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Channel Islands National Park, CA

Jul 9 - Jul 16, 2017 -- $1350 ★★

Off the coast of California lies a other worldly group of islands called the Channel Islands National Park. Isolation over thousands of years has created unique animals and plants over 100 of which are found nowhere else on Earth. Few people visit the park because it can be difficult to get to and as such is one of the least visited National Parks in the system. Because of this, you can expect solitude if you seek it. There are no services such as food stores or gear rental shops on the islands so we will be totally self-reliant.


Our entire trek will be spent on the Island of Santa Cruz. We will visit Scorpion Beach, Potato Harbor, Smugglers Cove, Montanon Ridge, Eagle Canyon and Chinese Harbor among others. Expect many unobstructed views into the Pacific Ocean and on the island itself.


What a great way to kick off the Summer. If you want to day-hike the Channel Islands, this is the trip for you. Why not join us for an unforgettable week?



Weather

Weather is always an important concern when hiking. Expect daytime hiking temperatures in the high 60s / low 70s with nighttime temperatures around 50. However, be prepared for the possibility of day temperatures as high as 90 and as low as 30, with a chance of passing afternoon thunderstorms. Here is the historical weather for the National Park. Be prepared with lots of sun protection and water containers that add up to 8 liters of capacity.



Trip Leaders

Steve Silberberg
Deb Lusk


Cost

$1350 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a room with another participant during the 2 hotel nights. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Los Angeles (LAX), personal equipment, restaurant meals eaten off the trail and any gratuities.


Covered expenses include 2 hotel nights, round trip ground and water transportation from Los Angeles to Ventura to the National Park, 6 days of trail meals, National Park permits, insurance, campground fees and awesome guides.



Important Notes

This is our first hybrid backpacking / day-hiking trip. It is primarily day-hiking / base camping. However, we will carry full (heavy) packs a total of about 7 miles spread over 2 days


Please take time to peruse these important rules and information
about the Island Packers Ferry


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Packing List
Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
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Itinerary


Sunday, July 9, 2017

Fly into Los Angeles Airport (LAX). The best time to arrive is between around Noon-3PM. However, if you can save a substantial amount on your flight by arriving at say, 11AM or 5PM, then do so.

Take the free airport shuttle to Crowne Plaza Los Angeles - International Airport, 5985 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90045, 310-642-7500

Equipment shakedown

"Before" measurements taken

Trail mix distribution

Trip to REI, 1800 Rosecrans Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, (310) 727-0728, for forgotten or last minute equipment. Hours 10:00 am – 9:00 pm

Go out for dinner (Dinner not included in trip cost)



Monday, July 10, 2017

Second set of "before" measurements taken

All the items that you won't bring on the trail will be set aside and put in storage. Try to keep this to a small amount of stuff.

Ground shuttle 2.5 hours to Ventura

We will eat breakfast in the shuttle vehicle(s)

Board the Noon Island Ferry, to Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands National Park

Have a picnic lunch on board

Arrive at Scorpion Beach, sea level

Carry all your stuff about 0.2 miles to Scorpion Camground, group site TBD. Potable water available.

Set up base camp

Start Day Hiking at Scorpion Campground, Elevation 100'

Day-Hike 1.0 miles on the Cavern Point Loop Trail to the North Bluff Trail, elevation 250'

Day-Hike 1.5 miles back to Potato Harbor Overlook, elevation 350'.

Day-Hike 0.1 miles back to unnamed trail intersection, elevation 350'.

Day-Hike 2.2 round trip miles on the unnamed trail and back, elevation 500'

Day-Hike 1.4 miles back to the Cavern Point Loop Trail, elevation 250'.

Day-Hike 0.4 miles back to Scorpion Campground, elevation 100'.

Camp at Scorpion Campground, elevation 100'

Miles today: 6.6. Total miles: 6.6


Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Day-Hike 3.5 miles via Cypress Grove to Smugglers Ranch, elevation along the way 500'

Day-Hike 2.0 round trip miles to Smugglers Canyon, elevation 300'

Day-Hike 3.5 back to camp, elevation 100’

Miles today: 9.0. Total miles: 15.6


Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Day-Hike 1.4 miles up Scorpion Canyon to the Montanon Trail, elevation 1000'

Day-Hike 2.6 miles along the Montanon Ridge, elevation up to 1350'

Day-Hike 4.0 back to camp, elevation 100’

Miles today: 8.0. Total miles: 23.6


Thursday, July 13, 2017

Break Camp and head to the Scorpion Pier

Make sure to be carrying at least 2.5 gallons (10 liters) of water in your full pack. This is all the water we will have for the rest of the trip

Take the 10:30AM ferry to Prisoners Harbor

Backpack 1.4 miles to the Eagle Canyon Trail, elevation 500'

Drop packs and day-hike 2.6 round trip miles to Valley Peak, elevation 1345'

Backpack 2.1 miles to Del Norte Camp, elevation 550'

Base camp at Del Norte Camp, elevation 550'

Miles today: 6.1. Total miles: 29.7


Friday, July 14, 2017

Day-Hike 8.5 miles on the Del Norte Trail to Chinese Harbor, elevation along the way 1000'

Base camp at Del Norte Camp, elevation 550'

Miles today: 8.5. Total miles: 38.2


Saturday, July 15, 2017

Break camp early and backpack 3.5 miles to Prisoners Harbor, elevation Sea Level

Arrive at Prisoners Harbor by 10:00AM

Drop backpacks and meet a naturalist from Island Packers for an orientation.

With the naturalist, day-hike 4.0 round trip miles on Nature Conservancy land to Pelican Bay, elevation Sea Level

End of hiking

Miles today: 7.5. Total miles: 45.7

Take the 3:30PM ferry back to Ventura

Shuttle back to Los Angeles

Check back into Crowne Plaza Los Angeles - International Airport, 5985 W Century Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90045, 310-642-7500

After measurements taken

Dinner and awards Ceremony. Dinner not included in trip cost.

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Sunday, July 16, 2017

Take Free Airport Shuttle


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