Santa Cruz Island - 5 mile Hike in Nature Conservancy

Saturday May 20, 2017 - Day trip to Santa Cruz Island:

5 mile RT / 1300' Gain, brisk escorted hike from Prisoners harbor to Pelican Bay - in the private part of the island (Nature Conservancy)

!!!! DO NOT WAIT - MAKE/ PAY FOR YOUR OWN RESERVATION WITH THE CONCESSIONAIRE ASAP!!!

THERE IS NO CHC BLOCK RESERVATION - VERY LIMITED SEATS AVAILABLE, FIRST COME FIRST SERVE !!

NOTE: The RSVP on this Meet Up listing has no connection to getting a reservation with Island Packers (it is only for Steve's information)

Ticket Costs (from website):

Adults (13 - 54 ), $29.50 EACH WAY.

Seniors (55+) , $27 EACH WAY

To make your reservation, I recommend you call to save time/ confusion:

Call (805) 642 1393, press "0" to speak to a staff member.

Departure: Saturday May 20 at 9AM from Ventura to Prisoners Harbor (VERY IMPORTANT).

Returning from Prisoners Harbor on the 3.30PM boat.

They may put on another later return time, if they do, I recommend you take it, if it means getting the day's ticket, it must be from Prisoners Harbor though.

NOTE: If you do not land a seat now, keep calling the office back..... as they do get frequent cancellations right up until the end of their 3 day cancellation period - you may score a last minute cancellation! :-)

As of 3/8/2017 there were 25 seats left and they go fast.

You must pay the concessionaire, Island Packers, yourself (details below), to reserve your place. Space is limited and fills up FAST

(BIG NOTE: Event is subject to weather etc. cancellation, call Island Packers the day before, to confirm the boat is still going. If not, they will do a refund.)

Cancellation Policy: Island Packers site states that you must cancel at least 72 hours prior to your departure time to receive a refund, so bear this in mind.

https://a248.e.akamai.net/secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/5/3/3/d/600_458961309.jpeg

Pelican Bay (hike turnaround point)

Description: After all the rain this year, the island should be lush and green.

This is an ALL DAY event. I have been out here four times and it is always a great day and everyone cannot wait to return. From the trip out and back (with seal lions, porpoises, and seabirds accompanied by great commentary), to the island itself - cliffs overlooking clear blue water and gorgeous bays, it is an amazing trip.

https://a248.e.akamai.net/secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/5/3/6/9/600_458961353.jpeg

Trail from Prisoners Harbor to Pelican Bay

Then there is the more than likely encounter with unique little island foxes (cute and the size of a cat) and other wildlife unique to the island (see interpretive guide link below).

https://a248.e.akamai.net/secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/1/8/a/600_452356778.jpeg

5 Mile RT Guided Hike:

There will be one Nature hike this time on NATURE CONSERVANCY PRIVATE PROPERTY. It is led / escorted by an Island Packers guide.

https://a248.e.akamai.net/secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/5/3/4/c/600_458961324.jpeg

The hike is short but with plenty of up and down, and fairly fast. You need to be in pretty good condition for this hike. If you get bogged down, we will need to catch you and turn you around on the way back.

Last time, I was able to hike with a fast group, I stayed in the back, took a lot of photos, grabbed a 10 minute snack at Pelican bay before returning with the group to catch the boat. There is not a lot of down-time on the island (you can use the 1 hour out / back on the boat for that).

https://a248.e.akamai.net/secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/5/3/5/2/600_458961330.jpeg

The channel island national park website (link below) has information that will orient you to the island. Look for anything about Prisoners Harbor/ Pelican Bay and ignore information about other parts of the island, unless you are curious.

https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/hiking-santa-cruz-island.htm

INFO: If you are a history buff/ naturalist, I recommend you print the following excellent 42 page Interpretive Guide to read/ refer to beforehand and along the way. It will give you a great understanding of the island's unique features, rich history and will add much to your day out.

https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/upload/Santa-Cruz-Island-Interpretive-Guide-2014.pdf

If all goes well, we should be back in Ventura at 6PM and Santa Clarita by ~ 7:15PM.

More info about Island packers is on-line at http://islandpackers.com/santa-cruz-island/

NOTE: These meeting time / transport instructions are applicable to the 9AM Ventura ferry!

Carpooling from Santa Clarita: For those wishing to carpool, meet at the South west corner of the Walmart parking lot (27931 Kelly Johnson Parkway, Valencia (off Newhall Ranch Road/ Hwy 126) at 6:15AM to leave at 6:30 AM SHARP. Please be respectful of your driver's support by contributing something at the end of your carpool to help defray the cost of gas - THX.

Directions to Island Packers in Ventura (1691 Spinnaker Drive, Suite 105B, Ventura, CA 93001)

• Interstate 5 North through Santa Clarita Valley to the 126 West. Go all the way to Ventura (~ 1 hour).

• In Ventura, the 126 ends and merges into the 101 heading North toward Santa Barbara.

• Almost immediately, you will see the Seaward Ave. Exit ramp. Take it and cross the highway.

• Immediately turn left at the light onto Harbor Boulevard, heading South.

• Go approximately 1 ¾ miles, turn right on Spinnaker Drive.

• Follow the Drive 1 mile around harbor. Island Packers is toward the end of Spinnaker Drive, on the right. Look for the "Ventura Harbor Village #4" entrance sign.

Check-In for Santa Cruz ferry: At Island Packers office, quayside, at ~8:15AM for the 9AM ferry (arrives at island at 10AM and Prisoners Harbor, ~ 10:30AM).

Bring: Dramamine/Bonine if you get seasick. Hiking boots with good thread, Lunch/ snacks, 2+ liters of water/ 1 liter electrolytes (no water available on island), sunscreen, hat, lip balm. As trips out and back cross cold ocean water and the island is exposed, to ensure your comfort, it is advisable to bring an extra layer (windbreaker). Money to spend on the boat (they have food / drinks/ beer/ wine). The views on the island are spectacular, so bring your binoculars/ camera. (Hiking Poles are MUCH recommended as the hike is rugged / slippy/ rocky in places).

NOTE: There are restrooms on the boat / and limited ones at the pier on the island. !!! As we have a big group, to save valuable/ very limited hike time on the island, PLEASE use the services on the boat!!!

We will complete a Nature Conservancy waiver on the boat before disembarking on to the island.

If you have questions, I will try to answer them in comments below, but unfortunately, I CANNOT MAKE / "SWING" A RESERVATION FOR YOU.

Leader: Steve i.

https://a248.e.akamai.net/secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/0/8/1/600_452356513.jpeg