SOLO Backpacking the Trans Catalina Trail California's Most Unique Island Hike
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- Опубликовано: 21 апр 2023
- In April I took the Catalina Express Ferry over to Catalina Island to Backpack Solo the Trans Catalina Trail. A 40 mile Thru HIke across Catalina island and along the coast just 30 miles from Southern California's coast.
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Whether you’re looking for travel vlogs, travel tips and inspiration or want to know how to travel like a professional, then Alice’s Adventures is the travel vlog you’ve been searching for. With my in-depth destination guides and travel vlog series you get the trip specific information you need to know before you go. If you are looking for the best outdoor destinations to do around the world, best of guides for National Parks and World Heritage Sites then I'm the travel vlogger you’ve been looking for.
I’m Alice an outdoor junkie, curious explorer and environmentalist that grew up in the White Mountains of New Hampshire now living in Los Angeles. I’ve traveled and hiked all over the world, climbed some of the world’s tallest mountains, explored National Parks, scuba dived in reefs on all the corners of the planet and much more. I haven’t been everywhere yet, but I hope to bring new destinations, beautiful wilderness, animals and new cultures to you.
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#hiking #california
Do you have any backpacking plans this year?
AT section hikes in the White's 👍🙂
@@db.mc275 Wonderful
Alice. I do have backpacking plans this summer. Up here in orillia Ontario Canada where I live. It’s called Gordon light foot trail.
@@joenunes799 fantastic I’ll check it out on the map
@@AliceFordAdventures google it
Eventually my wife and I will get to this bucket list hike adventure, thanks for sharing your experience with us 🤩🙌 we are in! Keep it up 😀
Thanks I hope you do it’s pretty awesome just don’t go in summer try to go in spring or fall when there’s more grass and less heat
@@AliceFordAdventures appreciate the advise 🙌😀
The interior of the island looks beautiful. Definitely need to do that hike at some point in my life.
Another great video Alice. I grew up in L.A. and have been to Catalina several times. It’s where I met my first love, the sea. Snorkeling at Catalina as a boy changed my life forever. It started me down a path that greatly influenced everything from the day forward.
Thanks again for sparking great memories and giving more to pile on my already insane travel schedule.
Wow that must have been beautiful the diving over there is so clear. So many colorful fish
Dang, Alice is jacked! Probably has dumbbells in her backpack.
HA maybe :)
So good! Thanks
So inspiring. Thank-you!
Nice vid. Thanks 😊
Oh my goodness, Alice. This was a fantastic video. The production quality is first rate and the story you told was enticing--personal, beautiful, engaging. It was a solo hike, but not a solitary one. The video portrays you as an entity among nature, not a human conquering it. Well done (again).
Thank you so much Josh, I really appreciate you watching and am so glad you enjoyed the video.
Will be doing this in 2024 already got my reservations
Super rad!!!
You are amazing doing all these adventures solo. Curious...have you ever encountered other creepy fellow campers where you did not feel safe alone?
Thank you. Luckily I have only ever experienced one creepy camper before. I let them know my tent was surrounded by motion sensor lights in case anyone stepped near my tent. I think that was offputting enough to let them know I was not interested.
very nice vid.😊
Catalina is so fascinating to me. Really want to go there some day.
Wasn’t sure about an island trek but you have sold me to add it to the bucket list of hikes. 💪👊🤘
Such a beautiful video Alice.
Thank you so much
Amazing video! Great footage and editing!!!
Thank you so much
What a beautiful woman!,❤️❤️. Thank you for sharing your world with us!! It is amazing!!
She is beautiful!!!!!!❤
What a great video - absolutely captures the experience! Thanks for sharing your journey!
Thanks for watching and hanging out on the trail
Great production Alice . Quick healing on the blisters . Such a special, magical place .
I think that cold ocean water fixed me right up. I magically didn’t have any as soon as I got home
Excellent video, as always, that gives a very helpful perspective of what it's really like doing this. I'm planning on trying to get my reservations January 1st to do this late winter or early spring 2024. Thanks again!
Thanks Alice. I always love watching your videos. I was on that trail 3 years ago and I had a great time.
That’s awesome!!
Beautiful scenery. So much green, the hills above the clouds and fog, the inlets with beaches, the trail running across the ridgeline, etc. If it weren't for the sun exposure and elevation gain, I'd put this high on my must-do list. Props to those of you who can manage this adventure comfortably. Looks awesome.
