The Channel Islands is a group of 5 islands off the coast of California. Santa Cruz is one of the islands and the one that I visited. The other islands are Anacapa, Santa Rosa, and Santa Barbara. Anacapa is open year round and so is Santa Cruz the remaining parks are open only a few months per year. Camping in Anacapa is year round and .Santa Cruz’s two parks are open year round as well.
Ventura, CA is the spot for the boat departure with Island Packers. I arrived early and the Island Packers team was able to give me a temporary parking pass so I could stay close by the dock. The spot is across the street from the ocean so score for me! Additionally, the weather is much cooler than that of Joshua Tree as it should be in the 50’s tonight. I did go to a little pub by the dock for a burger, beer and watch some of the hockey game. At the pub a young man mentioned that the islands used to be down near San Diego but that with the San Andreas etc. they moved up north to their current location. He also mentioned that the area has some prehistoric fossils that can be found on the beach. Remember to not pick them up as it is illegal but more importantly so others can enjoy the beauty. Take photos and memories. Some of the islands have a dock for the unloading of people but some you go up to shore in a small boat so be ready to get wet.
Smugglers Cove – the trail head starts at the bottom of the campground near the kayak rental office. It is a steep incline to begin your hike but after another one half mile it levels out a bit. Most of the trail has slight incline and/or decline until you get to the end and it is steep downhill. To call the trail a trail is kind as it is a dirt road that NPS vehicles drive. A pickup passed me twice and there was a “gator” type vehicle doing some pesticide application. The cove is very nice and it has a few picnic tables along the beach and even a pit toilet but NO potable water. During the hike you get some majestic views of the island and out into the ocean. A breeze is usually coming off the water making it comfortable. The trail is 7.5 miles in length. The trail has many directional and distance signs along the way. If you can get up the first part of the hike then you should enjoy the stroll through the island. The hill back up is like the first so if you make the first it is all good.
Scorpion campground – The campground spots are nice each with a picnic table and bear/fox box. The tiny foxes on the island will eat your food if you let them. Most of the campground spots are plenty of space for more then one tent so bring a friend or two. The space is great but the privacy is a bit lacking. The walk to the campground from the pier is less then one half mile and if you have to make multiple trips to get your gear to the site that is ok. Remember you do have a limit of how much weight you can bring with Island Packers with paying additional money. There are two loops within the campground and the first loop is less of a walk and has 22 sites. The second loop also has 3 sites and 5 group sites but the walk is a bit further maybe an extra 1/2 mile. A great thing is you can get to the trailheads easily from the campground.
Note: get your stuff out of the campground spot before 1100 as the next camper will be coming in and wish to set up there site. The park service has some fox boxes to put your stuff while you are spending your last day within the park and enjoying some outdoor activities. Don’t be a dick and leave your stuff until the boat arrives as someone wants to set their site up. When you disembark the boat a Ranger will give you a briefing about the park and the crows and foxes. Karen gave us our introduction and she did a fabulous job.
Potato Harbor Trail – the trail out to Potato Harbor can be started at many different locations but I choose the trailhead by the group campground. As with most hikes here you go up when you start your journey and it is steep like the rest of the hikes at the top. The path is wide and a vehicle could drive up. When you reach the top there is a sign showing to keep going straight out to the point. The rest of the way is a leisurely stroll until the end of the path. During your walk to/from Potato Harbor make sure you spend time viewing the ocean and mountains. The view is worth the hike of about 2 miles one way to Potato Harbor. Going back you can go straight back or like me take the Cavern Point Trail. You can start on Cavern Point Trail trail and go to Potato Harbor from either of the starting points. The hike is 5 miles rated Moderate and no beach access as you are about 70 feet above the ocean.
Cavern Point Trail – the trail has two starting points and can be a loop trail. One of the starting points is just behind the visitor center home near the dock. The second trailhead is at the top of the first loop in the campground near spot 22 and the vault toilets. The visitor center starting point has stairs part of the way up while the campground has just a big hill. This particular trail trail you will also have some steep walking once you get to the top of coming/going to Potato Harbor, but the views are worth the journey. The trail is rates Moderate and is 2 miles long. Take the trail and enjoy the beautiful views.
