Monthly Archives: March 2016

Trail Report- Smuggler’s Cove, Santa Cruz Island

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The Quick and Dirty:
Location –Smuggler’s Cove, Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park
Distance – 7.5 mile round trip
Terrain Type –  Coastal, the hike ends up at a secluded beach called Smuggler’s Cove
Difficulty – Moderate with some hill climbs

Duration– 3 hours at a leisure paceIMG_0414.JPG Continue reading →

Trail Report- Montañon Ridge, Santa Cruz Island

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The Quick and Dirty:
Location – Montañon Ridge, Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park
Distance – 8 mile round trip
Terrain Type –  Scrubs and small trees, this hike runs inside the island with a steady ascend to the peak. It does not have any ocean views like the Potato Harbor hike and early morning fog can impede your vantage point when you get to the top of the ridge.
Difficulty – Moderate to strenuous

Duration– 3.5 hours at a leisure paceIMG_20160319_084817.jpg Continue reading →

Trail Report-Potato Harbor, Santa Cruz Island

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The Quick and Dirty:
Location – Potato Harbor, Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands National Park
Distance – 5 mile round trip
Terrain Type – Slight ascend at the beginning of the hike to the top of the sea cliff and then the hike levels out
Difficulty – Easy
Best Time – Spring with the wild flowers makes this a magificient hike but the trail is accessible year-round

Duration– 2 hours at a leisure pace

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View of the harbor from the top of the sea cliff

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Overview of Santa Cruz Island- Channel Islands National Park

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IMG_0400.JPGChannel Islands National Park has long been on our list of places to visit. Since Louis’s birthday fell on a Friday this year, I made an executive decision to celebrate his birthday by visiting Santa Cruz Island within Channel Islands National Park. Out of the five islands within the National Parks jurisdiction, Santa Cruz island is the most frequently visited island. Ferries to and from the island are available at least once a day.

This post will be followed by a series of other posts detailing the hikes and kayaking activities during our stay at Santa Cruz island. Continue reading →

MYOG: Building Your Emergency Bag

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Quick and Dirty
Cost: Varies based on you and your family’s needs
Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty (1-10): 1

Disasters happen everywhere and unfortunately most people are never prepared for them. Because we live in California, lots of people have a misguided sense of trust that no major disasters are going to happen. Here are some tips to preparing a short-range lightweight bag to carry in your car in case of an emergency.  Everyone has different needs, you know your own family the best- pack what you think is best for you and your family.  Keep in mind what we pack in the bags in this post are simply to get you home.

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A basic get home bag we keep in our vehicles. Repurposed old backpacks make great emergency bags.

Continue reading →