I think I went at the perfect time of year to limit all that exposure. Certainly a hike to remember :)
sailing to Catalina this fall! Can't wait.
How fun! You’ll see so many dolphins
Awesome video Alice! Really enjoyed. After a rainy winter in WA State I'm jelly of that weather!
Thanks for watching today it’s 90! So don’t get to envious we had a week of spring and summer is upon us
Really great info. Thank you so much for sharing. I am currently researching this trail after watching your wonderful video!
Thanks Lisa, Feel free to DM me on IG if you have any questions you can't find answers to
This hike has been on my bucket list for a bit, my daughter/hiking buddy need to experience it. Thanks so much for sharing your experience.
Thanks Dave I hope you get to experience it one day too
Alice, another great hike and video. Thank you. I can never absorb it all in my first viewing, so I'll watch again soon. Dennis
Thanks Dennis, Have a great earth day and weekend
Hi Alice 👋 Thank you, beautiful video , you always capture the most stunning scenery 👍Appreciate you, always great to hear from you, stay safe and take care my friend 🙏 🙂
Thank you so much. Have a wonderful week
@Alice Ford Thank you Alice 🙂have a wonderful week as well my friend 🙏👋
Great video! Majestic vistas matched with appropriately majestic music. Enjoyed the drone footage. Like you, I was always one for a swim, in the mountains or at the beach. I lived in LA & Orange County until just a couple of years ago. Surfing and sailing … including the Channel Islands (Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, and my favorite San Miguel.) I’ve visited Avalon. Of course, OC air flights go over Catalina. However, I never visited the backcountry or Pacific side! Thank you for taking us along to visit this amazing place. Now that I live in Washington, time to binge your adventures in the NW! Best wishes for 2024!
Thanks so much for watching I’m glad you liked this one. Check out the Tv show on PBS KSPS in the PNw
Thank you so much. This was great, very well done video. Not for me at my age.
A great adventure and the information is very helpful, thank you for sharing enjoy your content. Morning swim your awesome.
Thanks Ramon
Alice, Catalina is beautiful! But you are even more beautiful! Thanks for the excellent content!
Thanks Viktor
Great video, Alice. Such fantastic views. I love the fog on the first day and morning, and seeing Bison would be so cool. Would love to check this trail out one day. - Jacob
Thanks Jacob, it was certainly a really great trail, but the season has so much to do with that. I’ve seen years passed where the meadows are brown so it’s certainly a special year to go
This is SUCH a good video! I've done a bunch about Catalina Island but never done the hike before :( this gives me motivation to do it
Thanks so much for watching
You're in condition for it. You'll be in your even better condition soon. A trail like this with a coast and beach and mountains and bison etc. Unique no doubt. Everyone commented on the beautiful scenery and shots you took. I second it. It is a rugged trail. The water spigot is helpful at the primitive site. It was wild seeing you in full hike mode again in the elements. You are funny. You'd be a fabulous hiking partner. How many people do you estimate you saw on this hike? First Campsite seemed quiet. But for a cheerful kid in the background. 🙏 For sharing
What a beautiful island...bison-island 🤗
Indeed
Hi Alice. I used to fly over to Catalina Isl. on weekends in a Cessna 172 (rental), taking along friends. Loved it over there! The airport restaurant has the Best Buffalo Burgers! Have fun! 👏🏻😁🥂.
What an exciting way to do lunch. I love it. Thanks so much for watching
Hey Alice, Perhaps about a vlog on the kelp beds ecology of So Cal. Happy Trails!!!
Those kelp forests are awesome
from Palos Verdes to Avalon is 26 miles... I grew up there...
The fun part of this great adventure is that you swim in the icy cold sea happily and playfully. It is not an easy exercise to do.
Thank you it was brisk but felt great
Great video Alice didn't remember there being that much elevation sorry about the blisters (ouch)
No worries I was breaking in new hiking shoes and luckily my feet were fine once off the trail
That was a great video Alice. I knew about the Island but never been there, backpacking would be the way to go. I love the shots taken from the drone. If I may say to avoid blisters is to wear sock liners, I have been using them for 20+ years of backpacking and they never fail to protect when needed. I even wear them on a simple day hike. On any trail, water sources are most important, for hydration and preparing food at campsites. There are so many trails to choose from, it always been a deciding factor. Thanks for sharing... and stay beautiful 🇨🇦😎🥾☯️🇺🇸
Sock liners? I have never heard of such a thing. Is it like a double sock?
