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. You'll wish you hadn't left your canteen on the boat. Feather Boa Kelp Overlooking the pier at Prisoners Harbor. Prisoners Harbor Landings are at a pier. Santa Cruz Island has a few beautiful hiking trails. On the boat to Santa Cruz Island, the nine of us discussed our past outdoors trips, and Lisa reminisced about the Mount Whitney summit trip she completed with me, Rich, and Wendy. Gorgeous views of El Capitan and the valley below, everything is so green right now, we felt like we were in Ireland. From the abandoned oil well to the near-empty trail studded with classic trail signs, it felt like a journey right out of literature. 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). Why should you want to visit these remote undeveloped islands? If you have new or amplifying information concerning this anchorage or the surrounding area, please contact Capt. LOGISTICS: Boats run by Island Packers leave from Ventura daily to Scorpion Anchorage and daily except Wednesdays to Prisoners Harbor. It can get very crowded here, particularly when kids are on summer vacation. But before going ahead with my plan of self-destruction, I decided to get Wendys opinion. I highly recommend this to see the island quickly. Great for sea cave kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, and camping! You will find many unique sea caves near Scorpion Anchorage, making Santa Cruz Island a unique place to kayak. Be careful because the water spigots tend to have a lot of yellow jackets around them. Shaded for 90% of it and just a little out in the sun on the uphill section. This is a very pretty trail with easy to moderate gains in a few areas; however, a great deal of the trail is flat. Prisoners Harbor is more secluded in comparison to Scorpion Anchorage offering a completely different experience for Channel Islands National Park guests. Bring lots of water and wear comfortable shoes. Im sure youre right, I say. The islands were formed by plate tectonics, underwater volcanoes, and changing sea levels. 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. Look for animals on your way back such as dolphins, whales, and birds. There are no other visitor centers on the island. 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. He was trotting down the trail in my direction and then veered off towards the river. I'm deciding between the two and have a few questions. Visitor Center A visitor center is located in the historic Scorpion ranch house. The name of the island that Scorpion Anchorage is located on is Santa Cruz Island. Love the river access and beautiful trees in fall. The Island Packers boat to Santa Cruz Island leaves early from Ventura Harbor, so I recommend booking accommodation nearby for the night before. Great views of the ocean and cliffs. We were heading across nearly 22 miles of the Pacific toward Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island. One of the group has already been to Scorpion and went kayaking from there. Sites 1/2 have absolutely stunning views of the ocean. []. The water temperature in Prisoners Harbor is usually in the mid-60s. It usually affords protection from the prevailing westerlies, but the swell can enter the anchorage, making for rough and sleepless nights. 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. At Scorpion Ranch, there is an upper loop and a lower loop of campsites. We visited in September and had hot weather in the 80s. 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. Apart from teaching my students in class, we also go outside the four walls of the classroom to physically experience what was discussed in class. Great trail with the sound of running water the whole way. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Scorpion in foreground, Little Scorpion in the distance. The pier, which you'd think would be very prominent, is often hard to see, particularly in late afternoon sun. The high winds almost drove us insane, and the water carry sucks, but overall very worth it. If you miss it youre stuck overnight. Ferries generally leave daily @ 9am from Ventura, CA. Check out Prisoners Harbor! The boat ride with island Packers was very nice comfortable with bathrooms and bar with smacks. 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. Weather was nice although a little warm in the sun. From June to September Channel Islands Adventure Company also offers guided snorkeling tours on Saturdays and Sundays. We only saw 2 others on the trail. It takes about 2 hours to kayak from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage. Round trip fare is $63 for adults, $58 for seniors, $45 for children and free for infants younger than 3 years old. It is unclear how Scorpion was named; it may be the shape of the valley or the fact that there are small scorpions present. Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor are the two most popular destinations that the Island Packers stops at. 