With mountainous terrain, gorgeous ocean vistas, and a charming island mystique, the Trans Catalina Path is a unique backpacking expertise – in contrast to anything in america. On this put up, we’re sharing all the small print you want as a way to plan your individual Trans Catalina Path backpacking journey.
The Trans Catalina Path (TCT) has been on our backpacking bucket listing for a very very long time. Rising up in southern California, Megan has been going to Catalina Island along with her household for the previous 20 years. I’ve joined them the previous few summers and gained a brand new appreciation of the scale and scale of the island. (Spoiler alert: it’s large) Whereas we’ve performed loads of day hikes across the west finish of the island, we might at all times fantasize about climbing the total island alongside the TCT.
In fact, we normally visited over Labor Day weekend, when the island is baking scorching, tinder-dry, and lined in 50 shades of brown. The path is relentlessly steep and uncovered practically the entire approach. It will be completely brutal to try throughout summer season. So we knew if we wished to hike it, we must do it in early spring. And this yr, a mixture of good timing, luck, and last-minute hustle had us in place to hike the path in March.
Whereas the Trans Catalina Path is extra “supported” than a typical wilderness thru-hike, being situated on an island means there are a whole lot of attention-grabbing logistics to plan out. We needed to do A LOT of analysis in preparation for this hike and we wished to share what we came upon with all of you.
So when you’re focused on climbing the TCT your self (one thing we extremely suggest), we’ve acquired all the data you want under to get began. However, when you simply wished to examine our expertise that’s advantageous too. We’ve acquired a full day-to-day path notes on the backside.
Trans-Catalina Path Video
Pre-Journey Planning: Itinerary, Campsite Reservations and Transportation
Itinerary Planning
The Trans-Catalina Path is roughly 40 miles, or 46 miles when you embody the loop to Starlight Seashore. You’ll be able to obtain a map of the path right here. Starlight Seashore is not a part of the “official” Trans-Catalina Path, although it was initially included and plenty of hikers add it on to their journey, as did we.
Your itinerary will probably be ruled by just a few issues: your climbing velocity & capacity, the ferry schedule, and campground availability. There are a selection of how to string the path collectively. Right here we have now outlined the distances between numerous sections of the path so you can begin piecing collectively your route and get a way of what sort of day by day mileage you’ll be taking a look at.
Avalon to Blackjack: 10.7 miles
Blackjack to Little Harbor: 9.5 miles
Little Harbor to Two Harbors: 5.2 miles
Two Harbors to Parsons Touchdown (select your individual journey)
Two Harbors to Starlight Seashore through Silver Peak Path: 8.2 miles & Starlight Seashore to Parson’s through Outdated West Finish Street: 4.3 miles (12.9 miles whole)
OR Two Harbors to Parsons Touchdown through Fenceline Rd: 7 miles & Parsons to Starlight Seashore through Outdated West Finish Street & again to Parson’s: 8.6 miles (15.6 miles whole)
OR Two Harbors to Parsons through Fenceline Rd: 7 miles (skip Starlight Seashore)
Parson’s to Two Harbors (highway): 7.5 miles (& comparatively flat)
Right here is an elevation map of the Trans-Catalina Path created based mostly on our precise hike. This could assist give a way of the kind of elevation adjustments you will note alongside the path.
Whereas the path might be hiked in 3 days/2 nights, planning a 4 day/3 night time and even 4 day/5 night time journey will enable loads of time to benefit from the path at a extra manageable tempo. Under are some pattern itineraries with day by day mileages for every. The path might be hiked east to west (as specified by the itineraries under) or might be hiked in reverse (what we did – see our notes on the finish of this part).
