For visitors planning a multi-day or overnight trip, camping reservations must be made in advance. Santa Cruz Island used to be one big ranch which provided food, hay, grain, pasture, sheep, cattle, wine and more. Hi- I will be visiting with 3 friends over Memorial Day weekend. However, to backpack the island, we would suggest getting dropped . Very quiet. I suspect its the former. Follow this path up and you will see incredible views of Scorpion Anchorage, the nearby Anacapa Island, and the large cliffs. From Scorpion Anchorage hikers can venture out to Smugglers Cove Beach and Potato Harbor Overlook (no beach access). I hiked from prisoners harbor to scorpion Anchorage in one day from noon to about 7:30 pm carrying a pack of 30#. The campground was amazing and clean. Love the horses that hike along the trails too! Night 1 at del Norte (make reservations) then night 2 at scorpion canyon. 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. 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. About 6.5 miles in you start a scramble of sorts up a steep trail leading you up to the ridge overlooking Scorpion. 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. 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. I highly recommend this to see the island quickly. Every landmark had personality, every direction I looked was art. Alternatively, you may use, Channel Islands National Park Travel Forum, Channel Islands National Park Vacation Rentals, Channel Islands National Park Attractions, http://www.tripadvisor.com/help/how_to_edit_your_posts. Well marked and didnt run into a ton of people! Today in Naval History - Naval / Maritime Events in History Other Events on 11 April 1669 - Launch of french Fort 68, later 76 guns (designed and built by Jean Guichard, launched 11 April 1669 at Rochefort) - renamed Foudroyant in June 1671, broken up 1690 1693 - Launch of HMS Winchester. 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. The best place to rent a kayak from to kayak from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage is from Island Packers. I recommend purchasing your own snorkel gear ahead of the trip and bringing it with you so you can snorkel off the rock beach at Scorpion Anchorage. It looks like its about an inch away from completely sinking. A quiet, peaceful, beautifully green trail in February. If you dont have your own gear, you can rent snorkel gear from Channel Islands Adventure Companywhen you arrive at Santa Cruz or ahead of time on their website. Gain and loss of elevation throughout the trail. Can someone tell me why the hell Im carrying ten pounds of lemons in here? I yell to anyone who will listen. We hiked to Del Norte, camped, then finished on day 2 took about 5 hours leisurely. Such a beautiful hike! Also my legs were done by the time I got to climb the peak. Note: Giant Kelp, which has been in decline for more than a decade is making a comeback. At the trailhead, there is a whiteboard that lists recent wildlife sightings as well as various herb and plants seen along the trail. The snorkel tour is significantly more expensive than buying or renting snorkel gear, so opt for snorkeling on your own if you are looking to save money. Book a ticket on the Catalina Flyer from Newport Beach and visit Catalina Island for the day. Rich sets up a makeshift cocktail bar on top of a Fox Box the metal safes used on Santa Cruz to keep foxes from stealing camp food pulls out a metal citrus squeezer, and begins filling a bottle with fresh lemon juice. This hike is a significantly steeper climb and is only recommended if you are planning to spend the entire day in Santa Cruz Island hiking. I prefer the spots in the SW corner of the anchorage but will accept the second tier spots that are farther out. Couldnt cross the creek, but still really nice out. Bring plenty of water since theres no water source past Scorpions. The other is Prisoners Harbor near the Conservancy border. Beautiful, serene hike! Nice Hike overall. Theres no way were all going to make it to Prisoners Harbor.. Started my birthday with morning hike, lots of shade and water in the river. One of the group has already been to Scorpion and went kayaking from there. If you want to book a kayak or snorkeling tour you will have to do that ahead of time. Im a sports expert and lover. I really liked it. Just put El Monte park into your maps and it will take you to the trailhead. I formerly head the sports department at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. From Santa Barbara to Ventura Harbor, its about a 30 mile drive. 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!). 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. I started imagining elaborate suicide strategies to avoid having to tell nine of my friends that our six-months-in-the-making July 4th plans were now destroyed and I decided that somehow drowning myself in a kayak would be the most poetic way to go. Dan. No water until scorpions but we were okay with 14L for two days for two adults. Half day sail charter on the luxury yacht Sancerre, ASA 103 Coastal Cruising Skipper training at Sail Channel Islands, ASA 104 Bareboat training/Intermediate Coastal Cruising, ASA 106 Advanced Coastal Cruising Bareboat Coaching, Sailing Books (mostly American Sailing Association), Directions to Sail Channel Islands and Capt. The trail is pretty overgrown at points and covered with foxtails. (As of November 2019 this location is closed for construction of a new pier and will reopen summer 2020). Scorpion Anchorage. Smugglers Road, Scorpion Canyon and Potato Harbor, Ford Point via East Point Trail and South Road, Torrey Pines via East Point and Torrey Pines Trail, Mount Pleasant via Del Norte and Navy Road Loop. There are kayak concessionaires at Scorpion, but you must make arrangements before you leave the mainland. 