I am 42 yr old man that weighs 205 lbs. There were a lot of ups and downs but really nothing unbearable for a someone fit. The boat also has a counter with snacks and drinks you can buy. It took me 2 hours and 45 minutes to get over to Scorpion Harbor. You can reserve snorkel gear or a snorkel tour and see the most updated prices on the Channel Islands Adventure Company website. Its going to work out great, Renske reminds me, while were lying in our tent before falling asleep. 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. We got there about 30 minutes before and still had plenty of time to check in and wait before boarding the boat. It is treacherous. It runs right into the day anchorage. There are no options for food or water to purchase once on the island. 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 wonder [], Kayaks are incredibly stable and safe boats and most people will never capsize or flip their kayak. We were heading across nearly 22 miles of the Pacific toward Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island. Round trip fare is $63 for adults, $58 for seniors, $45 for children and free for infants younger than 3 years old. beautiful trail . If you dont want to spend the money on the kayak tour (yes, its pricey), you could spend your day at Channel Islands National Park doing one or both of the hikes below, and then snorkeling on your own with your extra time. Round trip tickets cost an obscene $79 (plus $28 per kayak transported), proving that a world with boat transportation monopolies is a bad world indeed. Its some of the most spectacular scenery in California. Prisoner's Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage, Santa Cruz Island. End your day trip to Santa Cruz Island with a nice boat ride back to Ventura. 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. Eel grass might be. The Island Packers boats leave from Ventura Harbor in California and take about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes to get to Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz. Completed this trail 4/16/21. We want to go back and explore more! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. They have a small store located about a 10 minute walk from the pier, past the restrooms and museum. 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. Anacapa Island is closer than Santa Cruz Island, however it is very small and offers less options for hiking. . Beautiful hike and super green right now with the recent rains! CAMPSITES: The National Park on Santa Cruz Island has two campgrounds: Scorpion Anchorage and Del Norte. From Los Angeles to Ventura Harbor, its about a 60-70 mile drive depending on where in LA you are coming from. Just put El Monte park into your maps and it will take you to the trailhead. At Scorpion Anchorage, picnic tables are available at the beach and near the ranch area. She believed that? I laugh. Weather was perfect. 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. Travel guides created to inspire and enable people to use their time away from the office to explore the world. 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. Pass that point is an easy 4 mile stride downhill to the scorpion campground. 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. Fortunately for us, our friend Rex was able to blast out there in his Whaler a few days later and pick it up. Use caution during this section. However, only 24 percent of the island is open to the public. Would recommend going from the peak to potato harbor then to scorpion! AUGUST 10, 2015 My Dutch friend Renske and I are sitting in a kayak, paddling as hard as we can, against a strong current around a rocky outcrop of Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands off the coast of California. Travel time to Scorpion is a little over an hour and Prisoners Harbor, on direct route is about one and a half hours. The Island Fox can be spotted at both locations along with the Island Scrub-Jay. The second loop, Scorpion Canyon Loop Trail, is marked in green in the map above. Long way down on either side of the trail at the mountain. 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. Also, as the reviewer below me noted, do not follow the google maps instructions from this page- it takes you somewhere on the Barona reservation. There is no shade on this trail, so dress accordingly and have sun protection. Theres not really an end point - this trail kind of ends abruptly and there are other trails that continue. The trip is about 12 miles each way and kayakers must contend with strong tides and currents as well as wind and waves. To get to Prisoners Harbor, take the Island Packers Ferry. Scorpion, the gateway to the islands activities, is open once again and the pier is available to Island Packers, NPS and other government boats. We didnt do the whole thing this is definitely longer than 3.6 miles. 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. Really nice walk along the water. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Were already here? Renske asks. Active birding zone and saw a trout jump. my dogs loved it and were in and out of the river. Ran about a third, averaged 18:30 or so over the entire trail. 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. Snorkeling is another fun activity you can do on your Santa Cruz Island day trip. Look for animals on your way back such as dolphins, whales, and birds. Great for kayaking and snorkeling! Bring lots of sunscreen and a camera to capture the beautiful views :]. The ferry takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to cross the channel. We spent the day doing a long hike but we wish we would have spent the money and done the kayak tour. The main trail from Del Norte Camp to Scorpion Anchorage is in pretty good condition. Not too washed out and very easy trail to follow. Depart Ventura Harbor for a ferry ride to Scorpion Cove or East Santa Cruz Island. No one seems hopeful. 