5 days/4 nights
Rating: Moderate
Max Capacity: 12
$1600 Coastwalk Member Price
$1650 Non-Member Price
Join us for five days hiking in the prime Little Harbor area of Catalina Island. We’ll take the boat from San Pedro, then make base camp for four nights in beautiful Little Harbor. Catalina Island’s views are extraordinary from the top of the hills, but on two occasions, we’ll get to the summit ridge using a shuttle allowing a relaxing downhill stroll.
This is not a Trans-Catalina Trek. We’ll be moderately hiking for five days from five to ten miles each day, from one base camp, with kayaking opportunities (in Two Harbors and Little Harbor).
The weather in Autumn is an ideal time to visit and hike Catalina Island; you will enjoy cool days hiking but usually very moderate nighttime lows.
Moderate walk type. Opportunities for shorter hikes, optional hike and kayak rental.
Please Note:
- Proof of membership in the Catalina Conservancy is required of each person registering for this trip
- Vehicle parking in San Pedro is the responsibility of each trip participant
All Camping Fees & meals (excepted where indicated in the Itinerary) are included in the price.
CLIMATE
Catalina Island enjoys a Mediterranean climate – the sun can be intense, even in October. October weather is mild: average daytime highs in Avalon in October are 71 degrees and average nighttime lows of 56 degrees.
Our campsite will have a shade structure but nearly all hiking is in open terrain. Plan sunscreen and water accordingly. Our campsite has cold showers. Nightly campfires are planned.
MEALS:
All Meals will be provided by Coastwalk, including daily appetizers. Hikers will however assist in preparation, including all breakfasts, lunches and dinners (except as noted ‘no host’ i.e. at hiker’s own cost, in the daily itinerary).
Please Note: Proof of membership in the Catalina Conservancy is required.
Vehicle parking in San Pedro is the responsibility of the hiker.
Sample Itinerary
Itinerary is subject to change due to weather and Coastal Conditions
Monday October 14:
We’ll board the morning San Pedro to Two Harbors Catalina Express boat and with luck you’ll see porpoises enroute.
After an early lunch at the Harbor Reef restaurant (no host) in Two Harbors we’ll hike six miles and pitch our camp at Little Harbor.
Personal and camp gear will be transported by truck from the boat in Two Harbors to our campsite in Little Harbor. Dinner in camp.
6 miles
Tuesday October 15:
We’ll hike from our camp in Little Harbor and explore some of the hidden treasures on the west coast of Catalina Island. We will first visit Ben Weston Beach, then hike to the Middle Ranch near
Thompson’s Reservoir. Bag lunch on trail. We’ll pass by the Eagle’s Nest (1050’), then ease down the Eagle’s Nest Trail back to our dinner in camp.
10 miles
Wednesday October 16:
Today we will shuttle up to the Airport in the Sky (1,602’) and enjoy an early lunch at the Airport in the Sky Restaurant (no host) where the specialties are Buffalo Burgers and Killer Cookies.
After lunch we will leave the Airport taking the Trans-Catalina-Trail, then descend west on the scenic Sheep Chute Road to camp and enjoy dinner in camp. Option for kayaking from Little Harbor at hiker’s cost.
5 miles.
Thursday October 17:
We’ll shuttle to Black Jack Junction. Those who choose to join the optional climb to summit Mount Orizaba (2,096’; 450 foot climb over 1.5 miles) will bear left.
Remaining hikers will continue on the Trans-Catalina-Trail then descend via the Cottonwood-BlackJack Trail to El Rancho Escondido, “hidden ranch”.
El Rancho Escondido was the Wrigley’s Arabian Horse Farm in the 1930s, and the horses are there today.
From the ranch we will follow the Escondido Road in the direction of Little Harbor for our dinner in camp.
8 miles – with optional hike, 11 miles
Friday October 18:
After breakfast we will strike camp. Personal and camp gear will be transported by truck to Two Harbors.
We will say goodbye to Little Harbor and shuttle to Two Harbors on the Trans-Catalina Trail which will allow for a full day kayaking, SUP, even snorkeling in Two Harbors at hiker’s cost . Alternatively, take a well-earned rest and enjoy a beer. Optional hike from Little Harbor to Two Harbors and other short hikes from Two Harbors. Bag lunch or eat at the Harbor Reef restaurant (no host).
Finally we will take the Catalina Express boat back to San Pedro.
With optional hike, 6 miles
Hikers will be allowed one large pack or duffel bag, not to exceed 50 pounds, which must include tent, sleeping bag, folding chair, camping and hiking gear, clothing and personal food items. You may also bring one small daypack.
We will be transporting a container on the Catalina Express – of equal weight per hiker – including all of the provisions for our week as well as all cooking and common equipment.
We will have ice coolers and ice deliveries.
Please email Coastwalk’s Walk Coordinator with any questions – [email protected] or contact the Walks Coordinator via phone 707-829-6689 ext. 1
What to bring on a Coastwalk
Clothing
Hat
Jacket – (wind and water resistant)
Long pants
Hiking shorts
Hiking boots
Walking shoes
Vest
Long Sleeve shirt
Sweater
Underwear
Tee shirt
Socks
Bandanna, handkerchief
Toiletries
Soap or body wash, Bio based/biodegradable
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Dental floss
Daily Medications and vitamins
Shampoo, bio based/biodegradable
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Comb or brush
Towel and wash cloth
Personnel first aid items
Sleep wear
Poncho or rain gear
Camping gear
Tent, with footprint (pad underneath tent to keep your tent dry)
Sleeping bag with pad
Plate, bowl, cup, knife, fork and spoon
Cloth napkin
Tupperware container, for left-overs with your name on it!
Flashlight or head lamp
Small Folding chair/ camp chair
Day pack
Canteen, hydration pack or 2 water bottles, 1 liter minimum each
Food
Breakfast and Lunch food if desired.
The Chuckwagon will provide milk, almond milk, coffee, tea, sugar, salt, pepper, oatmeal, butter, fresh fruit and bread, nut butters and other sandwich fixings.
Nice to have
Camera
Binoculars
Hiking poles
Camp Chair
Andy is a lifelong hiker, as a kid in the Adirondacks, then for three decades in the Sierras when he lived in Northern California. He moved with Andrea to Venice Beach a decade ago and now enjoys the mountains and deserts of Southern California. His hiking heaven is the Dolomites in Italy.
Andy loves Coast Redwoods and Giant Sequoias; in addition to hiking the trails he has been a volunteer for Save the Redwoods League. Before retiring Andy was in the semiconductor industry, developing DSL and fiber-to-the-curb computer chips for companies in California and Europe
https://catalinaconservancy.org/resources/maps/
https://catalinaconservancy.org/
https://www.campsitephotos.com/campground/ca/little-harbor/photos/little-harbor-lh009
https://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/about-the-island/points-of-interest/el-rancho-escondido/
https://www.willyweather.com/ca/los-angeles-county/santa-catalina-island–little-harbor.html