Trip/Event Location: Ventura, CAUS
Trip Leader(s):
Max # People: 12
Trip Guiding / Event Fee: Yes, but only to cover shared expenses, and I too am paying
Difficulty Level: Strenuous
The activity will begin at 8.15am when we'll meet up at Ventura harbor for our 9.00am boat trip (details below) across the Santa Barbara Channel to Scorpion Cove on Santa
To reach Scorpion Cove on Santa Cruz Island, we will take a boat from Ventura operated by Island Packers, the only regularly-scheduled transportation to this island. The boat leaves at 9.00am (boarding at 8.15am) from 1691 Spinnaker Drive, #105B, in the Ventura Harbor complex. Participants will need to reserve and pay for a seat on the boat ($56pp) in advance at www.islandpackers.com or by calling 805-642-1393. As of late October, the boat was already 1/2 full this day, so you may wish to reserve soon. Those coming from Santa Barbara, please contact hike organizer for carpool options. Other carpools may be organized from LA County or elsewhere in Ventura.
Leaving Ventura harbor at about 9am, we arrived on Santa Cruz Island about 10am. After a short briefing from a NPS volunteer, we headed West into Scorpion Canyon. Although fairly steep, the trail is easy to follow and soon affords a great view of the Eastern end of the island and the Santa Barbara Channel.
Once at the top of the canyon, we joined the main trail to Montanon Ridge and continued up and West towards the summit. Near the summit, we found a great spot for lunch on a flat area overlooking a canyon, the Pacific Ocean, the Western end of Santa Cruz island, and the Santa Barbara County coastline back on the mainland.
After lunch, we trekked back down Smugglers Cove trail to the East end of the island and the road down to the ranch house and the pier where we caught the 3.30 boat back to Ventura.
All agreed that it had been a great hike on a wonderful island that view Californians or visitors ever see.
- The Trip Has No Photos -
Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous
