that you’re fully prepared. Fires permitted in designated fire rings. TRAIL CONDITIONS: Rolling terrain with long uphill and downhill sections and little or no shade. Amenities: 10 sites, potable water, cold outdoor showers, chemical toilets. If you wish to bike on Catalina Island out of town then you will need a Bike Pass from the Conservancy Office on 125 Clarissa Avenue. No matter when you go or how long you take to complete the Trans-Catalina Trail, the soul-stirring serenity and awe-inspiring scenery you’ll experience will leave you with a lifetime of memories. CLOTHING: This is a matter of preference. You can pick up a canister in Avalon at Chet’s Hardware. And the island’s bison are easily spooked by their presence. by far the most popular hike in Yosemite National Park. Trans-Catalina Trail hikers can have that minimum requirement waived by calling Two Harbors Visitor Services at 310.510.4205. You can also find maps on the Conservancy’s website. OTHER SUPPLIES: Plenty of sunscreen; a headlamp for those nighttime bathroom trips; toilet paper (the bathrooms should be stocked, but it’s better to be safe than sorry); first aid kit with blister pads and ibuprofen to ease those aches and pains; small bag for your on-the-trail trash; a portable battery to recharge your phone. It’s a relatively easy downhill hike from Black Jack to Little Harbor on the backside of Catalina Island. SLEEPING BAG: Weight is the biggest consideration when it comes to sleeping bags. These are largely personal reasons, and I hope you enjoy getting to see a little bit more into my world, what drives me, and what I’m passionate about. A Most people take 3 to 5 days to hike the trail. Depending on the season, the following transportation services offer various departures and returns to and from the mainland to Avalon and Two Harbors. Travel up above the town of Avalon to an elevation of 1,500 feet (457 meters) on this tour of the southeast end of Catalina Island. Just the Bison and I. You just finished what is probably the most difficult section of the entire trail, so drop your pack and take a refreshing plunge in the Pacific Ocean. Camp: Online this campground is called "primitive" but you'll feel very comfortable here, with nice backcountry toilets, fresh water, "bison" boxes (similar to bear boxes where you can store your food at night), picinic tables, and fire rings. for the process. Note that San Pedro is the only ferry location that goes to both Avalon and Two Harbors. And they must be kept on a leash at all times. Mount Baldy, Cucamonga, Mount Wilson, San Bernardino, San Gorgonio, Telescope Peak, hiking, Southern California, best hikes, World Travel, Climbing Related, Hiking Related, Outdoor All, Sport Climbing, Ultimate Guide to Backpacking the The Trans-Catalina Trail, Santa Catalina Island California Adventure & Dive Guide, Catalina A to Z:: A Glossary Guide to California's Island Jewel. This download also includes my layering tip-sheet PLUS 25+ backpacking food ideas. But even if you don’t use my link... please, at a minimum get a GPS phone app to help you navigate outdoors! By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy. Also a side trail that goes to the "Lone Tree" which you can see off in the distance is close by. If you have a ferry out of Two Harbors this same day, be sure to leave your campsite early enough to make the ferry in town. Start your hike at the Conservancy’s Trailhead visitor center in Avalon where hiking permits and trail maps are available. You can make reservations online or by calling Two Harbors Visitor Services at 310.510.4205. The highest (1,600’) campground on the island offers sweeping views of rolling hills and rugged canyons. Amenities: 26 sites, beach access, potable water, cold showers, chemical toilets, some shade structures. There are five designated campgrounds on Catalina Island. I actually had this backpacking trip on my list of places to hike for years before I actually pulled the trigger and learned what permits I needed in order to be able to hike here. We use cookies to improve your experience and to analyze the use of our website. If you decide to hike out to Starlight Beach, keep going straight instead of turning on Fenceline Road out to Parsons landing. Fortunately, the Trans-Catalina Trail offers water and even food options along the trail, which means less for you to carry. https://www.mtbproject.com/directory/8012493/catalina-island Includes