You got it. It is a double sock, the liner is a thin synthetic sock you put on your bare feet first, then the thicker, normal sock on top so your toes do not rub directly against the walls of your hiking boot. You can buy them at REI in the US or a good outdoor store in your region. Any synthetic sock will do actually, as long as they are thin so you won't feel your feet bulky when you put on the hiking sock that you intend to wear. Avoid cotton, it absorbs sweat. I have never had a blister with those but keep in mind when I backpack I rarely go beyond 10 - 15 miles per day with a full pack on so the feet get a rest, especially if you hike solo where you have to carry all the weight. After all we do this for fun... Like they said "Backpacking is like hard work I wouldn't do for a living".
Back in the 90s, my friend and I had the bright idea to hike from Avalon to Parsons in a day. In June. We left Avalon at 5 am, took as direct a route as possible to Two Harbors, and staggered into Parsons by late afternoon. Badly chafed and sunburned, we “cowboy camped” on the beach at Parsons. The next day we actually made it to Silver Peak before heading back. A painful experience. So I agree - choose your time of year wisely!
I guess that was before you needed reservations what a wolf experience
I hiked the first 5 miles of that trail up to the top of the ridge without a pack and you are right........... the inclines are brutal! Hats off to you with a 40 pound pack! Me thinks a lightening is in order.😃
Haha yes well camera equipment being the necessary but heavy evil to my pack
Sounds like Catalina Island caught our favorite adventurer in her off-season physical condition. Ten thousand feet of elevation gain is a lot for any condition, though. Thanks for showing us this Catalina Island hike.
It certainly is the off season for time in a while I've put that pack on. Hike 1 of many this year!
@@AliceFordAdventures
That back looked big and heavy.
@@mickeybrumfield764 it was but I really don’t know how to take less alone. Especially if there is rain. It’s going to be a heavy summer haha
@Alice Ford
I spend all summer hiking and climbing and sometimes long hikes of 15 to 20 miles but there only day hikes don't know what it's like to carry a big heavy backpack it certainly looks to be quite a bit more difficult. I go one summer in the Rockies of Colorado area then next summer I go to California and hike in the Sierras. In Colorado this year. I enjoy watching your channel and getting ideas of new places to go.
I’d love to walk with you on any trails. 😅
40 pound bag!!!!
On these hikes where you are alone you must walk a mile or so extra just circling back to set up the camera to film yourself. I've always wanted to go to this island but alas ...not yet. thanks for sharing your trips with us.
Hahah yes most likely so. It is a lot of extra walking
It’s nice there.almost like the azores lol
I know!!! I think the weather came with me
I want to do this😊❤
Always love your videos Alice! I flew to Catalina when I first got my pilots license, and spent time at Whites Cove where my parents yacht club had a place over there. I take my boat to Two Harbors and enjoy that end of the island. And I had the pleasure to finish my last 5 years of working (2014-2019) as the Controller for the Catalina Island Conservancy. During my time there we built the Trailhead Guest Services building, finished the Trans Catalina Trail including new restrooms, and shade structures, resurfaced the airport runway with the help of the military and installed new fuel tanks at Middle Ranch. As the accountant I spent most of my time in Avalon at our office commuting there once a week from Long Beach so did not get to visit the best parts of the island too much, but it was cool to work for this organization!
My bucket list just got longer.
HAHA epic
To answer your question : As I reside in Western Canada, I kinda decide as the season progress. No definite plans but according to weather patterns. I tend to go to less populated areas where accessibility is still easy without an online reservation. But things have changed since the pandemic.
Nice! I just booked the west coast trail this morning so I’ll be in CA soon :)
The West Coast Trail is always best late in the season, in September as sections of the pathway is muddy after a long wet winter. Make sure you have a good set of gaiters. It is a 7 day hike from Port Renfrew to Bamfield at other end, including a thousand ladders to climb on.
You have a very well traveled bonnet. I remember watching California Through My Lense channel a while back, he hiked with his father, can't remember if it was Catilina Island or Santa Cruz Island or Santa Rosa Island, seems like i remember there were buffalo, the good think about Catalina is the water spigots and it seems like there was a service that would transport your camping gear from one location to another and it would be waiting for you in a locked locker. For anyone doing some serious hiking, it would be a smart thing to do as much research as possible before you get there, read other hikers experiences about how difficult the trails were, things to bring and places to view or avoid. Protecting your feet is a priority, take a pair of hiking shoes, possibly two for different conditions, blisters on the heels are the worst.
