Boats land at either Prisoners Harbor or Scorpion Anchorage, a short walk from historic Scorpion Ranch. The trail begins on a fire road leaving Prisoner's Harbor and rises above sea level, overlooking the northern coast of the island. At Scorpion Ranch, there is an upper loop and a lower loop of campsites. Heading off on a close reach almost always gets us to the vicinity of Cavern Point. Death Valley National Park is the hottest place on earth and the lowest elevation in North America. Beautiful views, trail is easy to follow. 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. 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. Tomorrow well be easier. I suggest that we play a game before dinner, and Sam suggests that we play the celebrity-guessing game Times Up. 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. It costs $60 per person roundtrip to Santa Cruz Island. It took me 2 hours and 45 minutes to get over to Scorpion Harbor. Pass that point is an easy 4 mile stride downhill to the scorpion campground. The anchorage is quite deep and youll find that you have to maneuver in fairly close to anchor in less than 35 ft. Trail was near deserted. 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. We started at Prisoners and camped at Del Norte backcountry campsite. Follow this guide for how to do a day trip to Channel Islands National Park, Santa Cruz Island. The flowers are popping off like crazy. Also make sure to wear comfy shoes and probably double up on socks. Reservations can be made online at recreation.gov, [] While kayaking is our favorite adventure on the island, there are plenty of other activities to do such as hiking to see wildflowers and island foxes or having a picnic at Prisoners Harbor. Hike from the harbor to del Norte campground took us about 2 hours where we spent one night. Extend your trip to California by visiting Big Sur, Temecula, Death Valley National Park, or Joshua Tree National Park. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Worth the trip. Potable water available at Scorpian Anchorage but none at Del Norte so plan accordingly! 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. Well marked and didnt run into a ton of people! It's best to check with Island Packers. Im worried about the wind. There is no food on any of the Channel Islands, so make sure to bring food with you and a bag to carry your trash out. Scorpion and the interpretive center are west, Little Scorpion for overnighting is just east. We stay well clear of their dock, which is tucked in the west corner of the anchorage. Shaded for 90% of it and just a little out in the sun on the uphill section. For information about camping ashore, guided tours and facilities, go to National Park Service. But at scorpion is so windy. No shade. 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. To get back, head town the trail on the right (Potato Harbor Road). Just put El Monte park into your maps and it will take you to the trailhead. The weather in Prisoners Harbor is usually sunny and warm. Address 1691 Spinaker Dr Ventura, CA 93001 Phone (805) 658-5730 Park Name Channel Islands National Park Owner National Park Activities Hiking, Birdwatching, Camping, Kayaking, Swimming, Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Backpacking Amenities Trails, Restrooms, Pier Pet Policy Pets are not allowed on the island Fees Fee for boat trip, camping Hotels The transportation to Santa Cruz Island is with Island Packers and goes out of Ventura Harbor. 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. Scorpion Anchorage is a small harbor with a pier on the northeast side of Santa Cruz Island. I really liked it. We took the Island Packers ferry to Scorpion Harbor which left Ventura at 8am. 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. iptv premium, which contains 20000+ online live channels, 40,000+ VOD, all French movies and TV series. Scorpion Anchorage. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. Santa Cruz Island used to be one big ranch which provided food, hay, grain, pasture, sheep, cattle, wine and more. But, Im lying. I think thats Prisoners Harbor. Within an hour, Rich, Wendy, Renske, and I complete the last three miles of the nine-mile paddle. Peaceful and many shady areas. iptv m3u. You can swim, snorkel, dive and kayak here, and there are plenty of hiking options too, starting from Scorpion Anchorage. Beautiful green fields, glorious views and no one else out since a big storm is coming this afternoon. Our boat was not heading to Prisoners Harbor but the Scorpio to Anchorage. And speaking of the smell, it just isnt a problem right now. If youre north of the anchorage, locate the steep cliffs of Cavern Point. There is no shade on this trail, so dress accordingly and have sun protection. Note: Giant Kelp, which has been in decline for more than a decade is making a comeback. I did this going the other direction, from Scorpion to Prisoners. It is possible to kayak from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage but it is a long and challenging journey. Your email address will not be published. I told you that you could do it! I yell. The distance from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage is about 5 miles. The trip is about 12 miles each way and [] Recommended Routes in Santa Cruz Island - 2 Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 21 min to complete. Disembarked ferry at Prisoners at 1115a and started straightaway. Very peaceful lots of nature though if you want to cross the river be prepared to get a little wet. 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. 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. Sorry! Also, my watch clocked me at 14.5 miles not 12.5. It is steeper with ups and downs but if you are in reasonable shape it is not a problem. Awesome hike! I hiked this memorial weekend and first 2 days were overcast. The extreme conditions of the park made for, Colorado is a beautiful state with tall peaks, incredible lakes, and four unique national parks. 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. Trail was so much fun! Gain and loss of elevation throughout the trail. One of the group has already been to Scorpion and went kayaking from there. We traveled during labor day weekend. There were a lot of ups and downs but really nothing unbearable for a someone fit. The hike from Prisoners to Scorpion is about 16 miles. There are two campgrounds, one at Scorpion Anchorage and another near Prisoners Harbor. We arrived around 10:45 a.m. and had to wait for 30 minutes for a parking spot. at Del Nortes fox boxes, but theres no guarantee. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. []. High 70 afternoon hike. Also went across the Diamond Creek twice to explore other connecting trails, This is a fabulous trail. Weather was perfect. Scorpion Anchorage is our MOST POPULAR year round sea cave kayaking tour. Totally doable in that time period if the math works for your pace. 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. I suspect its the former. We didnt do the whole thing this is definitely longer than 3.6 miles. When most people think of kayaking they imagine themselves paddling peacefully down a river on a hot summer day. 1. 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. Mostly shady under beautiful holly oaks and occasional views of the surrounding scrub hills, greener than usual. IG - @kylerampone. We get accustomed to an effective paddling rhythm, our kayaks moving surprisingly quickly across the surface of the water. While this is a great spot for exploring in your plastic boat, many of the caves have dangerously low ceilings. Really nice walk along the water. As the sky transitions from yellow to purple to navy, we can just barely make out the July 4 fireworks on the mainland. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 21 min to complete. Can someone tell me why the hell Im carrying ten pounds of lemons in here? I yell to anyone who will listen. This is probably the best All Trails map for the hike to Del Norte campground on Santa Cruz from Prisoners Harbor -- on the map, it includes the green to the yellow circle. After setting up our tents and playing a surprisingly vicious game of Cancellation Hearts, the group congregates at a couple picnic tables overlooking the ocean. Friendly rangers. After hiking to Scorpion Anchorage there will be a campground and the Scorpion Anchorage Harbor where boats can take you back to the mainland. It usually affords protection from the prevailing westerlies, but the swell can enter the anchorage, making for rough and sleepless nights. Pretty views of the surrounding area - I cant comment to the end of the trail as we didnt make it there, but I would definitely come back again! There's a trip to Santa Rosa or a trip to Prisoners Harbor at Santa Cruz available with Island Packers. Youll likely spot Scorpion Canyon next. The name of the island that Prisoners Harbor is located on is Santa Cruz Island. 2023 Channel Island Adventure Co. Privacy | Terms. Feather Boa Kelp Overlooking the pier at Prisoners Harbor. Ventura, CA is only 1.5 hours from Los Angeles, CA and 30 minutes from Santa Barbara, CA. I normally don't care for gaiters but this would be an exception. 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! 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. Watch out for poison oak!! 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. Thank God for his help. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Spend time exploring the island, snorkeling, relaxing on the beach, and more. So you have 4 hours tops to do a half marathon (I clocked it at exactly 13.1 from pier to pier). Its just too hard of a paddle. Oh my God, our entire trip is already doomed, I thought. Pretty decent incline as well. River crossings are closed by the rangers due to high water. Be aware of weather conditions and bring extra food. Hiking, camping, sea kayaking, and snorkeling are the top reasons to visit the island. But alas, Bird Shit has won in 2021. Soon, were all drinking fantastic lemon craft cocktails and eating bacon-topped pasta primavera as a deep red-orange sunset dazzles us on the horizon. The southeast end, from Prisoners Harbor east to San Pedro Point, is part of the park. For more information, please visit: No conditions reported in the past 7 days. Place Name Scorpion Anchorage is drier & similar to the mainland while Prisoner's Harbor is forested. Headed out to Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands National Park? . This was a fun run. Overall it was a really unique experience being able to boat out to a national park island and crank out a long hike. Other boats line up beam-to-beam in a East-West behind Scorpion Rock. Im a sports expert and lover. 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. If the current is this bad tomorrow, I yell to Renske. Channel Islands Adventure Company runs guided kayak tours at three locations: Scorpion Anchorage, Prisoners Harbor, and Painted Cave. Nice trail but steep around the peak, kinda sketchy with big backpacks on but totally doable. 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. But, after a lasagna dinner, I announce that we should aim to be on the water in the morning by 6 AM. Lots of grass with sharp needle like pointers that I was constantly reaching down to pull out. 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. At Prisoners Harbor, tables are located near the beach. Nice Hike overall. There is a huge, new pier in the SW corner and two mooring balls. An area not as much fun to traverse with a fully loaded pack. For additional information about the joint conservation efforts of Nature Conservancy. The best time of day to kayak from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage is in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is not as intense. Weve put together an easy guide to help plan your trip to Channel Islands National Park. There are also several steep cliffs and rocky shorelines to navigate. Lots of running water lots of beautiful trees very quiet. Wind is an issue. Thought it was a German shepherd at first. The Scorpion Anchorage pier construction is scheduled to start in November. There are side trails that lead down to the river. Its possible to hike to Chinese Harbor Beach and continue west all the way to Prisoners Harbor, but that is a very long shade-less trek. This post has been removed at the author's request. Campsite 1 & 2 great views; campsite 3 & 4 have shade. Is this it? The wind over the course of the day will frequently vary between nadaand 20 knots. The most difficult and exposed portion of the trail is about 4 miles in from the scorpion side. There is rarely any breaking surf, which makes this one of the few easy places to come ashore on Santa Cruz. I planned this trip to be much easier than either of those, I said, trying to keep everyone relaxed. Want to report conditions for this trail? Reviews (4,028) Photos (4,701) 5: 4: 3: 2: 1: 4.5. Also my legs were done by the time I got to climb the peak. We appreciated the thick marine layer as the trail has no shade. Dry and a lot of switch backs. You'll need to leave pups at home dogs aren't allowed on this trail. I recorded 12.3 miles however, that was started after I was already hiking so it is more. Beautiful hike along the river on the A trail. 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