We finally got to do our Catalina backpacking trip that was cancelled because of the pandemic. Our original date was May 2020 - right at the beginning of the pandemic when we were on total lockdown.
This time, we all agreed to let Jim come - so it was the Bad Ass Ladies + Jim. He took the 4th spot that was to be occupied by a friend who opted out. It is always good to hike in a even number as folks can share food and gear as pairs.
Jim and I left SJ at 5:30 am and picked up Shannon at a gas station in Gilroy at 6 am. We cruised down to LAX and picked up Susan at 10:30 am. That got us to the ferry going out of Long Beach earlier than expected so we hopped on an early ferry and got to spend the afternoon checking out Avalon and the Wrigley Botanical Garden.
This is a pic of the ladies at the Wrigley Memorial in the botanical garden. And below is my favorite plant - the elephant foot tree.
The succulents in the botanical gardens and on the island were beautiful. I have never seen so many flowering prickly pear plants.
We stayed at a hotel the first nite which had a roof top patio. We used it for our dinner and our breakfast. Across the street what the Big Blue House which we laughed about because we always say that Lydia looks like the Bear in the Big Blue House.
The first day was over 11 miles and 3000 feet of elevation. Above shoes the trail all the way to the water, which is where we started. This shade structure was our first break after 3 miles up hill.
I have an unnatural fear of tsunamis which was a real fear while sleeping on the beach on this trip! The sign warning me that it is a safety risk was not helping!
This was a "backpacking light" trip since there were bathrooms, picnic tables and running water.
The trail had these shade structures which had been added in the last couple years. This particular day we really didn't need it as we had cloud cover, but on the other days, they were most welcomed! We called them "Pavilions".
This is our first campground at Blackjack. It was inland and some trip reports said it was not nice - we loved it.
Jim and Susan packed in a couple beers which was a big treat. Luckily they drank them down before the fog started rolling in and the wind started blowing!
The second day started with a hike to the airport! It is on the top of the island and has a restaurant to get a hot meal. We all got yummy breakfasts which we scarfed up! The is also where we met Rick and Joel, who would become our trail friends and bring us lots of laughs.
We left the airport only to run into Joel and Ricky who were heading back UP the trail as there were bison who were blocking the trail. We went to check it our only to have found that they had moved off the trail and we were able to safely get by.
Our second campground was Shark Harbor. We were right next to Little Harbor which had a huge contingency that was there for a horse camp. This included bringing horses by barges to the island. They also had showers and catering. We were happy to use their ports potties on our way out.
This is where we met our next set of trail friends: Jaime, Eric, 4 year old Jordan, Ashley, JR and Marina. Jim invited Jordan over to our fire to roast marshmallows and then the friendship was ON!
Another cool thing about this trip was that they delivered fire to our camp spots - which is unheard of where we normally backpack. So it was super fun to have fires each nite (except for the first nite where it was too dry).
On Wednesday, we headed to our next spot. This was a pretty easy day, but unfortunately, I pick up some kind of tummy bug and was pretty nauseous. So I could go about 50 feet uphill before I had to stop and settle my stomach down. It was slow going, but I made it and it was gorgeous. Below is a pic of our new trail friends in the Pavilion with us!
Just a few minutes after leaving the Pavilion, we came upon a bison laying right off the trail! After discussing the situation we decided to just pass him by walking about 150 feet off the trail - and potentially running into rattlesnakes. We got by and continued on our way and when we got lower, we could look up and see our trail friends trying to get by the bison. Luckily, a ranger came along and the little girl and a parent got in the vehicle to safely pass by!
This is me standing above Two Harbors - which is two harbors back to back.
Two Harbors has a little town about 1/4 mile from the campground. We went into town for drinks and dinner - and for me, pretzels, to settle my stomach. See Susan pretending the pretzel is a cigar!
Shenanigans in Two Harbors campground!
The last nite was spent in Parson's Landing. It was, again, right on the beach. Very private and very peaceful. Until the ground squirrel stole all my "tea time" sweets!
It was quite windy in Parsons Landing, so we hunkered down in the "library" to do some reading in the afternoon.
We also surprised Susan for her birthday with a candle, a card and a trans Catalina Island Trail sticker.
Right before bed all these pelicans came and landed right off the shore.
One of our trail friends, Marina, walked out with us on the last day so she could get the early ferry with us. This is where we waiting for her to come up from her camp. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed the 8 mile hike out to catch the ferry from Two Harbors.
Even the ferry ride back was fun as we sat outside in the sunshine and met a new friend, Alexis, who gave us a ride back to our truck at the other ferry terminal.
All in all it was a wonderful trip. Saw some bison and fox. Celebrated a birthday. Giggled and belly laughed.
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