There are approximately 2,900 of them running wild across the windswept island. On clear days while descending the ridge, three other islands are visible in the southern chain: Santa Barbara, Santa Catalina, and San Nicolas.Īs the trail descends back toward Scorpion Anchorage and the shimmering Santa Barbara Channel, keep an eye out for more island foxes. The entire north side of Santa Cruz Island is also visible before reaching a narrow, nameless ridgeline that leads easterly toward epic vistas of the Anacapa Passage and Anacapa Island. While ascending, hikers rise above Potato Harbor, Coche Point, and Chinese Harbor as California sea lions bellow in the distance. From the pier at Scorpion Anchorage and for the first 2 miles, the trail hugs the edge of the cliffline out to Cavern Point and Potato Harbor, where you’ll eventually see the sign leading to Montañon Ridge. This hike offers some of the best views of the most biodiverse island off the California coast. Popular among fishermen and Hollywood elites in the early 1900s, this resort still clings to the ancient, weather-beaten volcanic crags of Pelican Bay. There are also remnants of a resort formerly belonging to Ira and Margaret Eaton, a married couple who helped shape the history of Pelican Harbor by providing boat transportation and housing for early Channel Islands tourists. Pelican Bay is a popular place for private boaters. Tinkers is a great lunch spot and an ideal place to jump into the water. This is also one of the best places to see the endemic island fox and island scrub jay, both species found nowhere else on earth.Īt the turnaround of this hike is Tinkers Cove and Pelican Bay. The seasonal drainages spill into hidden coves and the Pacific Ocean. After disembarking the Island Packers ferry, you’ll climb and descend into shaded side canyons choked with island flora such as island oak trees, manzanita, island hazardia, and island buckwheat. ![]() This out-and-back hike begins and ends at Prisoners Harbor. TNC owns 76 percent of Santa Cruz Island and CINP owns the remaining 24 percent, the southeast end. This is the only opportunity to hike from national park lands into The Nature Conservancy (TNC) property. It really doesn’t matter what the weather is like standing on the edge of East Anacapa Island and gazing across to Middle and West Anacapa Islands and beyond to the southeast fringe of Santa Cruz Island is mesmerizing. You’ll wade through throngs of raucous western gulls, California brown pelicans, and island flora while hiking west to arguably one of the prettiest (and most Inspirational) vistas across the entire northern chain. After reaching the landing cove and climbing 250 steps to the top of the isle, hiking is easy across an ancient marine terrace to Inspiration Point. Only 11 miles away from the mainland, Anacapa is the closest island to Los Angeles. If you only have time for one hike on one island, then Inspiration Point should be it. These islands offer a slew of trails that lead to nameless coves, deserted beaches, towering cliffs, unique forests, and incredible wildlife surrounded by the California Current, teeming kelp forests, and toothy sea caves. ![]() And stunning biodiversity-the islands are also known as the “Galápagos Islands of the north.” Despite being only 60 miles west of the Los Angeles megalopolis, the Channel Islands offer unique solitude. However, you could say the same about most of the trails on the Santa Barbara, Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel islands that encompass the Channel Islands as a whole. ![]() ![]() Despite being added to the Channel Islands National Park map in 2018, it’s extremely rare to see anyone hiking the Montañon Ridge today. Today that far-flung single track is the Montañon Ridge Loop Trail, a 10-mile round trip ramble on one of the least-visited national parks in the country. We were on a remote trail, and I couldn’t pass up a chance to watch wildlife in action. Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members!īack in 2007, I watched an endemic island fox lope along an old sheep trail on Santa Cruz Island, the largest of the five isles in Channel Islands National Park, and it was an easy decision to follow it.
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