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Geo Thompson's Paddling Page

Geo Thompson here, welcome to my site about canoeing.

Important stuff to have for wilderness paddling.

LAMP		You don't want to be without some type of lamp when the sun goes down.
LIGHTWEIGHT STOVE		The Trailstove is the best camp stove in the world period. It has the lowest pack weight and it burns wood. Wood stoves are generally very heavy, far too heavy for canoeing but the Trailstove doesn't even weigh a pound.
CAMP SAW		A camp saw is very good to have if you are going to a really wild area. If you are camping in a developed camp area by a trail you probably won't need one but it could still be useful.
FOOD		Bring plenty of high energy food. Don't waste your money on fancy energy bars though. Chocolate bars and granola bars are just as good and they taste better too.
TENT		If I'm pretty sure the weather is going to be all right I don't bring a tent, it's much nicer to sleep under the stars. Just bring a tarp to make a shelter with just in case.
STRING		You should carry at least 50 feet of high quality very strong string. You can use this to make a shelter or to trap small animals for food. But mostly it's always something you need for the most unforeseen reason.
MULTI PURPOSE TOOL		Back in the old days I used to carry a Swiss army knife where ever I went, then the Leatherman tools came, now I carry one of each. If I had to pick one I would probably pick the Leatherman tool just for the pliers, but there are lots of tasks where the Swiss army knife still has the upper hand.

Make emergency snowshoes

Making a pair of emergency snowshoes to get to safety is extremely simple. It's surprising how many people try to get to safety in knee deep snow and drop from exhaustion.

Find two stocky branches about 3 feet long with plenty of small branches and plenty of green, preferably from a fir tree but other trees will do if there are no firs in the area.

Tie one branch to each foot at the front end of the branch. Thread the string through something on the front of your boot otherwise your foot will slip out of the binding. Make sure your foot can swivel enough to walk, the snowshoe should drag on the snow slightly in the back.

That's it, you're ready to go!

Channel Islands National Park

Ventura, CA

Comprised of five in a chain of eight southern California islands near Los Angeles, Channel Islands National Park is home to a wide variety of nationally and internationally significant natural and cultural resources. Over 2,000 species of plants and animals can be found within the park. However only four mammals are endemic to the islands. One hundred and forty-five of these species are unique to the islands and found nowhere else in the world. Marine life ranges from microscopic plankton to the endangered blue whale, the largest animal to live on earth. Archeological and cultural resources span a period of more than 10,000 years. The park consists of 249,354 acres, half of which are under the ocean, and include the islands of San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and Santa Barbara. Even though the islands seem tantalizingly close to the densely populated, southern California coast, their isolation has left them relatively undeveloped, making them an exciting place for visitors to explore.

CONTACTS

Email - chis_interpretation@nps.gov

Fax- 805-658-5799

Write to
Channel Islands National Park
1901 Spinnaker Drive
Ventura, CA 93001

Phone
Visitor Information Recorded Message - 805-658-5730
Headquarters Recorded Message - 805-658-5700
- 805-658-5711

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
The park is open all year. The Robert J. Lagomarsino visitor center hours are: 8:30 to 5:00. The visitor center is closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Getting There
PLANE - Channel Islands Aviation, located at the Camarillo airport, is the park's concessionaire for air travel to Santa Rosa Island. Trips vary from one-day to multi-day camping excursions. For prices, schedules, and reservations, call or write: (805) 987-1301; Channel Islands Aviation, 305 Durley Avenue, Camarillo, California 93010.

