Although Channel Islands National Park is located off the
coast of Southern California, it does take a bit of determination to plan a visit.
Access is only by boat, which consumes
an entire day, or by small plane, which is a half-day tour but flies only on the
weekend this time of year. However you manage
to get there, you will be rewarded with a place like nowhere else in the world.
Channel Islands National Park is comprised of five
islands that are located between the mainland coast and the deep ocean. The Channel Islands were never connected to
the mainland, and this isolation allowed the plants and animals there to evolve
independently, much like the Galapagos Islands of South America. The islands contain 145 plants and animals
that are not found elsewhere.
Tim and I arrived on Santa Cruz Island yesterday
on a boat operated by Island Packers, and it was a rough ride that resulted in
more than one case of seasickness. Because
of the low tide, we were unable to dock at the pier and were shuttled to the
island by small skiffs. That was a fun experience!
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| Making Our Way to Santa Cruz by Skiff |
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| Another Group Arriving on Shore |
We joined a tour led by a very knowledgeable
volunteer naturalist and learned about the natural and cultural resources on Santa
Cruz. We hiked up to Cavern Point, where
we were rewarded with magnificent coastal views of the ocean and the high
cliffs.
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| The View from Cavern Point |
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| Sarah and Tim |
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| High Cliffs |
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| Scorpion Anchorage |
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| Rocky Beach |
Santa Cruz Island was formerly a sheep
ranch, and several of the historic structures have been preserved. Ranching, however, had a detrimental impact on
the native vegetation, and restoration efforts have been underway since the
park was established in 1980.
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| Scorpion Ranch House |
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| Farm Equipment |
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| A Reconstructed Windmill in the Distance |
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| Blacksmith Shop |
Although we were never able to spot an island
fox, we enjoyed the expansive views, the green hills and the pretty flowers. But most of all we relished the tranquility that
lures people back again and again. Channel
Islands National Park is a very special place indeed.
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| Green Hills |
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| Island Morning Glories |
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| Island Morning Glory |
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| Everyone Back on the Boat |
Oh a boat ride! What fun. :-) This looks like a very special place. I will have to put this on my bucket list. So glad it is part of the park system! LV
ReplyDeleteLV, We did have fun on the boat ride, although it was soooo cold on the water! Yes, this is a special place and well worth visiting. Sarah
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