I am up for either place. I have to trailer my boat to wherever we start from. Isn't Catalina only about 3 miles further than Santa Cruz island?
There are a bunch of "boat in" camp sites between Avalon and Two Harbors that could be ideal. Check out http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/camping-boating/two-harbors-boating/boat-in-camping
I just checked the reservation website and most of the sites are still available for that weekend.
More information on the "boat in" sites....
Anyone been to Parson's Landing or anywhere other than Avalon and Two Harbors?
http://catalinaislandexplorer.com/parsons-landing-campground/
I really hope t hi is gonna happen for Catalina but if this falls threw my crew and will be heading out to Santa Cruz island that weekend if anybody is interested. Weather permitting of course.
I have camped at Parsons landing before. It is a small campground. At least one time I was there I recall a bit of a shore break. Not too big for people to stand in but it made landing and launching a dingy with a motor pretty difficult and exciting. It was a nice spot. It was a lot of years ago so I don't really remember all the specifics. At the time I worked at Howlands Landing (a few miles closer to Two Harbors).
The boat in campsites between Avalon and Two Harbors sound perfect because our group would have the spot to ourselves. And we wouldn't need to hike the gear 1/4 mile into the camp sites like is required at Scorpion. I have never camped at Scorpion but I have anchored there several time and went ashore to explore. Its a cool coastline but being able to camp right on the beach (like you can in the boat up sites on Catalina) has my vote.
Carl and myself are committed to making this happen, weather permitting of course. Our plan so far is to use Carls Nacra 5.8 and use lightweight backpacking gear to keep our load light.
Edited by genehacker on Oct 26, 2014 - 07:06 AM.
My vote is for camping on the beach/boat.
It looks like to camp at Pearson's landing you need to check in at Two harbors.
Goat harbor looks like it has a good beach for catamarans. When searching for info I stumbled along this:
http://www.thebeachcats.com/pictures?g2_itemId=18822
I'm prepared to go full rustic if need be. I'll just load the backpack like any weekend trip in the Sierras. The photo at Goat Harbor may be from a Bill Mattson trip. I'll email him for camping suggestions. Any landing East of Two Harbors would give us a better angle to the wind.
There are limitations to the number of people these sites can hold and reservations are required so it would be good to get a plan together and secure a head count soon so we can get the best site for our group size (whatever it ends up being).
seems like there's 4 boats (with crew of 8?) committed...is everyone fine with leaving Friday from Long Beach? Maybe move to e-mail to sort out the details would not be a bad thing..anyone want to take the lead?
the campsites fit 8 but I noticed that 5 out of 8 sites at Parsons Landing were already reserved for the dates 11/21 - 11/23.....even the boat-in camp site availability looks like it may shrink as Nov 21/23 approaches...
Email or on this public forum...either is fine with me.
My email is riverlakere at gmail dot com. I will have to confirm with Carl on leaving Friday but I should be able to make that happen on my end.
Looking at the "boat in site" availability there are already limited options with a group of 8. As of today...this what is available:
Gibraltar: Sounds like it can be exposed to swells in the fall...might be less than ideal.
Italian gardens: cobble stone beach - no sand. Looks like plenty of space.
Rippers cove site A: set up for 8 people, has the best beach of the three camps in rippers cover. Sounds like its well protected.
I think Rippers Site A is the best choice for a group of our size.
I am down with going with the other options too (Scorpion on Santa Cruz, Two harbors, or Pearsons)...but Rippers Site A has my vote.
Whatever route we go, it looks like the full payment is required for making a reservation. It would be $32 per person for 2 nights so reserving a site for 8 would take an initial payment of $256.00...that is a pretty big chunk for someone to pay out without collecting from everyone else first.
I have Paypal, maybe that would work.
I prefer Parsons Landing, it has sanitary facilities and access to trails with hikes. With the boat in camp sites I am not sure whether we may be stuck on the beach site we land.
I am fine with a Friday departure.Having a camping spot with a chemical toilet would be good just so we don't have to pack sh t out .Looks like we need to get a headcount and get this booked.I am fine with any departure point, and destination will the Ventura guys be cool with long beach\San Pedro? either way it is a 3 hour drive for us
Email addy....crazyonbikes@yahoo.com
Opps.. a sandy beach may be a good thing as landing on a cobblestone beach with little swell may be interesting
Edited by onekiwi on Oct 27, 2014 - 09:31 AM.
Looking at Goggle earth there are 2 obvious trails heading inland from Rippers cove one ties into the the dirt road system, so hiking would definitely be an option from Rippers cove.
Parsons has the advantage of toilets, supplied water jugs, and firewood...but its less than ideal to have to go to Two harbors to check in and pick up the locker key. After picking that up it could be a pain to beat up to Parsons landing. It might be worth a call to see if there is anyway to camp at Parsons without having to check in Two harbors.
Even without the logistical complications of having to two harbors in route to parsons, Rippers would likely be an easier destination in prevailing winds.
Launching Saturday and returning either Sunday or Monday might be better. Traffic getting to the launch would likely be way easier on Sat morning than Friday. I think it would be ideal to be pushing off at 10.30 or so and that would put is in the middle or morning rush hour getting there....for anyone that lives more than a few miles away this would likely be the case.
