It's a 1-mile climb to captivating Cavern Point. If you arrive to Scorpion Anchorage I recommend hiking at least the blue loop above. From Los Angeles to Ventura Harbor, its about a 60-70 mile drive depending on where in LA you are coming from. Love the horses that hike along the trails too! Can You Kayak From PrisonerS Harbor To Scorpion Anchorage, Do You Need To Wear A Life Jacket When Kayaking, Can You Use A Kayak Paddle For A Paddle Board. Check out Prisoners Harbor! (As of November 2019 this location is closed for construction of a new pier and will reopen summer 2020). Check out these activities on Get Your Guideincluding a Brunch Cruise, Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise,and a sea kayaking tour at La Jolla. The lower loop is about a 1/2 mile hike in and the upper loop is about a mile, depending on where your site is located inside the loop. Painted Cave* Tours ONLY runs in the Summer. The islands were formed by plate tectonics, underwater volcanoes, and changing sea levels. Lets just do it. She wrote that she thought we should just ignore the warnings and hypothetical cargo-space problem and just continue with my original plan. Parts of the trail were a bit overgrown so be mindful of ticks. We can do it! Ran about a third, averaged 18:30 or so over the entire trail. We kayak through a towering rock archway and into dark sea caves stretching into the island. There are no other visitor centers on the island. Santa Cruz Island is the largest island in Channel Islands National Park with 61,972 acres, measuring 22 miles long and 2-6 miles wide. If you have new or amplifying information concerning this anchorage or the surrounding area, please contact Capt. To get to Prisoners Harbor, take the Island Packers Ferry. Good workout without being too long or too much of a scramble. We both had about a liter left over at the end of the hike. Big coyote sighting 12/24/22. Kind of in eventful end of trail but definitely an easy loop, Nice route, beautiful creek, can get a bit crowded during the weekends. It is also a good idea to have a support boat or someone on shore who can keep an eye on you. backpacking is strenuous for a lot of elevation gains. The next day, we continued on to Scorpion via Montoon. There are also several steep cliffs and rocky shorelines to navigate. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Good views! First 4.5 miles to the del Norte campground were strenuous with a full pack and 5L of water. You will find many unique sea caves near Scorpion Anchorage, making Santa Cruz Island a unique place to kayak. Both 60- and 90-minute boat rides can be booked from both Ventura and Oxnard Harbors. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. There are over 500 wineries in Napa, The American Southwest features incredible natural wonders and landscapes that cannot be missed. Camping is located at both Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor. We only saw 2 others on the trail. 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. Want to report conditions for this trail? The goal was to reach the peak but after 1/4 mile I decided to turn back because the path is precarious and I was alone. He was trotting down the trail in my direction and then veered off towards the river. Weather was perfect. 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. Started my birthday with morning hike, lots of shade and water in the river. Also make sure to wear comfy shoes and probably double up on socks. There was a sign that said trails closed ahead so we did not end up hiking here today. For visitors planning a multi-day or overnight trip, camping reservations must be made in advance. AllTrails wanted to take us through an unmaintained trail but we decided to stick with the NPS main trail. Meanwhile, my backpack which Renske packed in the morning feels like its filled with bowling balls, so I decide to open it to make sure she didnt play a bad joke on me. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'californiabeaches_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_2',672,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-californiabeaches_com-medrectangle-4-0');Santa Cruz Island is the largest and tallest of the islands in Channel Islands National Park. Santa Cruz Scorpion Anchorage landings are at a pier. We did this trail the other way, from Scorpion to Prisoners, with a night spent at Del Norte campground. Want to know about other wildlife on the island? Very good for a nice stroll in nature. The Island Fox can be spotted at both locations along with the Island Scrub-Jay. Santa Cruz Island used to be one big ranch which provided food, hay, grain, pasture, sheep, cattle, wine and more. It is possible to kayak from Prisoner's Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage but it is a long and challenging journey. The route ends at Scorpion Anchorage. We ended up leaving 2.5 liters (total) at the campground (there's an emergency stash there but I wouldn't rely on it), and carrying 3 liters each (6 liters total) from Del Norte to Scorpion Anchorage. The Prisoner's Harbor area is part of The Nature Conservancy section of the island. Scorpion Anchorage is one of two landing locations on Santa Cruz Island. LOGISTICS: Boats run by Island Packers leave from Ventura daily to Scorpion Anchorage and daily except Wednesdays to Prisoners Harbor. The video explains our method and describes our trepidation. Snorkel with the diverse sea creatures of the kelp forest or take a kayak tour through the sea caves with Santa Barbara Adventure Company. Eel grass might be. Matt. A quiet, peaceful, beautifully green trail in February. Are you spending time in San Diego? Thought it was a German shepherd at first. Its just too hard of a paddle. Oh my God, our entire trip is already doomed, I thought. If you planning on going go early to get parking or else come back another day cause you may not find parking. So you have 4 hours tops to do a half marathon (I clocked it at exactly 13.1 from pier to pier). Look, there is nothing tragic happening here as far as I can tell, Wendy texted me. The trail crosses from one geological plate to the other and it was fascinating to see the change in terrain and fauna. Views don't get much better than from this windy spot. Approaching the ridge was probably the most difficult and treacherous part for someone backpacking (~0.2 miles) with steep cliffs, rocky, unstable trail. The campground was amazing and clean. We also hiked the Navy Road portion of this trail to Del Norte, which many will tell you is "easier" to take on the way back in terms of steepness. Make sure to book your campsites (NPS.gov) and boat ride (Islands Packers) ahead of time. 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 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. It can get very crowded here, particularly when kids are on summer vacation. It is a very happy thing to walk while listening to the sound of water. The other is Prisoners Harbor near the Conservancy border. Well signed. The other option is you could bring your own kayak or rent a kayak from Channel Islands Kayak Center for the day and pay a fee to Island Packers to transport it for you. Ventura, CA is only 1.5 hours from Los Angeles, CA and 30 minutes from Santa Barbara, CA. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. It's expected to take six to eight months. 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. Hurrying, most of us push off from the beach and paddle almost a mile out before Natalie and Norberto, who were lagging behind, manage to catch up. There were a lot of ups and downs but really nothing unbearable for a someone fit. Overall, the trail is beautiful, especially when youre on the ridge and can see the ocean down both slopes. Did it with two kids 4 and 8 and they loved it. Only 24 percent of Santa Cruz Island is owned by the National Park Service (the rest is owned by The Nature Conservancy), so most of the island is inaccessible to campers except for the northeastern ends two campgrounds: Scorpion Anchorage and Del Norte (above Prisoners Harbor). Hiking Santa Cruz Island was incredible, but we felt like the first loop was enough for us to get a good taste of the island by land. And the rock is again a giant white beacon beckoning sailors to spend some time. Before planning any of these activities consult the national park service and tour company websites for restrictions, schedules, hazards, packing, and important information. The flowers are popping off like crazy. Prisoner's 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. We reluctantly tied a fender to our aft rode and jettisoned the ground tackle. 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. Passed by 2 crossings, wasnt able to go through the river since the water was too high for the outfit I had. The other 76 percent is owned by The Nature Conservancy. There are only four sites there are the view was spectacular. Great views. The Catalina kayaking trip I did with Hank a few years ago was also the hardest thing Ive done in my life, Natalie added, also sounding like it took her years of therapy to move past the incident. I logged the mileage as 13.1 but I did do a little offshoot to El Montanon peak. From the abandoned oil well to the near-empty trail studded with classic trail signs, it felt like a journey right out of literature. The Crossing The channel crossing for a Prisoner's Harbor day trip is approximately 1 .5 to 2 hours depending on vessel route and possible stops at Scorpion Anchorage. Trail winds through old grazing grounds then connects to Navy Road for a bit then to single track. I packed 6.25 litters of water and used about 4. Scorpion Anchorage is drier & similar to the mainland while Prisoner's Harbor is forested. The mixed sand and cobblestone Scorpion Beach is a world-class destination because of easy beach access, clear ocean waters, a spectacular shoreline with sea caves to explore, nearby camping, numerous trails, and year-round Island Packers boat transportation. The island is volcanic, but did not emerge from the sea for Millenia. The maximum number of people that can camp at Scorpion Anchorage is 30. Prisoners Harbor Landings are at a pier. Little Scorpion is the primary overnight anchorage. at Del Nortes fox boxes, but theres no guarantee. The captain will point out animals that they spot and slow down the boat so everyone can see. Then, when I called five different kayak-rental outfits in Southern California to find different kayaks with hull storage space, none had enough on hand. Saw a coyote on the trail (2/13/23). Hiking, camping, sea kayaking, and snorkeling are the top reasons to visit the island. It usually affords protection from the prevailing westerlies, but the swell can enter the anchorage, making for rough and sleepless nights. The trail is fairly marked well however there are some spots where the trail narrows considerably and can be difficult footing for some. One could think of Prisoner's Harbor as Two Harbors to Scorpion's Avalon. 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. I formerly head the sports department at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. Wildlife can be spotted at both locations and will vary depending on the time of day and season. This location has stunning views of both the island and marine environment. There is no street parking. Just follow the coast until you hit that dock on the other side of the bay. We really enjoyed walking by the river. Beautiful, serene hike! Super shady and green. Couldnt cross the creek, but still really nice out. For additional information about the joint conservation efforts of Nature Conservancy. However, to backpack the island, we would suggest getting dropped . The weather in Prisoners Harbor is usually sunny and warm. Only NPS, CG and Island Packers are authorized users. The evening Autumn fog though was beautiful. Scorpion Anchorage - remain clear of the buoys. Im a sports expert and lover. Find the great white beacon of Bird Shit Rock. Landed at prisoners around 10:30/11 and was at del Norte by 1ish, short hike in but pretty steep. OVERVIEW: Santa Cruz Island is part of Channel Islands National Park, a group of five islands sitting in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. Filtered water is available at Scorpion Anchorage, but no water is available at Prisoners Harbor or Del Norte, so be sure to bring your own. Make sure to decide on your Channel Islands itinerary for the day before you leave as there will be no service on the island to do any research. 9a departure. It is possible to kayak from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage but it is a long and challenging journey. Booking.com is a great site to search accommodation near Ventura Harbor. Good facilities as well. The hike out is well marked except for the west side of the peak where is gets a bit more fun(interesting) to navigate. Yes you can kayak from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage. The main trail from Del Norte Camp to Scorpion Anchorage is in pretty good condition. You can swim, snorkel, dive and kayak here, and there are plenty of hiking options too, starting from Scorpion Anchorage. Night 1 at del Norte (make reservations) then night 2 at scorpion canyon. Pass that point is an easy 4 mile stride downhill to the scorpion campground. This definitely felt longer than 12.5! There is also room to moor east of the primary spots close to shore. love this trial, short n sweet with great scenery. Prisoner's Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage, Santa Cruz Island. Peaceful and many shady areas. The point where you turn around is Potato Harbor Overlook (pictured in the last photo above), where you will see this amazing view of the clear blue water and can also see sea lions. Curious about where to go and what to do on Santa Cruz Island? Everythings going to work out. Im not sure if shes saying this because she believes it or because I specifically told her before leaving for the trip that I would need ongoing emotional support to avoid intentionally drowning myself at sea over my self-hate about planning a kayaking trip that would leave its participants emotionally damaged. 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