Trans-Catalina Path Itineraries
3 Days/2 Nights
Day 1: Avalon to Blackjack 10.7
Day 2: Blackjack to Two Harbors 14.7
Day 3: Two Harbors out to Parson’s & again to Two Harbors 14.5 (skipping Starlight Seashore)
4 Days/3 Nights
Day 1: Avalon to Blackjack 10.7
Day 2: Blackjack to Little Harbor or Two Harbors (9.5 or 14.7, respectively)
Day 3: Little Harbor or Two Harbors to Parsons (12.2 or 7, respectively)
Day 4: Again to Two Harbors (7.5mi on the highway)
*if you wish to do Starlight seaside, there are two methods so as to add this on:
If you happen to’re tenting in Little Harbor, you could possibly hike from Little Harbor to Parsons through the highway on Day 3, for a 12.7 mile day, then hike to Starlight Seashore and again to Two Harbors through Silver Peak Path on Day 4 for a 12.9 mile day)
If you happen to’re tenting in Two Harbors, hike to Parsons Touchdown on Day 3 through Silver Peak Path to hit Starlight seaside for a 12.9 mile day, then on Day 4 hike from Parsons Touchdown to Two Harbors on the highway for a 7.5 mile day)
5 Days/4 Nights
Day 1: Avalon to Blackjack 10.7
Day 2: Blackjack to Little Harbor 9.5
Day 3: Little Harbor to Two Harbors 5.2
Day 4: Two Harbors to Parsons Touchdown (through Silver Peak to incorporate Starlight Seashore) 12.9
Day 5: Parsons Touchdown to Two Harbors 7.5
We hiked the 5 Day/4 Evening itinerary above, however because of the ferry schedule and the campsite availability at Parsons Touchdown, we hiked it in reverse – arriving by ferry in Two Harbors, climbing out to Parsons Touchdown, after which climbing east to finish in Avalon. We discovered this to be an pleasant tempo for our first backpacking journey of the season. We by no means needed to rush within the morning, may take loads of breaks throughout the day, and completed early sufficient to chill out at camp earlier than it acquired darkish. You’ll be able to learn our day-by-day journey report under.
Whereas climbing the TCT from Avalon to Parsons Touchdown is the “traditional” path that most individuals hike in, we discovered just a few benefits to climbing the reverse route. Most notably, the primary day – Two Harbors out to Parsons Touchdown – has minimal elevation change, so you have got an opportunity to “warm-up” for the hike, versus beginning your hike with a 1,500 foot climb out of Avalon.
A possible draw back to climbing in reverse is that you just go from probably the most distant portion of the path to probably the most populated. We didn’t thoughts this however may see the place it is likely to be lower than splendid for some. Parsons Touchdown could be a fairly epic ultimate night time on the path, whereas after sleeping on the seaside for 3 nights, Blackjack felt prefer it was lacking one thing particular for the ultimate night time (it’s not a nasty campground although!).
Finest Time to Hike the Trans-Catalina Path
The Trans-Catalina Path is open and hikeable year-round. Nevertheless, we’d counsel you hike the TCT in late winter or spring for quite a few causes:
Many of the path is uncovered with no shade or tree protection. In the summertime months with daytime highs within the 80’s & 90’s, this could make for some fairly brutal climbing circumstances – we’ve hiked sections of the path in July & August, so we’re talking from expertise right here! Even within the spring, the uncovered nature of the path might be difficult (I acquired a sunburn whereas climbing in March, regardless of lathering up with sunscreen), however the cooler temperatures will present some aid.
Spring brings rolling inexperienced hills and wildflowers. Whereas that is depending on the rainfall in any given yr, you’re in for a deal with if the island is in bloom. We noticed every little thing from purple arroyo & silver bush lupine to crimson paintbrush, yellow bush sunflowers, and yellow, white, and orange poppies. Summer season months are dry, so the flowers disappear and the hills flip from inexperienced to gold.
It’s cheaper to do the path within the winter & spring (relying in your actual dates) because the campgrounds have decrease non-peak season charges from the top of October to the start of March.
