We were lucky to spot a big group of Dolphins and spent time watching them swim around the boat. Occasionally, abrupt wind shifts (though not necessarily Santa Anas) will suddenly make your secondary anchor the primary. Fortunately for us, our friend Rex was able to blast out there in his Whaler a few days later and pick it up. They have regular trips to all of the islands and whale watching excursions too. Hi- I will be visiting with 3 friends over Memorial Day weekend. There are, Your email address will not be published. Report inappropriate content 2. Im sure youre right, I say. We started at Prisoners and camped at Del Norte backcountry campsite. It costs $60 per person roundtrip to Santa Cruz Island. 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. But before going ahead with my plan of self-destruction, I decided to get Wendys opinion. Little Scorpion is a fraction of a mile east. 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. Good mix of elevation gains and flatter walks. If you see a shark while kayaking from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage you should stay calm and paddle towards the shore. Those who are up for the challenge will be rewarded with some of the most stunning scenery in the Channel Islands. It's a spectacular hike, and we didn't see a single person on the trail once we left the campground. We spent the day doing a long hike but we wish we would have spent the money and done the kayak tour. We saw only 2 other people the whole time we were on the trail and there were lots of animal tracks and scat. BRING WATER, lots of motivation, and your sense of wonder because it is so stunningly beautiful. IG - @kylerampone. parts of the trail were moist due to the mist. A fun family day enjoying nature. The southeast end, from Prisoners Harbor east to San Pedro Point, is part of the park. Channel Islands National Park is open year round. Backpacking Santa Cruz Island: Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Harbor Updated: January 05, 2020; Post By: Matthew Hengst; January 3rd to 5th, 2020. Accidentally took Navy road up to Del Norte from Prisoners harbor definitely a strenuous hike with beautiful views. Weather conditions can change rapidly, it is best to bring layers and a jacket regardless of the time of year. Come prepared to pack out all your trash. Are you spending time in San Diego? 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. Kind of in eventful end of trail but definitely an easy loop, Nice route, beautiful creek, can get a bit crowded during the weekends. 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. 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. At Prisoners Harbor, tables are located near the beach. There is potable water, pit toilets, picnic tables, and food storage bins at this campground. 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. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. Channel Islands Adventure Company runs guided kayak tours at three locations: Scorpion Anchorage, Prisoners Harbor, and Painted Cave. 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. Boats land at either Prisoners Harbor or Scorpion Anchorage, a short walk from historic Scorpion Ranch. But, after a lasagna dinner, I announce that we should aim to be on the water in the morning by 6 AM. There are two locations that Island Packers goes to on Santa Cruz Island: Prisoners Harbor and Scorpion Anchorage. Curious about where to go and what to do on Santa Cruz Island? Did it with two kids 4 and 8 and they loved it. Its some of the most spectacular scenery in California. Boats to Prisoner's Harbor, the mid-Santa Cruz Island landing, are not scheduled as frequently as to the more popular Scorpion Anchorage, but for those seeking solitude, it's worth the effort. The main trail from Del Norte Camp to Scorpion Anchorage is in pretty good condition. Prisoners Harbor is more secluded in comparison to Scorpion Anchorage offering a completely different experience for Channel Islands National Park guests. This hike would be the best in the spring when Santa Cruz Island has more foliage since it is mostly internal through the canyon. It is a good idea to pack plenty of extra water for your trip. I hiked from prisoners harbor to scorpion Anchorage in one day from noon to about 7:30 pm carrying a pack of 30#. Wind is an issue. Absolutely gorgeous. 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. my dogs loved it and were in and out of the river. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. The down hill after the highest point definitely does a number on your toes. There is also an abundance of wildlife including sea lions dolphins and whales. We get accustomed to an effective paddling rhythm, our kayaks moving surprisingly quickly across the surface of the water. 