scorpion cove vs prisoners harbor

For available shuttle tickets, clickhere. We didn't get moving until 10:30 figuring we had a relaxing day with only 12 or so miles to cover. Several locations on Santa Cruz Island offer good surfing. You might want to stay in all day, but the limiting factor will be your core body temperature, (water temperature fluctuates between 50 and 70 degrees) so be sure to pack a 5-7mm wetsuit. The campground is broken into two sections with most of the regular sites closer to the pier and the group sites in the back. Picnic tables are located near the beach and in the Visitors Center area. In contrast to Scorpion Cove, your only option for kayaking at Prisoners Harbor is to rent a boat in Ventura or bring your own across on the ferry. Santa Cruz includes three mountain ranges; the highest peak of all the Channel Islands (Mount Diablo rising above 2000 feet,) a large central valley/fault system, deep canyons with year round springs and streams, and 77 miles of craggy coastline cliffs, giant sea caves, pristine tide pools and expansive beaches. Scorpion cove vs Prisoner? Alternatively, you may use, Channel Islands National Park Travel Forum, Channel Islands National Park Vacation Rentals, Channel Islands National Park Vacation Packages, Things to Do in Channel Islands National Park, Channel Islands National Park Travel Guide, http://www.tripadvisor.com/help/how_to_edit_your_posts. By that I mean it is an unofficial trail that hasnt yet been completed. This post has been removed at the author's request. Coastal kayaking is another popular exploration for kayaking enthusiasts. A narrow canyon leading inland from the beach contains a ranch house used by a party of shepherds. Santa Cruz Island lies approximately 20 miles offshore from Ventura Harbor. Beach access is also available at Prisoners Harbor and by hiking over to Smugglers Cove, but the snorkeling is not as good at these locations. It's best to check with Island Packers. Also, the only visitor center is in a tiny shack called Harveys Hut up on a bluff. Im Brittney. The second junction is for the Del Norte Trail and is located 1.5 miles up the Navy Road on the left. Trips are either to Scorpion Anchorage or Prisoners Harbor. Nice hiking trails and a small beach, too. Kayaking east towards Scorpion Rock or west towards Cavern Point provides great wildlife viewing and sea caves. Australia Forums; United States Forums; Europe Forums; Canada Forums; Asia Forums; . For the authorized kayak guide and outfitting concession in the Scorpion Anchorage area on Santa Cruz Island visit: Channel Islands Adventure Company. Zoom in to see updated info. These varied land forms support a wide variety of plant and animal species. Kayaking east towards Scorpion Rock or west towards Cavern Point provides great wildlife viewing and sea caves. The fox encounters at Prisoners Harbor are more organic (and often more rewarding when you come across a fox hunting on trail), but more rare, though many days I will see a fox searching the picnic tables there as well. An outdoor pit toilet is available for the campground, though you will need to bring your own toilet paper. With more sea cave kayaking opportunities than any other part of the park, Scorpion Anchorage is the ultimate destination for nature lovers, adventurers, and kayaking enthusiasts. The channel crossing for a Prisoners Harbor day trip is approximately 1 .5 to 2 hours depending on vessel route and possible stops at Scorpion Anchorage. Unless you feel like hiking 15 miles with all of your water for the trip,Id recommend starting at Prisoners Harbor, spending the first night at Del Norte Campground, then hiking the roughly 12 miles across to Scorpion and refilling water at Scorpion Campground the second night. Hi- I will be visiting with 3 friends over Memorial Day weekend. At Scorpion, hiking to Montaon via Potato Road will give you the second most diversity in ecosystems, but it is a very long and strenuous hike, so Id recommend hiking Cavern Point Loop for the average visitor. The Navy Road is a fairly well maintained dirt forest road that winds up a hill past two trail junctions. One of the best places for kayaking is around Scorpion Cove on East Santa Cruz Island. The route ends at Scorpion Anchorage. A guided trek by an Island Packer naturalist is offered on most day trips. As a southern California native and mountain lover, I've spent years driving between LA and Tahoe. Once on the island, the easiest option is a shortwalk to the wetland arealocated just past the restrooms to the left. If you really just cannot decide between a day at Scorpion Cove vs. I have done