I have launched at Cabrillo Beach (which is the shortest distance to either parsons/rippers). I left my vehicle for a few days with no issues. There was cop in the parking lot when we got there (looked like he was taking a nap) and there was an attendant at the gate so it seemed safer than some other long term parking lots I have used. There is launch ramp with a long finger dock. This is where I would prefer to leave from.
My vote is for leaving Sat and coming back Mon.
I look forward to reading about the trip. Unfortunately, I'm too far away and too new to the sport to go on this trip this time, but I'm hoping that I can trailer down south and join in on a future trip.
Hope you have a great sail!
Bob
I got a reply back from the folks in Two harbors. It sounds like we could go strait to Parsons Landing and not check in at Two Harbors, but we would not have access to water/firewood if we did that.
So of these two sites it comes down to:
Parsons has toilets.
Rippers is likely an easier destination in prevailing wind but we have to pack out our poop.
I have done a ton of river trips where this is required...its not as bad as it sounds with wag-bags and a small bucket (or plastic container with a screw on lid).
BTW, Bill Mattson's website has a few more recollections from his Channel Island trips that you can look up :
2009 trip to Pelican Bay on Santa Cruz:
http://www.catsail.com/cinp/trip0609/sci0609.html
2003 trip to Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa:
http://www.catsail.com/cinp/trip3-2/trip3-2.htm
2003 Santa Cruz Island North Shore:
http://www.catsail.com/cinp/trip2-3/index.htm
2001 Santa Cruz Prisoners Harbor & Smugglers Cove:
http://www.catsail.com/cinp/trip1-3/feature1.htm
2001 Santa Cruz Scorpions Anchorage:
Sounds like an awesome trip. I used to work summers on Catalina when I was a kid and would see the occasion beach cat come over - always looked fun. Sailed there lots when I had a Tartan 30 in Oceanside as well. Anyway, couple things I'd consider...
Italian Gardens has no trail access if you want to hike. Nice diving though. Typically really, really calm. I've seen small Boston Whalers anchor there overnight with a tiny Danforth and just run a line to shore. Great diving at Goat as well (used to be anyway). Only been to Parsons once but found it quite pleasant.
Depending on wind direction, you can get becalmed pretty far off shore - I'd bring good side paddles. I think this is more of an issue between Long Point and the East end, but something to consider.
Probably obvious, but November is getting to "Santa Ana" season for winds. We were in Avalon once, when a warning went out. Got out of Avalon just before they hit - maybe 40 knots out of seemingly nowhere. Was quite terrifying actually.
Looking forward to the pictures & write-up...
Chris
Santa Ana winds are a concern. I was caught out once on a Ericson 35 and it was very scary. The weather report the night before was all good and by 9.30am were getting blasted. We had a hank on genoa that was a huge chore to bring in. When we limped into the harbor we shared looks with several other crews that likely got the same surprise we did.
There is a new warning website that went public this year. Here is the link: http://psgeodata.fs.fed.us/sawti/
how do folks deal with power needs on multi day camping trips?
...there's a lot of equipment out there but most of it is not submersible. So one option is to pack regular camping solar panel and battery charger (e.g. GoalZero) into a submersible bag or find a more robust solution that can handle salt water (at least to some degree). Also, there may be a need for DC power besides the usual low AMP USB charging required for Iphones GoPro etc. e.g my VHF has an 18V input charge station. There's battery charge stations but most of them are far from submersible and most not even waterproof...
Anyone had more luck with one type over another in the beach cat/camping environment?
another question re. anchors, folks have a style or a particular one they prefer for anchoring beach cats?
I found a 3.3lbs 4-fluke folding one from Kwiktek that's supposed to hold in mud, sand, gravel and rock and is coated to protect finishes. A 25 ft. long marine-grade rope, with an in-line buoy, is spliced to the anchor and a heavy-duty stainless steel snap hook.
I am thinking of ordering that or another similar fluke anchor (only 1.75lbs) for this trip...
The one's I carry on my inflatables are quite heavy and cast iron so may damage something or hurt someone if thrown around...
Marek,
I personally just take extra batteries for the electronics I use. I sepcifically chose my VHF radio because it has a battery tray that holds AA batteries (same as my GPS). I usually bring 4 cell phone batteries. And I bring an extra battery or two for my cameras. For a three day adventure...this has always worked out pretty well.
As far as an anchor goes...we will likely bring the lightest/smallest danforth anchor that I have. I plan on strapping it down tight so it cannot get thrown around.
OK...everyone that is in...what camp site should we reserve?
I talked to Carl this morning...we want to make reservations before our options start dwindling.
Carl is leaning towards Parsons, either way is fine with me. Unless there are any objections to Parsons...lets do this and get it tied up.
Edited by genehacker on Oct 28, 2014 - 08:36 AM.
I am good with either place. Just one question. How far from the beach to the campground?
Parsons sounds good, we could still pick up the key later correct? Boat-in Rippers is fine with me too....
can send $$$ via Paypal to whoever makes the reservation...
I am going with spfx. Let's wait and see what he and the other boat under Dartman have to say re. the camping and launch/landing/timing details...not sure how often he checks in with this site...