Santa Cruz Island
May 22-26, 2001 we spent 5 days and 4 nights at Santa Cruz Island. The new Island Packers boat
(the Islander) is fast - 21 knots by my GPS and took about one hour each way. Camped at the
back campground in Scorpion Canyon - about a half mile walk but quiet. Other groups were camped
including a large class from the Thatcher School in Ojai. We brought gallons of water but found
the solar powered water system had just been turned on at the campground by the rangers.
Wind and wave conditions were good. We kayaked four days and hiked one. Did fishing
and snorkeling too. Smugglers Cove vicinity has good undersea gardens, islets,
beach, sea lions frolicking, and caves. Lots to explore. We went around the eastern
tip of Santa Cruz Island one day visiting Smugglers Cove (old ranch) and got to
a great beach and big kelp beds at Yellowbanks about 5 miles from Scorpion. Braved
some west wind and swell coming back - 3 feet swell plus 2 foot wind wave but
not too bad. Another day went west to Chinese Harbor, also about 5 miles one way.
Almost no wind that day. Passed sea lion colony of about 100 animals. Landed,
rested and then snorkeled at rocky beach with some 3-4 foot sets of crashing waves,
but we got in and out quickly during lulls.
Hiked one day to Montanon Peak (1800' high). Went up a rocky canyon that had a few pools and
good vegetation - not weedy and overgrazed (by 100+ years of sheep ranching) like many lower
parts of the island. Oaks, toyon and ironwood groves higher on the mountain. Good view and
hike. Some feral pigs (I saw 7) still ravage the terrain, digging up soil looking for food.
Actually there were good flowers and greenery on the cliffs and ledges above the coastline where
grazers couldn't reach.
Last day we started early for the 7AM minus tide. Lots of colorful starfish and little crabs.
Went in about 15 caves in the calm low tide conditions. One a few hundred feet long. Used our
lights and helmets. Caught 2 fish with rod and reel. Easy to see fish (particularly the
bright orange Garibaldi) in the clear water below.
Saturday the camp was nearly full. A hundred people or so staying. Numerous others for a day
visit (7 hours about on the island with the fast boat). Patty and I had the only closed deck
kayaks. There were a number of commercial guided groups who used sit-on-tops and ventured only
about a half mile from Scorpion.
100 on board going back (boat is licensed for 150); took a while to load people, camping gear,
kayaks, one straggler, etc. Then mid-channel we all watched in amazement as a school of dolphin
(at least 3000 according to the captain) frolicked around the boat and up to a mile in the
distance.
A great place! A National Park practically in our back yard! Much available for exploring and
retreating from the hustle and bustle. I intend to see all the Channel Islands the same way in
the near future.
Ron Hudson
Submitted on May 28, 2001