Hike from Scorpion Landing to Smugglers Cove on Santa Cruz Island

Join Sunrise to Sunset Hikers for our annual trip to the Santa Cruz Island in Channel Island National Park. Following the one plus hour boat passage from Ventura Harbor to the Island, we take the most popular hike in this National Park from Scorpion Landing to Smugglers Cove.

ABOUT THE BOAT: Island Packers provides access to the National Park. We are taking the 9 AM boat from Ventura Harbor to Scorpion Landing and returning on the 4 PM boat from Scorpion back to Ventura. (There is also a 8:30 AM departure and 3:30 PM return.) Fare: adult - $66 and senior - $61 round trip per person. The passage is approximately 60-90 minutes each way. The boat captain will detour to see whales and dolphin; both blue and humpback whales have been sighted this year in the channel. You can make your reservation by calling Island Packers at 805/642-1393 or on line. Check in is 45 minutes prior to departure. Parking is free and restrooms are available. You will find a link to the Island Packers web site here:
https://islandpackers.com

ABOUT THE HIKE: On arrival at Santa Cruz Island, a National Park Ranger will provide a brief orientation. Our Sunrise to Sunset meetup for this hike will be following the orientation located next to the visitor kiosk and restrooms. We hike as a group taking a well maintained, unshaded truck trail from Scorpion Landing across island to Smugglers Cove. Hike distance is eight miles round trip with 1,200 of elevation gain, ie. 600 feet up twice. The views from the top of the Island are spectacular. We will take a one hour rest stop and lunch at picnic tables overlooking beautiful Smugglers Cove. Bring your own food and beverage. Restrooms are available at the Cove. Following lunch, we can walk a short distance to explore the circa 1880 ranch house, now used as an island research bunk house. This is an out/back hike following the same route back to Scorpion for the 4 PM boat departure. Note: if you miss the boat, you will be spending the night on the island with no resort accommodations!

POST HIKE CELEBRATION: On our return to Ventura Harbor, we gather for dinner and cocktails at Margarita Vill Restaurant, locate about a hundred yards south of the dock. Reservations at 805/654-7906. We will try to dine as a meetup group.

FINAL NOTE: Please do not RSVP this event without making your boat reservation as the boat will usually sell out.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: Island Packer located at 1691 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, CA 93001
Plan on a two plus hour drive from Orange County and allow for the 45 minute checkin prior to the boat departure.

DISCLAIMER: Group organizer and assistant organizers assume no liability; hike at your own risk. By being a member of this group you hereby agree to assume all risks and liability related to or resulting from any and all group functions. You agree that neither you nor any third party will hold any of the group's leaders, officers, or representatives liable for any injury, loss, or damage to your own person or any members of your family, friends, acquaintances, children, pets, or property, arising directly or as a consequence from a group activity. You also agree that your membership of this group is based on an "at will" basis.