Id recommend referring to both websites before booking anything to be sure that the ferry and campsite availability lines up for the days you plan to visit. This bird is much larger and brighter blue than its mainland relative. 1 year ago Save Hello, we are trying to decide between the Scorpion cove and the Prisoner cove. The fox encounters at Prisoners Harbor are more organic (and often more rewarding when you come across a fox hunting on trail), but more rare, though many days I will see a fox searching the picnic tables there as well. Their phone number is (805) 658-5730. You can view the endemic Santa Cruz Island Scrub Jay year-round: an easy stroll up the dirt road to the old stream bed at Prisoners Harbor or a rugged hike up Scorpion Canyon should provide a viewing opportunity year-round. There are usually guided hike options, but are never guided kayak options. After exploring Smugglers Cove, you will want to go back the way you came. You can do day hikes at Prisoner's Harbor and have made numerous visits to both places. Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. Once youve made a decision, you can clickhereto book your tickets! There are also snorkeling and hiking option, plus a great visitor center. Once on the water, there is no shortage of sea caves and kelp forest to explore in both directions. Island foxes are often seen around the ranch and campground at Scorpion Anchorage. 3 baths. Visitor Center It requires a signed waiver for access due to its location on private property (ask for one in the Island Packers office). Shade is available in some of the picnic area. There are no other visitor centers on the island. More than 600 plant species have been documented in ten different plant communities from marsh and grasslands to chaparral and pine forests. Prevailing wind comes from the northwest, so Id recommend paddling west first to avoid getting stuck downwind as the wind picks up in the afternoon. The views along the spine were quite nice. Fishing The app is free and available online at App Store and on Google Play. Coastal kayaking is another popular exploration for kayaking enthusiasts. We could see Anacapa rising prominently off to the west as we dropped. . If youre running short on time, there is an option to cut the hike short and descend down Potato Road to the upper campground as a more straight shot to the beach. I can be found attempting to surf, downhill mountain bike, ski and snowboard, play guitar, paint occasionally, and eat good food, but Im most passionate about rock climbing and getting to know (and love) new places! The channel crossing for a Prisoners Harbor day trip is approximately 1 .5 to 2 hours depending on vessel route and possible stops at Scorpion Anchorage. There is no potable water available at Prisoners Harbor. Visitors must bring all their own food and supplies. 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. Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz Island's north coast is also a great launching point. Visitors to the island must take all their trash with them when they depart the island. Montaon Ridge Loopis quite strenuous and long, but meanders along the highest ridge line on the east end of Santa Cruz Island. I recommend ending in the campground so that you can refill water as you walk back to the beach. In addition, some plants like gumplant, buckwheat, poppies, and verbena continue to bloom during the summer. Hiking Section Hiking The Desert Trail: Mexican Border to A Return To Cold Water Diving At Crescent Bay. Its only about two miles of hiking if you complete the whole loop and offers dramatic views of Scorpion Cove andAnacapa Islandright above the visitor center. Along this road lie island manzanita, lichen-covered oaks, and the endemic Santa Cruz Island pine. It has no trail marker, but can be found on the Channel Islands National Park app. The Scorpion site has a large campground and the old ranch. Despite the unfortunate reality that I need to work to afford to live, and I cannot focus all my energy on hobbies, I do what I can when I can, and still find a way to have memorable adventures in new places on a budget. The largest of the Channel Islands, Santa Cruz Island has a diverse terrain with mountains, cliffs, and canyons, as well as many endemic plant and animal species. For those willing to clock in some miles, my personal favorite place to snorkel is actually at the end of thePelican Bay Trail. Distance from landing is a flat one-half mile. We roll out 350 feet of rode before dropping the shoreside anchor then adjust our position to get about 200 ft. of rode on the seaside and 150 ft. on the land side. Santa Cruz Island Camping There are two campgrounds on Santa Cruz Island; Scorpion Ranch campground and Del Norte campground. In terms of safety, there are no lifeguards here and your safety is in your own hands. Shade is available. Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment? The hike from Prisoners to Scorpion is about 16 miles. which landing is preferable on Santa Cruz Island, Scorpion or Prisoners Beach? Persons that participate in this guided hike must complete and sign a TNC Releaseform which Island Packers provides. Here we left the trail and ran out to El Montanon Peak and High Mount both of which were just quick diversions but my peakbagger ascent list has been looking rather sad lately and I wanted to get in a few. Ventura, Ca 93001 An outdoor pit toilet is available for the campground, though you will need to bring your own toilet paper. There are no kayak rentals on island, so take care of this in advance. Prisoners Harbor is located midway along the North shore of Santa Cruz Island. Generally, the north shore is best during the northwest swells of winter/spring and the south shore is best during the south swells of summer/fall. Prisoners SCI to Scorpion SCI 3:15 PM. The best time to visit depends on your objectives for your trip. Scorpion Cove vs. On a clear day, you can see San Nicholas Island, Santa Barbara Island, and Santa Catalina Island out to the south. The Scorpion site has a large campground and the old ranch. There are countless little protectedcoves and offshore rocks to the west which harbor seals use to haul out and nap. You must bring all of your water for your stay, although you may stow extra water in the fox boxes by the pier for the next days activities to save weight. In addition, some plants like gumplant, buckwheat, poppies, and verbena continue to bloom during the summer. Id considerSmugglers Cove Trailstrenuous for a day hike due to the pace youre required to keep to make it back for the boat. Has anyone else had a problem with sea sickness on this boat? As I said, most of these can be avoided with a little preparation and common sense, but somehow they are recurring issues out on Santa Cruz Island. Best viewing is at Prisoners Harbor, but they are also spotted around the Scorpion area as well. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Scorpion SCI to E. Anacapa 11:00 AM. Be sure to clean your fish outside the MPA. Its call is loud and easy to identify, which makes finding it relatively easy as well. After just over a mile of hiking, a trail to Del Norte campground breaks off from this road, which is only 3.5 miles from Prisoner's. A satellite GPS device isnt a bad idea either. As a moderate hiker, you can hike up the Navy Road to Del Norte Trail or Eagle Ridge Trail on the National Park Service property, or hike halfway out on the Pelican Bay Trail on The Nature Conservancy property with a signed waiver. Travel time to Scorpion is a little over an hour and Prisoners Harbor, on direct route is about one and a half hours. There is no Visitors Center at Prisoners. , Youll find the sites beneath an old eucalyptus grove (the only shady campsite in the park). All year long there is ample opportunity for hiking and water sports at both locations as well as a good chance of wildlife encounters. Cavern Point Loop at Scorpion is great for spotting island buckwheat, giant coreopsis, and island morning glory. The visitor center includes an orientation area that helps visitors plan a safe trip on the island and a variety of interactive exhibits that describe the island's tremendous biodiversity, rich cultural history, and current resource issues. A hat and sunscreen are recommended. Ill help you decide on Scorpion Cove vs. A second pair of shoes or water shoes are recommended for the cobblestone beach, for foot protection, if you are planning to get into the water. However, all surf spots are remote and are best accessed by private boat due to the island's rugged terrain and the hiking distance from the designated landing areas. Usually the offload at Scorpion takes about 30 minutes, then the ride to Prisoners takes about 20 minutes. The snorkel is usually short-lived as the water temperature hovers between 55 and 65 degrees and I rarely bring a wetsuit, but it sure is refreshing after a long hike! Availability The Adventure Tour meets on Santa Cruz Island daily at 10:30am and select days at 9:30am Tour Time (~4 hours) Cruising the California Channel Islands for Education, Recreation and Research Since 1968. You can hike up around the area on nice trails and have great views of the ocean. Once your boat is on the island, your potential for exploration is limitless. Shuttle tickets also provide an option to squeeze in a day trip for those who find one of the campgrounds sold out for the night. The topography of the two locations is actually quite different which lends each to some different species. Address 1691 Spinaker Dr Ventura, CA 93001 Phone (805) 658-5730 Park Name Channel Islands National Park Owner National Park Other Names Scorpion Ranch Activities 15. . In contrast to Scorpion Cove, your only option for kayaking at Prisoners Harbor is to rent a boat in Ventura or bring your own across on the ferry. Our Jeanneau has 400 ft. of chain forward and 350 ft. chain-rope astern. There is a lot of exploration possible here! If you have limited mobility, Id honestly reconsider traveling here at all due to the ladder you will be required to climb to set foot on the island. 