Three days on the Trans-Catalina Trail

Though there are many different ways to hike the TCT, this adventure begins in Avalon and ends at Two Harbor covering 26 miles with overnight stops at Blackjack Campground and Little Harbor Campground.

FERRY TICKET AND CAMPSITE RESERVATIONS

Your preparation for hiking the TCT may need to be done months in advance starting with reserving campsites for both Blackjack and Little Harbor Campgrounds available though VisitCatalinaIsland.com, and purchasing ferry tickets from CatalinaExpress.com. Firewood and water can be purchased and stored ahead of time in lockers provided at the campsites. As for the ferry ticket you can choose leave from Long Beach, San Pedro or Dana Point, be sure to BUY A ROUND TRIP TICKET ($72) that drops you off at AVALON and departs the Island from TWO HARBORS.

AVALON HARBOR

The first day of your adventure is the longest, 16 miles on the trail, so it is suggested to take the first ferry of the day departing at 6 am. Once you have made it to Avalon Harbor you will need to check-in at Hotel Atwater located on Sumner Ave, a short walk from where to ferry drops you off. Here you will be given your permits for hiking and camping on the island, also you can pick up the locker key if you have pre-purchased firewood. After you pick-up your permit walk to the Catalina Conservancy House where you can purchase a map of the trail, maps of the trail are now available for download to your phone CatalinaIslandConservancy.com

BLACK JACK CAMPGROUND

Day 1: (16 miles) Once you have picked-up your permits and map you can now make your way to the TCT trail head, follow Pebbly Beach Rd. southeast along the harbor for 1.4 miles, turn right on Wrigley Rd and walk until you see a dirt fire road on your left. This is East End Light Road and the start of the TCT, follow the road south for 3.1 miles and turn right at the East Mountain Summit fork (1,563 ft.). From here you will turn west and continue climbing the ridge high above Avalon Bay, 3.5 miles after the fork you will find a gazebo overlooking the city of Avalon, Hermit Gulch campground, and Nature Center. Take a break in the shade and drink some water, after this you will have 7 very exposed miles to go till you reach your first campsite at Black Jack Campground.

LITTLE HARBOR

Day 2: (7 miles) The second day of your adventure is a much easier hike starting with a short 2 mile climb to Catalina’s Airport in the Sky. Located at the airport is DC-3 Gifts & Grill, here you have the opportunity to resupply your food and water storage and even enjoy delicious items from the grill including their famous buffalo burger. Once you are rested, fed, and resupplied locate Sheep Chute Rd headed north out of the airport and begin the 5 mile downhill hike to Little Harbor. Just beware that the road has no shade so make sure to fill your water reservoirs before heading out. Little Harbor is my favorite campsite on the Catalina. Located on the backside of the island Little Harbor is not as easily accessed as the other beach camps. Despite the isolation this campsite has potable water, bathrooms, and large nicely built campsites with fire-pits, picnic benches, and awnings, not to mention a small cove for swimming and great views of the sun setting on the Pacific Ocean.

TWO HARBORS

Day 3: (5 miles) This is your shortest hike in mileage, but don’t be fooled it is a tough uphill climb with little coverage along very exposed ridges. It is however one of the most beautiful parts of the TCT with fantastic views of the Pacific Ocean, town of Two Harbors, and the western side of the island. The final mile descends into Two Harbors, the smaller of the two island towns. The town boasts a small general store, Harbor Reef Restaurant, visitor center and Catalina Express dock.

Now that you have completed this section of the TCT stop by the general store, pickup some beer and snacks and relax on the beach while you wait for your ferry ride to arrive.