The cities (and campgrounds) are quieter within the offseason. We’ve heard that the Two Harbors campground specifically could be a bit rowdy in the summertime, however we shared it with solely a handful of different backpackers in March.
In fact, spring season climbing isn’t with out its personal challenges. You’re extra prone to run into rain (as we did), the night temperatures are decrease, the ferry schedule is extra restricted, and the bar in Two Harbors is closed throughout the week so that you might need to overlook out on their world-famous Buffalo Milk 😉
Tenting Reservations and Mountain climbing Permits
Tenting reservations are required. There isn’t any dispersed or backcountry tenting allowed on the island outdoors of established campsites. You’ll be able to see a listing of all of the campgrounds on the Trans-Catalina Path under.
Tenting reservations might be made beginning on January 1st, 2025 for February-December 2025. Reservations for January 2025 might be made beginning December 1st, 2024. You’ll be able to reserve campgrounds through Firefly Reservations.
You’ll ebook websites individually. Choose your first night time, click on “Search Avalibility,” after which click on the campsite on the proper. From there, you possibly can see the out there website numbers, and click on “E book” to pick. Then, return to the reservation dates, change it to the subsequent night time, and repeat the method till you have got chosen all of your websites. Then, you’ll hit the “Proceed” button to take a look at. On the take a look at display, you possibly can choose any “add-ons” you need (hearth wooden, fule canisters, water, and many others).
Nevertheless, between Memorial Day and October 31, many websites require a two day minimal keep whenever you ebook on-line. In case your hike is on this window, you should utilize the reservation website to gauge campsite availability after which name the Two Harbors Customer Middle at 310.510.4205 to make your reservations–say you’re climbing the TCT, and they’re going to waive the minimal keep.
You’ll be able to examine into your campsites on the Conservancy Home in Avalon (8:30am-4:30pm), or on the Two Harbors Guests Middle (8am-5pm).
Trans-Catalina Path Campground Choices
Trans Catalina Path Mountain climbing Permits
Mountain climbing permits are required, however free. Apply right here & print at residence, or choose one up earlier than you begin at both the Conservancy Home in Avalon (8:30am-4:30pm), or on the Two Harbors Guests Middle (8am-5pm)
Transportation Logistics: Find out how to Get To Catalina Island & Again
Whereas the Catalina Categorical is actually the one approach for most individuals to get to and from the island, there are just a few choices for routing your ferry. Catalina Categorical runs ferries from San Pedro, Lengthy Seashore, and Dana Level. Nevertheless, San Pedro is the one port that runs between each Avalon and Two Harbors. Lengthy Seashore and Dana Level solely run to Avalon.
What does this imply? If you happen to don’t wish to arrange a shuttle between ports (on the island or on the mainland), you’ll wish to depart from San Pedro. The draw back is that their days and occasions are restricted. You could find the schedules right here.
Moreover, in case your hike is between October 22-March 31, you have to be conscious that there isn’t a service to or from Two Harbors on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
If you wish to journey out of Lengthy Seashore or Dana Level, you will have to rearrange transportation both between Avalon and Two Harbors or between mainland ports. There are two choices on the island:
Reserve the Inside Shuttle offered by Catalina Transportation Providers. On the time of writing (11/2024), the associated fee a method begins at $305 per shuttle (you possibly can match as much as 7 individuals).
Take the Cyclone Energy Boat tour, which runs from late spring by means of the autumn.
Your different possibility could be to take an Uber or Lyft between mainland ports.
The ferry will set you again about $92 per individual, spherical journey. Moreover, parking on the San Pedro terminal was $18 per day.
What to Eat on the Trans-Catalina Path
We packed an assortment of home made backpacking meals in addition to just a few pre-made meals. We’ve quite a few in-depth backpacking meals posts the place you may get some concepts:
Moreover, there are a variety of meals choices when you’re on the Island:
Avalon: There’s a well-stocked Vons the place you possibly can choose up meals or last-minute gadgets when you start your hike in Avalon. We ended our hike in Avalon, so we stopped off at The Sand Pit (it’s on the stroll again into city) for his or her day by day blissful hour: $1 Tacos & $2 beer. The proper strategy to finish a hike!
