Catalina Island, Trans-Catalina Trail (TCT). It took 3 hours from door to trailhead to begin our adventure—our escape from the daily grind. 1 hour drive. 1.5 hour ferry ride. 30 minute safari bus. Not too shabby and just what was needed.
We sectioned the TCT back in 2010. This past weekend, we went back to finish it off. Two Harbors—Parsons Landing—Litte Harbor and back to the town of Avalon to relax at Descanso Beach before taking the ferry home.
The trail itself is nothing to write home about—many sections are fire road style and VERY steep. Both ways. The uphill is welcomed, but the downhill nearly killed us. Between our body weight and the extra weight on our backs, we couldn't even stand still without sliding—every muscle in our legs shaking from overuse.
While the elevation is not nearly as high as what we are used to on backpacking trips, the loss was the steepest downhill I've ever done. So much so, that I would seriously consider taking the easy road next trip. But enough bitching, it is all worth it to arrive at your own private beach...
We set out on West End Road to hike back along the coast. It was a much easier, more populated hike. There were a ton of coves and we cherished the overcast skies after the heat from the previous day. We even passed an amazing boyscout camp that made me wish I was a little boy—or a camp counselor.
We spent the next night at Little Harbor Campsite. It was pretty crowded but still so beautiful.
The next morning while we were frolicking around shooting photos and swimming, our safari bus back to town came and went. We saw it pulling off down the road as we arrived back to our site to pack up to catch that 11am bus, that actually didn't exist. As Casey pulled out our tickets, they read 10am. DAMN. If you want something done right...
But I didn't even give him a hard time. We just laughed. Now what? Not a bad place to be stranded, but we're also out of food. There was one other bus that day that was already filled. Luckily, we made a friend that lives at Two Harbors that we exchanged numbers with to hang out in the future. We quickly called in a favor to our new buddy and he came and saved the day.
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| Thanks Drew! |
Back at Descanso Beach, we earned the famous Buffalo Milk followed by the best lobster tacos, Fidel style, at the Lobster Trap. My mouth is still watering.
Until we meet again...buh-bye Catalina.
MORE PHOTOS HERE!