anchorage and it can be difficult to get close enough to the shore to get out of the westerly wind. Dan . You will need to bring sunscreen hats sunglasses water snacks and a first aid kit when you kayak from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage. Hike Cavern Point Loop counterclockwise and then continue on North Bluff Trail to Potato Harbor overlook. Book a ticket on the Catalina Flyer from Newport Beach and visit Catalina Island for the day. The pier, which you'd think would be very prominent, is often hard to see, particularly in late afternoon sun. We are looking for a full day of hiking and scenic views. Weve put together an easy guide to help plan your trip to Channel Islands National Park. A day trip to Channel Islands National Park, Santa Cruz Island, is a perfect way to spend a vacation day. 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. Excellent trail be prepared to hike for 2 1/2 hours. beautiful trail . Long way down on either side of the trail at the mountain. We really enjoyed walking by the river. Santa Cruz Island is the largest island in Channel Islands National Park with 61,972 acres, measuring 22 miles long and 2-6 miles wide. This area of the park offers more sea caves than any others. If youre north of the anchorage, locate the steep cliffs of Cavern Point. Overall, the trail is beautiful, especially when youre on the ridge and can see the ocean down both slopes. Make sure you bring enough water, there is no source for potable water until you get to Scorpion. The Channel Islands are home to over 2,000 plant and animal species, of which 145 are found nowhere else in the world. The swell frequently creeps around the corner in the Island Packers. Mostly shady under beautiful holly oaks and occasional views of the surrounding scrub hills, greener than usual. Island Packers operates trips to Santa Cruz Island 5-7 days a week, year round. Your email address will not be published. The captain stopped for humpback whale, dolphins, and sea lion sightings. A quiet, peaceful, beautifully green trail in February. At the trailhead, there is a whiteboard that lists recent wildlife sightings as well as various herb and plants seen along the trail. There is no street parking. Shes right, of course, and I realize her oft-repeated confidence in my trip planning was never just platitudinous she genuinely believed it. Is this it? Its some of the most spectacular scenery in California. The name of the island that Scorpion Anchorage is located on is Santa Cruz Island. BTW we dont leave the boat unattended for more than a half hour or so. Lots of running water lots of beautiful trees very quiet. On your Channel Islands day trip dont miss the museum where you can learn more about the Channel Islands. You get off the boat at 10:30/45 and the boat leaves in the afternoon from Prisoners at 2:45. This rugged backpacker-friendly trail takes you to Del Norte Campground from Prisoners Harbor. On our third day, we hiked back to Prisoners Harbor and kayaked 8 miles to Pelican Bay and back (especially beautiful). 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. There are two locations that Island Packers goes to on Santa Cruz Island: Prisoners Harbor and Scorpion Anchorage. Many of the plants had dried up during the summer so the island wasnt very green in September. View full map. Landed at Scorpion, hiked to Del Norte Campground to stay the night. Scorpion Anchorage is one of two landing locations on Santa Cruz Island. Report inappropriate content 2. We stay well clear of their dock, which is tucked in the west corner of the anchorage. High 70 afternoon hike. 2023 Channel Island Adventure Co. Privacy | Terms, Spring in Channel Islands National Park - Channel Islands Adventure Company | Kayaking & Snorkel. Death Valley National Park is the hottest place on earth and the lowest elevation in North America. I carried 9L with me because there is no water at Del norte. We motor across Chinese Harbor to Prisoners, staying on or outside the 20 fathom curve if we can't see shore, which keeps us clear of all obstructions. CAMPSITES: The National Park on Santa Cruz Island has two campgrounds: Scorpion Anchorage and Del Norte. If this isnt it, Im going to kill myself!. We did this trail the other way, from Scorpion to Prisoners, with a night spent at Del Norte campground. Exposed. parts of the trail were moist due to the mist. Definitely wear sunscreen no shade: I put it everywhere but my ears and my ears now are blistering from that bad of a sunburn. Over all worth it would not recommend kayaking after this hike. Could be a little tricky for some. But remember, for a yacht on a single hook, this is, at best a fair weather anchorage. We only saw 2 others on the trail. It is a very happy thing to walk while listening to the sound of water. Lets just do it. She wrote that she thought we should just ignore the warnings and hypothetical cargo-space problem and just continue with my original plan. Kind of in eventful end of trail but definitely an easy loop, Nice route, beautiful creek, can get a bit crowded during the weekends. Answer 1 of 5: I have one day in February to visit the Channel Islands National Park. I would rate it as easy for 90% of the way, and moderate the other 10% There is a parking lot of probably 50 spaces, but get there early because otherwise youll have to wait for a spot! 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.. Our other favorite activities at Prisoner's Harbor on Santa Cruz Island . On the other hand, if its late in the day and were the only ones looking for a spot, well sometimes use a single hook in the center of the anchorage. Anything to help us forget tomorrows inevitable middle-of-the-ocean-emergency-rescue, I think. Did it with two kids 4 and 8 and they loved it. And then it turned out they were closing the main anchorage Scorpion Harbor in late 2019 due to the construction of a new pier. It takes about 2 hours to kayak from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage. Yes there are other kayakers that you can kayak with from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage. The Island Packers boat to Santa Cruz Island leaves early from Ventura Harbor, so I recommend booking accommodation nearby for the night before. Lots of shade. Views don't get much better than from this windy spot. While this is a great spot for exploring in your plastic boat, many of the caves have dangerously low ceilings. If you start Cavern Point Loop counterclockwise, the trail starts about a 5 minute walk up from the pier, past the bathrooms. The name of the island that Prisoners Harbor is located on is Santa Cruz Island. Dan. Bring lots of water and wear comfortable shoes. Prisoners Harbor is more secluded in comparison to Scorpion Anchorage offering a completely different experience for Channel Islands National Park guests. 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 definitely felt longer than 12.5! The climb to montaon ridge was a bit of a scramble and pretty difficult with a heavy pack. No need to cross the road to start on the other side. 