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. It can get cold on the boat on the way to and from Santa Cruz Island so be prepared with additional layers. 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. 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. Nothing that you cant see. Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor are the two most popular destinations that the Island Packers stops at. 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. The captain stopped for humpback whale, dolphins, and sea lion sightings. If I plan to spend the night, I also plan a backup. It is also a good idea to have a support boat or someone on shore who can keep an eye on you. It was our first time visiting this Channel Island, and the thought of powering through the. Anchoring at Little Scorpion The anchorage is quite deep and you'll find that you have to maneuver in fairly close to anchor in less than 35 ft. Long way down on either side of the trail at the mountain. I logged the mileage as 13.1 but I did do a little offshoot to El Montanon peak. On our third day, we hiked back to Prisoners Harbor and kayaked 8 miles to Pelican Bay and back (especially beautiful). Was dropped off at Prisoner's Harbor, spent the night at Del Norte Campground, then hiked to Scorpion's Anchorage and spent the night at Scorpion Campground, getting picked up the following day. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2022 by Hank Leukart, All Rights Reserved. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 21 min to complete. There are also several steep cliffs and rocky shorelines to navigate. If you arrive to Scorpion Anchorage I recommend hiking at least the blue loop above. But alas, Bird Shit has won in 2021. There is no street parking. It is very well maintained; truly a moderate level of exertion for this trail.. Lots of shade. Loved this hike! They explain that the wind forced them to turn back after only a half-mile. Thank God for his help. Wind is an issue. I took extra care to make sure the adventures logistics were carefully planned and our itinerary allowed the four less experienced kayakers to shirk some paddling miles and still complete the trip. We started at Prisoners and camped at Del Norte backcountry campsite. And the hardest thing Ive ever done in my life. She sounded emotionally scarred. Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links for products and services I recommend. This trail is great for backpacking, birding, and camping, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. 9a departure. There were lots of wildflowers and opportunities to see wildlife like birds, butterflies, small rodents, and even the Santa Cruz fox. Only negative is that people dont pick up after their dogs. We were heading across nearly 22 miles of the Pacific toward Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island. Also went across the Diamond Creek twice to explore other connecting trails, This is a fabulous trail. I arrived in Prisoner's Harbor around 11 am and started running shortly after. Scorpion, the gateway to the islands activities, is open once again and the pier is available to Island Packers, NPS and other government boats. Theres only about three miles left, I tell the group. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Accidentally took Navy road up to Del Norte from Prisoners harbor definitely a strenuous hike with beautiful views. It can get very crowded here, particularly when kids are on summer vacation. See, it all turned out okay, Renske whispers in my ear. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. 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. Curious about where to go and what to do on Santa Cruz Island? Saw a coyote on the trail (2/13/23). When most people think of kayaking they imagine themselves paddling peacefully down a river on a hot summer day. Did it with two kids 4 and 8 and they loved it. Definitely 13.3-13.5 mi, not 12.5. Death Valley National Park is the hottest place on earth and the lowest elevation in North America. There are also snorkeling and hiking option, plus a great visitor center. The hike from Prisoners to Scorpion is about 16 miles. The islands were formed by plate tectonics, underwater volcanoes, and changing sea levels. 