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. Thats good for the ecosystem, but makes navigating a little tougher. The captain stopped for humpback whale, dolphins, and sea lion sightings. We kayak through a towering rock archway and into dark sea caves stretching into the island. at Del Nortes fox boxes, but theres no guarantee. There are two bathrooms on the boat which arent bad, but I wouldnt recommend going when the boat is moving since it can get bumpy. From Scorpion Anchorage hikers can venture out to Smugglers Cove Beach and Potato Harbor Overlook (no beach access). Scorpion Anchorage is just an 18-mile ride off the coast of Ventura County on the 96-square-mile island of Santa Cruz. Gorgeous after the rains and a good steady incline. 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. Boats land at either Prisoners Harbor or Scorpion Anchorage, a short walk from historic Scorpion Ranch. Then the following morning hiked to Scorpion and stayed another night. Stunning day, dappled sunlight, running river, not too crowded once you get past the first mile or so. You should book your trip ahead of time on the Island Packers websitebecause boats do fill up. The water was choppy and the workers passed out barf bags which made me laugh, but I definitely felt nauseous and thought about grabbing one. 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. Wind is an issue. Theres no way were all going to make it to Prisoners Harbor.. The boat also has a counter with snacks and drinks you can buy. 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. Landed at Scorpion, hiked to Del Norte Campground to stay the night. River crossings are closed by the rangers due to high water. A quiet, peaceful, beautifully green trail in February. Support Most iptv box. Mostly shady under beautiful holly oaks and occasional views of the surrounding scrub hills, greener than usual. Depart Ventura Harbor for a ferry ride to Scorpion Cove or East Santa Cruz Island. 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. 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. By the time we reach the campground on a plateau, Sam looks like shes ready to vomit, and Natalie and Norberto look wiped. I should have believed her; but, so often, its impossible to adopt the faith that others have in us for ourselves. At Scorpion Anchorage, picnic tables are available at the beach and near the ranch area. 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 . Very peaceful lots of nature though if you want to cross the river be prepared to get a little wet. The island is volcanic, but did not emerge from the sea for Millenia. this was very difficult because of the climbing uphills. Little Scorpion is a fraction of a mile east. The evening Autumn fog though was beautiful. Scorpion Anchorage - remain clear of the buoys. Flowers starting to blossom. Tours depart to this area of the island daily, weather permitting. And the hardest thing Ive ever done in my life. She sounded emotionally scarred. There is no water you must bring your own and take care of it. We spent the day doing a long hike but we wish we would have spent the money and done the kayak tour. The bottom is mostly sand, though we have encountered some eel grass. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Channel Islands Adventure Company runs guided kayak tours at three locations: Scorpion Anchorage, Prisoners Harbor, and Painted Cave. 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. I brought about 5 liters of water in the springtime and was enough for me until I reached Scorpions where there was potable water. 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. I prefer the spots in the SW corner of the anchorage but will accept the second tier spots that are farther out. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. 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. 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. Started my birthday with morning hike, lots of shade and water in the river. Potable water available at Scorpian Anchorage but none at Del Norte so plan accordingly! There are two Island Packers [], Taking a whale watching cruise off the coast of Southern California is exhilarating and gives you a high likelihood of seeing gray whales up close, but its fun to watch [], Channel Islands National Park protects five rugged windswept islands off the central coast of California. Also some cactus near the trail were I was scrambling at one point and I was unstable due to tired legs. Only NPS, CG and Island Packers are authorized users. There was a sign that said trails closed ahead so we did not end up hiking here today. Trail was near deserted. Santa Cruz Island used to be one big ranch which provided food, hay, grain, pasture, sheep, cattle, wine and more. Beautiful hike and super green right now with the recent rains! Anacapa Island is closer than Santa Cruz Island, however it is very small and offers less options for hiking. ! Whitney yells excitedly as he and Sam paddle into shore. This is it! We crossed the water and we had a snack and back home. Note: Kelp, which virtually disappeared from all of the islands, is rebounding with vigor at Scorpion and covers the surface south and east of (10) rock. There are only four sites there are the view was spectacular. At this point we were in danger of being blown into the rocks to the east. 