Eastern Santa Cruz Island hike with a tad of geology

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/e/a/9/600_458223753.jpeg

Eastern Santa Cruz Island, San Pedro Point (left), and the Montanon Ridge.

I've led this hike a couple of times for the Weekday Trailblazers in Ventura County and the complaints so far have been minimal. It's more hiking than geology but you'll learn a bit, and it's a fantastic place to visit. I will bring a geologic map of the island and will give a couple of brief summaries of the rocks and general geology of the island to whoever wants to listen, or just ask questions whenever. There is a wait list for the next 10 hikers for the Mt. San Jacinto Hiking Club regulars (have done at least several hikes with the club). Although this is not a particularly hard hike it's not a breeze either. So please don't sign on if you can't hike 11 miles at a decent pace and up 2,800 ft with some steep sections (add 5.0 more miles if you go to Potato Harbor). I recommend that you book your boat trip with Island Packers to Scorpion Harbor soon as this is a popular place during the spring weekends. When you make your boat reservation please post to this site. Below are some more links that may help.

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/b/b/8/600_458235288.jpeg

Geologic map of eastern Santa Cruz Island (mapping by T.W. Dibblee, Jr). Paper copies of Dibblee's mapping can be purchased online from the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum: https://www.sbnature.org/dibblee/

With the recent rains the wildflower display could be exceptional too.

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/b/1/9/600_458235129.jpeg

Giant Coreops; more wildflower info at:

https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/upload/ESCI%20plants%20screen%209-18.pdf

We will take the Island Packers boat from Ventura Harbor. Make sure you reserve the 8:00 AM departure and the 4:30 PM boat back to Ventura Harbor. On the boat trip out we often see whales and porpoises, so bring your camera. We should arrive at Scorpion Harbor before 9:30 AM. Hike will first go to the top of Montanon Peak via the Scorpion Canyon and Montanon Ridge trails (4.0 miles to peak and 1800 ft up). 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. After the peak we will make it over to Smuggler's Cove for a dip in ocean if so inclined (another 3.0 miles). There's body surfing at Smuggler's if the swell is right (fins help). Then back to Scorpion Harbor (add another 3.5 miles). Back at Scorpions you can enjoy the beach and the little Park Service museum or add another 5.0 miles RT by hiking out to Potato Harbor and back. Latest boat back to Ventura Harbor leaves at 4:30 PM.

Bring water and lunch-there are no stores and restaurants on the island. There is water at the campground too, but some don't like its taste. It can be warm in the interior of the island, and it can be cool too, if the fog comes in. With the recent wet season who know what we will get!

There is no cell phone service on the island.

Keep in mind we will be on National Park Service land and they have rules-so check out the NPS link below.

Hope you can make it (I am in Myanmar until early March so I may not see your questions right away).

Thom Davis, geologicmapsfoundation.org

Important links:

Island Packers (805-642-1393): https://reserve.islandpackers.com/

Trail map and guide: https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/upload/scihiking2015.pdf

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

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/e/6/9/600_458223689.jpeg

View to the west from Montanon Ridge.

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/e/7/1/600_458223697.jpeg

View to the east from Montanon Ridge with Anacapa Island in the background.

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/e/f/600_458223567.jpeg

Potato Harbor, photo by By Nicely

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. Mt. San Jacinto Hiking Club 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 Mt. San Jacinto Hiking Club event, you are releasing the Mt. San Jacinto Hiking Club 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 guardian.