Airport within the Sky: 2 miles west of Blackjack Campground, the restaurant at Airport within the Sky was the discuss of the path. Everybody we handed (since we had been climbing in reverse, we encountered most of the hikers that we on the path heading West) instructed us to cease there for bison burgers. Not one to move up “bonus meals” on a backpacking journey, we timed our arrival for lunch and had been pleasantly shocked by the standard and freshness of the “airport meals” in a comparatively distant location! If you happen to’re there round lunchtime, we will suggest the bison burger and the bison brisket tacos. Or, when you camp at Blackjack and are climbing west, we hear their breakfast menu is nice as nicely.
Two Harbors: There’s a grill and a small common retailer at Two Harbors which might be open day by day (the shop carries gasoline and Mountain Home meals. It’s additionally very expensive). On the weekends within the low season, or day by day in the summertime, the Harbor Reef additionally serves meals and has a full bar.
Water on the TCT
There are a selection of spots alongside the path to replenish on potable water. We introduced our water filter out of behavior however didn’t want it. You’ll be able to see all of the water sources on this map, however to summarize, listed below are the factors on the path the place you could find water:
- Within the city of Avalon, mile 0
- Haypress Reservoir, mile ~5.5
- Blackjack Campground, mile 10.7
- Airport within the Sky, mile ~13
- Little Harbor, mile ~19
- Two Harbors, mile ~24.5 (on the campground, or on the town on the bar & grill)
The one notable part of path that doesn’t have potable water is between Parson’s Touchdown and Two Harbors. You’ll both want to hold sufficient water to final you thru the entire part or pay to have water cached at Parsons Touchdown Campground (in case you are staying there). The fee is $25 and consists of 2.5 gallons of water in addition to a bundle of wooden and a hearth starter. That is along with your campsite reservation. You’ll want to purchase the important thing to the locker on the Two Harbors Customer Middle whenever you examine in to select up your tenting allow.
TCT Security
Animals: The 2 animals you’ll wish to be careful for on the TCT are buffalo and rattlesnakes. You’ll be able to learn up on rattlesnake security right here. The Catalina Island Conservancy has an incredible buffalo security sheet that may be discovered right here.
Use climbing poles! I normally have a take ‘em or depart ‘em angle in direction of trekking poles, however I actually consider they’re a should for the TCT. There are many steep uphill and downhill sections and having poles to assist with stability prevented us from a number of falls and slips down the hillside (to not point out they’ll assist make the hills simpler to hike as they assist take the load off your knees).
Meals storage: Bear canister not required. All campsites EXCEPT Two Harbors have critter containers so you’ll nonetheless wish to have a plan to retailer your meals if tenting at Two Harbors. We introduced our bear canisters as a result of we at all times do, however a lighter weight different could be a critter bag.
Solar safety: The TCT is an uncovered path with little shade from the solar. You’ll wish to be sure you pack a hat, sun-protective clothes, and sunscreen.
Keep Hydrated: Once more, this can be a scorching, dry path many of the yr and it’s extremely straightforward to turn into dehydrated. Be sure you have a big sufficient water vessel capability to hold satisfactory water to get you thru to the subsequent water supply. Moreover, contemplate bringing electrolytes so as to add to your water. We actually want we had introduced Nuun tablets with us (we realized our lesson and now they’re at all times in our climbing packs!)
Path Notes—Day by Day Report
Day 1: San Pedro >> Two Harbors >> Parsons
The Vincent Thomas Bridge arced overhead like a freeway within the sky. Rows of cranes unloading large container ships. It was a wierd feeling beginning a backpacking journey within the Blade Runner-equse industrial sprawl of the Port of Los Angeles. Our climbing apparel and trekking poles appeared misplaced with the remainder of the longshoremen and port staff. However as we boarded the ferry out to Catalina Island, we discovered our individuals.
