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| Backpack | 46.00 Miles |
9,300 AEG |
| | Backpack | 46.00 Miles | 5 Days | | |
| 9,300 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | The Trans-Catalina Trail is bucket-list material. During the planning stages of a California trip, I stumbled upon a rare vacancy at Parsons Landing campground. This brought the Trans-Catalina to the forefront and after some late-night research and booking, my 5-day trek was in stone.
Day 1 - Two Harbors to Parsons Landing: This was the easiest day on paper. Also my first official day of backpacking. My pack wasn't comfortable for the first few miles until I stopped and repacked it. Had plenty of cloud cover and some lengthy drizzles. Parsons Landing is a beautiful campsite on the beach - of course it's booked solid. Good day.
Day 2 - Parsons Landing to Two Harbors: Followed the western side of the trail back to Two Harbors. The climb out of the campground to the ridgeline was comically steep. One of my favorite sections of trail was along this ridgeline - incredible views of the bulkier, southern end of the island. Set up camp outside of Two Harbors then headed back into "town" for some grub. The remaining cloud cover from Monday cleared out and there was nothing but sun from here on out.
Day 3 - Two Harbors to Little Harbor: No lockboxes at Two Harbors Campgground which seemed peculiar. I left my food bag outside of my tent and found it on the beach below the cliffs the following morning. Only casualties were my oatmeal packets which exploded on impact. 
Some excellent single track right over the water during the final downhill into Little Harbor. Super windy along this section. Took a quick dip at Little Harbor - it was cold but worth it after hiking in.
Day 4 - Little Harbor to Black Jack: Made great time on the gradual incline. It felt like it was warming up more and more every day, still nice when the breeze was present. Incoming hikers warned of a bison on the trail near the airport - they weren't kidding! It was lying on the trail atop a berm. Passing required a wide swing around a nearby pond.
Filled up on carbs with another burger at the airport (way better than Two Harbors) and headed for Black Jack.
I took a walk up to Mt. Orizaba for some views before dinner. The peak's leveled and covered in equipment - still worth the time IMO.
Day 5 - Black Jack to Avalon: Last day, "mostly" downhill. Hands-down the warmest day. Took a quick shortcut to avoid a bison and ended up missing my water source. 3L barely got me to Hermit Gulch, however, I needed to skip the trail to Lone Tree View. All the more reason to come back. The last couple miles before Hermit Gulch were a scorcher, downhill or not.
Grabbed a celebratory beer at a dive bar in Avalon before heading to the dock for the boat to San Pedro. Couldn't have asked for a better introduction to backpacking! |
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Route Editor
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