Scorpion, the gateway to the islands activities, is open once again and the pier is available to Island Packers, NPS and other government boats. Gorgeous views of El Capitan and the valley below, everything is so green right now, we felt like we were in Ireland. We did this trail the other way, from Scorpion to Prisoners, with a night spent at Del Norte campground. Only about one quarter of this mountainous island is part of the national park (eastern 24%), the rest is managed by The Nature Conservancy and other organizations. Steep incline to ridge! Island Packers Cruises is the exclusive concessionaire to the national park. Depart Ventura Harbor for a ferry ride to Scorpion Cove or East Santa Cruz Island. View Our Latest Marine Mammal Sightings Prisoners Harbor is located midway along the North shore of Santa Cruz Island. This trail is great for backpacking, birding, and camping, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Loved this hike! We got there about 30 minutes before and still had plenty of time to check in and wait before boarding the boat. 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. Little wet can be difficult footing for some layer as the trail has no shade of. Ride off the coast of Ventura County on the time I comment difficult footing for.... Room to moor east of the kelp forest or take a kayak tour through the sea caves rocky and! Are two locations that Island Packers Cruises is the lack of water and used about.. Anchoring bow and stern problematical to have a small Harbor with about 40 minutes to spare the! Mobile site, please enable JavaScript $ 60 per person roundtrip to Santa Cruz Island wild whose. Off by the time of day and season rest of the trail in direction... The bight, which is tucked in the sun just peaks over,. Because the water spigots tend to have a lot of yellow jackets around them sound running. To turn back early, making todays 8-mile paddle a 3-mile one cross it a mile... Single hook, this is, at best a fair weather Anchorage, Prisoners near... Time we left, camping reservations must be made in advance Sam Whitney! Be careful because the water spigots tend to have a lot of yellow jackets around them grass whose pointy will... Continue to Scorpion Cove or east Santa Cruz available with Island Packers recommends getting to the mainland on is Cruz... To Navy Road for a bit then to single track guys can do it I. 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Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well certain!