An April Archipelago Adventure

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/2/2/f/600_440325615.jpeg

Becher's Bay with Torrey Pine grove along the background ridge. You will be greeted by the beauty of this bay upon arrival.

The plan is to hike and camp on Santa Rosa Island and do a sail-by of Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands. If we are fortunate the boat out will traverse along the south side of Santa Cruz Island and the return boat will traverse along the north side providing us with vistas of much of the island's rugged and beautiful coastline. And if the tides and swells are favorable on the return we may get close-in to the spectacular Painted Cave. Be ready for some marine mammal shows as passage through the Santa Barbara Channel is usually accompanied by sightings of whales, porpoises, and sea lions.

What's to do on Santa Rosa Island? How about hiking in a coastal wilderness, great beaches (not as many cliffs as Santa Cruz Island; so long sandy beach walks and great laying around), swimming, body surfing (if there's a south swell), snorkeling (bring a wet suit), and socializing around the camp in the evening. Santa Rosa Island is known for its abundant marine life (fish, fowl, and mammal), and pristine coastline-it's what the SoCal mainland coastline must have looked like before the Europeans arrived.

I led a Santa Rosa Island trip last August and we had some great hikes, swims, and evening socializing. Photos and comments for that trip: https://www.meetup.com/The-Weekday-Trailblazers/events/224258734/. And before that we did Santa Cruz Island in July and had a great time too and some interesting hikes. Photos and comments for that trip: https://www.meetup.com/The-Weekday-Trailblazers/events/223646551/

There will be several geologists on the trip, and I will bring a geologic map of the island; so if you want to hear a bit about that just let us know. At the bottom of the page is a link to the National Park Service web site for Santa Rosa Island where you will find a trail map, more photos, information, and of course "the don't do stuff."

Camping: Lindsey and I have reserved 4 camp sites on the island-that has space for 20 campers. For those that don't camp there is also a one-day hiking option for Sunday (4/10) that is posted separately. The campground situation is different than Santa Cruz Island. For starters it's a longer hike from the pier (1.5 miles one-way) and up a bit of a hill. You will need to backpack your stuff to the campground-so don't bring too much, and know you can carry it that far. Some folks bring coolers and I have seen folks with collapsible luggage carts but the dirt road is pretty rocky. There's potable water and a bathroom at the campground. There are no group camp sites, and each site can have up to 5 campers. Here's the biggest issue for some: there is no boat service to the island on Saturday so it's two nights of camping. You need to take the Friday boat out of Ventura Harbor @ 8:00 AM and the Sunday boat back @ 3:00 PM. The sign-up here is for campers only. Additional campground info at bottom of this email.

Transport is via Island Packers boat transport. Prices to Santa Rosa Island: Campers: $114.00 RT adult, $104.00 RT senior. Day only hikers: $82.00 RT adult, $74.00 senior RT. At the bottom of the email is a link to Island Packers (you need to make your own boat reservations). Please read carefully the Island Packers' restrictions on gear and what not to bring on their boats (the restrictions appear on the reservation confirmation and are enforced). Please check with them first if you intend to bring a collapsible luggage cart.

There is no phone service on the island, or on most of the boat trip out to the island. Bring lunch and food for your other meals-there are no stores/restaurants on the island. The Island Packers boat does sell a limited selection of food and drink. It can be cool (in the high 50s to low 60s), and at times windy or foggy. If it's clear the interior of the island can get warm (high 70s to low 80s).

There will be a hike each day that returns to the campground, or you can just head for the beach and hang out. These are all in and out hikes on the same trail so you can turn around at any point-just let us know your plans.

Suggested itinerary and hikes: Friday (4/8). Hike to camp, drop our gear and hike to the Torrey Pines grove. Hike is 5 miles RT and after that visit the beach.

Saturday (4/9): Los Lobos Canyon or Black Mtn (both are ~9 miles RT).

Sunday (4/10): Beach day or a short hike up Water Canyon.

The group will be a combination of hikers and geologists I know. We will keep the geology chit-chat down to a polite level unless you request otherwise. If you want to invite a friend that's ok.

I recommend that you book your boat trip now as the islands are popular places during the spring. Again, there is no cell phone service on the island.

This will be a fun adventure and I hope you can make it.

Thom

Cell 818-429-4278
www.thomasldavisgeologist.com (http://www.thomasldavisgeologist.com/)

Island Packers: http://islandpackers.com/santa-rosa-island-2/

Camping info: http://www.reserveamerica.com/camping/santa-rosa-island/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=70979

Santa Rosa Island info: http://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/santa-rosa-island.htm

DISCLAIMER / RELEASE OF LIABILITY

IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ BELOW IN ITS ENTIRETY:

The hike host is a volunteer and not responsible for the group. Safety should be a priority for everyone in the group. Please treat this meet-up as hiking with a group of friends. If you become fatigued and unable to continue the hike, it is expected you will advise the hike host of this and return to our starting point on your own. If you are able to proceed, it is expected that you will maintain line of sight with other members of the group at all times and help to promote the group’s safety and fitness goals.

Outdoor sports and other events we plan can be inherently dangerous and accidents may happen. By participating in any posted event, you are taking responsibility for your own safety and well-being. The Weekday Trailblazers Meetup Group and its organizers are not trained leaders and we do not confirm the qualifications of any of its members to lead or participate in trips. All participants take full responsibility for their own actions.

If you choose to sign up for this or any Weekday Trailblazers Meetup event, you are releasing the Weekday Trailblazers Meetup Group and its organizers from all liability in case of possible injuries. Your personal safety depends on your own judgment and experience.

PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS!

** No one 18 yrs or younger allowed without a parent or legal