Bikepack Catalina Island

Hey Everyone,

Note: This is a joint event with my other group The Adventure Life Project, if you would like to join us, go to that group's event posting (https://www.meetup.com/TheAdventureLifeProject/events/269124287/) to sign up.

Have you ever been backpacking and thought - "man I am really enjoying this, but I wish I could go a little farther and a little faster"? Well, bikepacking is the answer. And Catalina Island is an incredible place to get your feet wet in this sport/activity. If you have a mountain bike, then you are halfway there. Now you just need the racks and the packs and you are all set. Surprisingly, they aren't as expensive as they might seem.

About the ride - All of the riding will be on dirt road, no singletrack :-( Per the rules of the Island Conservancy. There are some big climbs, and some fun downhills (but not technical), and we may have to negotiate with a bison or two. Along with riding, we can hike, swim, and even have time to enjoy the harbors that we will be camping at. The riding is great, but I really enjoy the access to the harbors and the wilderness that bikepacking gives us here. I could go on for a while, but words really don't do the island justice.

Day One (Avalon to Little Harbor Campground) - Arrive at Avalon Harbor early, check in at the Conservancy, and get passes for anyone that needs them. Get any last minute supplies at Vons, then head out for Little Harbor. Depending on the group size and ability levels, we can take a detour to the Airport for lunch, or go straight to the campground.

The awesome thing about Little Harbor campground (besides the incredible view) is that we will be camping about as close to the beach as you can get without being on the beach. So, if you are discreet, you could sleep right on the beach and no one would know ;-)

Day Two (Little Harbor to Two Harbors) - We will get up early and make for Two Harbors, which should take between one and two hours. This is a pretty steady climb over a saddle between the harbors which will give us a good workout, but we will have most of the late morning and afternoon to do whatever we want around "town". We will be camping at the Two Harbors campground which is about a five minute walk from the "town".

There is a market and cafe at Two Harbors.

Day Three - This will be a pretty open day. We can ride out to Parsons Landing and explore the west end of the island, or hike around Two Harbors, or even just hang out at Two Harbors all day and snorkel or something. There are quite a few options.

Day Four (Two Harbors to Avalon) - We will get a fairly early start, which should put us at Avalon around noon or 1:00, giving us plenty of time to enjoy what is becoming a traditional margarita and lunch at El Galleon. By 4:00 or so, we will be on the ferry back and really enjoying the cruise home. You know, watching the island get smaller, with the wind in your face, swapping stories with your new compadres. What a way to end the day.

Here is the cost break down:

• Conservancy Membership (http://www.catalinaconservancy.org/index.php?s=join&p=become_a_member) - $35 for the "Friend" level membership (good for a year) and is required to bike on the island.
• Campground Fees - About $60 - $80 (minus the Conservancy member 50% discount).
• Ferry Reservation - We will be taking the Catalina Flyer (http://catalinainfo.com/catalina-flyer-schedules-fares.html) - $70.00 round trip + $7 bike fee.

Here is my google map - https://drive.google.com/open?id=1pEwEqh_kqrWlKizRpqCnvZUzn8g&usp=sharing

Here is a link to a previous event - https://www.meetup.com/SDMicroAdventures/events/224782937/

Take care and see you out there!
Jim