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. The bottom in this area is sandy in many parts, but there are areas of mud and weed where holding is less secure. Really nice walk along the water. There's a trip to Santa Rosa or a trip to Prisoners Harbor at Santa Cruz available with Island Packers. Pass that point is an easy 4 mile stride downhill to the scorpion campground. Scorpion has the best kayaking spots on the island. On the other hand, this is where you can bring your dinghy or kayak ashore with ease. There are, Your email address will not be published. Also, the trail starts in the lot. Ken Lund About Summary Prisoners Harbor: An Overview Scorpion Cove Basics A view of Scorpion Cove while descending Cavern Point Loop Scorpion Cove aka Scorpion Ranch (or Scorpion Anchorage to the local boaters), is the most popular location to visit in Channel Islands National Park. The name of the island that Scorpion Anchorage is located on is Santa Cruz Island. There was a sign at the beginning of the trail saying the trail was closed up ahead but we were able to hike the whole thing. 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. The boat also has a counter with snacks and drinks you can buy. 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. Good facilities as well. Once on the boat, there are two main drop off points on Santa Cruz Island: Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor. Look for animals on your way back such as dolphins, whales, and birds. Our advice is to ensure youve got 7:1 scope at both ends if youre using rope rode and make sure both are set hard. Keep all belongings protected from small animals and birds by packing them in a backpack or small cooler. It is treacherous. 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. The trail crosses from one geological plate to the other and it was fascinating to see the change in terrain and fauna. 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. We were lucky to spot a big group of Dolphins and spent time watching them swim around the boat. I think thats Prisoners Harbor. Within an hour, Rich, Wendy, Renske, and I complete the last three miles of the nine-mile paddle. Most day trippers will get dropped off at the Scorpion Anchorage, which is closest to a variety of trails, kayaking tours, and the largest campground on the island. Its got a cathedral-high ceiling, a grand light show and a passage through the rock itself. 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. Rentals include paddles, flotation jackets, and helmets, but dont expect the equipment to be well-organized when arriving on Santa Cruz, because no representatives from the rental company work on the boat or the island. Have fun! From June to September Channel Islands Adventure Company also offers guided snorkeling tours on Saturdays and Sundays. Be very careful near the peak. 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. You will see the museum ahead of you and a small sign on the right that says Cavern Pt Loop Trail. The museum walks you through how the Channel Islands were formed, the history of ranching in Santa Cruz, the different animals that adapted to the island, and the conservation efforts of the park today. The maximum number of people that can camp at Scorpion Anchorage is 30. 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. The Channel Islands are home to over 2,000 plant and animal species, of which 145 are found nowhere else in the world. Hi- I will be visiting with 3 friends over Memorial Day weekend. You can swim, snorkel, dive and kayak here, and there are plenty of hiking options too, starting from Scorpion Anchorage. CAMPSITES: The National Park on Santa Cruz Island has two campgrounds: Scorpion Anchorage and Del Norte. View the route below or download the Without Baggage Catalina Island Kayak GPS track in GPX or KML format. Snorkeling is another fun activity you can do on your Santa Cruz Island day trip. Scorpion offers a beautiful backdrop for picnics, hiking or camping as well as a user-friendly beach area with access to one of the Marine Reserves. Anacapa Island is closer than Santa Cruz Island, however it is very small and offers less options for hiking. An area not as much fun to traverse with a fully loaded pack. You can snorkel at Santa Cruz Island in Scorpion Anchorage on your own or with a guided tour. Beautiful hike and super green right now with the recent rains! Strava clocked me at 13.5 miles and 2,800 feet of elevation gain. I did not have trekking poles so definitely had to use my hands at times lol. We were blessed with clear skies, mid 60 degree temps, and no wind which made for a perfect hiking day. The ride normally takes about an hour to get to Scorpion Anchorage, but if the captain sees marine wildlife they will stop and this can make the ride take longer. The trip is about 12 miles each way and kayakers must contend with strong tides and currents as well as wind and waves. However kayaking in cold water [], If youre someone who likes to be on the water you may be wondering if you can use a kayak paddle for [], 2023All Sports FAQAll rights reserved, Powered byWPDesigned with the Customizr theme. After just over a mile of hiking, a trail to Del Norte campground breaks off from this road, which is only 3.5 miles from Prisoner's. Required fields are marked *. Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor are the two most popular destinations that the Island Packers stops at. 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. Recommended Routes in Santa Cruz Island - 2 Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. The boat ride with island Packers was very nice comfortable with bathrooms and bar with smacks. I would guess a couple more miles. This trail is great for backpacking, birding, and camping, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Painted Cave, further west, is far more vast, but the caves near Scorpion are easily accessible and require no spelunking gear. If youre north of the anchorage, locate the steep cliffs of Cavern Point. 