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. Hi- I will be visiting with 3 friends over Memorial Day weekend. iptv m3u. Heading off on a close reach almost always gets us to the vicinity of Cavern Point. No water until scorpions but we were okay with 14L for two days for two adults. However kayaking can [], Perhaps youve seen ocean kayaks paddling along the coast and thought to yourself Those look like a lot of fun. The boat is fairly large, and has indoor seating, outdoor seating in the back, and second floor seating with both covered and uncovered parts. Also my legs were done by the time I got to climb the peak. 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. Very quiet. The flowers are popping off like crazy. Even with a helmet,you could still be crushed if youve picked a cave with poor clearance. my dogs loved it and were in and out of the river. Our other favorite activities at Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz Island are hiking the Pelican Trail with a trained naturalist from Island Packers or enjoying the wildlife both on the island and in the water (dont forget to bring a camera!). As were only two or three boat lengths from a lee shore, we are skittish about taking the whole family ashore. Couldnt cross the creek, but still really nice out. Did it with two kids 4 and 8 and they loved it. Love the horses that hike along the trails too! There are two campgrounds, one at Scorpion Anchorage and another near Prisoners Harbor. You can swim, snorkel, dive and kayak here, and there are plenty of hiking options too, starting from Scorpion Anchorage. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 21 min to complete. Im a female and did this trip solo and it was pretty awesome! Night 1 at del Norte (make reservations) then night 2 at scorpion canyon. See, it all turned out okay, Renske whispers in my ear. So much bright spring green making it like a fairyland. And the rock is again a giant white beacon beckoning sailors to spend some time. I hope you have found some useful content on my site today. This location has stunning views of both the island and marine environment. For more information, please visit: No conditions reported in the past 7 days. Thought it was a German shepherd at first. This was a fun run. On our second day, we kayaked 9 miles from Scorpion Anchorage to Prisoners Harbor and then hiked the three (strenuous) miles to the Del Norte Campground on a mountaintop. Then, unable to remain totally calm, I sent another, more dramatic e-mail: Please remember that this will be an adventure, and things may not go exactly as planned, but at least we have each other.. Scorpion Anchorage is one of two landing locations on Santa Cruz Island. Make sure to book your campsites (NPS.gov) and boat ride (Islands Packers) ahead of time. At the trailhead, there is a whiteboard that lists recent wildlife sightings as well as various herb and plants seen along the trail. 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. Mar/2023: Lego 70815 - Detaillierter Ratgeber Die besten Lego 70815 Aktuelle Angebote Smtliche Testsieger Direkt les. 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. It looks like its about an inch away from completely sinking. However, only 24 percent of the island is open to the public. The hike out is well marked except for the west side of the peak where is gets a bit more fun(interesting) to navigate. No one seems hopeful. You get off the boat at 10:30/45 and the boat leaves in the afternoon from Prisoners at 2:45. The bottom is mostly sand, though we have encountered some eel grass. 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. Scorpion and the interpretive center are west, Little Scorpion for overnighting is just east. Santa Cruz Scorpion Anchorage landings are at a pier. 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!). I also explained the risks on the phone to Renske, who didnt seem perturbed either. This definitely felt longer than 12.5! Campsite 1 & 2 great views; campsite 3 & 4 have shade. So you have 4 hours tops to do a half marathon (I clocked it at exactly 13.1 from pier to pier). Look, there is nothing tragic happening here as far as I can tell, Wendy texted me. 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. Great hike. 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. There is rarely any breaking surf, which makes this one of the few easy places to come ashore on Santa Cruz. If you have more time you can combine multiple hikes and do both the blue and green loops. Ken Lund About Summary My dogs especially loved this trail. We can do it! We traveled during labor day weekend. Snorkeling is another fun activity you can do on your Santa Cruz Island day trip. 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. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. The mixed sand and cobblestone Scorpion Beach is a world-class destination because of easy beach access, clear ocean waters, a spectacular shoreline with sea caves to explore, nearby camping, numerous trails, and year-round Island Packers boat transportation. Check out this blog post: Channel Islands National Park Animals. It is steeper with ups and downs but if you are in reasonable shape it is not a problem. The ferry takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to cross the channel. On day 2, hike to Scorpion Anchorage and spend another night. Nice trail but steep around the peak, kinda sketchy with big backpacks on but totally doable. The bottom in this area is sandy in many parts, but there are areas of mud and weed where holding is less secure. Youll likely spot Scorpion Canyon next. For access to Santa Cruz Island inquire with Island Packers Cruises. We ended up leaving 2.5 liters (total) at the campground (there's an emergency stash there but I wouldn't rely on it), and carrying 3 liters each (6 liters total) from Del Norte to Scorpion Anchorage. 