almost every hike, kayaked through numerous sea caves, and snorkeled in countless coves and kelp forests. Fishing can be a fun and rewarding activity near Scorpion Cove, but it is important to respect local fishing regulations and marine protected areas. Del Norte Backcountry Campground is located 3.5 miles from Prisoners Harbor Pier via a strenuous and exposed hike. Id recommend hiking this way if you arent prepared for slippery and eroded trails, because the Navy Road provides aneasier walking surfacedespite it being uphill in nature. Santa Cruz Island is the perfect place for a one-day trip and short or long overnight camping trips. For this reason,Id recommend renting a kayakif you plan to fish during your day at Scorpion. 7,341 views Mar 18, 2017 95 Dislike Share Save Description Travel Small Live Big 6.3K subscribers Santa Cruz. Fishing is allowed on Santa Cruz Island outside of the marine reserves. There are usually guided hike options, but are never guided kayak options. The Island Fox is only about the size of a house cat and due to the fact they haven't traditionally had any predators they are active during the day. If youve reached Cavern Point and would like to continue hiking for a bit longer, consider extending your hike toPotato Harbor Lookout. You will be hiking over unstable and eroded terrain at times, but the elevation gain is less than the Navy Road and there is more shade. Prisoners SCI to Scorpion SCI 3:15 PM. Of the eight Channel Islands, five are in Channel Islands National Park. From millions of years of isolation, many distinctive plants and animal species have adapted to the islands unique environments. You can also rent snorkel gear on island from Channel Islands Adventure Company (the guided kayak tour concessionaire). As a moderate hiker, you can hike up the Navy Road to Del Norte Trail or Eagle Ridge Trail on the National Park Service property, or hike halfway out on the Pelican Bay Trail on The Nature Conservancy property with a signed waiver. Just please make sure to prepare yourself so you dont end up leaving a trail behind you inside. However, there are no lifeguards on the island. Additionally, you can do the hike over one or two days depending on your preference, although the boat schedule will affect which days you will be able to travel to and from the mainland. For snorkeling and diving, the easiest kelp beds to access are the ones near the pier and those to the eastern end of of the bay. Cruising the California Channel Islands for Education, Recreation and Research Since 1968. 15. . There is no water at Del Norte campground. You can purchase a shuttle ticket from Scorpion Cove to Prisoners Harbor through Island Packers the ferry company. Scorpion rock is pretty far, but devoted snorkelers can make it on a nice day. Remember that it is uphill out of the cove on the way back, and it is pretty tiring, so leave yourself enough time. Scorpion is the one most people go to on account of the fact it's the biggest. The visitor center includes an orientation area that helps visitors plan a safe trip on the island and a variety of interactive exhibits that describe the island's tremendous biodiversity, rich cultural history, and current resource issues. I am a devoted outdoor enthusiast from Ventura, California who loves trying everything! In terms of safety, there are no lifeguards here and your safety is in your own hands. He seemed to realize we were people about a foot away and nonchalauntly changed his course. In addition, the campground requires a hike in and there are onlytwo day hike options both moderate to strenuous. The snorkeling in Scorpion Cove is incredible. (Crows on the other hand are so aggressive on the island they've been known to open zippers!). At over 96 square miles, Santa Cruz is the largest island in the Park. Potable water is available in the campground area. You can do day hikes at Prisoner's Harbor and have made numerous visits to both places. This species was critical in the islands recovery from livestock overgrazing as it buries native plant seeds for food and only recovers some of them later. Cruising the California Channel Islands for Education, Recreation and Research Since 1968. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. Prisoners Harbor is much less popular than Scorpion Cove, so activities there take a bit more planning. Watersports And Prisoner's is really only for backpackers. February through April, the grasslands of Santa Cruz Island are green and the native flowers in bloom. On days that the concessionaire boats run to Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor, guided hikes may be offered by national park volunteers or concessionaire naturalists. I guarantee youll see a fox within 15 minutes of sitting at a bench in Scorpion Campground. Travel time to Scorpion is a little over an hour and Prisoners Harbor, on direct route is about one and a half hours. Along this road lie island manzanita, lichen-covered oaks, and the endemic Santa Cruz Island pine. Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment? It is critical to note that there is no potable water here, and very little chance you will come across any water between the pier and campground. Several trails and roads traverse eastern Santa Cruz Island, providing visitors with spectacular hiking opportunities. Prisoners Harbor, you do have a few options to explore both destinations as long as you have at least two days to do it. There are two locations that Island Packers goes to on Santa Cruz Island: Prisoners Harbor and Scorpion Anchorage. This area of the park offers more sea caves than any others. Distance from landing is a flat one-half mile. If they are not available to lead hikes, self-guided interpretive trail booklets are available. Island Packers recommends visitors utilize the National Park Service App for a more complete island experience.420 + Parks all in one App. Prevailing wind comes from the northwest, so Id recommend paddling west first to avoid getting stuck downwind as the wind picks up in the afternoon. Island Packers Cruises is the exclusive concessionaire to the national park. During a normal year of rainfall, wildflowers are best viewed in late winter and spring. Prisoners is further away and it is meant for only serious well equipped hikers. This road trip has stemmed from those years of . If it seems like there are more limitations at Prisoners Harbor, youd be correct. For those willing to clock in some miles, my personal favorite place to snorkel is actually at the end of thePelican Bay Trail. If unique animal sightings are what youre after, both Scorpion Cove and Prisoners Harbor will give you ample viewing opportunities of island animals. Scorpion is home to the largest campground and highest consolidation of day hike options in comparison to all other stops and islands. There are countless little protectedcoves and offshore rocks to the west which harbor seals use to haul out and nap. (Or in Jen's casework!). As a quick summary, Id say your best chance of seeing a fox is at Scorpion and best chance of seeing a scrub jay or other specific bird species is at Prisoners, though both can be found at both locations. We did have one rather odd incident where Jen yelped in pain and went down. Here youll find a quaint bench in the shade where you can enjoy the sounds of wetland birds and frogs and maybe even spot an island scrub jay. Backcountry camping is available year round at the Del Norte campsite near Prisoners Harbor. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. Report inappropriate content 2. You can do day hikes at either location. All Rights Reserved. At that point, its probably time to turn around since the trail work isnt quite complete yet. If you arent up for a strenuous hike, thats okay. No shade. Weather conditions can change rapidly in the Santa Barbara Channel. You may cross over a very small stream, or two, in the first couple of miles, but don't count on there being water there unless it's rained recently, and there is nothing after that. Has anyone else had a problem with sea sickness on this boat? Id considerSmugglers Cove Trailstrenuous for a day hike due to the pace youre required to keep to make it back for the boat. Large colonies of nesting sea birds, breeding seals and sea lions, and other diverse marine plants and animals can often be seen during transit to the island and from mainland. Cruises to both Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor leave from the Ventura Harbor location year-round. In and there are two locations that Island Packers recommends visitors utilize the National Park watersports and 's... Offshore from Ventura Harbor his course went down Europe Forums ; Europe Forums ; Asia Forums Europe... Authorized kayak guide and outfitting concession in the Santa Barbara Channel pier via a strenuous and exposed.. Most people go to on Santa Cruz Island: Prisoners Harbor from millions of years of and... Regular sites closer to the left visitor Center is in your own toilet paper!! Both moderate to strenuous camping is available for the campground requires a hike in and there usually. At a bench in Scorpion campground offer good surfing Travel time to Scorpion is home to the pier the! 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