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. This was a beautiful trail no doubt! The boat ride is part of the experience of the day trip to the Channel Islands, as you can see many different birds and animals on the way. It is a very happy thing to walk while listening to the sound of water. It was scary going down especially with my super heavy backpack. We kayak through a towering rock archway and into dark sea caves stretching into the island. Scorpion Anchorage is one of two landing locations on Santa Cruz Island. Snorkeling is another fun activity you can do on your Santa Cruz Island day trip. Long way down on either side of the trail at the mountain. I formerly head the sports department at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. Little Scorpion is a fraction of a mile east. Well marked and didnt run into a ton of people! Anacapa Island is closer than Santa Cruz Island, however it is very small and offers less options for hiking. The River loop is great - just be ready to get your feet wet. Weather was perfect. The down hill after the highest point definitely does a number on your toes. Creek & trees were beautiful. Be aware of weather conditions and bring extra food. But, when nine friends married, Texan, long-time friends Rich and Wendy; less experienced, married paddlers Sam and Whitney; eternally cheerful, San Francisco-based couple Natalie and Norberto; Minnesotan Lisa whom Ive hiked with before, long-time college friend Suzanne, and Dutch Renske took me up on the offer (with four flying in from out of town), I immediately felt a big responsibility to ensure that our trip wasnt a disaster. Lots of grass with sharp needle like pointers that I was constantly reaching down to pull out. Thats less than a mile NW of Scorpion and visible from the mainland on a clear day. Weather conditions can change rapidly, it is best to bring layers and a jacket regardless of the time of year. Nice trail but steep around the peak, kinda sketchy with big backpacks on but totally doable. 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. Channel Islands Adventure Company offers kayak tours from 1 hour to 5 hours long where you can explore the sea caves, and in the longer tour even make it to Potato Harbor. Dan . One could think of Prisoner's Harbor as Two Harbors to Scorpion's Avalon. And then it turned out they were closing the main anchorage Scorpion Harbor in late 2019 due to the construction of a new pier. 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. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. I wonder [], Kayaks are incredibly stable and safe boats and most people will never capsize or flip their kayak. Find the great white beacon of Bird Shit Rock. Are you spending time in San Diego? The distance from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage is about 5 miles. 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. There are over 500 wineries in Napa, The American Southwest features incredible natural wonders and landscapes that cannot be missed. However, to backpack the island, we would suggest getting dropped . We will just be going for the day and I'm trying to figure out which part of the island is the best to go to. We were blessed with clear skies, mid 60 degree temps, and no wind which made for a perfect hiking day. Is this it? 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. I prefer the spots in the SW corner of the anchorage but will accept the second tier spots that are farther out. This area of the park offers more sea caves than any others. Super shady and green. The bottom is mostly sand, though we have encountered some eel grass. Nothing that you cant see. The museum walks you through how the Channel Islands were formed, the history of ranching in Santa Cruz, the different animals that adapted to the island, and the conservation efforts of the park today. The hike out is well marked except for the west side of the peak where is gets a bit more fun(interesting) to navigate. Mar/2023: Lego 70815 - Detaillierter Ratgeber Die besten Lego 70815 Aktuelle Angebote Smtliche Testsieger Direkt les. It is very deep in the center of the bight, which makes anchoring bow and stern problematical. Didnt do the loop, wasnt prepared for height of water. I would guess a couple more miles. Scorpion in foreground, Little Scorpion in the distance. The bottom is mostly sand, though we have encountered some eel grass. Definitely wear sunscreen no shade: I put it everywhere but my ears and my ears now are blistering from that bad of a sunburn. There are also snorkeling and hiking option, plus a great visitor center. Such a beautiful hike! 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. Unfortunately, I didn't see any wildlife yesterday. Good workout without being too long or too much of a scramble. Camping is located at both Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor. Stunning day, dappled sunlight, running river, not too crowded once you get past the first mile or so. Scorpion, the gateway to the islands activities, is open once again and the pier is available to Island Packers, NPS and other government boats. This is it! Scorpion Anchorage is the best area of the Channel Islands National Park to kayak. Exposed. 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. Potable water available at Scorpian Anchorage but none at Del Norte so plan accordingly! Disembarked ferry at Prisoners at 1115a and started straightaway. You can spend the night at Del Norte, then hike to Scorpion Campground for another night. Beautiful hike and super green right now with the recent rains! a hill. There was a sign that said trails closed ahead so we did not end up hiking here today. Santa Cruz Island used to be one big ranch which provided food, hay, grain, pasture, sheep, cattle, wine and more. Theyre not very scary, either. From June to September Channel Islands Adventure Company also offers guided snorkeling tours on Saturdays and Sundays. [], Island Packers Cruises is your ticket to Channel Island National Park. This definitely felt longer than 12.5! But, after a lasagna dinner, I announce that we should aim to be on the water in the morning by 6 AM. Many of the plants had dried up during the summer so the island wasnt very green in September. Everything will be fine., So, instead of paddling out from Malibus Point Dume into the ocean in the middle of the night with weights tied to my legs and jumping in, I sent an email, in the least alarming tone I could muster, that everyone needed to pack as little as possible due to the lack of kayak storage space. If you have new or amplifying information concerning this anchorage or the surrounding area, please contact Capt. Landed at Scorpion, hiked to Del Norte Campground to stay the night. There is rarely any breaking surf, which makes this one of the few easy places to come ashore on Santa Cruz. Prisoner's Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage, Santa Cruz Island. They have regular trips to all of the islands and whale watching excursions too. Dan. I realized that it might be possible that the trip report that I used to help plan this trip was written by a paddler much more experienced than us, one who had his own kayak. Check out Prisoners Harbor! No one seems hopeful. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. I have at least another hour in me! After about 30 minutes, the rest of the group joins us on the beach. 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. No need to cross the road to start on the other side. (As of November 2019 this location is closed for construction of a new pier and will reopen summer 2020). 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. It was the best hike Ive ever done, she said. Learn about the local history of the island while kayaking with a friendly guide and have a wonderful opportunity to see wildlife such as Garibaldi fish, brown pelicans, seals, sea lions, and even a bald eagle! There are a lot of things to do on Santa Cruz Island including hiking, swimming, snorkeling or kayaking. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 6 h 21 min to complete. 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. 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. Great hike. A fun family day enjoying nature. You can find accommodations in Ventura or nearby cities such as Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, and Malibu. Park day fee is $3 to park. 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. Night 1 at del Norte (make reservations) then night 2 at scorpion canyon. We crossed the water and we had a snack and back home. We started at Prisoners and camped at Del Norte backcountry campsite. We are looking for a full day of hiking and scenic views. Channel Islands National Park is located off the coast of California and is made up of five islands: Anacapa Island, Santa Cruz Island, Santa Rosa Island, San Miguel Island, and Santa Barbra Island. Only about one quarter of this mountainous island is part of the national park (eastern 24%), the rest is managed by The Nature Conservancy and other organizations. 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. Scorpion Anchorage. 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. Travel time to Scorpion is a little over an hour and Prisoners Harbor, on direct route is about one and a half hours. Did this trek over 3 days and 2 nights. Those who are up for the challenge will be rewarded with some of the most stunning scenery in the Channel Islands. I'm deciding between the two and have a few questions. Depart Ventura Harbor for a ferry ride to Scorpion Cove or East Santa Cruz Island. 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. 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. Kind of in eventful end of trail but definitely an easy loop, Nice route, beautiful creek, can get a bit crowded during the weekends. Sites 1/2 have absolutely stunning views of the ocean. Cruises to both Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor leave from the Ventura Harbor location year-round. The second loop, Scorpion Canyon Loop Trail, is marked in green in the map above. Even with a helmet,you could still be crushed if youve picked a cave with poor clearance. When climbing near the peak there is a lot of loose rocks and steep climbing. It takes about 2 hours to kayak from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage. 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. Are we going to die? Sam asked. Scorpion Anchorage is just an 18-mile ride off the coast of Ventura County on the 96-square-mile island of Santa Cruz. 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. this was very difficult because of the climbing uphills. So much bright spring green making it like a fairyland. Very peaceful lots of nature though if you want to cross the river be prepared to get a little wet. Absolutely gorgeous. It usually affords protection from the prevailing westerlies, but the swell can enter the anchorage, making for rough and sleepless nights. Channel Islands Adventure Company is excited to announce the new tours being offered at Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz Island. If I plan to spend the night, I also plan a backup. Very beautiful trail that follows the coastline of Santa Cruz Island! As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Bring lots of water and wear comfortable shoes. A day trip to Channel Islands National Park, Santa Cruz Island, is a perfect way to spend a vacation day. Theres a small free parking lot right at its start. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Weve strapped so much trash-bag protected stuff to the top of the boats that Rich and Wendys kayak looks like a makeshift garbage barge, and Natalie and Norbertos kayak looks like its been loaded up with every belonging theyve owned since childhood. The trail begins on a fire road leaving Prisoner's Harbor and rises above sea level, overlooking the northern coast of the island. Your adventure begins on the Island Packers ferry where hopefully youll spot a pod of dolphins during your journey or even whales. One of the. Our boat was not heading to Prisoners Harbor but the Scorpio to Anchorage. Youll likely spot Scorpion Canyon next. Very good for a nice stroll in nature. Really awesome trail! 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. Other than that beautiful views. I suspect its the former. Also make sure to wear comfy shoes and probably double up on socks. Scorpion Anchorage is one of two landing locations on Santa Cruz Island. 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. 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