Early spring is a major time to hike the Trans Catalina Path and judging by individuals’s apparel, we’d say at the least half of our fellow ferry passengers deliberate to do some kind of climbing on the island.
The seas out to Catalina had been easy and the ferry trip uneventful. This was fairly lucky for us, as we had forgotten to pack our Dramamine. We’re each liable to seasickness, and a queasy abdomen is not any strategy to begin a day of climbing. Fortunately, we didn’t really feel the crossing in any respect. The ferry stopped at Avalon, the place practically all of the passengers disembarked, earlier than persevering with on to Two Harbors.
As a result of approach it labored out with the ferry schedule and campsite reservations, we had been going to be climbing the TCT in “reverse”. This meant beginning in Two Harbors, climbing west to the top of the island, then looping again and climbing east till we hit Avalon. It additionally meant as we speak was going to be a comparatively brief and simple day. All the higher for us, as we had been removed from being in peak climbing form.
In Two Harbors, we stopped on the customer heart – which is among the first buildings you encounter when you get off the boat. There we “checked in” to our camp reservations, acquired a fast orientation of the wildlife on the island, and some updates about path circumstances. We additionally came upon the place the cash from our campsite charges was going: laser-printed coloration maps and pictures of campgrounds. They had been simply handing this stuff out to hikers like sweet. Sure, they had been very good, however they should have price a small fortune to print. So when you’re climbing the TCT, don’t depart the island till you’ve gotten a few of your a refund within the type of the colour maps!
Straight throughout from the customer heart is a gear rental store with lockers. Since we deliberate to double again by means of Two Harbors, we rented a locker for $5 and stashed a few of our meals there. No level in carrying meals for Day 4 all the best way out to the west finish of the island and again.
After that, we set out on the coast highway to Parsons Touchdown. Most who hike the TCT within the traditional east to west path, stroll this highway again into Two Harbors on the finish. We’ve walked this stretch of highway earlier than in the summertime and weren’t notably wanting ahead to it on this journey, however we ended up actually having fun with it. There have been tons of wildflowers in bloom and the flat, straightforward terrain was an incredible warm-up for our legs.
We couldn’t recover from how vividly inexperienced every little thing was. We walked by coves we had seen in the summertime that look as dry because the Mojave desert however had been now lined in lush grass. Between the turquoise water and good inexperienced vegetarian, we may have simply mistaken the panorama for Hawaii.
Parson’s Touchdown is a primitive seaside campground with solely 8 out there websites. Because the cove is pretty uncovered, earlier campers have original wind shelter from rocks on the seaside. Our website had a fairly first rate wind shelter, however I figured something value doing is value overdoing. So I spent a substantial period of time reinforcing our place, however after just a few structural collapses, it’s protected to say stonework isn’t in my future.
That night time we cooked one in every of our personal recipes: Dehydrated Purple Lentil and Black Bean Chili. It was an ideal strategy to cap off day one on the path. Tomorrow would show to be far tougher.
Day 2: Parsons Touchdown >> Starlight Seashore >> Two Harbors
We woke as much as a superb crimson sky and the previous sea hymn got here to thoughts: Purple sky at night time, sailors delight. Purple skies within the morning, sailors take warning.
We truncated our morning breakfast routine so we may rapidly break down our tent. As quickly as we completed loading up our packs, the skies opened and began dumping, as if on cue. It was dangerous luck after all, however we timed our half completely. At this time was going to be our longest day from Parson to Starlight Seashore after which again to Two Harbors over the Silver Ridge Path. And we had been going to should hike most of it within the rain.
The descent all the way down to Starlight Seashore was steep. We in all probability couldn’t have made it with out trekking poles. The ultimate a part of the path had eroded away fully, which was advantageous because it was excessive tide and there wasn’t a lot seaside to talk of anyway. Regardless of the circumstances, we had reached probably the most western (accessible) a part of the island.
