Park 16: Channel Islands National Park; Santa Cruz Island, CA:  Spent an interesting day on Santa Cruz Island after a one hour, 21 mile, ride on the Island Packers high speed catamaran.  The 22 mile long island off the coast of Ventura, CA is the largest of the five islands that comprise the park.  Enroute we were delighted to cross a huge school of bottle nose dolphin that was feeding in the channel.    The dolphin followed alongside and raced the boat, darting in and out of sight, playfully jumping the wake for fifteen minutes!  The ship captain estimated that they numbered over 1000 and we would agree!

Santa Cruz was the home of the Chumash Indians for many years until the Spaniards arrived in the 1700’s and gradually pushed them to the missions on the mainland.  In the late 1800’s the island was turned into a ranch for sheep and pigs.   Since becoming a National Park in 1980, the park rangers have removed the nonnative species, both plant and animal, to return the island to its earlier existence.

Overlook at Cavern Point

We spent the day hiking the diverse windswept island of steep volcanic hills, grassy meadows and rugged ocean shoreline.  A naturalist led our small group of 14 to the top of Cavern Point, then we were on our own to explore.   After a rough five mile loop fighting the wind, and a picnic in the middle of a grassy trail, we returned to the rocky beach by 4:00 to catch the return ferry.  Except for two spartan campgrounds, there were no amenities or services on the island! 

Trail to Potato Bay

Beach and landing at Scorpion Bay

Odometer: 6,454miles.