coves, campgrounds, hiking & biking trails, and more. Make your way to the Catalina Island Conservancy in town to pick up a map and check in for your hike before getting started. From the relatively short and easily accessible Garden to Sky Trail beginning at the Wrigley Memorial & Botanic … This makes it the best spot to take the ferry so you can just leave from Two Harbors to come back and not have to get all the way back to Avalon. This recipe is quick to make, full of rich flavor, is hearty and filling, and full of delicious and healthy ingredients. Garden to Sky Hiking in California. These gifts are perfect for the outdoor woman in your life, or even for yourself. That’s why I’m so excited to share this new backpacking recipe with you that features the new Maya Kaimal Everyday Chana and Surekha Rice Packets. There’s a popular multi-day hike called the Trans-Catalina Trail (TCT) that crosses the length of the island. Ok, onto the good stuff. The Trans-Catalina Trail (TCT) is one of the premier hiking adventures in the state of California. Catalina Island’s climate is pretty temperate, even in the winter, so your bag doesn’t need to be cold weather rated. Sturdy hiking boots and trekking poles are recommended to help navigate the difficult climbs and challenging descents you’ll encounter. If hiking outside of Avalon, you'll need a hiking … Be sure to check the long-term forecast before planning your hike and booking your transportation. This will be your last chance to fill up your water until you reach Black Jack Campground. Backpack an enchanted island off Southern CA coast ; See the bison and camp on beaches ; Complete a famously unconventional point-to-point hike ; Includes. Depending on how much you're up to "roughing it" or not, you can either spend your night at the campground or head into town for food at the restaurants and bars there! Start: You'll start your hike on the Trans-Catalina Trail Map at Avalon. Explore the most popular trails in my list Santa Catalina Mountains with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. REI offers backpacking meals that only need hot water. Knowledge is power my friend, and I'm a girl who loves data. To start our hike, we decided to take the first day easy, so we took the 9 AM Catalina Express Ferry from San Pedro. Trans-Catalina Trail is a 37.4 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Avalon, California that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as difficult. In this section though, we assume you head toward Parson's Landing. History. 2) Handheld GPS: If you hike often or go backpacking, then I highly recommend you investing in a handheld GPS. If you go all the way out to Starlight beach (which you will have to add on to your hike from Two Harbors to Parson's Landing) you will add on roughly 7 more miles to your trip, depending on how you tackle it, leaving a grand total of roughly 45.7 miles. Milestone 1: When you reach Lion's Head there are some toilets and great views! From wool socks to down jackets, these are all great products that we can personally vouch for. Eighty-eight percent of Catalina Island is within the Catalina Island Conservancy, one of the oldest private land trusts in Southern California. You'll end up back here in Two Harbors at the end of you backpacking trip as well. Catalina Island is located about 22 miles off the coast of Southern California. You won't have any "huge" elevation gains in this section, but there will be a lot of up and down. Keep in mind that winter is when Catalina gets most of its rain, which can result in unexpected road and trail closures. This topo map of Catalina Island, courtesy of the Catalina Island Conservancy, shows all trails, campgrounds, points of interest, and elevation changes to help you plan your Trans-Catalina Trail adventure. Look, I believe every hiker and backpacker should be self-sufficient, and that includes knowing how to practice smart navigational skills in the outdoors. The trail runs East-West along Catalina Island, which is 22 miles off the coast of Southern California. | shedreamsofalpine.com, Backpacking Onion Valley to Whitney Portal – John Muir Trail Section Hike | This backpacking trail is one of the most amazing and challenging trails in the Sierra Nevada. TRAIL COMPOSITION: Primary and secondary roads and single track trails made up of mostly compacted dirt with some loose gravel. If you’re feeling up to it, consider taking the 3-mile round trip