We made a fast Mountain Home brunch to rejoice: Breakfast Skillet and Biscuits and Gravy. With our stomachs full and our morale boosted, we set ourselves to the onerous work forward of us.
From Starlight Seashore, we needed to backtrack to select up the Silver Ridge Path. Standing on the backside of it, the path appeared impossibly steep. The relentless grade disappeared right into a fog financial institution, so we couldn’t even see the highest. Speak about intimidating! We’d quickly discover out Catalina Island doesn’t consider in switchbacks. (They spent all the cash on laser printer ink.) Simply straight, steep, unrelenting ascents.
It was a grueling hike as much as the highest, however at the least the rain stopped as soon as we acquired into the fog. We had seen minor areas of path erosion alongside the best way, however in direction of the highest of Silver Ridge, we got here throughout the results of an enormous hill slide.
A 100-foot part of the path had fully disappeared down the aspect of the mountain, leaving a gaping gap at the least 50 ft deep. We needed to scramble round it and make a large loop across the space (NB: This was from our 2019 hike and the path has been restored. It’s a very good reminder of why it’s necessary to double examine with the rangers/guests heart earlier than beginning your hike to study present path circumstances!).
As we continued alongside, the clouds began to interrupt aside round us. We noticed glimpses of the Pacific Ocean to our proper, the Los Angeles bay to our left, and infrequently, the solar. On the intersection of Silver Ridge Path and Fence Line Rd we discovered a small picnic desk the place we stopped for lunch. We prefer to maintain our path lunches easy, so we had some path combine, onerous salami, Babybel cheese, and a Dealer Joe’s Path Nugget Professional bar.
The descent down into Two Harbors was simply as steep because it was getting as much as the ridgeline. Once more, having trekking poles saved us right here. Whereas the solar had come out, our garments and kit had been nonetheless moist. Regardless of having quick-drying wool socks, we may inform all this slopping round within the rain was not going nicely for our ft. So we made fast time into city with the hope of drying every little thing out.
Whereas it may be fairly the taking place spot throughout the summer season, Two Harbors is absolutely quiet throughout the low season. The ferry doesn’t run on Tuesday and Thursday within the winter, so when you’re there on a type of days – like we had been – it’s simply you and the residents of the city.
The Two Harbors campground is a ¼ mile out of city and overlooks the cove. We arrange our tent to the sound of seals barking and staff organising moorings. We put every little thing out to dry, switched our socks, and walked again into city.
Two Harbors not too long ago put in a resort-style beachfront vacation spot referred to as The Harbor Sands. Suppose a roped off white sand seaside, non-public cabanas with bottle service, and DJ and reside music units. This place is mobbed within the summertime, nevertheless it was abandoned after we had been there.
So we went into the final retailer, purchased tallboys of our favourite macro-brews, and took them out to one of many empty cabanas, and kicked up our ft. Alternatives to deal with ourselves like this actually units the Trans Catalina Path aside from different wilderness hikes.
Day 3: Two Harbors >> Little Harbor
We had a lazy begin to the subsequent day. It was a brief hike to Little Harbor, so we took our time preparing. A “two cup of espresso morning” as we prefer to name it. By the point we acquired ourselves collectively, it was near 10am. However whereas the miles had been brief, the elevation was something however. So maybe an earlier begin ought to have been so as.
It was an actual slog out of Two Harbors, particularly within the noon solar. However as soon as we acquired again up onto the ridgeline we had been handled to a few of the greatest views of the whole journey. Stunning, sweeping vistas of the Pacific ocean. We may see lush valleys under dotted with patches of wildflowers. And under that, coves crammed with aqua blue water. We got here throughout one other picnic desk in a fully gorgeous location for lunch. The paper map we acquired from the customer heart really denotes it with an Instagram brand. #fellowkids
From there it was a considerably sketchy descent down – what felt like a repurposed deer path – into Little Harbor. We didn’t take a laser-colored printout of the Little Harbor campground, however we undoubtedly ought to have. It’s extra unfold out than you assume and there’s a little bit of elevation to barter when you go to the mistaken space. On the finish of the day, we weren’t focused on any “bonus” climbing.
