And Prisoner's is really only for backpackers. If youd like to spend most of your Channel Islands National Park time exploring the underwater half of the park, a tour withChannel Islands Adventure Companywill never disappoint! Travel time is one hour. At one point when we were lounging around in the tent we had a fox trot up and nearly come inside. You must reserve a campsite as well as book ferry tickets in advance for both locations. We believe good things come from people spending time outside. On days that the concessionaire boats run to Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor, guided hikes may be offered by national park volunteers or concessionaire naturalists. Find interactive maps, tours of park places, on-the-ground accessibility information, and more.Download before you go so you can use it offline at the islands! Transportation to Prisoners Harbor takes approximately 1.5-2.5 hours, depending on wildlife sightings and if the ferry stops at Scorpion first. Kids & dogs welcome! During a normal year of rainfall, wildflowers are best viewed in late winter and spring. Primitive camping is available at the Scorpion Canyon Campground (31 sites; $15 per night per site; reservations required). Rain likely, mainly after 4pm. He built corrals and houses for himself and his employees and expanded the road system. If it seems like there are more limitations at Prisoners Harbor, youd be correct. Remember that it is illegal to directly or indirectly feed animals in the park. I recommend ending in the campground so that you can refill water as you walk back to the beach. Additionally, you can do the hike over one or two days depending on your preference, although the boat schedule will affect which days you will be able to travel to and from the mainland. A visitor center is located in the historic Scorpion ranch house. Shade is available. There are no other visitor centers on the island. Usually this is a prime location to see island foxes and Santa Cruz Island scrub jays. There are countless little protectedcoves and offshore rocks to the west which harbor seals use to haul out and nap. Their phone number is (805) 658-5730. Shade is available in some of the picnic area. Hikes generally begin 30 minutes after the Island Packers boats arrive on the island. Scorpion Cove vs. The route was a mix of single track trail and the occasional dirt road. It is critical to note that there is no potable water here, and very little chance you will come across any water between the pier and campground. Scorpion Cove vs. Youll find the sites beneath an old eucalyptus grove (the only shady campsite in the park). Notably, the island scrub-jay, the Santa Cruz Island fox and eight plant species are found on Santa Cruz and nowhere else in the world (endemics). There are a lot of trees along the trail. At that point, its probably time to turn around since the trail work isnt quite complete yet. You can do day hikes at Prisoner's Harbor and have made numerous visits to both places. Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment? Hazards includesteep and erodedsections of trail over unstable or rocky terrain and potential for contact withpoision oak. Prepare yourself so you can have an amazing day out there! We recommend hiking shoes. After hiking over 2 miles of strenuous canyons, Ill unpack my mask and snorkel and hop in! You will be hiking over unstable and eroded terrain at times, but the elevation gain is less than the Navy Road and there is more shade. 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. My family would like to backpack on Santa Cruz Island as part of our road trip up the coast. Prisoners Harbor offers hiking trail options from short, level-ground walks, to truly strenuous hikes. This road trip has stemmed from those years of . Remember, it might seem embarrassing to feel seasick at the time, but its 10x more embarrassing to puke on the floor. No matter which adventure you choose, youre sure to have an unforgettable time in an exceptionally special place. Browse forums; All. 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. Scorpion is about 15 miles from Prisoners via a trail that winds in and out of canyons and up and over mountains and bluffs. Many trips to Prisoner's Harbor on Santa Cruz Island offer an excursion to Painted Cave! This view shows the submarine's line handling crew aft of her. 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. You must bring water with you for your requirements. 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. Watersports Kayaking here is truly amazing, but also quite dangerous. Unfortunately, the only way to visit Santa Cruz Island is by crossing the wild and unpredictable Santa Barbara Channel by boat. Feather Boa Kelp Overlooking the pier at Prisoners Harbor. In terms of safety, there are no lifeguards here and your safety is in your own hands. The old bones are creaking as we speak. It is single track style, takes about 3 hours to complete round trip, and has more shade than any other trail on Santa Cruz Island. The five islands comprising this national park are Santa Cruz, San Miguel, Anacapa, Santa Barbara, and Santa Rosa. There was the remains of a metal pole sticking up like. The Pelican Bay Trail is a beautiful hike through the canyons and along the bluffs of The Nature Conservancy property on Santa Cruz Island. 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. If any of those activities sound exciting, awesome! 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. I have seen plenty near the ranch house andvisitor center at Scorpion as well as in the wetland at Prisoners. Here youll find a quaint bench in the shade where you can enjoy the sounds of wetland birds and frogs and maybe even spot an island scrub jay. Zoom in to see updated info. I get sea sick fairly easily. This trail is a fairly well maintained dirt road and featuresmultiple little overlooks. Backcountry camping is available year round at the Del Norte campsite near Prisoners Harbor. There are two main ferry stops on Santa Cruz Island: Scorpion Cove and Prisoners Harbor. I am not as a seasoned hiker as I should be! The boundary is the property line (marked by a fence line) between Prisoners Harbor and Valley Anchorage. Intensity and duration of the bloom differs a bit each year due to varied rainfall and temperature.Many Channel crossings this time of year include Gray Whale sightings. This rocky trail travels along coast bluffs, through groves of pine and oak trees and through multiple deep canyons, offering scenic views and an occasional endemic island fox. The Prisoners Harbor to Pelican Bay trail has some of the best wildflower displays on the island. The trail soon descends into Scorpion Canyon, where the upper and lower campground loops of Scorpion Ranch are located. Pelican Bayitself is often almost as clear as a swimming pool with fish and urchins covering the steep rocky ledges. 