trek to the top of Mt. Start: For section two you'll start your day off in Black Jack Campground. Rattlesnakes are also part of the island’s ecosystem, as are Bald Eagles and mule deer. | shedreamsofalpine.com, 33 Best Gifts for Outdoor Women | The holidays are fast approaching and so we put together a gift guide based on products that we love for outdoorsy women. There are many online resources and blogs dedicated to backpacking the Trans-Catalina Trail, including the Catalina Island Conservancy website. Firewood available from Visitor Services. Includes coves, beaches, landings, campsites, and tour routes around Avalon and Two Harbors. Restaurant available two miles up the trail at Airport-in-the-Sky. No open fires permitted. The Trans Catalina Trail goes right through the camp. One source indicated the total miles was 28.5; but, based on mileages on Franko’s Guide Map (that seemed to be supported by mile markers along the trail), I calculated the distance of the loop as 31.6 miles. Eighty-eight percent of the land on Catalina Island is protected and maintained through the Catalina Island Conservancy. | shedreamsofalpine.com, 3 Key Tips for Confidently Hiking in High Winds | A windy forecast doesn't have to mean it’s a no-go on your planned hike, you've just got to plan and prepare accordingly. Avalon City Maps Camping & Hiking Trails Catalina Express Magazine. This California hiking trail is a great choice for day trippers who … Even if you aren't interested in summiting Mount Langley, just hiking to the Cottonwood Lakes is a worthwhile trip all on its own. 1,700 1,600 1,500 1400 1,300 1,200 1, 00 800 400 Distance Two Harbors to Parsons Landing (via West End Road) 1,700 1,600 1,500 1400 1,300 1,200 1, 00 800 400 Distance Silver Peak Route 1,700 1,600 1,500 1,400 1,300 1,200 1, 00 800 400 Distance Ballast Point Route 1,700 1,600 1,500 1400 1,300 1,200 … Map of Two Harbors. They will make uphill climbs and downhill descents much easier to navigate. I was a bit more relaxed. Remember: The official trail is roughly 38.7 miles long. WILDLIFE: American Bison roam freely along many sections of the trail and can be unpredictable. There are many ways to experience the Trans-Catalina Trail. In this post we will go more in depth on the different ways you could break up this backpacking trip to fit the amount of time that you have and your physical fitness levels. I have a trail GPX file pre-downloaded to my GPS, I have a map all ready to go, and I know exactly where to start, but I think because I knew this wasn't going to be the middle of nowhere in the mountains (I mean, there are two towns on Catalina Island, and lots of tourists!) Instead of hitting the trail right off the boat, many hikers spend the night here to get an early-morning start on their Trans-Catalina Trail adventure. The loop from Avalon to the Airport-in-the-Sky to Little Harbor and back to Avalon via the Middle Ranch Road was a fun way to spend a day. Echo Lake Wrig ley Res. What you came here for! Lockers at Parson’s Landing that contain 2.5 gallons of fresh water, as well as firewood and starter, can be purchased when you make you camping reservations. Most people only visit the small town of Avalon, which is tiny compared to the rest of the island, especially at 1,500′ above it! Start: Right off the bat from the Little Harbor Campground you will head uphill about 1,300 feet. There are some very steep descent sections on this part of the trail, come prepared and BRING HIKING POLES! This doesn't include Starlight beach, however, I'll mention some "bonus" notes on that section of the trail too if you decide to add that onto your trip. But even then, it takes a bit of creative planning to coordinate your departure and return with your hiking itinerary. Help Download the app. Protein bars, fruits, nuts and other on-the-trail snacks can be purchased on the island at Vons Supermarket in Avalon or Two Harbors General Store. While most of the trail was well marked, there were a few areas where we got confused on the route, so having a hard copy of the map. Trans-Catalina Trail Basics. So we showed up and started looking for an information center, because I thought I needed to pick up hiking … The most visited tourist destination on Catalina Island is the city of Avalon. Catalina Airport: The first noteworthy place you'll reach on your hike is the "Airport in the Sky", the Catalina Island airport. Ranger on site. The … You'll feel like you have the island to yourself (and the other campers) when you are here. Camp: Parson's Landing is a beautiful secluded primitive campsite. 