We really snagged a campsite reservation at Shark Harbor, a extra secluded side-section of Little Harbor. For the third night time in a row, we acquired to camp proper on the seaside in an unbelievably picturesque location. This was the primary and solely campground we stayed at on the Pacific aspect of the island, so we acquired to look at the sundown proper over the ocean.
That night time we made our Dehydrated Mushroom Risotto for dinner. It was one other hit meal to cap one other extraordinary day.
Day 4: Little Harbor >> Blackjack
A gaggle of ladies had been camped subsequent to us at Shark Harbor who had been climbing the TCT within the different path. We acquired to chatting they usually instructed us that they had stayed at Blackjack the night time earlier (which is the place we had been heading) and that the terrain was fairly tough. In addition they instructed us that if we may make it work, we should always undoubtedly cease on the airport cafe for lunch. This on-trail reporting was one of many surprising perks of climbing the path in “reverse”. We acquired a whole lot of suggestions and knowledge from hikers coming from the place we had been heading.
With our ft nonetheless feeling tender and understanding we had tough terrain forward of us, we began out of Little Harbor pretty early within the morning. Just like the previous three mornings spent at sea stage, we had a troublesome climb to get again up onto the ridgeline. However we had been propelled by ideas of this legendary airport cafe.
As we began to method the airport, we seen some giant cow pies on the path. We had seen these everywhere in the island, however these regarded disturbingly recent.
Catalina Island is legendary for having bison – generally known as American buffalos. Bison are undoubtedly NOT native to Catalina Island. They had been launched in 1924 for a film shoot and – in step with the nonchalant angle in direction of the atmosphere on the time – the bison had been by no means eliminated.
With no pure predators and an abundance of grass, the bison inhabitants grew over time – at one level to a complete of 600 animals. At this time there are roughly 150 bison on the island, with their inhabitants being managed through contraception.
They continue to be a really giant tourism draw, which is why the island conservancy has no plans to take away them regardless of their in any other case aggressive method to managing non-native species on the island. They’re formally thought of “pardoned guests.”
Trying on the path forward of us, we noticed a really giant male bison strolling in direction of us. We made noise to let him know we had been there, however he appeared unfazed.
We waited to see if he would flip off-trail, however he didn’t. We had learn that bison prefer to proceed of their path of journey, and that’s it’s greatest to only transfer out of their approach and out of sight. However we had been on a ridgeline and there weren’t a whole lot of nice escape routes, so we needed to scramble off-trail and conceal behind a patch of cacti.
Because the bison handed, he lazily regarded over at us with a “you guys are idiots” look and stored strolling. We returned to the path and continued on. Higher protected than sorry, when coping with a 1,600 lb animal with horns.
We arrived on the airport proper at lunchtime. Nicknamed the Airport within the Sky, it was constructed in the course of the island at an elevation of 1,602 ft, presumably the one comparatively flat part of land on the island.
Whereas the airport itself was fairly sleepy (there aren’t any scheduled business flights), the adjoining restaurant, DC-3, was leaping with individuals. Shuttle vans had introduced vacationers up from Avalon. Trans Catalina Path hikers had been making a pitstop. Even the airport crew heard the lunch bell. The menu was spectacular and so was the standard of the meals. Buffalo brisket tacos, serious-looking salads, Buffalo scorching canines, recent salsa, and killer chocolate chip cookies. Many individuals have instructed us it’s the very best meals on the whole island.
