Can I hike around Prisoner's Harbor if I do a day trip from Ventura? Visitors must bring all their own food and supplies. Common hazards include: The next step in planning after weighing Scorpion Cove vs. Unless you feel like hiking 15 miles with all of your water for the trip,Id recommend starting at Prisoners Harbor, spending the first night at Del Norte Campground, then hiking the roughly 12 miles across to Scorpion and refilling water at Scorpion Campground the second night. All the locals and those who work on the Channel Islands will tell you some of the best views on Santa Cruz Island can be seen from the Pelican trail, which starts at Prisoners Harbor. Shade is available. This means you will have less time on the island but more timelooking for whales a trade many are willing to make for a quieter day. There is no potable water available at Prisoners Harbor. All food should be kept in these boxes as island foxes have become habituated to human food and frequent campgrounds. For those looking to cover more ground, there are a few more strenuous options for you to explore. A guided trek by an Island Packer naturalist is offered on most day trips. Which one do you recommend? You might want to stay in all day, but the limiting factor will be your core body temperature, (water temperature fluctuates between 50 and 70 degrees) so be sure to pack a 5-7mm wetsuit. Here, you are most likely to catch halibut, calico bass, and barracuda, as well as collect mussels, urchins, and scallops. Kayaking here is considered open ocean conditions. There were signs at most junctions though they sometimes just indicated sometime generic like camp ground and an arrow. I hope you love it as much as I do! Pelican Bayitself is often almost as clear as a swimming pool with fish and urchins covering the steep rocky ledges. In addition, some plants like gumplant, buckwheat, poppies, and verbena continue to bloom during the summer. Hike the Pelican Trail. The Scorpion site has a large campground and the old ranch. Many trips to Prisoner's Harbor on Santa Cruz Island offer an excursion to Painted Cave! Travel time to Scorpion is a little over an hour and Prisoners Harbor, on direct route is about one and a half hours. Under The Oaks w/jacuzzi. Youll probably spot some leopard sharks and bat rays close to shore. Potable water is available in the campground area. Usually, this hike is less crowded than the others due to the increased difficulty. You must bring water with you for your requirements. The first junction is for the Eagle Ridge Trail and is 0.75 miles up the Navy Road on the right. Head east and youll encounter Scorpion Rock and the many large seacaves to explore and swim through along the way. And Prisoner's is really only for backpackers. Sea conditions during summer and early fall are often ideal for kayaking and snorkeling. The strenuous nature of the trail begins after marker 11, and continues to the end of the trail at Pelican Bay where you will findtwo locations for water access. Water Beach access is also available at Prisoners Harbor and by hiking over to Smugglers Cove, but the snorkeling is not as good at these locations. At over 96 square miles, Santa Cruz is the largest island in the Park. You can do day hikes at Prisoner's Harbor and have made numerous visits to both places. From millions of years of isolation, many distinctive plants and animal species have adapted to the islands unique environments. Please note that you may only explore the Pelican trail . Each site is equipped with a picnic table and metal food storage box. Ive even napped next to the endemic island fox, gotten mugged by whales, and swam with spotted harbor seals. The guides are fun and knowledgable about the island. Pack food and drink for your time on the island. Their phone number is (805) 658-5730. You can hike up around the area on nice trails and have great views of the ocean. For the most diversity in plant species, Id recommend hiking the Pelican Trail at Prisoners Harbor, especially between March and June when flowers are in full bloom. Camping There are a variety ofsea cave kayak toursoffered based on time and experience level. Tidepooling at Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor is limited. . 3 baths. However, many visitors arent willing to put in the little bit of extra planning required to enjoy this beautiful harbor, so youll feel much more secluded and engulfed in nature. The island fox is incredibly cute and bold, having been the top land predator for thousands of years. Unfortunately, there really arent any super beginner hiking options at Prisoners Harbor. They are usually more than willing to work with you to help you plan your camping trip. Travel time is one hour. The app is free and available online at App Store and on Google Play. A small cooler with a single handle or a backpack will help to protect your food from the small animals and birds that populate the islands year-round. 