Santa Cruz Island is the largest of all the Channel Islands (and California!) Travel time to Scorpion is a little over an hour and Prisoners Harbor, on direct route is about one and a half hours. 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. You could have the most time to explore on island here as it is usually the first ferry stop. TNC property is closed to the public with the exception of the Pelican Bay Trail, so you have to be a bit more cautious when exploring, but the private property is usually well marked. Seasickness always gets someone. . Kids & dogs welcome! The snorkeling in Scorpion Cove is incredible. 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. more. 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 Vault style restrooms are located near the beach. 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. During the northbound direction of their journey, they frequently pass closer to the mainland.December through Mid April many channel crossings provide the opportunity to view gray whales. Most trails have little or no shade. After that, continue on to the far west wall of Prisoners Harbor and explore the rocky shoreline and intertidal zone. It's best to check with Island Packers. Island Packers recommends visitors utilize the National Park Service App for a more complete island experience.420 + Parks all in one App. Distance from landing is a flat one-half mile. Im Brittney. Primitive camping is available at the Scorpion Canyon Campground (31 sites; $15 per night per site; reservations required). If you want to see Painted Cave, the world's largest sea cave, you will need to go to Prisoners Harbor. It is only found on Santa Cruz Island, and will not fly between islands. 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. Scorpion cove vs Prisoner? You can purchase a shuttle ticket from Scorpion Cove to Prisoners Harbor through Island Packers the ferry company. Kayaking from Prisoners Harbor is also very scenic. The first junction is for the Eagle Ridge Trail and is 0.75 miles up the Navy Road on the right. There are two locations that Island Packers goes to on Santa Cruz Island: Prisoners Harbor and Scorpion Anchorage. However, there are no lifeguards on the island. The harbor area is the border of the National Park and The Nature Conservancy Properties. Del Norte camp provides spectacular views of the coastline back toward Prisoners Harbor, and it is located within a copse of oak trees. Both landings are situated on the closer, northern side of the island. The weather hovers around 55 degrees in the winter and 70 degrees in the summer, though it generally feels warmer the further you hike inland. Remember that it is illegal to directly or indirectly feed animals in the park. 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. 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. All of the activities listed below are for Scorpion Cove. Feather Boa Kelp Overlooking the pier at Prisoners Harbor. Obviously, the first option is going out on two separate day trips, but for the most devoted adventurers Id recommend camping overnight. 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. 3 beds. This ladder is sometimes upwards of 6 feet tall at a low tide. 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. With two campsites within the National Park, a one-way hike can be done from the middle of the island to the eastern end. The route ends at Scorpion Anchorage. You must bring water with you for your requirements. Its call is loud and easy to identify, which makes finding it relatively easy as well. If you choose to bring a kayak, you will have access to more area and there are plenty of small coves and beaches to bring your kayak ashore to rest and clean your catch. Can I hike around Prisoner's Harbor if I do a day trip from Ventura? Once your boat is on the island, your potential for exploration is limitless. Watersports Id considerSmugglers Cove Trailstrenuous for a day hike due to the pace youre required to keep to make it back for the boat. 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. There are not any trees along the trails. To the extent that they make marmots look like ferocious beasts. The two most popular animals are the island fox and island scrub jay, though there are plenty of other animals to spot on both land and sea. The trail begins on a fire road leaving Prisoners Harbor and rises above sea level, overlooking the northern coast of the island. This bird is much larger and brighter blue than its mainland relative. 2.5 miles one way For the more adventurous, this uphill climb will leave you breathless with awe at the incredible panoramic view. For those looking for an easy trail but can handle some elevation gain,Cavern Point Loopoffers the most beautiful views in the quickest time. Kayaking east towards Scorpion Rock or west towards Cavern Point provides great wildlife viewing and sea caves. The next moderate hiking option is the Del Norte Trail, which eventually leads to Del Norte Campground and onward to Scorpion Cove. Prepare yourself so you can have an amazing day out there! Travel time to Scorpion is a little over an hour and Prisoners Harbor, on direct route is about one and a half hours. Usually multiple someones. 