2. These varied land forms support a wide variety of plant and animal species. Possession of a valid California state fishing license with an ocean enhancement stamp is required and all California Department of Fish and Game regulations apply. Scorpion Cove vs. Boat Transportation You can do day hikes at either location. There is water available at Scorpion Anchorage. The cove will also be closed to boats during. Santa Cruz Island is an international treasure. It requires a signed waiver for access due to its location on private property (ask for one in the Island Packers office). There are not any trees along the trails. There is more information on the Pelican Bay Trail under the strenuous hiking section. Visitors to Prisoners Harbor can join the guided hike, hike on their own, swim in the ocean, enjoy the pier, snorkel through shoreline kelp forests, or just relax on the cobblestone beach. Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. 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. Oxnard, Ca 93035 Scorpion SCI to E. Anacapa 11:00 AM. A view of lush vegetation, Prisoners Harbor, and pier from the Pelican trail. Please note that you may only explore the Pelican trail . Visitors to the island must take all their trash with them when they depart the island. Remember that it is uphill out of the cove on the way back, and it is pretty tiring, so leave yourself enough time. Thanks to our lackadaisical pace we didn't pull into the campsite until right around dark. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. Once on the water, there is no shortage of sea caves and kelp forest to explore in both directions. Scorpion Rock to the east is really cool, as are the giant caverns of Cavern Point to the west. Frequently, our boats land at Scorpion Anchorage to offload passengers and gear before continuing to Prisoners Harbor. Ive even napped next to the endemic island fox, gotten mugged by whales, and swam with spotted harbor seals. Of the eight Channel Islands, five are in Channel Islands National Park. Island Packers offers trips year round. 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. Tidepooling at Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor is limited. During summer months, there is a chance to see Blue or Humpback Whales in the deep water, during travels to and from Santa Cruz Island. Re: Scorpion cove vs Prisoner? In addition, the campground requires a hike in and there are onlytwo day hike options both moderate to strenuous. Here are some tips for getting through it with your ego intact: Youre now ready to go explore Santa Cruz Island! If youd like to continue, you can go straight through the back of the upper campground up Scorpion Canyon until youre ready to turn around. 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 Prisoners. It also has a large visitor center and multiple potable water spigots in the campgrounds. It is important to note that both main hiking options are uphill, and both are out and back trails. An outdoor pit toilet is available for the campground, though you will need to bring your own toilet paper. How many hours should I give myself? 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. Re: Santa Cruz: Prisoner Harbor or Scorpion Anchorage 8 years ago Unfortunately, there really arent any super beginner hiking options at Prisoners Harbor. Scattered along the trail are remnants of the ranching operation that ended in the 1980s. The harbor area is the border of the National Park and The Nature Conservancy Properties. If you arent up for a strenuous hike, thats okay. If there doesnt seem to be a shuttle fare listed, call Island Packers directly for your best option. Alternatively, you may use, Channel Islands National Park Travel Forum, Channel Islands National Park Vacation Rentals, Channel Islands National Park Vacation Packages, Things to Do in Channel Islands National Park, Channel Islands National Park Travel Guide, http://www.tripadvisor.com/help/how_to_edit_your_posts. Visitor Center A visitor center is located in the historic Scorpion ranch house. You can hike up around the area on nice trails and have great views of the ocean. It extends from Scorpion Rock (to the east of Scorpion Cove) to Potato Harbor (to the west of Scorpion Cove). Santa Cruz Island is the perfect place for a one-day trip and short or long overnight camping trips. 3 beds. Best viewing is at Prisoners Harbor, but they are also spotted around the Scorpion area as well. You can hike as far as you like and turn around anytime because this trail continues all the way to Scorpion, 15 miles away. Landing is via a pier at both locations. Also, the only visitor center is in a tiny shack called Harveys Hut up on a bluff. If you dont own one, dont worry. Availability The Adventure Tour meets on Santa Cruz Island daily at 10:30am and select days at 9:30am Tour Time (~4 hours) 7,341 views Mar 18, 2017 95 Dislike Share Save Description Travel Small Live Big 6.3K subscribers Santa Cruz. The kelp forests west of the pier are massive and wrap all the way around Cavern Point. (Or in Jen's casework!). The pier, which you'd think would be very prominent, is often hard to see, particularly in late afternoon sun. We didn't get moving until 10:30 figuring we had a relaxing day with only 12 or so miles to cover. Watch this Topic. 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. Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Channel Islands Adventure Company is excited to announce the new tours being offered at Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz Island. There are usually guided hikes offered on this trail. For more information or to book a tour, clickhere. Water In addition, there isnopotable water access, so you have to bring enough with you. Prisoners Harbor day trip visitors can participate in a moderately strenuous hike along the Pelican Bay Trail with an Island Packer naturalist. Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. Prisoners is further away and it is meant for only serious well equipped hikers. These trails and roads range from the maintained, relatively flat, signed trails of Scorpion Valley to the unmaintained, rugged, mountainous paths of the Montaon area. Interpretive Programs Cruising the California Channel Islands for Education, Recreation and Research Since 1968. There are no kayak rentals on island, so take care of this in advance. Scorpion is closer and less rugged, but still beautiful with long/short hikes available. At Prisoners Harbor, tables are located near the beach. Map updates are paused. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and metal food storage box. Distance from landing is a flat one-half mile. We dutifully arrived on time and queued up to load our gear. Let me . They are also quite intelligent and have learned that humans are not so intelligent, so they tend to hang out near picnic tables and campsites. At the end, youll reach a much quieter beach that is usually more protected from the wind. I highly recommend the Pelican Bay Trail in the springtime because of the rich diversity of flowering plant species many of which are endemic to the island. A narrow canyon leading inland from the beach contains a ranch house used by a party of shepherds. 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