Santa Rosa Island

Channel Islands National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Channel Islands National Park Hiking Santa Rosa Island Several trails and roads traverse Santa Rosa Island, providing visitors with spectacular hiking opportunities. These trails and roads range from the relatively flat route to Water Canyon Beach to the rugged, mountainous path to Black Mountain. Hikers need to assume individual responsibility for planning their trips and hiking safely. To increase your odds of a safe hike, decrease your disturbance to wildlife, and lessen damage to resources, visitors should be in good physical condition and must follow the regulations and guidelines in the “Limiting Your Impact” section of the park newspaper and those listed below: • The ranch buildings in Bechers Bay are closed except for escorted tours. However, visitors may use the picnic area on the lawn of the main ranch house. Restrooms are located nearby. • The back beaches and sand dunes between and including Skunk Point and just north of East Point are closed to hiking from March 1st to September 15th to protect the nesting area for the snowy plover, a federally listed, threatened shorebird. Please remain on the wet sand (below mean high tide) or the road throughout this area. • Please avoid disturbing sensitive pinniped (seals and sea lions) and seabird areas that are found throughout the island. • It is recommended that visitors use the trail and road system when exploring Santa Rosa Island. Please avoid animal trails, which are narrow, uneven, unstable, and dangerous. • Avoid cliff edges since they are crumbly and unstable. Stay well back. Children should be supervised at all times by an adult. Destination Distance (from pier) (miles, round-trip) 1 Campground 2 Water Canyon Beach 3 Water Canyon 4 Cherry Canyon 5 Black Mountain 6 Torrey Pines • Hikers should never hike alone—use the buddy system. This allows someone to go for help if you encounter trouble. • Carry plenty of water and drink it. One quart for short walks, more for longer hikes. • Be aware of poison oak, “jumping” cholla cactus, ticks, and scorpions. Poison oak can be identified by its clusters of three shiny leaflets. Some ticks carry disease; check your clothing and exposed skin after hiking. • In order to help prevent wildfires, do not smoke on trails or in brush areas. Smoking is allowed only on beaches. • When departing from the islands, visitors are responsible for meeting the boat and airline concessionaire on time. Be aware of departure time by asking the ranger or concessionaire employees. Concessionaire trips are not scheduled every day. Difficulty Description Easy A flat walk along the coastal terrace to the Water Canyon campground. Easy If the wind is not too strong, explore the wonderful 2-mile-long white sand beach. The pier is not accessible from the beach unless there is a minus tide. 3 Moderate to strenuous Although the round trip to the mouth of Water Canyon is only 3 miles, the canyon continues for another 6 miles exiting near Soledad Peak. Follow the stream bed and animal paths through a beautiful canyon with year-round water and native vegetation on the steep walls. This is an off-trail hike for experienced hikers. 3.5 Moderate A loop hike with riparian vegetation and views of Bechers Bay. Other trails branch off of the Cherry Canyon trail allowing for visits to Black Mountain, the campground, and Water Canyon beach. 8 Strenuous A long, steep climb that rewards visitors with oak woodlands and great views (weather permitting) of Santa Rosa, San Miguel, Santa Cruz, and the mainland. Visitors may make this a loop hike by including the Cherry Canyon trail and Telephone and Soledad roads. 5 Moderate View one of the rarest pines in the world, the Torrey pine. The easier, moderate route allows visitors to view the pines along the flat Coastal Road. The strenuous route follows the loop trail to the top of the grove, providing spectacular views. For the best route take the loop trail up the western edge of the grove, along the top, and down the steep, eastern side of the grove. For an easier, more gradual descent, follow the road down to Southeast Anchorage. 3 (.5 from airstrip) 3 (to beach entrance) (via the loop trail) (to base of pines) 7.5 Strenuous (via the loop trail) 7 East Point 8 Lobo Canyon 16 Strenuous (due to length) 9 (to canyon mouth) Strenuous A beautiful hike along the coast or along the Coastal Road with opportunities to explore the Torrey pines and beaches. The back beaches and sand dunes between and including Skunk Point and just north of East Point are closed from March 1st to September 15th. Please remain on the wet sand (below mean high tide) or the road throughout this area. A spectacular canyon with wind- and water-sculpted sandstone cliffs, a year-round stream, riparian vegetation, and a spectacular coast at its mouth. Well worth the effort. EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA Ca r r in g to n Po in t M a r in e Re s e r v e N No Commercial or Recreational Fishing Allowed Carrington Point Brockway Point Aggi Wreck Back Beaches and Sand Dunes Closed Mar. 1–Sept. 15 Lo Beaches Closed Year-Round b oC anyon Pier ith H o C dad R oa d an as ta l S ole C Sandy Point t er WaAirstrip Sm i gh w a y oad ny o n oint Skunk P Southeast Anchorage Wre ck Ro ne p ho le d Bechers Bay Torrey Pines Ca Te S k u nk P o i nt M ar i ne R es e r v e C a st a l W at er 1298 ft oa Bea ch o Black Mountain Goldenhorn Wreck R a R d yon R oa d Area of enlargement Bee Rock Soledad Peak No Commercial or Recreational Fishing Allowed San A 7 ug usti yo ne Can 1574 ft East Point n Cluster Point Ford Point Chickasaw Wreck S out h Po in t Marine R e s e r v e tional Fishing Allowed Please avoid disturbing sensitive pinniped and seabird areas that are found throughout the island. Johnsons Lee South Point Refer to the National Marine Sanctuary's Protecting Your Channel Islands brochure for more information on State Reserves. Roads Trails 4 km 0 No Commercial or Recreational Fishing Allowed 4 mi 0 C a r r i n g t o n P o i n t M a r i n e R e s e r v e Carrington Point N Lo b oC ch d Torrey Pines T orrey Pin Southeast Anchorage e Loop Trail C 0 1 km st al 7 To East Point W 0 1 mi. oa R er 6 at W r e ck d oa 2 oa 3 oa i l a R 1 an y o n a Ro T r C ne l p ho ta C h e r ry C r y rC p as d tri o rs Ai le 4 C 1298 ft Te h e n y o C a n Black 5 Mountain n yo n a C r dad R oa d S ole B M Bechers an yo Bay nB ea gh w a y W ate Hi th i Sm R anyon 8 Pier d