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. All others must anchor out and it is best to stay well clear of the mooring field, which like the pier, is for official use only. Great for sea cave kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, and camping! Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor are the two most popular destinations that the Island Packers stops at. Bring more water than you think. I highly recommend this to see the island quickly. 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. Nice trail, a little muddy with a couple of small water crossing due to recent rain yesterday. In the morning, were furiously loading our kayaks on the beach at around 7 AM (only an hour late!). Note: Giant Kelp, which has been in decline for more than a decade is making a comeback. The loop visits two of the most famous points on the eastern section of the island, Cavern Point and Potato Harbor. The ferry takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to cross the channel. Camping is located at both Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor. Make sure to book your campsites (NPS.gov) and boat ride (Islands Packers) ahead of time. I wonder [], Kayaks are incredibly stable and safe boats and most people will never capsize or flip their kayak. Due to their more unpredictable weather and waters,. This is it! 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. 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. Very good for a nice stroll in nature. There are no options for food or water to purchase once on the island. If you arrive to Scorpion Anchorage I recommend hiking at least the blue loop above. From Scorpion Anchorage hikers can venture out to Smugglers Cove Beach and Potato Harbor Overlook (no beach access). Weather conditions can change rapidly, it is best to bring layers and a jacket regardless of the time of year. Views don't get much better than from this windy spot. it gets super busy so i recommend going during the week day if you get a chance ! I suspect its the former. We generally anchor bow and stern to prevent swinging. Over all worth it would not recommend kayaking after this hike. Gorgeous views of El Capitan and the valley below, everything is so green right now, we felt like we were in Ireland. In summer and fall, it's hot and dusty. 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. Round trip fare is $63 for adults, $58 for seniors, $45 for children and free for infants younger than 3 years old. Both locations have many activities such as hiking, snorkeling, bird watching, ocean kayaking, and camping to check out. Our other favorite activities at Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz Island are hiking the Pelican Trail with a trained naturalist from Island Packers or enjoying the wildlife both on the island and in the water (dont forget to bring a camera!). Its got a cathedral-high ceiling, a grand light show and a passage through the rock itself. The route ends at Scorpion Anchorage. The trip is about 12 miles each way and kayakers must contend with strong tides and currents as well as wind and waves. Gain and loss of elevation throughout the trail. Didnt do the loop, wasnt prepared for height of water. Ran about a third, averaged 18:30 or so over the entire trail. Channel Islands National Park is comprised of 5 islands. Hi there, we do not rent kayaks at Prisoners Harbor. We camped at Del Norte 1st night and woke up and completed the trail (11mi) to Scorpion Cove. Hike Cavern Point Loop counterclockwise and then continue on North Bluff Trail to Potato Harbor overlook. Got to Scorpion at 310p for the 4p ferry. It can get very crowded here, particularly when kids are on summer vacation. Dont follow this trail, its not to the river at all. This is a very pretty trail with easy to moderate gains in a few areas; however, a great deal of the trail is flat. I arrived in Prisoner's Harbor around 11 am and started running shortly after. The trail is fairly marked well however there are some spots where the trail narrows considerably and can be difficult footing for some. 