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! I 100% recommend this for devoted hikers. Trips are either to Scorpion Anchorage or Prisoners Harbor. If you bring your own, be sure to book it in advance and check with Island Packers for size limits. For those willing to clock in some miles, my personal favorite place to snorkel is actually at the end of thePelican Bay Trail. After exploring Smugglers Cove, you will want to go back the way you came. Adobe ranch houses, barns, blacksmith and saddle shops, wineries, and a chapel all attest to the many uses of Santa Cruz in the 1800 and 1900s. 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. At Prisoners Harbor, tables are located near the beach. This is the easiest island to get to, has the best weather, and offers the most recreational activities. Since there are no services on the islands, there are no remedies for poor planning once you have arrived. Tinker Beachis a rocky little beach with relatively easy water access and an abundance of life along the rocky walls. All food should be kept in these boxes as island foxes have become habituated to human food and frequent campgrounds. Most haveoutstanding views, though none have much shade. A view of lush vegetation, Prisoners Harbor, and pier from the Pelican trail. Scorpion is primarily comprised of coastal sage scrub and grasslands whereas Prisoners has more chaparral and oak woodland. This hikeis considered strenuous, but the first mile is fairly moderate. Ill help you decide on Scorpion Cove vs. Thanks to our lackadaisical pace we didn't pull into the campsite until right around dark. Sea conditions are generally agreeable, crowds are fewer and pleasant weather is the norm. Remember, you are kayaking in open ocean conditions. In addition, some plants like gumplant, buckwheat, poppies, and verbena continue to bloom during the summer. Another main difference here is that Prisoners Harbor lies on a boundary between the National Park Service (NPS) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) property. Visitor Center A visitor center is located in the historic Scorpion ranch house. 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. Camping This rugged backpacker-friendly trail takes you to Del Norte Campground from Prisoners Harbor. There should be guides from the Naturalists Corps to lead hikes on the Island Packers trips. Re: Santa Cruz: Prisoner Harbor or Scorpion Anchorage 8 years ago This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. In terms of safety, there are no lifeguards here and your safety is in your own hands. Cavern Point Loop at Scorpion is great for spotting island buckwheat, giant coreopsis, and island morning glory. Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment? A more inland option for moderate hiking is Scorpion Canyon Loop. The boat was rather packed on the way back and space inside where it was warm was at a premium. Otherwise, plan to rent a kayak in Ventura. Scorpion Marine Reserveis a marine protected area (MPA) where fishing is illegal, and it encompasses all of Scorpion Cove. There are two main transportation methods between Scorpion and Prisoners: take a shuttle trip by boat or walk on your own two feet. These hikes often travel the scenic, 4-mile trail from Prisoners Harbor towards Pelican Bay. I hope to share with you some of the knowledge Ive learned along the way so you can do the same! 18 Jul 2022, 05:48 No fishing is allowed at Scorpion Anchorage since it is within a marine reserve. It requires a signed waiver for access due to its location on private property (ask for one in the Island Packers office). For this reason,Id recommend renting a kayakif you plan to fish during your day at Scorpion. Unfortunately, there really arent any super beginner hiking options at Prisoners Harbor. Heading off on a close reach almost always gets us to the vicinity of Cavern Point. This backcountry campground has four campsites. Fishing and collecting is allowed from land and from the pier with a license, and can be a relaxing and rewarding activity, as long as you follow all local fishing regulations. I am a devoted outdoor enthusiast from Ventura, California who loves trying everything! Kayaking here is truly amazing, but also quite dangerous. Lego 70815 - Der TOP-Favorit unserer Produkttester. There are 140 species of land birds, 11 land mammal species, three amphibian and five reptile species. For kayak guide and outfitting services in other areas of Santa Cruz Island (excluding Scorpion area), visit the Visitor Services List. Santa Cruz Island offers two primary landing sites which the vast majority of guests to the island visit. Unfortunately, the only way to visit Santa Cruz Island is by crossing the wild and unpredictable Santa Barbara Channel by boat. It is important to note that both main hiking options are uphill, and both are out and back trails. Checking the weather in the morning is a must, but weather and wind can still change quickly especially as you eat your lunch in a protected cove. I say first night because, if you remember, there