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. Prisoners Harbor is located midway along the North shore of Santa Cruz Island. But its our fault for bringing so much stuff, eternally-upbeat Natalie says with a smile. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2022 by Hank Leukart, All Rights Reserved. 9a departure. 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. To get to Prisoners Harbor, take the Island Packers Ferry. 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. 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. I am 42 yr old man that weighs 205 lbs. From Santa Barbara to Ventura Harbor, its about a 30 mile drive. We camped at Del Norte 1st night and woke up and completed the trail (11mi) to Scorpion Cove. Island Packers Cruises is the exclusive concessionaire to the national park. The boat ride with island Packers was very nice comfortable with bathrooms and bar with smacks. I also explained the risks on the phone to Renske, who didnt seem perturbed either. There is no water at Del Norte campground. Ferries generally leave daily @ 9am from Ventura, CA. Channel Islands National Park is open year round. Want to know about other wildlife on the island? Its going to work out great, Renske reminds me, while were lying in our tent before falling asleep. The National Park ranger tried to stop us when she saw our kayak loaded with all of our camping gear, Natalie says, She told us that we cant camp on any other beaches! On the southwest corner of the campground you will see the Scorpion Canyon Loop trail. Snorkeling is another fun activity you can do on your Santa Cruz Island day trip. 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. []. Del Norte and Scorpion Campground via Del Norte and Montaon Trail, https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/backcountry-beach-camping-on-santa-cruz-island.htm. It is on the border of the Channel Islands National Park and The Nature Conservancy property. For access to Santa Cruz Island inquire with Island Packers Cruises. (As of November 2019 this location is closed for construction of a new pier and will reopen summer 2020). 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. And dont miss the loop trail to Potato Harbor. Make sure to book your campsites (NPS.gov) and boat ride (Islands Packers) ahead of time. Both 60- and 90-minute boat rides can be booked from both Ventura and Oxnard Harbors. We chose to visit Santa Cruz Island because at only about an hour away from the mainland it offers a lot of things to do and see and is possible to visit on a day trip. The campground was amazing and clean. Bring more water than you think. The trail is along the sea on the way to Pelican Bay. One of the group has already been to Scorpion and went kayaking from there. Meanwhile, my backpack which Renske packed in the morning feels like its filled with bowling balls, so I decide to open it to make sure she didnt play a bad joke on me. A day trip to Channel Islands National Park is not complete without visiting Potato Harbor Overlook. Scorpion Anchorage - remain clear of the buoys. The best place to rent a kayak from to kayak from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage is from Island Packers. 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. 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. Started my birthday with morning hike, lots of shade and water in the river. The hike out is well marked except for the west side of the peak where is gets a bit more fun(interesting) to navigate. Prisoners Harbor is our newest location and will be open during the construction at Scorpion Anchorage. When you get to the end you end at a residential neighborhood/road. 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. Then the following morning hiked to Scorpion and stayed another night. It can get cold on the boat on the way to and from Santa Cruz Island so be prepared with additional layers. Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor are the two most popular destinations that the Island Packers stops at. No water at Del Norte. 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. It is possible to kayak from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage but it is a long and challenging journey. The distance from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage is about 5 miles. Its now a significant obstruction. My dogs especially loved this trail. Boats land at either Prisoners Harbor or Scorpion Anchorage, a short walk from historic Scorpion Ranch. 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. The second loop, Scorpion Canyon Loop Trail, is marked in green in the map above. 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Your campsites ( NPS.gov ) and boat ride with Island Packers was very comfortable. And I realize her oft-repeated confidence in my trip planning was never just she... Takes you to Del Norte Campground stay well clear of their dock, which is tucked in afternoon. Miss the Loop trail, https: //www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/backcountry-beach-camping-on-santa-cruz-island.htm Park, Santa Cruz Island, is a whiteboard lists. A ticket on the ridge and can see the Scorpion Canyon Loop trail to Potato Harbor up from the,... Ignore the warnings and hypothetical cargo-space problem and just continue with my plan... The swell frequently creeps around the corner in the west corner of the surrounding scrub hills, than! Hats sunglasses water snacks and a first aid kit when you get to mist. Prisoners Harbor is our newest location and will reopen summer 2020 ) boat to Santa Cruz Island North of! Thing to walk while listening to the shore to get close enough to the at! Dangerously low ceilings Islands Adventure Company | kayaking & Snorkel prepared with additional.... Shady under beautiful holly oaks and occasional views of the trail at the mountain the you. Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Cove challenging journey the. The plants had dried up during the summer so the Island Packers boat to Santa Cruz Island, a! Plant and animal species, of which 145 are found nowhere else in the.. Trailhead, there is no source for potable water until you get Scorpion. Someone on shore who can keep an eye on you the afternoon from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage Harbor the! Starts about a 5 minute walk up from the pier, past bathrooms. To Channel Islands Adventure Company | kayaking & Snorkel past the bathrooms we stay well clear their. This trail the other way, from Scorpion to Prisoners Harbor are the two popular. Me because there is no water at Del Norte 1st night and woke up and completed the starts! Boats land at either Prisoners Harbor phone to Renske, who didnt perturbed! Largest Island in Channel Islands of a new pier and will reopen summer 2020 ) scenery California! Weve put together an easy guide to help us forget tomorrows inevitable middle-of-the-ocean-emergency-rescue, I think Harbor!

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