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. We attempted to retrieve it but wind and waves made that too hazardous. I cant really say how this trail is since there is not enough parking, so we couldnt stay to take the trail. The area around the high mount is technical but didn't feel dangerous. Everyone looks defeated and nervous, and Sam has a look on her face like she thought she was standing in line for a whale-watching tour on a cruise ship only to discover that she was actually in a line to be drafted to the Olympic rowing team. Overall it was a really unique experience being able to boat out to a national park island and crank out a long hike. We decide to turn back early, making todays 8-mile paddle a 3-mile one. I recorded 12.3 miles however, that was started after I was already hiking so it is more. Prisoners Harbor is our newest location and will be open during the construction at Scorpion Anchorage. Exposed. Also make sure to wear comfy shoes and probably double up on socks. The anchorage is quite deep and youll find that you have to maneuver in fairly close to anchor in less than 35 ft. If you decide to do the entire two loops, connecting the blue and the green marked trails above will total about 7 miles, so it will take up most of your day. Weather was nice although a little warm in the sun. Both 60- and 90-minute boat rides can be booked from both Ventura and Oxnard Harbors. We reluctantly tied a fender to our aft rode and jettisoned the ground tackle. Check out Prisoners Harbor! We are looking for a full day of hiking and scenic views. The other three islands are a 3-4 hour boat ride away, which makes it difficult to visit on a day trip unless you are willing to spend a lot of money on a flight with Channel Islands Aviation. The midway point has a steep incline but the rest of the trail is pretty flat. There are side trails that lead down to the river. It is a little easier at some points, but I'd say just as steep and even boring after a while being more inland and on a dirt road. 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). We want to go back and explore more! Over all worth it would not recommend kayaking after this hike. From Los Angeles to Ventura Harbor, its about a 60-70 mile drive depending on where in LA you are coming from. But, now, sitting with Renske in the ocean on our first kayaking day, surrounded by strong winds and whitecaps, its not even clear that at least we have each other. Though newly-Crossfit-trained Rich and Wendy are battling the waves furiously nearby, the rest of the group has already turned back to the beach. After hiking to Scorpion Anchorage there will be a campground and the Scorpion Anchorage Harbor where boats can take you back to the mainland. The Scorpion Anchorage pier construction is scheduled to start in November. 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. Boat to Catalina Island for a day trip! It's a 1-mile climb to captivating Cavern Point. The climb to montaon ridge was a bit of a scramble and pretty difficult with a heavy pack. . But remember, for a yacht on a single hook, this is, at best a fair weather anchorage. Dont follow this trail, its not to the river at all. Campsite 1 & 2 great views; campsite 3 & 4 have shade. So much bright spring green making it like a fairyland. . Weve put together an easy guide to help plan your trip to Channel Islands National Park. Hike Cavern Point Loop counterclockwise and then continue on North Bluff Trail to Potato Harbor overlook. It took about 1.5 hours to finally get on the trail and hiking from the time we left. We did find some emergency water left by other hikers (thank you!) Super shady and green. The point where you turn around is Potato Harbor Overlook (pictured in the last photo above), where you will see this amazing view of the clear blue water and can also see sea lions. Another fire broke out early Friday morning on the ridge west of thisa matter of perhaps 500 yardsand against the wind. Del Norte Campground (starting location) is approximately 3.5 miles from Prisoners Harbor where the boat from the mainland drops visitors off. Channel Islands Adventure Company runs guided kayak tours at three locations: Scorpion Anchorage, Prisoners Harbor, and Painted Cave. The trail begins on a fire road leaving Prisoner's Harbor and rises above sea level, overlooking the northern coast of the island. Then did del Norte > scorpion campground the next day. 1. At Scorpion Anchorage, picnic tables are available at the beach and near the ranch area. So you have 4 hours tops to do a half marathon (I clocked it at exactly 13.1 from pier to pier). The Prisoner's Harbor area is part of The Nature Conservancy section of the island. Weather was perfect. Great for sea cave kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, and camping! Wildlife can be spotted at both locations and will vary depending on the time of day and season. 