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Channel Islands National Park: Santa Cruz Island
Ecological balance--and dozens of sweet places to hike, paddle, and camp--have been restored at California's Channel Islands.
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| Author: | Backpacker Magazine |
| Activity: | Hiking |
| State: | California (CA) |
| Distance: | 24.5 mi |
| Difficulty: | 5 / 10 |
| Rating: |
 2 rating(s)
|
In the June 2008 issue, Backpacker editor Shannon Davis explores the restored beaches, backcountry, and shorelines of Santa Cruz Island. Check out the details of his route here, and read more in our June 2008 issue.
Season: You'll have Santa Cruz Island to yourself (and soak up the fairest weather) from October to April.
Outfitter: Aquasports leads guided paddling trips through the island's hidden sea caves (www.islandkayaking.com).
Camping: Campsites ($15/night) are open year-round on all five islands in Channel Islands National Park. Check availability at reserveamerica.com.
TO TRAILHEAD: Island Packers ($60 roundtrip for campers, islandpackers.com) runs daily trips from Ventura to Santa Cruz Island.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
SAN01
| Distance: 24.50 mi | Points: 1171 |
Santa Cruz Island
Points of Interest
WPT002
Location: 34.046444, -119.547272Up-close peak at California brown pelicans hanging out on Scorpion Rocks.
WPT003
Location: 34.053486, -119.558853Scan the craggy coast here for a view of a sea arch dubbed "Marge Simpson" -- its silhouette looks like famous cartoon character. Heading west, continue about a mile to Cavern Point Cave, a 300-foot deep sea cave. Keep an eye out for harbor seals, and be careful: This cave gets scary in rogue water.
WPT004
Location: 34.048870, -119.562950Scorpion Ranch Campground. This campsite has good afternoon sun, and is close to water.
WPT005
Location: 34.048790, -119.562531Head west from the Campground on the Scorpion Canyon Trail. At this point the trail junctions with Potato Harbor Trail. Continue straight on the SCT.
WPT006
Location: 34.047318, -119.566292Watch for island fox playing in the dry creekbed on your left.
WPT007
Location: 34.041142, -119.574257Make a hard left, still on Scorpion Canyon Trail, and begin climbing out of the canyon along an occasionally slick, clay trail.
WPT008
Location: 34.041401, -119.570930Killer views of the mainland and Anacapa Island
WPT009
Location: 34.035065, -119.566551Scorpion Canyon Trail ends here, and links to Montanon Ridge Trail (west) and an old ranch road (east) that leads to Cypress Grove or Olive Grove. Take Montanon and begin a gradual climb as the grass gives way to barren red rock.
WPT010
Location: 34.031334, -119.580360The trail becomes hard to follow. This waypoint marks a reassuring trail sign.
WPT011
Location: 34.031319, -119.582375Excellent view into Smugglers Canyon (southeast) and Scorpion Canyon (northeast)
WPT012
Location: 34.025818, -119.583687A faint trail heads left, stay right on main trail.
WPT013
Location: 34.024792, -119.583435Highest point on the Montanon Ridge Trail
WPT014
Location: 34.023880, -119.584648Veer left off of the ridge
WPT015
Location: 34.012947, -119.595367Veer left onto a jeep trail
WPT016
Location: 34.012424, -119.595940Junction. La Paloma Trail goes left. Stay straight, and head to Campo Del Norte and Prisoner's Harbor. A junction with Loma Pelona Road (on your left) follows shortly after. Stay on your trail. There is a tricky trail junction here. Watch on your right for Del Norte Trail (it's often overgrown and hard if not impossible to find). See it? Take it for a short-cut to Del Norte Camp. If you miss it, you'll end up on East End Road.
WPT017
Location: 34.014935, -119.603287Optional short side hike on China Pines Road to bald overlook with ocean views.
WPT018
Location: 34.016098, -119.603905Watch for ferrel pigs in this area
WPT019
Location: 33.998653, -119.629784Excellent shaded lunch spot
WPT020
Location: 34.003632, -119.656944Turn right here to head to Del Norte Camp
WPT021
Location: 34.007843, -119.660179Turn left to Del Norte Camp
WPT022
Location: 34.010834, -119.660637Camp Del Norte: The best campsite is the first one on the left (shade in the afternoon and great sunset view).
WPT023
Location: 34.012379, -119.659584Turn left a short way from camp to head to Prisoner's Harbor. A right turn loops you back toward Scorpion Harbor.
WPT024
Location: 34.012951, -119.666649Cross a small creek
WPT025
Location: 34.011959, -119.675949Take a right onto the dirt road to finish at Prisoners Harbor
WPT026
Location: 34.017780, -119.682373Ankle-deep creek crossing, about 20-feet wide
WPT027
Location: 34.019226, -119.684151Prisoners Harbor pier
WPT028
Location: 34.018131, -119.683617Creek-crossing on the way to Pelican Bay.
WPT029
Location: 34.029964, -119.698967Super-bright giant coreopsis bloom a few hundred yards off-trail
WPT030
Location: 34.032742, -119.700768Pelican Bay
WPT031
Location: 34.017593, -119.683266Pelican Bay trailhead. This is a gorgeous two-mile hike. Permission is required from the Nature Conservancy.
WPT001
Location: 34.048557, -119.556183After docking at Scorpion Anchorage, hike to the trailhead sign. Head down the dirt road to the campground, or turn to your left to walk to Aquasports' kayak storage area, where you'll gear up to kayak the island's north coast.
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