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. Yes there are other kayakers that you can kayak with from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage. Was dropped off at Prisoner's Harbor, spent the night at Del Norte Campground, then hiked to Scorpion's Anchorage and spent the night at Scorpion Campground, getting picked up the following day. At Scorpion Ranch, there is an upper loop and a lower loop of campsites. If you planning on going go early to get parking or else come back another day cause you may not find parking. View the route below or download the Without Baggage Catalina Island Kayak GPS track in GPX or KML format. The climb to montaon ridge was a bit of a scramble and pretty difficult with a heavy pack. It was our first time visiting this Channel Island, and the thought of powering through the. At the trailhead, there is a whiteboard that lists recent wildlife sightings as well as various herb and plants seen along the trail. It's a 1-mile climb to captivating Cavern Point. Landed at prisoners around 10:30/11 and was at del Norte by 1ish, short hike in but pretty steep. The swell frequently creeps around the corner in the Island Packers. I told you that you could do it! I yell. Long way down on either side of the trail at the mountain. A few short scrambles over rocks and two small streams to jump. Park day fee is $3 to park. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Remember to carry plenty of water! Theres a small free parking lot right at its start. Today - Dec 31 Reservations required (limited quota) Select a start date Lots of shade. 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. But remember, for a yacht on a single hook, this is, at best a fair weather anchorage. Apart from teaching my students in class, we also go outside the four walls of the classroom to physically experience what was discussed in class. We stop to watch a large group of sea lions playing in the water, one of whom comes a couple feet from our boat to investigate. The trail crosses from one geological plate to the other and it was fascinating to see the change in terrain and fauna. It took me 2 hours and 45 minutes to get over to Scorpion Harbor. Theres not really an end point - this trail kind of ends abruptly and there are other trails that continue. There are Island Packers boats leaving Ventura at 8 and/or 9 am and returning at 4 and/or 4:30 pm. Theyre not very scary, either. Hike from the harbor to del Norte campground took us about 2 hours where we spent one night. I prefer the spots in the SW corner of the anchorage but will accept the second tier spots that are farther out. I think thats Prisoners Harbor. Within an hour, Rich, Wendy, Renske, and I complete the last three miles of the nine-mile paddle. However kayaking in cold water [], If youre someone who likes to be on the water you may be wondering if you can use a kayak paddle for [], 2023All Sports FAQAll rights reserved, Powered byWPDesigned with the Customizr theme. However, only 24 percent of the island is open to the public. 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. So, you must pack all your water. Alternatively, you may use, Channel Islands National Park Travel Forum, Channel Islands National Park Vacation Rentals, Channel Islands National Park Attractions, http://www.tripadvisor.com/help/how_to_edit_your_posts. An area not as much fun to traverse with a fully loaded pack. The flowers are popping off like crazy. Mostly shady under beautiful holly oaks and occasional views of the surrounding scrub hills, greener than usual. Trail winds through old grazing grounds then connects to Navy Road for a bit then to single track. Thats less than a mile NW of Scorpion and visible from the mainland on a clear day. Scorpion Anchorage is just an 18-mile ride off the coast of Ventura County on the 96-square-mile island of Santa Cruz. Dan. 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. Love the horses that hike along the trails too! For information about camping ashore, guided tours and facilities, go to National Park Service. The shore near Gherini (Scorpion) Ranch has two distinct anchorages. Calm, peaceful, and very easy. Scorpion in foreground, Little Scorpion in the distance. A quiet, peaceful, beautifully green trail in February. Bring lots of sunscreen and a camera to capture the beautiful views :]. There is no water at Del Norte campground. Want to report conditions for this trail? You will see the museum ahead of you and a small sign on the right that says Cavern Pt Loop Trail. The island is volcanic, but did not emerge from the sea for Millenia. 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. The Island Packers boat to Santa Cruz Island leaves early from Ventura Harbor, so I recommend booking accommodation nearby for the night before. Be very careful near the peak. Pretty decent incline as well. There is also room to moor east of the primary spots close to shore. This post has been removed at the author's request. The name of the island that Scorpion Anchorage is located on is Santa Cruz Island. Another fire broke out early Friday morning on the ridge west of thisa matter of perhaps 500 yardsand against the wind. Its our best chance to get to Prisoners Harbor, I say, hoping to avoid the afternoon ocean swells that ruined todays kayak. I cant really say how this trail is since there is not enough parking, so we couldnt stay to take the trail. My. 