2024 Santa Catalina Island
We decided that it would be fun to do something early 2024 … not the Sierras (snow still coming down), so we decided to do the Trans Catalina Trail – from the far West of Santa Catalina Island to the far East. The island is not that big and not that tall, but LOTS of ups and downs…
Map on CalTopo: https://caltopo.com/m/GR7E5
Here is the .gpx of the trek: https://files.jerrypierce.org/gpx/2024-TCT-Catalina.GPX
Our Ferry at San Pedro with a stop at Avalon and a Two Harbor Destination.
Ready to board!!
Well this adventure was one of logistics! We all needed to arrive at our condo in Long Beach on Tuesday March 5. That meant two cars driving down from the Bay Area and one flight from Salt Lake City to Long Beach. It also meant that we needed permits and reservations for 4 campgrounds/5 nights, 8 gallons of water (Parsons Landing), firewood (Little Harbor) and tickets for each of us to take the Catalina Express Ferry from San Pedro with a return to Long Beach.
Now the interesting thing is this is NOT a cheap way to go! The nightly rate is $30/person/night which is very high for camping. But each campground had picnic tables, pit toilets (with toilet paper) and trash cans. Most had running water. Every site was assigned and most nights all sites were occupied.
Add to this an adventure of being told that our first campground was closed due to earlier heavy rains and we were on an alternative plan until Tuesday… and we got the alls-clear that the site was OPEN on Wednesday! Did we luck out!
So off we went on the ferry. We knew the weather forecast was for rain on Wednesday afternoon/evening, but clear the rest of the week. We had been told fuel canisters were not allowed on the ferry, so we needed to buy fuel at our first stop, Two Harbors.
A quick stop at Avalon and then up to Two Harbors
A great trek over the water. Light winds so the 30mph ship was smooth. All good so far. We picked up fuel and some snacks at Two Harbor General Store and off to hike to Parsons Landing. The rain held off for about an hour, then it was non-stop. We got SOAKED. To the bone. Shoes and all. The rain seemed to come from the side – the wind was blowing!
Christina and Heidi on the ferry
Hiking up the first hill after Two Harbors. The rain just began to fall….
Arrival in Parsons Landing with other (wet) campers. We stayed at the pit toilets under the roof until the rain stopped. About an hour. There we met Tyler and James whom we saw other nights on the trail as well.
We had a few clear hours for set up and dinner. Nice sunset! We had site #3 and it turned out to be protected from wind (at least a little bit). Three of our tents were first time use so it was a good test of light wind. Then later it started to rain. And another good test for our tents!!
We were camping ON THE BEACH!! The surf was LOUD – some felt that we might have not anticipated a high tide and we were going to become one with the waves.
We also found that the ravens were well versed in backpacks – they can open zippers – Pat almost lost her ID and money!
Looking down at Parsons Landing from our day hike the second day.
Parsons Landing at Sunrise
Pat and Jerry went up to Starlight – the west end of the island. I think it used to be a campground, but no longer. We could have done some class 2 hiking to get to the beach, but we decided not to do it!
The far west end of Catalina Island
The south side of the island was a bit steeper and very impressive cliffs.
The day was so nice that Pat and Jerry had lunch at the top of Silver Peak (1804 ft high).
At the end of the second day, no sign of rain. Our first “real” backpacking dinner (pasta). Sunset is really early in March and we all went to bed WAY too early. But what do you do when it’s cold and so warm in bed?
We had to pre-buy water at Parsons Landing and we were give a code to unlock one of the lockers that contained our water, firewood and fire-starter.
One of the other campers took our picture before we departed on the third day.
The third day was bright and clear. We had our longest day – 14 miles – with a half way stop at Two Harbors on the way to Little Harbor. We knew we needed to push it, so no pizza lunch at TH. We did find that Diet Coke was a necessary drug.
The north side of the island looked like it would be fantastic for diving! The water was so clear.
We did see a school of dolphins going along the coast. Didn’t get good pictures, but we watched them for a good 5-10 minutes…
Looking back at the south side of Two Harbors.
One of the MANY hills after Two Harbors on the way to Little Harbor / Shark Harbor.
We really liked seeing the south coast
We really liked seeing the north coast – a long day!
Our home at Little Harbor / Shark Bay – Site A
Heidi
Jerry
Sisters
Sunset at Little Harbor
On the walk to Black Jack we cross the path of the Catalina Island Marathon. Jerry lost a latte bet…
And we come across the buffalo. We saw two small herds. They were brought to the island for a movie and now they are a tourist attraction.
Surprise!! We get to go uphill (again)
And we take a lunch break at the airport – including Buffalo Burgers! (And Diet Coke)
Even more water crossings (bet in the summertime they don’t see ANY water on the island!)
So much cactus on the island!
At least ONE woodpecker was in Blackjack camp!
There was some mining going on – soapstone?
Blackjack campground was blah. Not lots to see, but at night we were serenaded with frog songs. It got quiet, then one would start, then others would join in and soon it was really loud! Then it stopped. Waited a short bit, one would start … repeat! Delightful!
And on our way to our last campsite – Hermit Gulch
Sunset at Hermit Gulch Campground (about 2 miles from Avalon)
Avalon for a great dinner on the beach!
Some final thoughts. It was a good hike and especially delightful in March! But the “Catalina Island Conservancy” doesn’t seem to be a real “save the island” it’s more of an organization for a balance of business and some ecology. The bison are here for the tourists. For the amount of money they charge for camping, there is a surprising lack of signage on the trails. Things are broken. The toilet paper was thin tissues.
I’m really happy to have gone on the trek, but I wouldn’t do it again.
Jerry and Pat take a tour of the far east end of the island
We felt like the zoo animals for the safari busses – “And to your left you can see the wild backpacker. Very smelly, but they don’t attack unless you have Diet Coke.”
So many cactus! And beautiful flowers!