Mount Orizaba

 

 

OR

 

Rather than pick up the hiking permit at the sites listed, you can just print one at home. It can be obtained in advance from the Conservancy's website at www.catalinaconservancy.org

Trekking Rules and Regulations:

 

Please note that hiking permits are issued for day hikes only and not for overnight camping or backpacking.

The following are some rules and regs provided by the Catalina Island Conservancy:

Please use trash containers where provided. When none are available, please carry refuse out with you. Section No. 374B of the California Penal Code covers the anti-littering act and its enforcement.

Tree cutting or gathering of wood, plant collecting, or in any way removing or defacing any natural or man made feature, including archaeological sites, is prohibited.

Do not disturb wildlife. All plants and animals are protected. Many are found only in Catalina and are rare and/or endangered species.

No hiker shall carry firearms, traps or other hunting equipment while in the interior of Catalina.

Hitchhiking is prohibited.
Carry a signed permit while hiking.

Dogs must be held on a leash while in the interior of Catalina.

Adhere to all regulations that govern your travel in the back country. As a visitor you have the responsibility to leave the natural environment free of any permanent imprints.

Stay on roads and trails.

 

Camping

Black Jack

Nestled beneath the eves of Black Jack Mountain and Orizaba lies the high and dry Blackjack Campground. This primitive facility provides eleven campsites spread among pine and eucalyptus trees some 1,600 feet above sea level. Each site offers sweeping views of rolling terrain and ocean. Situated miles from both Avalon and Two Harbors, Black Jack Campground offers solace and adventure in Catalina’s rugged interior.

Facilities and Activities

Picnic Tables
BBQ and fire ring
Showers
Fresh water
Chemical toilets
Lockers

Directions to Black Jack

The Black Jack Campground trailhead is accessible by foot, Airport Shuttle from Avalon, or by Safari Bus. The trailhead for the campground is nine miles from Avalon and 11.8 miles from Two Harbors. Once at the trailhead, it's a 1.5-mile walk in to the campsites.

Little Harbor

Located about seven miles east of Two Harbors and 16 miles from Avalon, Little Harbor is a sandy, beachfront campground. This place can get a little crowded, but not much beats a blazing fire and salty sea air.

Facilities and Activities

23 campsites, including eight group areas
Picnic tables
BBQ and fire ring
Showers
Fresh water
Chemical toilets
Lockers

Kayak and snorkel gear is available from Wet Spot Rentals daily through July and August or by advance reservation
Calling 310-510-2229.

Directions to Little Harbor

Little Harbor is accessible from Two Harbors or Avalon by Safari Bus or foot along one of the islands unpaved roads. Check the island trail map you obtained along with your hiking permit for specifics.

The Hermit Gulch Campground is Avalon’s sole camping facility. Located 1.5 miles from the boat landing, this campground is situated on a tree-lined field in Avalon Canyon close to the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden. Hermit Gulch offers vistas of the surrounding hills and access to the myriads of hiking trails nearby.

Facilities

Picnic tables
BBQ
Showers
Fresh water
Flush toilets
Vending machines
Rangers sell charcoal, ice, fire logs and propane

Directions to Hermit Gulch

Hermit Gulch is located on Avalon Canyon Road 1 mile from downtown Avalon. Taxi service is available from the Avalon Boat Landing.

Fees

$12 for adults; $6 for children, per person per day.

Tips

You should check-in at either Island Plaza in Avalon or Two Harbors Visitor Services. If you pre-purchased firewood, you will be issued a lockbox key when checking in. There is a 10-day maximum stay at all campgrounds.

Permit Required

Camping permits are required year-round and issued upon check-in at Two Harbors Visitor Services, Hermit Gulch Campground, or Island Plaza.

Alcoholic Beverages

Under-age drinking is illegal at Santa Catalina's campground facilities (BPC 25662). Expect this law to be strictly enforced.

Curfew For Minors

It is unlawful for any minor under the age of eighteen years to be present in or upon any public street, avenue, highway, road, curb area, alley, park, playground, or other public ground, public place, or public building, place of amusement or eating place, vacant lot or unsupervised place between the hours of 10:00 p.m. on any day and sunrise of the immediately following day; provided, however, that the provisions of this section shall not apply:
(a) the minor is accompanied by his or her parent or parents, legal guardian or other adult person having the lawful care or custody of the minor, or by his or her spouse eighteen years of age or older;
(b) the minor is upon an errand directed by his or her parent or parents or legal guardian or other adult person having the legal care or custody of the minor, or by his or her spouse eighteen years of age or older;
(c) the minor is attending or going to or returning directly home from a public meeting, or a place of public environment, such as a movie, play, sporting event, dance or school activity; or
(d) the presence of such minor in said place or places is connected with or required with respect to a business, trade, procession or occupation in which said minor is lawfully; or
(e) the minor is involved in an emergency such as a fire, natural disaster, automobile accident, a situation requiring immediate action to prevent serious bodily injury or loss of life, or any unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state which calls for immediate action.

Swimming

You can swim at your own risk since there are no lifeguards on duty at beach camping facilities.

Hook-Ups

There are no electrical hook-ups available at any campsites.

Fire Precautions

In accordance with the L.A. County Fire Code, fires and smoking are permitted in the BBQ and fire ring areas only. No wood fires of any kind are allowed at the Hermit Gulch Campground.

Gathering Wood

Gathering wood or plants, or in any way defacing or removing any natural or artificial feature of the island is prohibited.

Hunting

Firearms, archery equipment, traps or other hunting equipment are also prohibited if you're a visitor. Many of the island's residents are ex-firefighters or policemen and often designate certain remote areas as shooting ranges.

Plant and Animal Life

All plants and animals on the island are protected. Buffalo and other wildlife are unpredictable, so keep your distance when possible.

Quiet Hours

Campgrounds and public beaches have quiet hours between 10:00 PM and 8:00 AM . Radios or amplified sound/music aren't allowed at any time.

Geology and Bison

According to Sunset magazine, "Catalina ... is a geographic anomaly. Unlike California's other seven Channel Islands, it didn't break away from the mainland, but was formed by the upward heave of tectonic plates. The island is very rich in quartz and silver, to the point that some beaches on the seaward side have silvery-grey sand."

The island is somewhat like a ship lost at sea. It drifts north at a rapid pace of several centimeters per year. In time, the island is expected to disappear in the stormy seas of the north Pacific. A likely target: the Aleutian trench.

The island is also know for its plethera of wild bison, which congregate about the slopes of Orizaba and Black Jack. It is likely they were first imported in 1924 for the silent film version of Zane Grey's Western epic, "The Vanishing American." Since then, the bison population grown to as many as 600. Bison were frequently removed and sent to the mainland for auction. Recently, another solution was implemented. The Catalina Island Conservancy initiated a scientific study that determined a herd of between 150 and 200 would be good for the bison and ecologically sound for the island. In 2004, the Conservancy joined with several Indian tribes, including the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, the Tongva (thought to be Catalina's original inhabitants some 4,000 years ago), and the Lakota tribe of South Dakota. Some 100 bison were relocated 'home' to the Great Plains. The Conservancy plans to pursue a similar plan when the bison population exceeds 200. Although these great beasts are not native to the island, they cmake up an important part of Catalina's cultural fabric. As such, the Conservancy has no plans to remove all Bison from the island.

 
 

Weather & External Links

Avalon Weather Forecast.

Official site of the Catalina Island Conservancy