Scorpion Anchorage features the friendliest waters, followed by Anacapa, where you'll find incredible tide pools at isolated Frenchy's Cove. 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. . 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. I couldnt have done this trip without my hiking sticks! 2023 Channel Island Adventure Co. Privacy | Terms, Spring in Channel Islands National Park - Channel Islands Adventure Company | Kayaking & Snorkel. Couldnt cross the creek, but still really nice out. 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. 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 ride normally takes about an hour to get to Scorpion Anchorage, but if the captain sees marine wildlife they will stop and this can make the ride take longer. 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. But, Im lying. If the current is this bad tomorrow, I yell to Renske. Tours depart to this area of the island daily, weather permitting. 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. We kayak through a towering rock archway and into dark sea caves stretching into the island. Scorpion in foreground, Little Scorpion in the distance. I hope you have found some useful content on my site today. From June to September Channel Islands Adventure Company also offers guided snorkeling tours on Saturdays and Sundays. 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. It is possible to kayak from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage but it is a long and challenging journey. Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor are the two most popular destinations that the Island Packers stops at. I planned this trip to be much easier than either of those, I said, trying to keep everyone relaxed. Other boats line up beam-to-beam in a East-West behind Scorpion Rock. Gorgeous views of El Capitan and the valley below, everything is so green right now, we felt like we were in Ireland. The campground was amazing and clean. Look, there is nothing tragic happening here as far as I can tell, Wendy texted me. Repairs Dont miss the Blue Grotto sometimes called Emerald Cave, which is accessed on the east side of Bird Sh**t rock. I arrived in Prisoner's Harbor around 11 am and started running shortly after. This is a very pretty trail with easy to moderate gains in a few areas; however, a great deal of the trail is flat. We attempted to retrieve it but wind and waves made that too hazardous. There is also room to moor east of the primary spots close to shore. We really enjoyed walking by the river. It is treacherous. []. Yes there are other kayakers that you can kayak with from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage. Views don't get much better than from this windy spot. At the trailhead, there is a whiteboard that lists recent wildlife sightings as well as various herb and plants seen along the trail. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. 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. We generally paddle west in the morning and, if were on a long trip, in good position to ride the westerly home. Its some of the most spectacular scenery in California. The captain stopped for humpback whale, dolphins, and sea lion sightings. If you arrive to Scorpion Anchorage I recommend hiking at least the blue loop above. All pier landings involve climbing a ladder between 1 and 6 rungs. 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. It is a good idea to pack plenty of extra water for your trip. Lots of grass with sharp needle like pointers that I was constantly reaching down to pull out. There is rarely any breaking surf, which makes this one of the few easy places to come ashore on Santa Cruz. It is also a good idea to have a support boat or someone on shore who can keep an eye on you. Nothing that you cant see. No one seems hopeful. Wind is an issue. It was scary going down especially with my super heavy backpack. The next day, we continued on to Scorpion via Montoon. 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 hiked to Del Norte, camped, then finished on day 2 took about 5 hours leisurely. I recorded 12.3 miles however, that was started after I was already hiking so it is more. From Scorpion Anchorage hikers can venture out to Smugglers Cove Beach and Potato Harbor Overlook (no beach access). You can guys can do it, I say. 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 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. Shes right, of course, and I realize her oft-repeated confidence in my trip planning was never just platitudinous she genuinely believed it. It definitely seems worth it to spend time exploring the nearby sea caves. BRING WATER, lots of motivation, and your sense of wonder because it is so stunningly beautiful. There is no cell service in this area. 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. If this isnt it, Im going to kill myself!. The trail is along the sea on the way to Pelican Bay. Went in mid-March, stunningly green and beautiful, charming weather. Both locations have many activities such as hiking, snorkeling, bird watching, ocean kayaking, and camping to check out. the weather was helpful because it was foggy and not to hot. When most people think of kayaking they imagine themselves paddling peacefully down a river on a hot summer day. 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. One of the. Dont worry you can definitely do it. 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. Santa Cruz Island has a few beautiful hiking trails. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Stay tuned to our Facebook and Instagram for updates on available dates. Once you get to the campground if you have more time you should continue to Scorpion Canyon. Great hike along the River and some cool places to stop! Island Packers is continuing its trips to Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz, Anacapa Island, weekend rides to . IG - @kylerampone. 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. Good mix of elevation gains and flatter walks. 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. 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. The Island Fox can be spotted at both locations along with the Island Scrub-Jay. Yes you can kayak from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage. 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.. It's best to check with Island Packers. If you dont mind spending more money, I recommend doing the Adventure Sea Cave Kayak Tour (2.5-3 hours) and then hiking the recommended path below along the coast to Cavern Point and continuing to Potato Harbor. Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links for products and services I recommend. Scorpion Anchorage. Weather conditions can change rapidly, it is best to bring layers and a jacket regardless of the time of year. This is off the trail a considerable distance. 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. But, when I called the Channel Islands Kayak Center three days before our departure to reconfirm the kayak rental reservation I had made months before, an employee blindsided me by telling me (for the first time) that the company discourages renters from taking kayaks more than a half-mile away from Scorpion Anchorage and that their kayaks dont have hull storage space for camping gear. Support Most iptv box. Expect wind and bring layers, as the temperature can change quickly. 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. Dont follow this trail, its not to the river at all. The trail is pretty overgrown at points and covered with foxtails. Swell, wind and, on one occasion, the smell from Bird S**t Rock (78) have encouraged me to find another spot for the night. Trail was so much fun! The Scorpion Anchorage is the most visited destination in the park, with about 65,000 people coming ashore each year to enjoy recreational activities such as hiking, picnicking, camping, kayaking, and swimming, according to park staff. My husband and I took our 9 year old son and he enjoyed it so much. The Island Packers boat to Santa Cruz Island leaves early from Ventura Harbor, so I recommend booking accommodation nearby for the night before. My. Check out Prisoners Harbor! Potato Harbor hike. I cant really say how this trail is since there is not enough parking, so we couldnt stay to take the trail. I am 42 yr old man that weighs 205 lbs. View Our Latest Marine Mammal Sightings Prisoners Harbor is located midway along the North shore of Santa Cruz Island. Boats land at either Prisoners Harbor or Scorpion Anchorage, a short walk from historic Scorpion Ranch. We are looking for a full day of hiking and scenic views. The loop visits two of the most famous points on the eastern section of the island, Cavern Point and Potato Harbor. Hike from the harbor to del Norte campground took us about 2 hours where we spent one night. 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. 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. Follow this path up and you will see incredible views of Scorpion Anchorage, the nearby Anacapa Island, and the large cliffs. Lots of running water lots of beautiful trees very quiet. We did find some emergency water left by other hikers (thank you!) I hiked from prisoners harbor to scorpion Anchorage in one day from noon to about 7:30 pm carrying a pack of 30#. Be aware of weather conditions and bring extra food. A day trip to Channel Islands National Park is not complete without visiting Potato Harbor Overlook. Prisoners Harbor is one of the main anchorages in Channel Islands National Park and the closest to Santa Cruz Island making it a popular destination for kayakers. There are Island Packers boats leaving Ventura at 8 and/or 9 am and returning at 4 and/or 4:30 pm. If youre planning on kayaking from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage be sure to check the weather and tides beforehand. The boat also has a counter with snacks and drinks you can buy. Only negative is that people dont pick up after their dogs. Dan . Just follow the coast until you hit that dock on the other side of the bay. Island Packers Cruises is the exclusive concessionaire to the national park. Exposed. The bottom is mostly sand, though we have encountered some eel grass. Im a female and did this trip solo and it was pretty awesome! A good part of this trail is overgrown with wild grass whose pointy seeds will get into your hiking boots - gators strongly recommended. There is also an abundance of wildlife including sea lions dolphins and whales. 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. Are you spending time in San Diego? backpacking is strenuous for a lot of elevation gains. The spring is the best time to do a day trip to Channel Islands National Park if you want to see more foliage while still enjoying nice weather. This definitely felt longer than 12.5! One could think of Prisoner's Harbor as Two Harbors to Scorpion's Avalon. 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