Santa Cruz Island hike to Montanon Ridge

Get out of town for an island experience right here in our backyard!

We will take the Island Packers boat from Ventura Harbor (8:00 AM departure) will arrive at Scorpion Harbor 9:00-9:30 AM on Sunday 7/12. We will meet adjacent to the pier at Scorpions at 9:30 AM. Hike will be a lollipop course: first to the top of Montanon Ridge via Scorpion Canyon trail (goes past the campgrounds) and on our return we will take Smuggler's Road back to Scorpion Harbor: see link for a map ttp://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=583285 (http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=583285)

Hike totals about 8 miles with about 2,000 ft elevation gain. It's listed as strenuous. Hike should take about 4-4.5 hrs to do. I recommend that you take the 5:00 PM boat back to Ventura as that will give you plenty of time after the hike to enjoy the area around Scorpion Harbor. Bring water and lunch-there are no stores/restaurants on the island. There is water at the campground. It can be warm in the interior of the island, and it can be cool too, if the fog comes in.

There is no cell phone service on the island. I will be staying on the island at the group campground Saturday and Sunday nights with others from the Weekday Trailblazers and some geology friends.

*Note: that means Thom and Ken will not be on the Sunday boat from Ventura Harbor- we will meet you at the dock in Scorpion Harbor, on the island.

The Montanon Ridge trail offers great views of the eastern portion of the island. We will pass an old oil exploration well site that I can explain some. I will bring a geologic map of the island and will give a brief summary of the rocks and general geology of the island to whoever wants to listen.

I recommend that you book your boat trip now as Scorpions is a popular place during the summer weekends. Below are some more links that may help.

Hope you can make it,

Thom Davis

http://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/ElMontanon_4472.asp

http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=583285

islandpackers.com or 805-642-1393, take 8:00 AM departure from Ventura Harbor.

http://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/hiking-santa-cruz-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