Most backpackers want less things not more so one pair of shoes is most likely. I’m sure CTML did this hike too, I’ve never heard of a service that takes your pack but they do delivery firewood to the lockers for you. Thanks for watching
@@AliceFordAdventures try asking CTML, i remember them paying a little extra to someone to transport the packs to different destinations, of course this wouldn't be a option in remote areas unless you can afford helicopter pilots or fly-in planes.
Hi Alice. I would love to check out that island.❤remind me of the azores.
I've been watching some of your videos, too many to get through haha If you ever come to Australia, especially the Gold Coast, let me know, I'll take you around some of the many tracks and stacks of tropical rainforest waterfalls here. Good videos and very good info, I intend getting to the USA at some point, but at this stage, all my energies are focused towards going to Nepal every year, but it's getting too cold for me there now haha
Thanks so much Andrew. I’ve got to get to Nepal sometime, and back to Australia. I’ve only been to Cairns and Sydney and that was 10 years ago
❤
Fantastic hike! Did you have any ticks along the grassy trails? Thanks
I didn’t see any, no
Hi Alice, I really enjoyed the addition of your drone footage in this video. Your pack looked heavy. How much do you carry on your backpacking trip? Can someone do a minimalist pack on this trail?
Hey Karen, thank you. You can certainly do a minimalist pack if that’s what you’re used to, I carry camera equipment and a tripod so it’s basically impossible for me.
hi! i love this video so much thanks for sharing! question.. what did you do when encountering a bison? if they were near the trail, what did you do? thanks!
Give them a lot of space. Go around do not approach and take off your sunglasses when in their view
Great video! Wondering if it's possible to spend 2 nights at a campsite?
Yep it is just hard to get depending on time of year
Hi I’m planning to backpack Catalina this summer! What did you use to store food? And where did you store it when you were at camp? I know that there are no bears on the island so I assume a bear vault would be overkill. However I have a fear of rodents getting into my food😅
Each camp site has lockers so no need to have anything extra for storing food.
Alice, how did you avoid the Bison that was next to the trail? How far did you go around it?
You go slowly and try not to spook them, I walked way around them, leaving the trail and heading down wind of them below where they were all hanging out
Amazing! Are you available as a guide?
Not right now, no. Just virtually through these videos.
Nice comfy looking boots, Alice, what are they?
Columbia. I hoy them on Gear Exchange so very Rea San le price as well
What you talkin bout Willis?
Ditch those crappy blister makin boots and git yer az a pair of Asics Gel Venture Trail Runners.
They have a wide toe box, super ventilated, dry quickly, don’t give you blisters and they’re cheap!
But I always carry ten 5 inch strips of Leukotape K just in case I get a hotspot.
Great Video 📹 👍 I was wondering if the Buffalo 🐃 came from Colorado? My Alma Mater is the University of Colorado, where Ralphy, the Buffalo, is our Mascot.
Dave (GNP)
Hi Dave, I’m not sure where they got the bison from, but a great question.
I enjoyed your Maine Video also. It is very beautiful there.
Oh, wow. Well, you got lucky it was so green- most of the time I see pic's and they look like any dusty place in the SW. Curious- how often were you asked to show permits? I know they are required and I also know they are free- but never really understood what the point of getting them is if no one is ever out there, as I would suspect you'd rarely see another person, at least one that isn't a hiker.
Yeah, springtime is a great time to go especially this year and last year because we’ve had a lot of rain. Your campsite reservations are your permit. You can’t camp without a reservation and you are given specific campsite numbers when you make those reservations there aren’t a lot of campsites, so while there may not be anyone checking to make sure you’re in the correct one. If you’re camping in someone else’s spot they’re going to know. And reservations are not free.
What do you reccomend doing when the bison are on the trail in the direction youre going ? Waiting it out? Im going soon and the bison are my main concern
Walk off the trail and go around or wait.
I heard that hike is difficult
I guess it depends on how much hiking and backpacking you do. There’s a lot of elevation gain.
What month did you hike?
April
@alicefordadventures What was your favorite solo backpacking hike in California?
A Woman Like You.
40 lbs..☠️
Whats in your pack girlie?
Watch my backpack video and you can see
I take it you are a vegan?
Vegetarian
Alice...Just gorgeous video! Well done.
Years ago I used to take the Catalina Flyer out of Balboa to the Island and spend the day hiking the backcountry a couple times a week. Your video inspires me to start doing that again.
That’s so cool!