The campground is great. Scorpion Anchorage is just an 18-mile ride off the coast of Ventura County on the 96-square-mile island of Santa Cruz. There is also room to moor east of the primary spots close to shore. Scorpion has the best kayaking spots on the island. When we went, kayaking was at Scorpion and at Prisoner's, you had to go on a guided tour of the Nature Conservancy lands which required hiking about 5 miles r/t. Weve put together an easy guide to help plan your trip to Channel Islands National Park. They have a small store located about a 10 minute walk from the pier, past the restrooms and museum. Other than that beautiful views. Its got a cathedral-high ceiling, a grand light show and a passage through the rock itself. At this point we were in danger of being blown into the rocks to the east. Every landmark had personality, every direction I looked was art. Reservations can be made online at recreation.gov, [] While kayaking is our favorite adventure on the island, there are plenty of other activities to do such as hiking to see wildflowers and island foxes or having a picnic at Prisoners Harbor. Yes you can kayak from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage. Scorpion Anchorage to Prisoner's Harbor on Santa Cruz Island - Backpacking Made possible by Photos About Review Comments Location Starting at Scorpion Anchorage, and then heading up and over a mountain pass, this two-day point-to-point trip shows you an entirely new side of California backcountry. There are bathrooms located at this campground if needed. IG - @kylerampone. Scorpion Canyon Loop Trail is a nice hike through and up the canyon with different views of the island, the nearby Anacapa Island, and the ocean. Then the following morning hiked to Scorpion and stayed another night. About 6.5 miles in you start a scramble of sorts up a steep trail leading you up to the ridge overlooking Scorpion. Many of the plants had dried up during the summer so the island wasnt very green in September. When we stop for a snack break after two hours of paddling, Renske and I are smiling and laughing, and I realize that were actually having fun. The high winds almost drove us insane, and the water carry sucks, but overall very worth it. It's a 1-mile climb to captivating Cavern Point. It is on the border of the Channel Islands National Park and The Nature Conservancy property. Got to Scorpion at 310p for the 4p ferry. The Crossing The channel crossing for a Prisoner's Harbor day trip is approximately 1 .5 to 2 hours depending on vessel route and possible stops at Scorpion Anchorage. Fortunately for us, our friend Rex was able to blast out there in his Whaler a few days later and pick it up. There is no shade on this trail, so dress accordingly and have sun protection. Today - Dec 31 Reservations required (limited quota) Select a start date Also went across the Diamond Creek twice to explore other connecting trails, This is a fabulous trail. Highly recommend. Great views. I formerly head the sports department at the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. Passed by 2 crossings, wasnt able to go through the river since the water was too high for the outfit I had. It takes about 2 hours to kayak from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage. The campground was amazing and clean. We are looking for a full day of hiking and scenic views. For additional information about the joint conservation efforts of Nature Conservancy. []. Scorpion offers a beautiful backdrop for picnics, hiking or camping as well as a user-friendly beach area with access to one of the Marine Reserves. The hike out is well marked except for the west side of the peak where is gets a bit more fun(interesting) to navigate. I should have believed her; but, so often, its impossible to adopt the faith that others have in us for ourselves. You will find many unique sea caves near Scorpion Anchorage, making Santa Cruz Island a unique place to kayak. We loved it! Theres no way were all going to make it to Prisoners Harbor.. Travel time to Scorpion is a little over an hour and Prisoners Harbor, on direct route is about one and a half hours. I invited my friends on this three-day, 24-mile, July 4 kayak-camping trip six months in advance, knowing that it would be easier to get campsites and people to commit well before the trip. The ride normally takes about an hour to get to Scorpion Anchorage, but if the captain sees marine wildlife they will stop and this can make the ride take longer. But, when I called the Channel Islands Kayak Center three days before our departure to reconfirm the kayak rental reservation I had made months before, an employee blindsided me by telling me (for the first time) that the company discourages renters from taking kayaks more than a half-mile away from Scorpion Anchorage and that their kayaks dont have hull storage space for camping gear. The Park is undertaking two large construction projectsthe replacement of the pier at Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island and the crane on Anacapa Island. There is rarely any breaking surf, which makes this one of the few easy places to come ashore on Santa Cruz. Beautiful regardless of the gales. . If this isnt it, Im going to kill myself!. Are we going to die? Sam asked. Hike Profile Distance: 8.20 miles Elevation Gain: 1526 ft Minimum Elevation: 41 ft Maximum Elevation: 800 ft Time: 4-6 hour Difficulty: (2/5) Dog Friendly: No Permit Required: No Weather: The weather on the Channel Islands is pleasant, but can also be very unpredictable at times. This was a fun run. The museum walks you through how the Channel Islands were formed, the history of ranching in Santa Cruz, the different animals that adapted to the island, and the conservation efforts of the park today. The wind over the course of the day will frequently vary between nadaand 20 knots. Weve strapped so much trash-bag protected stuff to the top of the boats that Rich and Wendys kayak looks like a makeshift garbage barge, and Natalie and Norbertos kayak looks like its been loaded up with every belonging theyve owned since childhood. The snorkel tour is significantly more expensive than buying or renting snorkel gear, so opt for snorkeling on your own if you are looking to save money. Address 1691 Spinaker Dr Ventura, CA 93001 Phone (805) 658-5730 Park Name Channel Islands National Park Owner National Park Activities Hiking, Birdwatching, Camping, Kayaking, Swimming, Snorkeling, Scuba Diving, Backpacking Amenities Trails, Restrooms, Pier Pet Policy Pets are not allowed on the island Fees Fee for boat trip, camping Hotels Were already here? Renske asks. We rarely anchor here overnight. She believed that? I laugh. Were beginning sea kayakers who are reasonably fit, and we kayaked at about 3 miles per hour against current. Im a sports expert and lover. Be sure to pack food and water for your time on the island. But at scorpion is so windy. Alternatively, you may use, Channel Islands National Park Travel Forum, Channel Islands National Park Vacation Rentals, Channel Islands National Park Attractions, http://www.tripadvisor.com/help/how_to_edit_your_posts. The mixed sand and cobblestone Scorpion Beach is a world-class destination because of easy beach access, clear ocean waters, a spectacular shoreline with sea caves to explore, nearby camping, numerous trails, and year-round Island Packers boat transportation. El Montanon Peak (1,808') . Creek & trees were beautiful. Great for sea cave kayaking, snorkeling, hiking, and camping! We crossed the River 6 times to get to our destination recommend extra shoes/or just be prepared to get your feet/up to ankles wet. I saw one group of 4 people near the campground but didn't see anyone else until I was 1 1/2 miles from Scorpion Cove. Re: Santa Cruz: Prisoner Harbor or Scorpion Anchorage 8 years ago This post has been removed at the author's request. Even though we had plenty of scope in December 2022, a wind shift to the northeast made it impossible to retrieve our secondary anchor by slacking the primary. We generally paddle west in the morning and, if were on a long trip, in good position to ride the westerly home. There were a lot of ups and downs but really nothing unbearable for a someone fit. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. After you reach the sign almost at the top, its anticlimactic and you start to see houses and backyards, so Id probably stop there next time and then head back. The bottom is mostly sand, though we have encountered some eel grass. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. The distance from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage is about 5 miles. Scorpion Anchorage is the best area of the Channel Islands National Park to kayak. Dont follow this trail, its not to the river at all. There are no other visitor centers on the island. You can snorkel at Santa Cruz Island in Scorpion Anchorage on your own or with a guided tour. I couldnt have done this trip without my hiking sticks! OVERVIEW: Santa Cruz Island is part of Channel Islands National Park, a group of five islands sitting in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. We got there about 30 minutes before and still had plenty of time to check in and wait before boarding the boat. Scorpion Anchorage. It's beautiful right now. See, it all turned out okay, Renske whispers in my ear. Bring lots of water and wear comfortable shoes. However, only 24 percent of the island is open to the public. This trail is great for backpacking, birding, and camping, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Once youre oriented, shape a course slightly to the east of the point. Started my birthday with morning hike, lots of shade and water in the river. Hiking, camping, sea kayaking, and snorkeling are the top reasons to visit the island. The video explains our method and describes our trepidation. We appreciated the thick marine layer as the trail has no shade. I didnt know what to say, so I just told her that we decided to take all of our gear with us for a day trip because foxes and people were stealing it., Foxes and people?! There are also snorkeling and hiking option, plus a great visitor center. This area of the park offers more sea caves than any others. There is potable water on Santa Cruz Island in the Scorpion campground where you can refill your water bottle. This trail is great for backpacking, birding, and camping, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Once you get to the campground if you have more time you should continue to Scorpion Canyon. Stayed the night at Del Norte and hiked about 11 miles to scorpion camp grounds. But remember, for a yacht on a single hook, this is, at best a fair weather anchorage. If youre planning on kayaking from Prisoners Harbor to Scorpion Anchorage be sure to check the weather and tides beforehand. It took about 1.5 hours to finally get on the trail and hiking from the time we left. We are looking for a full day of hiking and scenic views. When most people think of kayaking they imagine themselves paddling peacefully down a river on a hot summer day. And, look, Lisa and Natalie seem to have recovered enough that they wanted more. Privately, though, I wondered whether Im only capable of planning outdoor adventure trips that scar people for life. 2023 Channel Island Adventure Co. Privacy | Terms, Spring in Channel Islands National Park - Channel Islands Adventure Company | Kayaking & Snorkel. There is barely any shade on this trail so make sure you have plenty of water and sunscreen. 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. 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