Channel Islands National Park

It was time for another much needed vacation.  Ever since my visit to the Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center with my Uncle David last October, I wanted to actually plan a trip out to some of the islands.  This was by far my most ambitious trip yet.  The day before I had left, I flew to Portland for the day to get some mountaineering boots at the local REI.  I got back late, but with a little bit of my sleep I returned to Portland the next morning.  Then I had a connecting flight to Burbank, California.  It was on Skywest Airlines, that basically flies Alaska Airlines routes.  It was a CRJ700 jet aircraft, unlike Horizon's Q400's or Alaska's 737's.

I made it to Burbank and then made the short walk to the Amtrack train station outside the airport.  I waited for probably an hour before the train arrived.  I rode all the way to Ventura, CA.  On the way there was a delay due to a car blocking the tracks ahead.  But the delay allowed me a gorgeous view of the sun setting over the ocean as I walked almost 2 miles from the train depot, to my motel.  It was the local Motel 6.  Wasn't the greatest, but it was cheap and I needed a place to stay.

In the morning, I bought some snacks and then made the 2 mile walk from my motel to the marina.  A company called Island Packers works with the National Park Service to provide boat service to the 5 main islands.  However, during this part of the year they were only providing service to Santa Cruz and Anacapa islands.  That worked out well for me.  My first day would be spent on Santa Cruz Island.

After boarding, it was about a 1 hour trip out to the Scorpion anchorage.  Santa Cruz is over 90 square miles in size; by far the largest.  However the Park Service only owns the eastern portion of the island.

On the way over we did witness some dolphins swimming next to our boat, and then later there was a feeding frenzy going on.  Dolphins were pushing a large group of fish near the surface and we eating them.  Sea lions and birds were taking advantage of this as well.

As we approached the Scorpion landing, I began to see some of the small caves the wind and waves had carved into the cliff faces on Santa Cruz Island.

When we landed, we all had a quick orientation from a volunteer guide.  We were allowed to split up, but I chose to stick with the guide for a while.  He did a walk around one of the old ranches left behind by a Spanish family, and then we hiked up to Cavern Point.  From that point on the "guided hike" was over.  We were free to go on whatever hiking trails we wanted.  The only catch was, be back at the dock at 3:15.

                                (View of Cavern Point)
I decided to do a 5 mile round trip hike to Potato Harbor, and back.  Potato Harbor is a small, secluded cover on the northern coast of the island.  The trail simply ran along the top of the cliffs until I reached the viewpoint.  I managed to find a less used trail and hiked down to a small overlook where I ate my lunch and took in the view.

I turned around and made a loop trip all the way around Cavern Point.  I got some beautiful views overlooking Scorpion Anchorage.

The boat arrived a while later, and everyone rode back to the mainland.  It was a long walk back to the motel, but I was happy to be off my feet.

The next morning it was cloudy.  A big storm system was moving in, and I hoped the rain would hold off until I got back.  This time I was going to Anacapa Island.  This island is actually three parts: East, Middle and West.  East Anacapa is the section visitors are allowed on.  This particular island has a lot more history involving the US Coast Guard.  A lighthouse was built on the island to aid in navigating the Santa Barbara Channel.  The island is riddled with shipwrecks along the coast.

I went on another guided tour with a few other people and a park volunteer.  This particular island is a giant breeding ground for sea birds, so they were everywhere.

There were three gorgeous views on the island that I think are my favorite.  The first is Cathedral Cove.  I watched as the kelp forest under the water swayed back and forth in the surf.  I watched sea lions swim about in the clear blue waters.

The second was Inspiration Point.  This lookout is on the western end of East Anacapa.  You look out over Middle and West portions of the island.

On my way back to the boat landing I stopped by one of the old buildings that housed the original Fernsle lens from the lighthouse.

The boat returned and after everyone loaded up we stopped by my last favorite view on Anacapa.  The famous Arch Rock on the eastern tip of the island that is 40 feet wide.

On the ride back, we were treated o an incredible view as hundreds of dolphins swam and leaped across the ocean around our boat.  The weather was turning a bit worse, but the rain held.  A couple I met on the island were kind enough to give me a ride back to my motel.  Later that night, the first storm moved in and dumped rain.

I woke up and there was a brief pause between the first and second storm systems.  I was able to enjoy some sunshine as I walked back to Ventura Amtrack.  Instead of going south, though, I went up north to Santa Barbara.  After another 2 hour walk from there I arrived at the airport.  I was able to get a seat and fly to Portland.  Flight loads out of Portland were full, and I got bumped, but I made it back to Boise on the last flight in for the night.  I was tired and happy to get back.  I hope to someday get out to the three other of the Channel Islands: Santa Barbara, San Miguel, and Santa Rosa.

Until my next trip!