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's a 1-mile climb to captivating Cavern Point. We did find some emergency water left by other hikers (thank you!) document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2022 by Hank Leukart, All Rights Reserved. You would need to contact Island Packers ahead of time to make sure they have space to transport the Kayak. We kayak through a towering rock archway and into dark sea caves stretching into the island. Weather conditions can change rapidly, it is best to bring layers and a jacket regardless of the time of year. I highly recommend this to see the island quickly. It is a good idea to pack plenty of extra water for your trip. Didnt do the loop, wasnt prepared for height of water. There are also several steep cliffs and rocky shorelines to navigate. The hike is especially difficult for Natalie and Norberto, who seem to have unloaded enough supplies from their kayak to live on the island without support for a year. There are a lot of things to do on Santa Cruz Island including hiking, swimming, snorkeling or kayaking. There are no other visitor centers on the island. There is no water at Del Norte campground. Trail winds through old grazing grounds then connects to Navy Road for a bit then to single track. Well, if you have a [], Copyright CaliforniaBeaches.comAbout Us | ContactPrivacy Policy | Terms of Use, NavigateBeachesMapsArticlesHotelsRestaurantsAttractions, Join our email list to get new information, events or other fun stuff, Embassy Suites by Hilton Mandalay Beach Resort, Best Whale Watching Spots in Southern California. 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 . As were only two or three boat lengths from a lee shore, we are skittish about taking the whole family ashore. If you are prone to sea sickness or arent sure, I highly recommend taking sea sickness medication like Dramamine at least 30 minutes before the boat ride. We watch the tiny shows, eating miniature blueberry, cherry, and pecan pies, in honor of the holiday. The name of the island that Prisoners Harbor is located on is Santa Cruz Island. For more information, please visit: No conditions reported in the past 7 days. There are, Your email address will not be published. It is possible to kayak from Prisoner's Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage but it is a long and challenging journey. There is no cell service in this area. We saw only 2 other people the whole time we were on the trail and there were lots of animal tracks and scat. Expect wind and bring layers, as the temperature can change quickly. Weather was nice although a little warm in the sun. Landed at Scorpion, hiked to Del Norte Campground to stay the night. Scorpion Anchorage is our MOST POPULAR year round sea cave kayaking tour. Island Packers recommends getting to the harbor 45 minutes before the departure time. Many of the plants had dried up during the summer so the island wasnt very green in September. It takes about 2 hours to kayak from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage. Extend your trip to California by visiting Big Sur, Temecula, Death Valley National Park, or Joshua Tree National Park. The Channel Islands are home to over 2,000 plant and animal species, of which 145 are found nowhere else in the world. Yes there are other kayakers that you can kayak with from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage. You may cross over a very small stream, or two, in the first couple of miles, but don't count on there being water there unless it's rained recently, and there is nothing after that. About 6.5 miles in you start a scramble of sorts up a steep trail leading you up to the ridge overlooking Scorpion. You should book your trip ahead of time on the Island Packers websitebecause boats do fill up. Bringing a Kayak with you to Santa Cruz Island would be the cheaper option but definitely more effort to coordinate. Also, the trail starts in the lot. 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. Island Packers is continuing its trips to Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz, Anacapa Island, weekend rides to . We were lucky to spot a big group of Dolphins and spent time watching them swim around the boat. Scorpion Anchorage is just an 18-mile ride off the coast of Ventura County on the 96-square-mile island of Santa Cruz. 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. The island is volcanic, but did not emerge from the sea for Millenia. For visitors planning a multi-day or overnight trip, camping reservations must be made in advance. Scorpion Anchorage is the most visited destination in the park, with over 55,000 people coming ashore each year to enjoy recreational activities such as hiking, picnicking, camping, kayaking, and swimming. The other is Prisoner's Harbor near the Conservancy border. This post has been removed at the author's request. Be careful because the water spigots tend to have a lot of yellow jackets around them. 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. Hiking, camping, sea kayaking, and snorkeling are the top reasons to visit the island. But its our fault for bringing so much stuff, eternally-upbeat Natalie says with a smile. It's best to check with Island Packers. If youre planning on kayaking from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage be sure to check the weather and tides beforehand. Strava clocked me at 13.5 miles and 2,800 feet of elevation gain. Well marked and didnt run into a ton of people! 