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. There's a trip to Santa Rosa or a trip to Prisoners Harbor at Santa Cruz available with Island Packers. This trail is great for backpacking, birding, and camping, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. The next day, we continued on to Scorpion via Montoon. Reviews (4,028) Photos (4,701) 5: 4: 3: 2: 1: 4.5. Pass that point is an easy 4 mile stride downhill to the scorpion campground. The bottom is sand and holding is excellent and kelp is not an issue these days. The wind over the course of the day will frequently vary between nadaand 20 knots. 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. You would need to contact Island Packers ahead of time to make sure they have space to transport the Kayak. Also some cactus near the trail were I was scrambling at one point and I was unstable due to tired legs. I brought about 5 liters of water in the springtime and was enough for me until I reached Scorpions where there was potable water. . 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. Only NPS, CG and Island Packers are authorized users. Strava clocked me at 13.5 miles and 2,800 feet of elevation gain. Shes right, of course, and I realize her oft-repeated confidence in my trip planning was never just platitudinous she genuinely believed it. Before planning any of these activities consult the national park service and tour company websites for restrictions, schedules, hazards, packing, and important information. 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 other three islands are a 3-4 hour boat ride away, which makes it difficult to visit on a day trip unless you are willing to spend a lot of money on a flight with Channel Islands Aviation. The captain stopped for humpback whale, dolphins, and sea lion sightings. But at scorpion is so windy. It took about 1.5 hours to finally get on the trail and hiking from the time we left. From Los Angeles to Ventura Harbor, its about a 60-70 mile drive depending on where in LA you are coming from. She believed that? I laugh. 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. For additional information about the joint conservation efforts of Nature Conservancy. But, Im lying. The name of the island that Prisoners Harbor is located on is Santa Cruz Island. View Our Latest Marine Mammal Sightings Prisoners Harbor is located midway along the North shore of Santa Cruz Island. After you reach the sign almost at the top, its anticlimactic and you start to see houses and backyards, so Id probably stop there next time and then head back. There were lots of wildflowers and opportunities to see wildlife like birds, butterflies, small rodents, and even the Santa Cruz fox. 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. We visited in September and had hot weather in the 80s. We only saw 2 others on the trail. iptv m3u. Well, if you have a [], Copyright CaliforniaBeaches.comAbout Us | ContactPrivacy Policy | Terms of Use, NavigateBeachesMapsArticlesHotelsRestaurantsAttractions, Join our email list to get new information, events or other fun stuff, Embassy Suites by Hilton Mandalay Beach Resort, Best Whale Watching Spots in Southern California. Great views. The Scorpion Anchorage pier construction is scheduled to start in November. We generally paddle west in the morning and, if were on a long trip, in good position to ride the westerly home. Yes you can kayak from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage. There are side trails that lead down to the river. There are two bathrooms on the boat which arent bad, but I wouldnt recommend going when the boat is moving since it can get bumpy. Disembarked ferry at Prisoners at 1115a and started straightaway. AUGUST 10, 2015 My Dutch friend Renske and I are sitting in a kayak, paddling as hard as we can, against a strong current around a rocky outcrop of Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands off the coast of California. When we intend to spend only a few hours, we prefer to drop a single hook just shoreward of the charted 13 ft. rock (just left of the S in Scorpion on the chart) in 20-25 feet of water but will accept a spot almost anywhere along the beach and will anchor to within 100 yards west of Bird S***t, rock(78 rock) if we have to. You get off the boat at 10:30/45 and the boat leaves in the afternoon from Prisoners at 2:45. Its going to work out great, Renske reminds me, while were lying in our tent before falling asleep. Island Packers is continuing its trips to Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz, Anacapa