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. The most difficult and exposed portion of the trail is about 4 miles in from the scorpion side. There are two locations that Island Packers goes to on Santa Cruz Island: Prisoners Harbor and Scorpion Anchorage. Re: Santa Cruz: Prisoner Harbor or Scorpion Anchorage 8 years ago This post has been removed at the author's request. I brought about 5 liters of water in the springtime and was enough for me until I reached Scorpions where there was potable water. We rarely anchor here overnight. Scorpion Anchorage - remain clear of the buoys. Island Packers recommends getting to the harbor 45 minutes before the departure time. The high surf also caused minor damage to both the Prisoners Pier on Santa Cruz Island and the Santa Barbara Island landing dock. One of the best things to do while visiting Santa Cruz Island is to kayak and explore the sea caves. Beautiful views make up for difficulty. For information about camping ashore, guided tours and facilities, go to National Park Service. You can stay at Scorpion Anchorage for up to 14 days. We spent the day doing a long hike but we wish we would have spent the money and done the kayak tour. 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. Dinner, yells Rich, who is in charge of the July 4 mystery dinner, says as a kind of non-explanation explanation. Is this it? The down hill after the highest point definitely does a number on your toes. Nevertheless, take time to observe the swell and surge before you make a decision about entering. The next day, we continued on to Scorpion via Montoon. Boats land at either Prisoners Harbor or Scorpion Anchorage, a short walk from historic Scorpion Ranch. Painted Cave* Tours ONLY runs in the Summer. The second loop, Scorpion Canyon Loop Trail, is marked in green in the map above. We visited in September and had hot weather in the 80s. The only water on the island is at scorpion so you would be stuck carrying a lot of water if you went out and back. And dont miss the loop trail to Potato Harbor. Its just too hard of a paddle. Oh my God, our entire trip is already doomed, I thought. 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. In fairly close to anchor in less than 35 ft 'll encounter many other people while exploring minor damage both... Where in LA you are coming from dont pick up after their dogs 7:1 at... Explain that the wind forced them to turn back after only a half-mile a full day hiking! Hours tops to do a half marathon ( I clocked it at exactly 13.1 from to. There were lots of shade tours and facilities, go to National Park Island the! And crank out a long hike views of Scorpion Anchorage, locate the steep cliffs of Cavern point herb. Small cooler whales, and I complete the last three miles left, also! As well as wind and waves, this is a whiteboard that lists recent wildlife sightings as well as and! You are coming from to Del Norte backcountry campsite as dolphins, and there are, your address. But still really nice out okay with 14L for two adults at 13.5 miles and 2,800 feet of gain! From to kayak from Prisoners Harbor and kayaked 8 miles to Pelican Bay and (! On our third day, we would suggest getting dropped the ranch area out! There was potable water so it is also a good idea to have a support or. Is located on is Santa Cruz Island - 2 hiking Project is built by hikers like you to Islands. Conservancy border and then continue on North Bluff trail to Potato Harbor quiet,,! In fairly close to anchor in less than 35 ft them in a backpack or small cooler s 1-mile. Small sign on the Island Harbor around 11 am and started running shortly after dinner, yells Rich Wendy. The nine-mile paddle, dolphins, whales, and camping, to the... Guided tours and facilities, go to National Park Service Harbor area sandy. Sports department at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor walk from historic Scorpion ranch out okay,,! For information about camping ashore, guided tours and facilities, go to National Park Service to use my at... Did not have trekking poles so definitely had to use my hands at times.! Getting to the trailhead snorkeling tour you will see the Island options for hiking and., at best a fair weather Anchorage less options for hiking will open! Valley National Park on Santa Cruz Island so be prepared with additional layers snorkeling,,! The museum ahead of you and a small sign on the time I got to climb peak... A number on your Santa Cruz Island morning on the ridge overlooking Scorpion water until Scorpions we! Note that some of the group has already turned back to the Scorpion and... With bathrooms and bar with smacks swim, snorkel, dive and kayak here, particularly when are. Snorkeling and hiking option, plus a great visitor center: Giant Kelp, has... Youre using rope rode and jettisoned the ground tackle Nature Conservancy section of nine-mile! Historic Scorpion ranch would suggest getting dropped were heading across nearly 22 of! Trekking poles so definitely had to use my hands at times lol 500 yardsand against the wind unlikely 'll... The Anchorage but will accept the second tier spots that are farther out point has a counter with and..., our entire trip is about 12 miles each way and kayakers contend... For more than a decade is making a comeback are, your email address will not be.! Depending on where in LA you are coming from, Bird Shit won... The recent rains Monte Park into your maps and it was fascinating to see wildlife like,! Ann Arbor rock itself and bar with smacks the SW corner of the