After the airport, it wasn’t a lot additional till we reached Blackjack campground. Nestled in a grove of pine timber, this was our first non-beach campsite. At an elevation of 1,600 ft, it was a bit cooler as soon as the solar went down. It felt much more like a standard wilderness backpacking expertise.
That night time we settled into our tent for our ultimate night time on the path. We acquired to speaking about how straightforward it was to sleep understanding the island didn’t have any bears, mountain lions, coyotes, or some other animals that would freak us out within the night time. Actually in the course of this dialog, we heard a scratchy yowl from the bushes behind us. It seems like a cross between a catbird and a coyote. We couldn’t instantly place the sound, and so after all we had been freaked out. The yowls stopped, however a couple of minutes later I heard the faint pitter-patter of ft scampering across the outdoors of the tent.
I popped my head out of the tent with a headlamp and I caught a fleeting glimpse of our guests: a pair of Island Foxes had been investigating our campsite. The Island Fox is a sub-species of fox native to the channel islands and solely grows to concerning the dimension of a home cat. They use audible barks to sign to 1 one other. They hunt lizards, mice, crabs – however these foxes had been clearly seeking to see if we left them a straightforward snack at our campsite (due to the metallic critter containers on the campsite, we didn’t). Even after 4 days on the path, the island wildlife was nonetheless stunning us.
Day 5: Blackjack >> Avalon
The fog had rolled in throughout the night time and the skin of our tent was lined in condensation. So as an alternative of ready for it to air dry, I got here up with my very own novel drying technique by treating it as a cape and working round camp. With every little thing fully dry, we packed up and began off on our final day of climbing. We had a 5:00pm ferry trip out of Avalon again to the mainland, so we couldn’t afford to dawdle too lengthy.
We acquired our first peek of Avalon round lunchtime, which lead me to consider we had loads of time to make it down. However the best way the path works, you really should circle all the best way across the metropolis earlier than you drop down into it. So despite the fact that we may see it, we had a strategy to go earlier than we may get to it.
On our approach down, we encountered our first set of switchbacks! We had been climbing straight up and straight down hillsides for the whole journey, so it was good to finish on a piece of path that tried to reduce the grade. As we went we handed lots of people simply beginning the Trans Catalina and heading in the other way. A few of them regarded very ready, some remarkably much less so. Probably the most stunning was a pair seeking to make it to Little Harbor that night time. We hope they made it.
Lastly, we arrived in Avalon. Nearly everybody enters town through ferry. We had the distinctive expertise of getting into town from the mountains. This turnout to be very lucky for us as a result of we stopped on the first restaurant we noticed. The restaurant is named the Sand Lure, however the one signal we learn was Completely happy Hour: $1 Tacos and $2 beers. Since this place is so faraway from the remainder of city it’s an actual sleeper of a joint: nice meals, nice costs, not lots of people. We realized later that just about wherever else in Avalon, a beer prices $7.
So after we loaded up with tacos and beer, we made our approach down into the precise city. It’s practically unimaginable to carry a automobile out to the island, so everybody drives golf carts. This may simply appear cute at first, nevertheless it’s really a fairly good resolution. A golf cart holds the identical variety of individuals as a automobile (4), however takes up half the area. It was superb to see what number of golf carts they may match into the Vons parking zone.
As we boarded the ferry to depart, we had been each excited and unhappy to be getting off the island. We all know we acquired to expertise Catalina at a very distinctive time. Few individuals get to see it as lush and as inexperienced as we did. In just a few weeks, it’ll all return to brown and gold. So we tried to suck it multi functional final time and recognize how fortunate we had been to be there.
Out in the course of the bay, with the ferry dashing again to San Pedro, we acquired the prospect to look again on the island. It was loopy to see the entire island come into sight from a single vantage level. Now each time we’re in Los Angeles and we glance out at Catalina Island, we are going to see greater than just a bit bumpy silhouette on the market on the horizon. We’ll do not forget that week we spent climbing over practically each a type of “bumps” and what an unimaginable expertise that was.