2.5 miles one way For the more adventurous, this uphill climb will leave you breathless with awe at the incredible panoramic view. Trips are either to Scorpion Anchorage or Prisoners Harbor. My SO and I are hoping to hike some of the Pelican trail and kayak after, all in a day trip. Within a quarter mile, youll rise above the trees and catch a glimpse of Prisoners Harbor from above. This rugged backpacker-friendly trail takes you to Del Norte Campground from Prisoners Harbor. Just please make sure to prepare yourself so you dont end up leaving a trail behind you inside. Of the eight Channel Islands, five are in Channel Islands National Park. Kayaking from Prisoners Harbor is also very scenic. This backcountry campground has four campsites. For this reason, I couldnt recommend them enough! Because the trail does not cross any year-round streams, you need to pack all the water you will need for the hike to Scorpion. A visitor center is located in the historic Scorpion ranch house. Scattered along the trail are remnants of the ranching operation that ended in the 1980s. If any of those activities sound exciting, awesome! Unfortunately, the only way to visit Santa Cruz Island is by crossing the wild and unpredictable Santa Barbara Channel by boat. You will be required to climb a ladderto set foot on the island. The harbor area is the border of the National Park and The Nature Conservancy Properties. Once on the island, the easiest option is a shortwalk to the wetland arealocated just past the restrooms to the left. The island is exceptionally rich in cultural history with evidence of over 13,000 years of Chumash Indian habitation and over 150 years of European exploration. Island Packers offers trips year round. I am not as a seasoned hiker as I should be! The National Park Service (NPS) has closed Prisoner Harbor until further notice.On going rain run off/creek flow and predictions of more rain has closed this area for visitors safety.NPS will re-assess this area on Monday, February 27, 2023 an we will update this message at that time. Prisoners Harbor so that they can get the most out of their day. To the east, there are long beaches and rocky outcroppings to explore. There are two campgrounds, one at Scorpion Anchorage and another near Prisoners Harbor. Scorpion Cove vs. Feather Boa Kelp Overlooking the pier at Prisoners Harbor. Fishing is allowed in this area with all required California Fish & Game licensing. The easiest place to fish from land on Santa Cruz Island is at Prisoners Harbor. Scorpion Canyon and the Potato Harbor trail are excellent places to see wildflowers. To the extent that they make marmots look like ferocious beasts. 805-642-1393, Santa Cruz Island Hiking and Interpretive Guides, All Rights Reserved | Travel Master Proby, East End Landing Cove Anacapa Island Day Trip, Del Norte Campground | Prisoners Harbor SCI, Camping on Santa Cruz Island-Del Norte -Prisoners Harbor, Driving Directions | Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard, Anacapa Island Hiking Guide & Interpretive Trail Guide, Santa Cruz Island Hiking Guide & Interpretive Guide, Santa Rosa Hiking Guide & Interpretive Guides, San Miguel Island Hiking & Interpretive Trail Guides, Santa Barbara Island Hiking and Interpretive Trail Guides, History -Stories -Facts of California Islands, East End Landing Cove AI | K-12 Education, Wildlife & Whale Watching | K-12 Education, Anacapa Island (AI) Channel Islands National Park, Santa Cruz Island (SCI) Channel Islands National Park, Santa Rosa Island (SRI) Channel Islands National Park, San Miguel Island (SMI) Channel Islands National Park. While the island previously had an active ranch, under the current ownership of the National Park Service and the Nature Conservancy it is being returned to its prior, natural state. A variety of seabirds can be seen throughout the year (especially around Scorpion Rock), but most birders go to the island to see the endemic island scrub-jay-only found on Santa Cruz Island and no other place in the world. Hiking For available shuttle tickets, clickhere. Prisoners is further away and it is meant for only serious well equipped hikers. thank you to all. Subscribe to be the first to read upcoming posts like: 3 Days in Santa Barbara: A True Adventure Itinerary. Transportation to Prisoners Harbor takes approximately 1.5-2.5 hours, depending on wildlife sightings and if the ferry stops at Scorpion first. There is water available at Scorpion Anchorage. Backcountry camping is available year round at the Del Norte campsite near Prisoners Harbor. There should be guides from the Naturalists Corps to lead hikes on the Island Packers trips. Anyone have any thoughts on this or other If you want to take the spur and go to the oil well and Scorpions Canyon, read about that here, and you can read more about Santa Cruz Island here. Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz Island, Where to Go Hiking in Santa Barbara after Rain: Top 4 Trails, Weather is unpredictable and can often cause, There will most likely be park rangers at Scorpion, but. This ladder is sometimes upwards of 6 feet tall at a low tide. We dutifully arrived on time and queued up to load our gear. One of the best places for kayaking is around Scorpion Cove on East Santa Cruz Island. 1691 Spinnaker Drive #105B Cruising the California Channel Islands for Education, Recreation and Research Since 1968. Visitors to the island must take all their trash with them when they depart the island. Fishing There is a lot of exploration possible here! 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