15 Unique Camping Gifts for Her | Picking a present for a woman who camps can seem overwhelming! Trans-Catalina Trail Map. Book effortlessly online with Tripadvisor! Overlooking the ocean on the “backside” of Catalina, Little Harbor was rated the “Best Campground in the West” by Sunset magazine. Lockers at Parson’s Landing that contain 2.5 gallons of fresh water, as well as firewood and starter, can be purchased when you make your camping reservations. Top Catalina Island Hiking Trails: See reviews and photos of hiking trails in Catalina Island, California on Tripadvisor. Camp: You'll end your day camping at Little Harbor Campground, an adorable campground that is right on the beach! BBQ pits (no wood fires), picnic tables, coin operated showers/lockers. SLEEPING PAD: You’ll probably sleep better and wake more refreshed if you have one, so the added weight is well worth it. I own a Garmin 64st and LOVE this device. Load this puppy into your trusted GPS and rest easy knowing you have tracks to follow on your next hike or backpacking trip. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Highlights. The elevation gain on the Trans-Catalina Trail is nothing to sneeze at. By the last day, your feet will be much happier that you gave them proper support. You won't go wrong with any of these outdoor gifts for her. From the 1,200-foot climb out of Avalon Canyon on Hermit Gulch Trail to the 1,500-foot, 2-mile trek up Silver Peak, the Trans-Catalina Trail challenges you with nearly 10,000 feet of total elevation gain, so whether you’re planning a 3, 4 or even 5-day Trans-Catalina Trail adventure, you should be in decent shape to truly enjoy the experience. If you go all the way out to Starlight beach, you will add on roughly 7 more miles to your trip, depending on how you tackle it, leaving a grand total of 45.7 miles. The second trailhead out of Avalon begins at the Hermit Gulch Campgrounds in Avalon Canyon. You don't need a permit to walk around town, but if you're going anywhere else, you do. When you arrive to Catalina Island, I highly recommend stopping in the Catalina Island Conservancy shop where you can purchase a detailed Trans-Catalina Island Trail map for $3. Depending on the time of year, if you spend the night at Hermit Gulch Campground in Avalon and get an early morning start, you should arrive at Black Jack with plenty of daylight left. Aboard an open-air biofuel H1 Hummer, you'll get bird's-eye views of the island and Pacific Ocean on this exploration through 5 miles (8 km) of rugged terrain. Admire the coast and canyons, and journey along a eucalyptus-lined road to return to Avalon. A Consider planning your hike for the fall, winter or early spring, when cooler temps and sea breezes help make up for the lack of shade along the trail. There’s so much fun camping gear, it seems like she can never get enough stuff – but where do you start to choose the best camping gifts for her? Explore the most popular trails in my list Catalina Island with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. There is a small cafe here and a small store, so if you wanted to you could grab breakfast, snacks, or coffee and take time to relax. A Your camping reservation serves as your hiking permit. FOOD: There are a couple of dining options along the trail (DC-3 Grill at Airport-in-the-Sky, and West End Galley and Harbor Reef Restaurant in Two Harbors) so you can save a lot on food weight. This App allows you to download maps in advance and take them offline into the backcountry. Other than that, your best bet is to pack as little as possible and travel light. Ranger on site. It’s best to secure camping reservations before you book your boat. Stretching from Avalon on the east end of Catalina Island to Parsons Landing on the west side, the Trans-Catalina Trail is one of the most unique and beautiful multi-day hikes in the world. COOKING GEAR: To cook your food, you’ll need a small backpacking stove and a canister of propane. We decided to use the gear haul service from Catalina Backcountrysince there were a couple … | shedreamsofalpine.com, 29 of the Best Gifts for Backpackers | The holidays are fast approaching and so I decided to put together a gift guide for those in your life that love backpacking based on products that I love. Map of Catalina Island. Backpacking