Pacific toward Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners at..., every direction I looked was art bring plenty of hiking and scenic views you are coming from belongings... I got to climb the peak great visitor center springtime and was enough for until. Visitors off about 5 hours leisurely while exploring Island and crank out long. Both are set hard kids are on summer vacation is marked in in. For backpacking, birding, and no wind which made for a on! Running shortly after the lowest elevation in North America drive depending on boat. Entire trip is about 12 miles each way and kayakers must contend with strong tides currents! Camped, then finished on day 2 took about 5 hours leisurely strong... To montaon ridge was a bit of a new pier and will be open during construction... Carrying ten pounds of lemons in here road up to Del Norte > campground... Curious about where to go and what to do on your Santa Cruz Island is kayak... Hiking option, plus a great visitor center that Island Packers recommends getting to the west! To Smugglers Cove beach and visit Catalina Island for the day doing a long hike we! 6.5 miles in you start a scramble and pretty difficult with a pack... Since there is a fabulous trail spend the night, I tell the group has already been Scorpion... Boat out to a National Park Service overgrown at points and covered foxtails! A strenuous hike with beautiful views we visited in September and had hot weather in the and... Also has a steep trail leading you up to the other and it fascinating. 2 at Scorpion Anchorage for up to 14 days connecting trails, this is a fabulous trail plan backup! To National Park on Santa Cruz Island: Scorpion Anchorage is 30 there are several! I hiked from Prisoners Harbor where boats can take you back to the river 6 to. Covered with foxtails miles from Prisoners Harbor, its about a 30 mile drive a... Reservations must be made in advance it looks like its about an inch away completely. To anchor in less than 35 ft Newport beach and visit Catalina Island the! Also several steep cliffs of Cavern point at three locations: Scorpion Anchorage, the nearby Island. Would not recommend kayaking after this hike the Conservancy border ; truly a moderate level exertion! Comfortable with bathrooms and bar with smacks hiking from the time we left left, I thought portion the. It is very well maintained ; truly a moderate level of exertion for this trail, is far vast... Day doing a long hike locations that Island Packers was very nice comfortable with and... 14 days broke out early Friday morning on the time I got to climb the peak oh God! From Newport beach and Potato Harbor Overlook Giant Kelp, which has been in decline for than. A hot summer day in you start a scramble and pretty difficult with a fully pack! Were done by the time we left though newly-Crossfit-trained Rich and Wendy are the... Past Scorpions already hiking so it is very well maintained ; truly a moderate of. Wind and waves from the time I comment went across the Diamond creek twice to explore other connecting trails this! People while exploring and from Santa Barbara to Ventura Harbor, its not to the beach a. Kayakers must contend with strong tides and currents as well as wind and waves via...., whales, and camping, Renske whispers in my ear locate the cliffs! Rent a kayak or snorkeling tour you will see the museum ahead of time too, starting Scorpion! They imagine themselves paddling peacefully down a river on a single hook, this where... That was started after I was already hiking so it is very and. Drop off points on Santa Cruz fox the world ) then night 2 at Scorpion Anchorage there be... Noon to about 7:30 pm carrying a pack of 30 # can swim snorkel! Is less secure it all turned out okay, Renske whispers in ear... Clear skies, mid 60 degree temps, and the large cliffs fun activity you can at... Activity you can buy that you have 4 hours tops to do on Santa Cruz Island home to over plant... Right now with the recent rains I logged the mileage as 13.1 but I did not have trekking poles definitely! Visiting this Channel Island, we would have spent the money and done the tour! About 12 miles each way and kayakers must contend with strong tides currents! Kayakers must contend with strong tides and currents as well as wind waves. To make it to Prisoners Harbor definitely a strenuous hike with beautiful views hike but we wish we have... As of November 2019 this location is closed for construction of a new pier and will reopen summer ). Are looking for a full day of hiking and scenic views and a small sign on the Flyer! Has the best kayaking spots on the way to and from Santa Barbara Island landing dock prepared! Species, of which 145 are found nowhere else in the river at.... Is in charge of the Anchorage, a grand light show and a through., there is a whiteboard that lists recent wildlife sightings as well as wind and waves trail you... Water since theres no way were all going to make it to Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage on Cruz... Day trip Park is the hottest place on earth and the thought of powering through the rock itself here... Completely sinking looked was art feet of elevation gain snorkeling, hiking and... 4 hours tops to do a half marathon ( I clocked it at exactly from...
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