On this mostly-downhill walk
through Catalina's interior, you'll probably see more bison than humans.
Remember to pick up your free hiking permit from Visitor Services (at the
end of the dock) before you hit the trail.
Location: Two Harbors Region: Catalina Island Distance: 6.7 mi. out and back
Difficulty: Moderate with some steep hills When to go: October through May Hours: None, but you're limited by the bus schedule Phone: 888-510-7979 Elevation Gain: -1,360 ft. (descent) Are dogs allowed: Yes, on a leash Restrooms: Little Harbor campground Parking: Catalina Express (800-481-3470) from San Pedro to Two
Harbors costs $42 per person. Safari Bus (310-510-2800) costs $22.25 per
person. Reservations are required.
Trail Information
Full Review: As soon as the aging Safari Bus putters up the unpaved
road that leaves the town of Two Harbors, you start to see an entirely
different Catalina. The peaks and valleys of the interior show almost no
signs of civilization. Fog hovers just off-shore, and bison (first imported
here for a movie set) wander freely. Start to finish, this is one of the
island's most satisfying hikes.
From the Black Jack Junction drop-off point, walk past the gate on the right
side of the road and start climbing the fire road that goes to the Black
Jack campground (it's the main road on the left; don't take the paths that
drop into the canyon). After 1.3 miles of hot, exposed uphill, you'll see
the turnoff to the Cottonwood Trail on the right. From this point on, it's
mostly downhill. For then next 3.4 miles, follow the fire road into the
canyon, sometimes under cover of cottonwoods. Keep an eye out for buffalo
chips and buffalo, for that matter (usually, they keep their distance, but
if you approach one on the trail, kindly ask it to shoo and wait for it to
oblige).
When you get to the eucalyptus grove, start looking for Wrigley Ranch at the
top of the hill on the right. Take the turnoff that climbs up toward the
ranch. When you get to the main road, don't walk into the ranch. There are
no gates or signs to indicate that the structure is off-limits to hikers,
but if you trespass in search of water or shade, you'll incite the wrath of
an unnecessarily cranky gray-haired woman who will berate you without
warning. Her name is Ruth, but Catalina locals know her as The B**ch.
The Little Harbor sign at the top of the Cottonwood Trail points left,
toward the ranch. Instead, you'll want to walk directly across the road to
pick up the trail on the other side. It climbs uphill a short distance
before connecting to another trail. Take a left at the junction and walk
along a beautiful ridge all the way down to the Little Harbor campground,
where you can go for a swim in a quiet cove before catching the bus back to
Two Harbors.
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