CAR - Ventura is located 70 miles north of Los Angeles and 30 miles south of Santa Barbara. From the 101 Freeway: northbound, take the Victoria Ave., left onto Victoria, then right onto Olivas Park Drive to Harbor Boulevard, where Olivas Park Drive runs straight into Spinnaker Drive; southbound, take the Seaward exit left onto Harbor Boulevard, than proceed on Harbor to Spinnaker Drive, and turn right. The visitor center is located at the very end of Spinnaker Drive in the Ventura Harbor. Free parking is avaliable at the beach parking lot.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Island Packers is the park's concessionaire for boat travel departing from Ventura and Channel Islands Harbors to all of the islands. A variety of trips, from half-day to multi-day, are offered. For prices, schedules, and reservations, call or write: (805) 642-1393; Island Packers, 1867 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, California 93001. http://www.islandpackers.com

Truth Aquatics is the park's concessionaire for boat travel departing from Santa Barbara Harbor to all of the islands. A variety of trips, from one to multi-day, are offered. For prices, schedules, and reservations, call or write:(805) 962-1127; Truth Aquatics, 301 West Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara, California, 93101-3886 http://www.truthaquatics.com

Weather & Climate
Climate is mild, with little variation in temperature year round. However, be prepared for high winds, fog, and sea spray at any time. Visitors to the islands should dress in layers, with short and long pants, windbreaker, hat, sunscreen, and waterproof outer clothing. Wear sturdy hiking shoes with non-slip soles.

Accessibility
The mainland visitor center is fully accessible. Due to their isolation and transportation requirements, the islands are not readily accessible for individuals in wheelchairs or those with limited mobility. Efforts are underway to provide some wheelchair accessible areas on Santa Rosa Island via air transportation. Please call the park for information.

FEES/PERMITS

Activity Fee
CAMPGROUND USE FEE
$7.35 for Day
Cost recovery fee to provide campground services to include water, restroom facilities and campsite improvements. Effective June 1, 2001

Permits
CAMPSITE RESERVATION FEE
$2.65 for Day
There are no entrance fees to visit the park, however, there is a reservation fee of $2.65 per campsite per night.

CAMPING

Anacapa Island
Make Reservations by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP
Open All Year
Anacapa has hiking trails, a visitor center, lighthouse exhibits, picnic area and offers opportunities for SCUBA diving, snorkeling, bird watching, and observing marine mammals. The campground is on East Anacapa Island, 1/2 mile from the dock landing, up 154 stairs. There are 7 campsites with a campground capacity of 30 people.

San Miguel Island
Make Reservations by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP
Open All Year
San Miguel has miles of hiking trails, and beaches and offers Ranger-led hikes, marine-mammal observation, beach exploration, and bird watching. The campground is a 1 mile hike uphill from the beach landing and has windbreaks. There are 9 campsites with a total campground capacity of 30 people. Fewer than 200 people per year ever get the experience of camping on San Miguel Island.

Santa Barbara Island
Make Reservations by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP
Open All Year
Santa Barbara has 5 miles of hiking trails, a visitor center, picnic area, and offers opportunities for hiking, bird watching, SCUBA diving, snorkeling, fishing, and marine-mammal observation. The campground is 1/2 mile uphill from the dock landing. There are 8 campsites with a campground capacity of 30 people.

Santa Cruz Island, Del Norte
Make Reservations by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP
Open All Year
A new backcountry campsite has recently opened at Del Norte on the north side of the island. The Del Norte campsite is nestled in a shaded oak grove and provides scenic views of the pristine coastline along Santa Cruz Island. To reach this backcountry site, visitors will follow the historic ranch road trail from Prisoners landing through a series of canyons and ridges, to a vista about 1,500 above sea level. This moderate 3?-mile hike travels through island oak woodlands and coastal sage scrub plant communities. A section of the trail meanders through thick stands of introduced fennel; a species targeted for removal in future restoration efforts planned by the park. An option for hikers is to continue the next day hiking eastward 11 miles and spend the next night at Scorpion campground. Transportation arrangements with the park concessionaires allow for this unique cross island adventure with dropoff or pickups occurring at both Scorpion and Prisoners. The Del Norte campsite has designated sites for four groups; each equipped with a picnic table and nearby access to a pit-style toilet. Water is not available and no fires are permitted.