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. It is on the border of the Channel Islands National Park and The Nature Conservancy property. We rarely anchor here overnight. Inside, I find two huge bags of lemons. You can snorkel at Santa Cruz Island in Scorpion Anchorage on your own or with a guided tour. The swell frequently creeps around the corner in the Island Packers. It's beautiful right now. Look, there is nothing tragic happening here as far as I can tell, Wendy texted me. For information about camping ashore, guided tours and facilities, go to National Park Service. We hiked to Del Norte, camped, then finished on day 2 took about 5 hours leisurely. Check out Prisoners Harbor! Check out these activities on Get Your Guideincluding a Brunch Cruise, Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise,and a sea kayaking tour at La Jolla. The hike out is well marked except for the west side of the peak where is gets a bit more fun(interesting) to navigate. I hiked from prisoners harbor to scorpion Anchorage in one day from noon to about 7:30 pm carrying a pack of 30#. Big coyote sighting 12/24/22. A little long, and some unsteady rocks. Thank God for his help. The main challenge of this hike is the lack of water along the way. Definitely 13.3-13.5 mi, not 12.5. Tours depart to this area of the island daily, weather permitting. Dont worry you can definitely do it. If I did it again the only thing I would change is to bring gaiters. Then the following morning hiked to Scorpion and stayed another night. Lots of shade. . This hike would be the best in the spring when Santa Cruz Island has more foliage since it is mostly internal through the canyon. [], Island Packers Cruises is your ticket to Channel Island National Park. However, to backpack the island, we would suggest getting dropped . The trail begins on a fire road leaving Prisoner's Harbor and rises above sea level, overlooking the northern coast of the island. Scorpion in foreground, Little Scorpion in the distance. For additional information about the joint conservation efforts of Nature Conservancy. I did not have trekking poles so definitely had to use my hands at times lol. Weve put together an easy guide to help plan your trip to Channel Islands National Park. 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. This is a very pretty trail with easy to moderate gains in a few areas; however, a great deal of the trail is flat. Santa Cruz Island has a few beautiful hiking trails. If you arrive to Scorpion Anchorage I recommend hiking at least the blue loop above. I planned this trip to be much easier than either of those, I said, trying to keep everyone relaxed. And, look, Lisa and Natalie seem to have recovered enough that they wanted more. Privately, though, I wondered whether Im only capable of planning outdoor adventure trips that scar people for life. 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! This is it! Went in mid-March, stunningly green and beautiful, charming weather. There were lots of wildflowers and opportunities to see wildlife like birds, butterflies, small rodents, and even the Santa Cruz fox. Gorgeous after the rains and a good steady incline. 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. We can do it! I hiked this memorial weekend and first 2 days were overcast. Beautiful views, trail is easy to follow. I arrived in Prisoner's Harbor around 11 am and started running shortly after. 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. Island Packers Cruises is the exclusive concessionaire to the national park. This is off the trail a considerable distance. Are we going to die? Sam asked. 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. parts of the trail were moist due to the mist. The captain stopped for humpback whale, dolphins, and sea lion sightings. 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. Is this it? Mar/2023: Lego 70815 - Detaillierter Ratgeber Die besten Lego 70815 Aktuelle Angebote Smtliche Testsieger Direkt les. 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. Great views of the ocean and cliffs. No water at Del Norte. We generally anchor bow and stern to prevent swinging. The maximum number of people that can camp at Scorpion Anchorage is 30. It was the best hike Ive ever done, she said. Stayed the night at Del Norte and hiked about 11 miles to scorpion camp grounds. You get off the boat at 10:30/45 and the boat leaves in the afternoon from Prisoners at 2:45. We crossed the water and we had a snack and back home. Camping is located at both Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor. The bottom is sand and holding is excellent and kelp is not an issue these days. Island Packers uses Scorpion (the western one at the mouth of the valley where the ranch house and interpretive center are located) to offload hundreds of hikers, backpackers and kayakers. Scorpion Anchorage is the best area of the Channel Islands National Park to kayak. It is a very happy thing to walk while listening to the sound of water. We were heading across nearly 22 miles of the Pacific toward Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island. So much bright spring green making it like a fairyland. We reluctantly tied a fender to our aft rode and jettisoned the ground tackle. The anchorage is quite deep and youll find that you have to maneuver in fairly close to anchor in less than 35 ft. Boats to Prisoner's Harbor, the mid-Santa Cruz Island landing, are not scheduled as frequently as to the more popular Scorpion Anchorage, but for those seeking solitude, it's worth the effort. 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