Santa Rosa Island Backpack Ford Point

CLOSED FOR RSVPs. FOUR BACKCOUNTRY SLOTS ARE FILLED.

Santa Rosa Island beaches are pristine and provide a glimpse of the southern California coastline from a couple of hundred years ago. Its pretty unique and I keep going back. On the other hand, it is not the easiest backpack and you need to carry water. We are required to camp on the beach by the National Park Service.

If you are new to the group send me a message with a few words about your hiking experience. You'll go on a waitlist and I will add you to the trip after looking at your experience. Preference is given to Geo-hikes regulars.

You are responsible for making and paying your Island Packers boat reservations to and from Santa Rosa Island. Book: 10/27, 8:00 AM departure to SRI from Ventura and 3:30 PM return to Ventura on 10/29. IMPORTANT: Make sure you are on the trip before booking anything. It is always best to call Island Packers to make reservations. Sometimes online shows as full but calling will get you a spot.

We will backpack in the southeast quadrant of Santa Rosa Island to check out the trails, geology, plants, and beach camping. We'll head to Ford Point (9 miles one way). Route to Ford Point has some elevation gain as it is along the Wreck Road that crosses the main ridge of the island. You'll need to carry at least 3 liters of water, possibly 4 if it is warm*. Along the route, some of the time will be spent by Thom describing and photographing locations for subsequent Geo-hikes' backpacks, and to place in a hiker's geology guide to the island being developed. You can go as fast as you want as long as you tell me your plans and I make sure you can find the route and Ford Point.

Fresh water sources are limited on the island and available near the Pier, at Water Canyon Campground, Clap Springs (off the Wreck Road by about 0,6 miles), and San Augustine Canyon near the beach (just east of Ford Point). You'll need to purify water from the last two sources.

The National Park Service (NPS) has a lot of helpful information and maps at https://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/backcountry-beach-camping-on-santa-rosa-island.htm

IMPORTANT: Please read the NPS rules and regulations too:

• Check-in with a ranger on arrival for an on-site orientation.
• Camping is prohibited year round at Lobo Canyon and between Carrington and East Point (except in the Water Canyon campground).
• From January 1 - August 14, backcountry beachcamping is closed to protect pupping seals/sealions and nesting seabirds.
• From March 1 to September 15, the back beaches and sand dunes between and including Skunk Point to just north of East Point are closed to hiking to protect the nesting area for the snowy plover, a federally listed, threatened shorebird. Please remain on the wet sand (below mean high tide) or the road throughout this area.
• To protect sensitive resources, the Sandy Point Area is closed. This includes all beaches and land areas 300 ft. inland from 0.75 miles north from the Sandy Point benchmark to 0.85 miles south from the Sandy Point benchmark.
• Travel between China Camp and Cluster Point is restricted to on-trail travel only, as indicated by signs on both sides. Travel off trail in this area is prohibited, except for the China Camp Corral area, located on the west side of the trail. Beach access to Cluster Point from the northwest is prohibited. Dispersed camping on the beaches to the northwest of Cluster Point and the southeast of China Camp is allowed with a valid camping permit for the Southwest Quadrant.
• Travel is restricted to on-trail only from the mouth of Lobo Canyon to Cow Canyon. This is further delineated in several locations with post and rope stanchions and signs. Travel off trail, beyond signs, or post and rope stanchions is prohibited.
• It is prohibited by law and regulation to leave human solid waste in the backcountry or in the wet intertidal sand. Human waste and toilet paper must be packed out for proper disposal. A variety of commercial "WAG" (human waste collection) bags are available from vendors. WAG bag collection containers are located at the public bathroom in the ranch at Becher's Bay and at the Wreck Corral along South (Wreck) Road near Ford Point along the southeast coast.
• Camping is only allowed on beaches. Camping is prohibited in any other areas, including coastal bluffs.
• No fires are allowed.
• Since the mice do carry hantavirus, some basic precautions should be taken: do not feed any wild animals; keep food and drink in rodent-proof containers; and prevent entry of mice into your tent by keeping it zipped up at all times. Click here for more information on hantavirus.
• Pack out all trash.