isno water source at Del Norte Campground. Several trails and roads traverse eastern Santa Cruz Island, providing visitors with spectacular hiking opportunities. Fishing The other half has very loose and eroded sections. The name of the harbor commemorates a series of events in 1830 that almost transformed the island into a local version of Australia's infamous Botany Bay penal colony. , We had one trailrunner go past us obviously just out for the day and planning to meet the afternoon boat home but other than that it felt like we had the island to ourselves. Tidepooling at Scorpion Anchorage and Prisoners Harbor is limited. Prisoners SCI to Scorpion SCI 3:15 PM. You can access the waters easily from the beach, campsites are nearby, and sea cliffs and caves scallop the coastline. It's walk in only and there are only 4 sites. There are two main ferry stops on Santa Cruz Island: Scorpion Cove and Prisoners Harbor. Rain likely, mainly after 4pm. Hikes generally begin 30 minutes after the Island Packers boats arrive on the island. The foxes on Santa Cruz are interesting. 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. This trail is 8 miles out and back total, and gains quite a bit of elevation. The Prisoners Harbor to Pelican Bay trail has some of the best wildflower displays on the island. If you really just cannot decide between a day at Scorpion Cove vs. The best time to visit depends on your objectives for your trip. A few more things to note about the camping situation on Santa Cruz Island: Scorpion campground is a large campground located about a half mile from the pier down a flat gravel and dirt path. The trail is along the sea on the way to Pelican Bay. The other 76 percent is owned by The Nature Conservancy. Prisoners Harbor so that they can get the most out of their day. Several locations on Santa Cruz Island offer good surfing. I am not as a seasoned hiker as I should be! Of the eight Channel Islands, five are in Channel Islands National Park. Luckily, Del Norte Campground is three miles into this hike, which makes it a perfect spot to spend the first night. You may cross over a very small stream, or two, in the first couple of miles, but don't count on there being water there unless it's rained recently, and there is nothing after that. Goods and Services Transportation to Prisoners Harbor takes approximately 1.5-2.5 hours, depending on wildlife sightings and if the ferry stops at Scorpion first. Prisoners Harbor, on Santa Cruz Island's north coast, now serves as a port of entry for visitors arriving by boat. Ventura, Ca 93001 It is steeper with ups and downs but if you are in reasonable shape it is not a problem. 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. The views along the spine were quite nice. Boat Transportation 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. Channel Islands Adventure Company will rent you wetsuits and gear on island! 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. NOAA Weather Marine Forecast for Prisoners Harbor, Santa Cruz Island, CA Today High : 55F W wind 10 to 15 kt. The landing is rocky and the surroundings desolate and uninteresting. TheEagle Ridge Trailis currently asecret trail! Sea conditions during summer and early fall are often ideal for kayaking and snorkeling. Beach access is also available at Prisoners Harbor and by hiking over to Smugglers Cove, but the snorkeling is not as good at these locations. It also has a large visitor center and multiple potable water spigots in the campgrounds. Just please make sure to prepare yourself so you dont end up leaving a trail behind you inside. There was the remains of a metal pole sticking up like. Fishing is allowed on Santa Cruz Island outside of the marine reserves. A narrow canyon leading inland from the beach contains a ranch house used by a party of shepherds. 805-642-1393, 3550 Harbor Blvd You must reserve a campsite as well as book ferry tickets in advance for both locations. You can do day hikes at Prisoner's Harbor and have made numerous visits to both places. If unique animal sightings are what youre after, both Scorpion Cove and Prisoners Harbor will give you ample viewing opportunities of island animals. Potable water is available in the campground area. And rather beautiful. Shade is available. All Rights Reserved. Wind waves 3 to 5 ft. Wednesday High : 53F You can hike up around the area on nice trails and have great views of the ocean. We could see Anacapa rising prominently off to the west as we dropped. Browse by destination. We recommend hiking shoes. During those months, this is my favorite trail on the island! Backcountry camping is available year round at the Del Norte campsite near Prisoners Harbor. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. You can do day hikes at either location. Hi, I am visiting Santa Cruz island on a half day trip soon. More than 600 plant species have been documented in ten different plant communities from marsh and grasslands to chaparral and pine forests. I have done almost every hike, kayaked through numerous sea caves, and snorkeled in countless coves and kelp forests. 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