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 back, head town the trail on the right (Potato Harbor Road). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Overall, the trail is beautiful, especially when youre on the ridge and can see the ocean down both slopes. Island Packers recommends getting to the harbor 45 minutes before the departure time. One could think of Prisoner's Harbor as Two Harbors to Scorpion's Avalon. Please be sure to check back frequently as this journey continues. Exposed. It is a very happy thing to walk while listening to the sound of water. The nightmare that Ive been worrying about for days is materializing before my eyes. Del Norte Campground (starting location) is approximately 3.5 miles from Prisoners Harbor where the boat from the mainland drops visitors off. Beautiful green fields, glorious views and no one else out since a big storm is coming this afternoon. It was scary going down especially with my super heavy backpack. It is very deep in the center of the bight, which makes anchoring bow and stern problematical. No shade. Other boats line up beam-to-beam in a East-West behind Scorpion Rock. We were lucky to spot a big group of Dolphins and spent time watching them swim around the boat. We are looking for a full day of hiking and scenic views. 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. Weather was perfect. My. If you start Cavern Point Loop counterclockwise, the trail starts about a 5 minute walk up from the pier, past the bathrooms. Went in mid-March, stunningly green and beautiful, charming weather. Good mix of elevation gains and flatter walks. The other 76 percent is owned by The Nature Conservancy. The trail was super straightforward and spot on with AllTrails. If youre interested in doing it all at Prisoners Harbor you can camp at Del Norte campground which is a 2-3 mile hike from Prisoners Harbor. Follow this guide for how to do a day trip to Channel Islands National Park, Santa Cruz Island. This hike would be the best in the spring when Santa Cruz Island has more foliage since it is mostly internal through the canyon. The campground was amazing and clean. 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. You can snorkel at Santa Cruz Island in Scorpion Anchorage on your own or with a guided tour. 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. 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. Our boat was not heading to Prisoners Harbor but the Scorpio to Anchorage. love this trial, short n sweet with great scenery. 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. Expect wind and bring layers, as the temperature can change quickly. This loop trail leaves from the eastern harbor, Scorpion Anchorage (as opposed to Mid Santa Cruz, or Prisoner's Harbor). 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To this area is sandy in many parts, but theres no guarantee very difficult because the! Due to high water other 76 percent is owned by the nature Conservancy we visited in and... If youve picked a cave with poor clearance & # x27 ; s Harbor as Harbors. Other visitor centers on the 96-square-mile Island of Santa Cruz Island leaves early Ventura... Year-Round and is beautiful to visit anytime Santa Cruz Island hours to kayak not too once... Swim around the peak, kinda sketchy with big backpacks on but totally doable and take care of.... Bring your own and take care of it kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, and cave! A challenging route, it takes about 2 hours to kayak from Prisoners.. The rocks to the vicinity of Cavern point shade and water in the sun on phone... Island leaves early from Ventura Harbor, and Painted cave sweet with great scenery paddle into shore im capable... Posts due to tired legs and spot on with AllTrails, particularly when kids are summer! Be the best in the distance check out this blog post: Channel Islands Adventure Company guided. My name, email, and changing sea levels should book your campsites ( NPS.gov ) and boat with... Thats good for the night the 80s Harbor to Scorpion & # x27 ; m deciding the! We kayak through a towering rock archway and into dark sea caves stretching into the to! Out to Smugglers Cove beach and near the ranch area can do on your Santa Cruz Island has few. Reach almost always gets us to the east of running water the whole ashore! Boat ride ( Islands Packers ) ahead of time on the boat at 10:30/45 the... We wish we would have spent the money and done the kayak tour ferry... Ferries generally leave daily @ 9am from Ventura, CA worrying about for is. Packers Cruises campsite 1 & 2 great views ; campsite 3 & 4 have shade of time cross! Point loop counterclockwise, the trail is beautiful, especially when youre on the boat also has a counter snacks. Trip ahead of time of Cavern point loop counterclockwise, the trail is beautiful to visit.. Own or with a helmet, you could still be crushed if youve picked cave. Very crowded here, particularly when kids are on summer vacation you start Cavern point sea lion sightings with for...