NP#40 - Anacapa Island

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Sept 9, 2012 - Anacapa Island

To celebrate my birthday, we visited our second Channel Island - Anacapa. It is the closest of the Channel Islands to the mainland...and has to be the least inspiring! Only the eastern third of this five mile long, quarter mile wide island is accessible to visitors. If you've ever wondered what a "desert island" looks like, come here! 

                                                 (Click on images for a larger view.)

Arch Rock

One of the more interesting aspects of Anacapa is the somewhat famous "Arch Rock" that greets visitors from the mainland. 

Docking Station

To disembark on to the island, our Tour Boat had to dock in a tiny cove that was somewhat protected from the swell of the ocean. Once off the boat, visitors then climb 156 steps up to the top where they are greeted to a grand view of...shall we say a not-so-grand view of a very dormant landscape .

Trail to Inspiration Point

Hiking Anacapa is easy. There are a grand total of 2 miles of hiking trails on the entire island that form a figure-8. Once leaving the landing cove, Terry and I chose the northern route out to Inspiration Point. As you can see...there wasn't much to see!

Cathedral Cove

More Cathedrals

Inspiration Point

Unfortunately, we arrived at Inspiration Point about 11 am. The light for photographing the scenery was abysmal! This would have been a much better shot at 7 am...however, to achieve that shot would have meant camping on this deserted island overnight! For you photo buffs...if you want the primo shot of Inspiration Point, come in the spring when the Coreopsis Forest is in full bloom and plan on spending the night on the rock. 

Trail to the Lighthouse

Coreopsis Forest

This is as good as it gets for vegetation in September! The Coreopsis are dormant and look sickly.  In spring these "tree sunflowers" display a vibrant yellow bloom. Today they look dead and decaying! There were a few colorful blooms on the island, but the majority of the plant life had retired for the season!

Lighthouse

In 1853, the Winfield Scott ran aground in the dense fog on Anacapa's middle island. To help aid future voyagers along the coast of California, a lighthouse was constructed on the island in 1912. Pity the poor bugger who must live on this desolate piece of real estate to man the lighthouse!

Lighthouse Complex

Unlike the lighthouse at Cabrillo National Monument, this one is off limits to the few visitors who dare to hike about this island. If isolation is your thing...this island is for you!

Sunbathing Sea Lions

Our 40th!

Now that we've bagged #40 - we're making plans to visit all 58 of America's "Best Idea" - our National Parks. It has been an exciting and educational experience for us and these treks will live in our memories and dreams for years to come. We encourage you to get outside and take a hike! 

I can't tell you how refreshing it is to leave the cell phone, computer and most of humanity behind and get your socks dirty! Next up - Trekking Rim-to-Rim at the Grand Canyon. (See the previous Post)

NP# 40 - Channel Islands

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Sept 8, 2012 - Ventura Harbor

To celebrate my birthday...and the achievement of completing our Treks thru the Parks, Terry arranged for Park visit #40 - Channel Islands National Park off the coast of California. Today we will tour Santa Cruz Island - one of the 5 islands that comprise Channel Islands NP.

(Click on the images for a larger view.)

Early Morning Calm

Prior to departure, the seas were glass. Once we hit the open water, it was quite a different story. A good 4-6 foot swell pounded our boat during the one hour ride to Santa Cruz Island causing several of the 130 passengers to utilize the ship's  seasick bags!

Terry on Board

This Park is one of the least visited of the 58 major National Parks despite being only 11 miles offshore from one of the world's the most populous regions. The reason for its limited visitation - the only way to visit is by boat or by small aircraft. You cannot drive to this Park.  Hence, people stay away. We opted for the water route via Island Packers, the concessionaire responsible for taxiing visitors from the mainland to the Islands.    

Prisoners Harbor Pier

The Ship made two stops this morning. At the first stop, Scorpion Anchorage, the majority of the passengers disembarked leaving only a dozen of us heading to Prisoners Harbor. 

Eucalyptus on the Beach

Santa Cruz Island is the largest of the 5 Channel Islands and measures about 24 miles long and from 2 to 6 miles in width. Euc's are not endemic to the island; however, there are over 60 species of plants and animals that are only found here. One of the most colorful is the Scrub Blue Jay. 

Trail to Pelican Bay

Most of the Prisoners passengers were campers and headed off toward Del Norte Camp. Our Island Guide, Dee Dee, lead our Birders, Terry and me on a "moderate to strenuous" rated trail to Pelican Bay.

White House

About a mile into the trail from the Pier to Pelican Bay, you'll find a small shack where island workers store their stuff. 

Along came a Spider...

We didn't see much in the way of wildlife during our 5 hour hike, yet this spider caused quite a stir with Dee Dee and the Birders. The lime green sacks are spider eggs.

Sack Lunch

This arachnid is about to enjoy its lunch!

Into the Forest Thicket

Most of the Channel Islands are desolate with little vegetation. The average rainfall is less than 13 inches a year. However, the trail leading to Pelican Bay is lush compared to the rest of the island. Oak, manzanita and scrub brush line the trail.

Dee Dee and the Snag

I have a thing about snags. I can't help but take their picture. While I was at it, I thought it would be a good idea to "snag" a picutre of our guide, Dee Dee. She is as delightful person and once the Birder's flew the coupe on the more strenuous portion of the hike, Terry and I had Dee Dee all to ourselves!

Pelican Bay

Pelican Bay is actually NOT in the National Park. Three quarters of of Santa Cruz Island is owned by The Nature Conservancy. Access to Pelican Bay is permitted only with a permit obtained thru the National Park Service and their concessionaire - Island Packers. 

Raven Haven

Do not leave your backpack unattended. These rascals are famous for raiding packs left alone by unwary hikers.

 Pebble Beach!

As we approached Pelican Bay, I spied what appeared to be a small beach just to the west of our destination. Not nearly as lovely (or as crowded) as the one in Monterey, CA...this pebble beach was a picture of serenity for I was the only one to enjoy its rocky splendor!

Trekker Twosome at Pelican Bay

We did it! Forty Parks within our 40 month timeframe!  And ahead of schedule! Tomorrow we visit Anacapa...the closest of the Islands. And after that...#41 - Crater Lake National Park in southern Oregon. We'll be trekking the trails of Crater in late September. 

Until then friends...enjoy the heck out of this trek called life!

Rim-to-Rim Grand Canyon - Day 1

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September 14, 2012 - North Kaibab Trailhead

Our very close friends Rilus Graham and Roy Mosel (the guy with the funny hat and sunglasses) join Terry and I as we pose for a picture prior to our Rim-to-rim Trek across the Grand Canyon! Ten minutes prior to descending into the canyon, Terry scored a Hiker's Cabin at Phantom Ranch for all of us which brought about loud squeals of delight! 

(Click on pictures for larger view of image)

7:10 am - Descending down the North Kaibab Trail

The first 5 miles of our trek into the Canyon is extremely steep with several switchbacks. We descended 1441 feet in the first 1.7 miles and another 1580 feet by the time we reached Roaring Springs. Our destination today - Phantom Ranch which sits over 5700 feet below the North Rim.

A Chilly Morning on the North Rim 

The temperature at the start of our trek hovered around 43°. It soon warmed up but much to our delight, it never got over 90°.  A couple days prior to our arrival, the Canyon experienced several days of thunderstorms which cooled off the sweltering summer heat.

One mile down...14.8 to go!

Red walls of the N. Kaibab Trail

Silhouetted Self Portrait

Rock Pushers!

The Threesome moving a chunks of Coconino sandstone out of the path!

Mile 4.7 - Roaring Springs

At Mile 4.7 we reached the Roaring Springs offshoot trail. It's about a three quarter mile round trip down to the Springs and back. The Trekkers chose to carry on another .7 miles to the Pump House Ranger Station for a snack and hydration. 

Roaring Springs

Beneath this massive monolith lies an underground lake which houses the source of Roaring Springs which exits about half way down the face of the canyon.  The N. Kaibab trail head is now far in the distance. 

Our Final Destination in Sight

After our brief stop at the Pump House to snack up and shed clothing, we spotted the South Rim. Only 20 miles to go! 

Ribbon Falls

After passing Cottonwood Campground, we soon came to the trail leading to Ribbon Falls. This is a "must see" side trip about three quarters of a mile off the Main Trail. By the time we reached the Falls, the trail was heating up so the cool waters of Ribbon Falls proved to be most refreshing!

Shower Time!

Rilus peeking thru the Shower Curtain

Roy loving the cool spray

Refreshed and ready to continue on to Phantom!

Top of the Falls

Ribbon Falls Wild Life

Entering the Box

The last 7 miles of the of the hike to Phantom Ranch is relatively flat not nearly as scenic as the first half of the descent. At this point you enter a Box Canyon that during the summer can become a deadly oven. This was definitely cause for concern prior to our arrival as Terry is very susceptible to hyponatremia.  The Weather Gods looked down upon us favorably and we escaped the extreme heat that often plagues this stretch of the trail.  

Roy celebrating his Bunk at Cabin #10

After 15.8 miles of hiking, we made it to Phantom Ranch at 3:55pm - 5 minutes before the canteen closed down to prepare for the 5pm dinner crowd. We asked the Barkeep for beer! At first he refused our request stating that they were closing in a few minutes. We squealed. He asked if we could finish the beer in 5 minutes. Are you kidding? We were parched from our hike! We finished them with 2 minutes to spare!

With a beer in his belly, Roy couldn't help but celebrate when he laid eyes on his bunk in our Hiker's Cabin! Along with the Cabin came the keys to the Shower House! Life is Grand here at the bottom of the Canyon!

Hiker Cabin #10

Prior to scoring the Hiker's Cabin at the last minute, Terry and I were scheduled to stay in Phantom's male and female dorms. Rilus and Roy had a permit to camp at the Bright Angel Campground. Due to Terry's persistent calling, all four of us were treated to our own Cabin for the night. 

Happy Campers!

Phantom Ranch Canteen

Since 1922, Phantom Ranch has served as an oasis for hikers trekking down from the North and South Rims and for rafters riding the rapids of the Colorado River. Reservations at Phantom are extrememly difficult to procure so the fact that Terry was able to score us a Cabin at the last minute borderlined on miraculous! to say the least, our overnight stay was delightful!

Our dinner was served at 6:30. We wolfed down our stew, swilled a couple of beers and the weary foursome was in the sack by 7:30! Breakfast at 5 am and then off we go to the South Rim!