Santa Cruz Island, Scorpion Valley
Make Reservations by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP
Open All Year
76% of Santa Cruz Island is owned by the Nature Conservancy. The National Park Service owns the eastern 24%, where visitors may observe wildlife, hike, camp and explore the newest addition to the park. The campground is in Scorpion Valley and has 40 sites and allows 4-6 people per site. The campsites are spread out along the valley floor 1/2 to 1 mile up the flats from the beach landing. Campers may choose between numerous shaded canyon sites. All gear must be carried by campers to the campsites. The campsites are primitive and all provisions must be brought by campers, including food, supplies and fueled campstoves. Potable water is provided at two taps in the lower campground. Due to extreme fire danger on the island the Superintendent has enacted a closure for campfires on East Santa Cruz Island. Enclosed camp stoves are permitted. Pit toilets are provided.

Santa Rosa Island
Make Reservations by Phone at 1-800-365-CAMP
Open All Year
Santa Rosa has hiking trails and offers beach exploration, surf fishing, wildlife observation, ranger-led hikes, vehicle tours, and kayak beach- camping. The campground in Water Canyon is 1 1/2 mile miles across the flats from the pier landing, or 1/4 mile from the airstrip. There are 15 campsites with a 50 person campground capacity. The campground has windbreaks, running water (most people bring drinking water) and an invigorating shower.

Santa Rosa Island Beach Camping
Open All Year
Camping on the beaches on Santa Rosa Island is available for experienced kayakers and boaters on a seasonal basis.
For More Information on this campground please call 805-658-5711 for permits.

FACILITIES

Visitor Centers
ANACAPA ISLAND
Open All Year
Location - The facilities on Anacapa overlook the northern channel.
Closures - Thanksgiving and Christmas
Special Programs - During the summer, park rangers dive into the Landing Cove on East Anacapa with a video camera. Visitors can see, through the eye of the camera, what the diver is seeing by watching video monitors on the dock. Pristine tidepools can be explored. Springtime brings colorful flowers, including the strange tree sunflower, or coreopsis, a plant found only on the Channel Islands and a few isolated areas on the mainland.
Exhibits - Visit the museum on the island, which houses the original crystal and brass Fresnel lens from the lighthouse.
Available Facilities - Museum, visitor center, lighthouse exhibits, primitive campground, and picnic area.

LAGOMARSINO VISITOR CENTER
Open All Year Monday - Sunday
Phone - (805) 658-5730
Location - 1901 Spinnaker Drive Ventura, California 93001
Closures - Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Special Programs - Provides the visitor with interpretive programs, a movie about the park, tide pool display, native plant garden, bookstore and island exhibits. The facility is fully accessible and offers a picnic area overlooking the Ventura Harbor. Every Saturday and Sunday we offer several scheduled programs. Programs include Tidepool Talk at 11:00 a.m., and Recreating at Channel Islands NP at 2:00 p.m. At 3:00 p.m., rangers offer programs that look in depth at a variety of topics about the park. Programs are free to the public.
Exhibits - A living tidepool exhibit, three-dimensional models of all the park islands, interactive touch-screen exhibit, a tower with telescopes for viewing the islands, picnic area, a bookstore, and an outdoor native plant garden. Visitors will enjoy the 25-minute park movie, "A Treasure in the Sea", throughout the day in the auditorium. Every Saturday and Sunday park rangers present free interpretive programs on the natural and cultural resources of the park. Throughout the week, other programs and school visits may be scheduled by calling the visitor center.
Available Facilities - Museum, picnic area, and bookstore

SANTA BARBARA ISLAND
Open All Year
Location - The facilities on Santa Barbara look out over the eastern side of the island.
Closures - Thanksgiving and Christmas
Special Programs - There is an abundance of wildlife on Santa Barbara, primarily sea birds and marine mammals. This is a good area to view the underwater life, in the warmer waters of this southernmost island in the park. Snorkeling in the Landing Cove, visitors can see bright sea stars, spiny sea urchins, and brilliant orange garibaldi. Spring rains bring out the flowering plants, such as the tree sunflower, the endemic Santa Barbara Island live forever, shrubby buckwheat, sea blite, and an annual poppy.
Exhibits - There is a visitor contact station/museum on the island, with exhibits, dioramas, and murals of the natural and cultural resources.
Available Facilities - Museum, visitor center, primitive campground, and picnic area.

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