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Happy Hikers: Oct. 4 Channel Island National Park/Santa Cruz Island

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Happy Hikers: Oct. 4 Channel Island National Park/Santa Cruz Island

When
October 04, 2024
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location
Santa Cruz Island

Santa Cruz Island is one of 8 islands off the coast of Southern California. At 96 square miles, Santa Cruz is the largest of the 4 islands that comprise Channel Islands National Park. The island's topography is exceptionally dramatic, with three mountain ranges (including Mount Diablo, the highest peak in the Channel Islands), deep canyons with springs and streams, and 77 miles of craggy cliffs, giant sea caves, pristine tide pools and expansive beaches. From millions of years of isolation, many distinctive plants and animal species have adapted to the island's unique environments, including numerous species found nowhere else in the world! The island is also rich in cultural history, and replete with evidence of 13,000 years of Chumash habitation and 150 years of European rule.

We will depart from Island Packers in Ventura and take the 8:00am boat to Scorpion Cove on Santa Cruz Island and return on the 4:00pm boat from Scorpion Cove ($66 round trip). You need to arrive Island Packers 45 minutes prior to departure. YOU WILL NEED TO RESERVE YOUR OWN FERRY TICKET AND SEAT AVAILIBILITY IS LIMITED SO RESERVE ASAP AT https://islandpackers.com/book/ventura/trips/santa-cruz-island/

We will be offering the option of doing one of 2 different hikes (both out and back), one is from Scorpions Anchorage to Potato Harbor which is a moderate 5 mile hike and the second is a 7.5 mile strenuous hike from Scorpions Anchorage to Smugglers cove beach.

For more information on the hikes you can check here.

Hike 1: Potato Harbor: (5 Mile) https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/potato-harbor?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-

Hike 2: Smugglers Cove: (7.7 mile)

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/california/smugglers-cove--2?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map

There is no food or water on the island so you will need to bring plenty of water, food/snacks, sun screen, hiking poles and back packs with you. There are a small amount of snacks and drinks available on the ferry. There may be a swimming opportunity so bring a swimsuit and water shoes. Folks interested in car pooling should arrange their own and a good meeting place would be the Chipotle in La Cumbre Plaza.

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