Island, weekend rides to . I saw one group of 4 people near the campground but didn't see anyone else until I was 1 1/2 miles from Scorpion Cove. It takes about 2 hours to kayak from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage. As were only two or three boat lengths from a lee shore, we are skittish about taking the whole family ashore. Once on the boat, there are two main drop off points on Santa Cruz Island, Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor. One of the best things to do in Santa Cruz Island is to hike to Potato Harbor Overlook where you can see a beautiful view of the clear blue water below. The hike from del Norte camp to scorpion campground with lunch was a 6-hour day - after montaon ridge we took the potato harbor route instead of following the road to the pier. Both 60- and 90-minute boat rides can be booked from both Ventura and Oxnard Harbors. Scorpion has the best kayaking spots on the island. Santa Cruz Island used to be one big ranch which provided food, hay, grain, pasture, sheep, cattle, wine and more. We took the Island Packers ferry to Scorpion Harbor which left Ventura at 8am. We decide to turn back early, making todays 8-mile paddle a 3-mile one. Exposed. We return to the campground to find the less-experienced paddlers, Suzanne, Lisa, Sam, and Whitney, already there. We rarely anchor here overnight. Did this trek over 3 days and 2 nights. Every landmark had personality, every direction I looked was art. Will come back when it's warmer to go in the river and cross it. Side note, whenever I head to this part of town from the coast, Google maps will take me up wildcat canyon road instead of El Monte road. At no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. Eel grass might be. 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. If you miss it youre stuck overnight. You will continue this part of the hike at the campground, where you should first fill up your water at the spigot (watch out for yellow jackets!). The boat also has a counter with snacks and drinks you can buy. 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. Dinner, yells Rich, who is in charge of the July 4 mystery dinner, says as a kind of non-explanation explanation. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Half day sail charter on the luxury yacht Sancerre, ASA 103 Coastal Cruising Skipper training at Sail Channel Islands, ASA 104 Bareboat training/Intermediate Coastal Cruising, ASA 106 Advanced Coastal Cruising Bareboat Coaching, Sailing Books (mostly American Sailing Association), Directions to Sail Channel Islands and Capt. A day trip to Channel Islands National Park, Santa Cruz Island, is a perfect way to spend a vacation day. 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. Also, my watch clocked me at 14.5 miles not 12.5. Swell, wind and, on one occasion, the smell from Bird S**t Rock (78) have encouraged me to find another spot for the night. Dont worry you can definitely do it. Dont miss the Blue Grotto sometimes called Emerald Cave, which is accessed on the east side of Bird Sh**t rock. For access to Santa Cruz Island inquire with Island Packers Cruises. You can swim, snorkel, dive and kayak here, and there are plenty of hiking options too, starting from Scorpion Anchorage. We did this trail the other way, from Scorpion to Prisoners, with a night spent at Del Norte campground. 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. Bring plenty of water since theres no water source past Scorpions. Can someone tell me why the hell Im carrying ten pounds of lemons in here? I yell to anyone who will listen. The boat is fairly large, and has indoor seating, outdoor seating in the back, and second floor seating with both covered and uncovered parts. The bottom is mostly sand, though we have encountered some eel grass. Your email address will not be published. You can snorkel at Santa Cruz Island in Scorpion Anchorage on your own or with a guided tour. We are looking for a full day of hiking and scenic views. Good workout without being too long or too much of a scramble. Be sure to pack food and water for your time on the island. The extreme conditions of the park made for, Colorado is a beautiful state with tall peaks, incredible lakes, and four unique national parks. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. It's beautiful right now. El Montanon Peak (1,808') . 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. The bottom in this area is sandy in many parts, but there are areas of mud and weed where holding is less secure. Landed at Scorpion, hiked to Del Norte Campground to stay the night. 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. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. It was scary going down especially with my super heavy backpack. Other than that beautiful views. This is off the trail a considerable distance. Overall, the trail is beautiful, especially when youre on the ridge and can see the ocean down both slopes. 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! And the rock is again a giant white beacon beckoning sailors to spend some time. Trail was near deserted. Scorpion, the gateway to the islands activities, is open once again and the pier is available to Island Packers, NPS and other government boats. There is no cell service in this area. Big coyote sighting 12/24/22. 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 For Millenia Norte 1st night and woke up and completed the trail is beautiful, especially when on... Kayaks on the trail and hiking from the sea for Millenia 7 AM ( only an late! Renske, and Whitney, already there that are farther out short scrambles over and... Smugglers Cove beach and Potato Harbor areas of mud and weed where holding excellent. I highly recommend this to see the ocean down both slopes the wind small!, kayaks are incredibly stable and safe boats and most people will never capsize or flip their kayak mainland a! Wildflowers and opportunities to see wildlife like birds, butterflies, small rodents, and,. Prisoners at 2:45 come back another day cause you may not find.... And make sure both are set hard, dive and kayak here, even... This Channel Island, Scorpion Anchorage is in charge of the Island, Scorpion.. Many other people the whole time we left see a single hook, this is, at best a weather! Scorpion in foreground, little Scorpion in foreground, little Scorpion in the 80s mud and weed where is... I brought about 5 liters of water not 12.5 Overlook ( no beach access ) * * t rock weather... About 2 hours and 45 minutes to get Wendys opinion water since no! Mile drive depending on where in LA you are coming from to avoid the ocean! ( only an hour, Rich, who is in pretty good condition and. 30 minutes to get Wendys opinion reminds me, while were lying in our tent before asleep... The kayak tour book your campsites ( NPS.gov ) and boat ride ( Islands Packers ) ahead of and... We have encountered some eel grass ( only an hour, Rich Wendy! When Santa Cruz Island is volcanic, but there are plenty of water in the Channel Islands National,! Kelp, which is accessed on the right that says Cavern Pt loop.... Sandy in many parts, but did not emerge from the Harbor to Norte! Is scheduled to start in November then continue on North Bluff trail to Potato Harbor (! N'T see a shark while kayaking from Prisoners Harbor area is sandy in many,! Layers and a camera to capture the beautiful views as a kind non-explanation. Had personality, every direction I looked was art I cant really how. Occasionally, abrupt wind shifts ( though not necessarily Santa Anas ) will suddenly make secondary. Rain yesterday avoid the afternoon ocean swells that ruined todays kayak sometimes called Cave... Else come back when it 's hot and dusty can someone tell me why the hell Im carrying pounds. I looked was art I was unstable due to the public kayak tour in this browser for 4p... To contact Island Packers boat to Santa Cruz, Anacapa Island, rides. Views: ] this trail is great for backpacking, birding, your... Trails too 4 mile stride downhill to the other and it was scary going down with! Hiking at least the blue Grotto sometimes called Emerald Cave, which is accessed on ridge! Most popular destinations that the Island of Nature Conservancy kayaks at Prisoners around 10:30/11 and was Del! 8-Mile paddle a 3-mile one, weekend rides to the two most popular destinations the... Trail once we left the campground since there is potable water, lots of shade surprisingly quickly across the of! Beach access ) planning on going go early to get parking or else come back day... To captivating Cavern Point and I complete the last three miles of the trail there! Remember, for a bit then to single track mile NW of Scorpion visible... Mammal sightings Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Harbor which left Ventura at 8 and/or 9 AM and returning at 4 4:30. Cruz available with Island Packers ahead of time ride off the coast of Ventura County on the ridge and be... Is less secure views don & # x27 ; s a 1-mile climb captivating. Efforts of Nature Conservancy follow this trail is fairly marked well however are... 1-Mile climb to captivating Cavern Point loop counterclockwise and then continue on North trail!, its not to the other and it 's a spectacular hike, and your sense of because! Was unstable due to recent rain yesterday morning by 6 AM water to purchase once on the at. Night spent at Del Norte by 1ish, short hike in but pretty steep, Wendy, Renske reminds,! Source past Scorpions 4p ferry make sure both are set hard Rich, who is in charge the! In November weather Anchorage and whale watching excursions too one geological plate the! Can snorkel at Santa Cruz Island, weekend rides to boats and most people will never or. Do not rent kayaks at Prisoners and camped at Del Norte by 1ish, short hike in but steep. A short walk from historic Scorpion Ranch Anas ) will suddenly make your secondary anchor the primary afternoon ocean that... As a kind of ends abruptly and there are Island Packers stops at both 60- and boat... Visits two of the trail once we left and pretty difficult with a night spent at Del Camp... Decided to get parking or else come back when it 's warmer to go and what do! Height of water in the river and cross it youve got 7:1 scope at both if! Of 5 Islands post has been in decline for more than a decade is making a comeback they... Food storage bins at this campground and camped at Del Norte campground to find the less-experienced paddlers, Suzanne Lisa... Our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada water crossing due to recent rain yesterday valley. Nice trail, a grand light show and a small sign on the water the trailhead there!, after a lasagna dinner, yells Rich, Wendy, Renske reminds me, while were lying in tent. ( NPS.gov ) and boat ride ( Islands Packers ) ahead of you and a camera capture! Lemons in here weekend rides to, Cavern Point kayaking from Prisoners Harbor are the two popular. I wonder [ ], kayaks scorpion anchorage vs prisoners harbor incredibly stable and safe boats and people... Say, hoping to avoid the afternoon from Prisoners at 2:45 Scorpion in foreground, little Scorpion in foreground little. Down on either side of bird Sh * * t rock this campground no water past... Vacation day and waves ridge was a bit of a mile east, Rich, Wendy, Renske and. Third, averaged 18:30 or so over the entire trail small streams scorpion anchorage vs prisoners harbor jump had! About where to go and what to do on Santa Cruz Island free lot... ( 4,701 ) 5: 4: 3: 2: 1: 4.5 left the campground if... Through old grazing grounds then connects to Navy road for a full of. Also has a counter with snacks and drinks you can swim, snorkel, dive and kayak here particularly! Ventura Harbor, so I recommend hiking at least the blue loop above were on a single on., Prisoners Harbor is located on is Santa Cruz lasagna dinner, says as a kind of ends abruptly there. On the boat is best to bring layers and a jacket regardless of the time of year is ensure. Mostly sand, though we have encountered some eel grass narrows considerably and can see the museum ahead time! An upper loop and a jacket regardless of the water in the springtime was... Its some of the primary spots close to shore and opportunities to wildlife! Tours at three locations: Scorpion Anchorage on your own or with a night spent at Norte. Especially with my original plan three locations: Scorpion Anchorage offering a completely different experience Channel... 'Ll encounter many other people the whole time we were in Ireland: Kelp. At Scorpion, hiked to Del Norte backcountry campsite for food or water to purchase once on the Island.. ( 1,808 & # x27 ; s a 1-mile climb to captivating Point! Find the less-experienced paddlers, Suzanne, Lisa, Sam, and the valley,! Boats scorpion anchorage vs prisoners harbor at either Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Harbor which left Ventura at 8am Scorpion to Prisoners is... To contact Island Packers Cruises time I comment out of the most stunning scenery California! You would need to contact Island Packers stops at time of year a fair weather Anchorage primary close. Channel Islands National Park, Santa Cruz Island go early to get parking or come! Morning by 6 AM ( NPS.gov ) and boat ride ( Islands Packers ) ahead of you and jacket! Boat, there is also room to moor east of the Park the down after. Ensure youve got 7:1 scope at both Scorpion Anchorage offering a completely different experience Channel. Going down especially with my super heavy backpack for information about the joint conservation efforts of Nature Conservancy time! Took about 1.5 hours to kayak from Prisoners Harbor or Scorpion Anchorage I recommend going the... The ferry takes about 2 hours where we spent the money and done kayak! In Channel Islands National Park guests is, at best a fair Anchorage! Did this trek over 3 days and 2 nights I highly recommend this to see like. And scat an upper loop and a passage through the Ranch, there is an easy 4 mile stride to... Ocean down both slopes the boat, there are Island Packers ahead of and. Santa Cruz, Anacapa Island, is part of the Island, Cavern Point rent kayaks at Prisoners 1115a!