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. He then decided to leave Gotham for a while after having a parent's association, and later the police, on his case (which resulted in Gordon becoming alcoholic and cheating on his wife) and had to shift his focus on the countryside, spending most of his time in scouts camps, wearing a scout chief uniform over his Batsuit, to cover his identity as the Batman. Report inappropriate content 1. All Rights Reserved. At Scorpion Anchorage, picnic tables are available at the beach and near the ranch area. For snorkeling and diving, the easiest kelp beds to access are the ones near the pier and those to the eastern end of of the bay. Hotels with Complimentary Breakfast in Ventura. Island Packers Travels to Scorpion Anchorage Year Round.Summer April through October: Seven days a weekWinter December through March: Tuesday, Friday, Saturday & SundayClosed Thanksgiving & 12/25. You must bring water with you for your requirements. Santa Cruz Island Day Trip & Camper Transport Fares. The boundary is the property line (marked by a fence line) between Prisoners Harbor and Valley Anchorage. There are also restroom facilities at both locations but no trash facilities, so prepare to pack out all trash. You can spend the night at Del Norte, then hike to Scorpion Campground for another night. However, only 24 percent of the island is open to the public. The boat got us back to the mainland a little before 5 pm and by 7 we were back in Orange County ready to do laundry and get ready for the next adventure! A ranger station is also located at Scorpion Ranch. 3 beds. It's walk in only and there are only 4 sites. For available shuttle tickets, clickhere. W swell 4 to 5 ft at 13 seconds. Let me . Luckily, the boat ride is usually only two hours max depending on your destination, and visitors rarely feel sick on the ride home due to the favorable swell direction. They are usually more than willing to work with you to help you plan your camping trip. Sea conditions during summer and early fall are often ideal for kayaking and snorkeling. There are no other goods, services, or accommodations (lodging) available on the island. Primitive camping is available at the Scorpion Canyon Campground (31 sites; $15 per night per site; reservations required). (Crows on the other hand are so aggressive on the island they've been known to open zippers!). One of the best places for kayaking is around Scorpion Cove on East Santa Cruz Island. Channel Islands Adventure Company, the authorized kayak guide and outfitting concession in the Scorpion Anchorage area, operates guided sea kayak tours (there are NO kayak rentals on the island), limited convenience item sales (no food items), snorkel equipment rentals, and guided snorkel tours at Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island only. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. Tonight Low : 48F W wind 20 to 25 kt, with gusts as high as 30 kt. Its about more than standing on the mountain top. The trail begins on a fire road leaving Prisoner's Harbor and rises above sea level, overlooking the northern coast of the island. The harbor area is the border of the National Park and The Nature Conservancy Properties. Nice hiking trails and a small beach, too. I already made a reservation for Scorpion. While visitors may explore the national park property on Santa Cruz Island, no hiking is allowed beyond the national park boundary onto The Nature Conservancy property. We motor across Chinese Harbor to Prisoners, staying on or outside the 20 fathom curve if we can't see shore, which keeps us clear of all obstructions. The Pelican Trail at Prisoners is great for spotting bush lupine, island bush monkeyflower, island deerweed, and island ironwood (at marker 11). I have done almost every hike, kayaked through numerous sea caves, and snorkeled in countless coves and kelp forests. You can also rent snorkel gear on island from Channel Islands Adventure Company (the guided kayak tour concessionaire). We shared a table with two volunteers who were out there releasing harbor seal pups and who shared amusing videos of the reluctant pups being unceremoniously deposited into the ocean. At Prisoners Harbor, tables are located near the beach. Now, endemic animal species like the island fox and island scrub jay are popular residents on Santa Cruz Island as well as endemic plants species like island deerweed, Santa Cruz Island monkeyflower, and island ironwood. Re: Santa Cruz: Prisoner Harbor or Scorpion Anchorage 8 years ago Travel time is one hour. Kayaking east towards Scorpion Rock or west towards Cavern Point provides great wildlife viewing and sea caves. 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. Ventura to Scorpion Cove SCI 9:00 AM. Scorpion Canyon and the Potato Harbor trail are excellent places to see wildflowers. Del Norte Backcountry Campground is located 3.5 miles from Prisoners Harbor Pier via a strenuous and exposed hike. Scorpion SCI to Prisoners SCI 10:15 AM. The other half has very loose and eroded sections. The mixed sand and cobblestone Scorpion Beach is a world-class destination for swimming, diving, snorkeling, and kayaking because of easy beach access, clear ocean waters, nearby camping, year-round Island Packers boat transportation, extensive kelp forests, and a spectacular shoreline with sea caves to explore. Looking for more local adventures? Ive even napped next to the endemic island fox, gotten mugged by whales, and swam with spotted harbor seals. Prisoners is further away and it is meant for only serious well equipped hikers. Helping the average outdoors-person find remarkable adventures in new areas around the world. 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. A late Second Summer season is often enjoyed on the Channel Islands. 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