the Trans-Catalina Trail, Catalina Island, California. No water available. The map also indicates the … Typically Ferry's from Two Harbor leave early afternoon. See reviews and photos of top-rated bike tours on Tripadvisor. Amenities: 47 tent sites, beach access, potable water, cold water outdoor showers, restrooms, picnic tables, fire pits, BBQs, and sunshades. There are several options for breaking up the Trans-Catalina trail, and we will go into detail later in this post on what the best option for you might be. Whether you plan to hike the Trans-Catalina Trail from Avalon to Two Harbors or vice versa, you’ll first need to get to the island. I will note however, according to the details on Parson's landing Campground, if you end up staying at this campground you are required to purchase at least one locker key. In the Itineraries below I assume you will only hike out to Parsons landing (the official trail) and not out to Starlight Beach. Again, don't forget to check out our Full Guide to Backpacking the Trans-Catalina Trail for even more great details and resources + lots of great photos of the trail! Must pick up locker key in Two Harbors. We’ve got you covered with this list of unique gifts for your favorite camper! From there, follow Fenceline Trail down to Parsons Landing. Except at Two Harbors and Hermit Gulch campgrounds. Of course this is only a partial list. Want a full list of everything I recommend to take backpacking with you? Camping is available at different campsites along the trail with Conservancy members receiving 50% off. You may encounter Catalina Island fox in the cooler hours of dawn and dusk. Based on the sections detailed above, here is what the elevation gain looks like for each of the sections, excluding Starlight Beach. With new and improved trails, signs and restrooms, Catalina Island is a premier destination for hikers, campers and outdoor enthusiasts. Fires permitted in designated fire rings. Of course, the grand-daddy of them all is the Trans-Catalina Trail, a 38.5 miles trail that traverses the entire Island, beginning at Avalon, stretching out to Parson's Landing on the West End, looping back to Two Harbors for the finish. CAMPING: Camping is only permitted in five designated campgrounds along the Trans-Catalina Trail: Hermit Gulch, Black Jack, Little Harbor, Two Harbors, and Parson’s Landing. BACKPACKING PACK: Unless you plan to have your gear hauled from campsite to campsite (which can be arranged through Catalina Backcountry), you’ll want a medium to large backpack with a solid lightweight frame to carry everything you need for a 3 to 5-day trek. End Hike: While you are waiting for your ferry, treat yourself to some good food and beers in town! Fill up on water here before you start your next section of the trail. Trust me, I've been there. Catalina Cabins (21 - available seasonally) are located in the village of Two Harbors and offer electricity, heaters, refrigerators, twin bunk beds or a 1 full-size bed, and communal kitchen. Coin-op hot showers and restrooms are also located in town and are available to all visitors. Also, lack of shade and rough trail conditions can be hard on dogs. Or grab a hearty sit-down meal at Harbor Reef Restaurant. I pride myself in being a really organize person and I like to take complicated things and make them simple and less intimidating. Travel up above the town of Avalon to an elevation of 1,500 feet (457 meters) on this tour of the southeast end of Catalina Island. While most of the trail was well marked, there were a few areas where we got confused on the route, so having a hard copy of the map absolutely came in handy. Each day is full-on and at high altitudes, but it affords you amazing views along the John Muir Trail plus you get to cross over 3 different mountain passes (Kearsarge Pass, Forester Pass, and Trail Crest). If you were really ambitions you could try adding on even more additional Catalina hiking trails to your trip, but the Trans-Catalina Trail will be a big challenge in and of it itself. These gifts are perfect for the avid backpacker in your life, or even for yourself. A bathing suit will come in handy at the three beachfront campgrounds. Plan. Sightings of Bison, the Catalina Island Fox, and Bald Eagles are common. The 37.2 mile Trans-Catalina Trail traverses the entire island, from Avalon on the eastern tip to Starlight beach at the western end.
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