+1 707.479.8936

DAY BEFORE TRIP STARTS

 

We will meet at 5 pm the evening before our trip starts at a predetermined hotel in Ventura, California. This general orientation will cover introductions, trip itinerary, safety precautions, pack fitting and group gear distribution. Most importantly, this is a chance to meet with your guide to discuss the personal gear and clothes that you plan on bringing. Your guide will offer advice about what to bring and what to leave behind for a successful, comfortable trip. This meeting generally lasts one hour.

​

DAY ONE

​

• Boat ride from Ventura Harbor: 3 Hours

• Destination: Torrey Pines

• Distance: 6 Miles

• Difficulty: Moderate
   

We will board the ferry at the Ventura Harbor and ride three hours to the pier at Santa Rosa.  Once unloaded, we will begin an easy 1.5 mile hike to the campground.  Once we set up our tents, we will begin our first day hike! From the campground, we will head towards a small grove of Torrey Pines, one of the rarest pines in the world.  This pine tree only grows native in two places in the world, on Santa Rosa Island and near San Diego.  The hike will drop us down Water Canyon along one of the old ranch roads, perfect for walking and talking.  Once we reach the grove, we’ll climb steeply up, into the heart of the pines.  The climb offers a spectacular vantage point with views of the Pacific Ocean and the cliffs of Santa Rosa. We'll hike back to camp, enjoy a hearty dinner and gaze at the stars.

​

DAY TWO

​

• Destination: Skunk Point

• Distance: 8 Miles

• Difficulty: Moderate
   

After a big breakfast, we'll leave camp set up and we'll hit the trail. We’ll start by following an old ranch road, another area perfect for walking and talking.  Once we reach Skunk Point, we'll have  opportunities to explore tide pools and surge pools, observe marine wildlife, and spend the day near an old ship wreck, soaking up the sun on a sandy beach.  When we've seen as much as we like, we'll head back to the campground on the same trail. 

 

DAY THREE

​

• Destination: Black Mountain

• Distance: 6.5 Miles

• Difficulty: Strenuous
   

This hike is steep but rewarding.  From the top of Black Mountain we'll be able to see the wind-swept topography of this rugged island.  Expect views of the Pacific Ocean, California’s mainland, as well as Santa Cruz and San Miguel.  This is a great vantage point to take in all that you have accomplished so far, and get a glimpse of upcoming hikes.  Once we're back at the campground, our guide will make a well-deserved dinner, and we can relax or play card games.

​

DAY FOUR

​

• Destination: Lobo Canyon

• Distance: 10 Miles

• Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous

​

After a big breakfast, we'll hit the trail toward the pier.  The trail leads us  over a hill, onto a plateau with expansive views.  From there, the trail descends into a canyon with amazing water-sculpted sandstone cliffs.   Keep an eye out for Island foxes and birds along the way.  Eventually the canyon opens into fantastic ocean views, where we can walk along tide pools and dramatic cliffs, with continuing views of sandstone formations.  After eating lunch at the coast, we'll head back the way we came, continuing to look for wildlife.  This is one of our favorite hikes on Santa Rosa!

​

DAY FIVE

​

• Destination: Carrington Point

• Distance: 8 Miles

• Difficulty: Moderate

• Boat ride back to Ventura Harbor: 3 Hours

​

On our last morning we'll break down camp and head back to the pier to store our gear in lockers.  We'll head to Carrington Point from there, starting the trail with a short, steep hill, followed by rolling hills scattered with windswept trees and spectacular ocean views.  Once we get to Carrington Point, we'll spot seals, sea lions, pelicans, cormorants, and other marine wildlife below.  This view is the best way to end the trip! Back at the pier we'll board the ferry back to the mainland, keeping an eye out for dolphins, and enjoying the crew's commentary.

​

​

Trip Variations:

Nomadic By Nature tries our best to follow the itinerary as closely as possible, but there may be slight variations based on the National Park Service permit system and the ever-changing dynamics of the outdoors.

​

CHANNEL ISLANDS BIOSECURITY PROTECTION:

In 2014, Channel Islands National Park created a biosecurity program to "prevent, detect, and respond to nonnative species introductions." As visitors, we play a vital role to protect the park and its biodiversity.  Please check out the Park Service's website: Protect Your Park Through Biosecurity