Trans-Catalina Trail Backpacking Guide

If you are itching to hit the trail between late fall and early spring, then backpacking the Trans-Catalina Trail is a perfect choice. Located just an hour’s ferry ride from the Southern California mainland, the Trans-Catalina Trail is convenient and accessible while also feeling exotic and remote. The trail travels roughly 40 miles along the length of Catalina Island and typically takes four-to-five days to complete. The trail offers gorgeous views of rugged coastline, pristine beach campsites, interesting wildlife, and some great food along the way! I’ve now backpacked the Trans-Catalina Trail twice and loved it so much I’m already thinking about visiting again.

JUMP TO A SPECIFIC SECTION:

Trail Information // Getting to the Trailheads // When to Go // Permits and Campsites // Difficulty // Water // Campfires // Hazards // Food Storage // Trail Map and Profile //Itineraries // Backpacking Gear //Route Details // Gear // Additional Information

TRANS-CATALINA TRAIL INFORMATION

• Location: Catalina Island, California
• Distance: Roughly 40 miles (varies by route)
• Days required: Four to five days
• Route type: Point-to-point
• Difficulty: Moderate
• When to go: Spring, Winter, Fall
• Permits: Required, included in camping reservation (see Camping section below)
• Maps: Trans-Catalina Trail Map
• Dogs: Allowed, on-leash (however dogs are not allowed at Two Harbors Campground)

WHY YOU SHOULD GO

• An excellent option for a backpacking trip during the cooler months of the year
• Enjoy three beautiful beachside campsites along the route
• Experience exceptional coastal views
• It’s common to spot Bison, Catalina Island Fox, and Bald Eagles
• Campsites offer many “luxuries” such as firepits, vault toilets, and outdoor showers, so it’s a great trip for those friends that are timid about “roughing it”

THINGS TO CONSIDER

• The trail is mostly dry so you will need to carry all your water each day (see Water section below for details)
• The route is entirely exposed with no tree cover so remember sunscreen and sun-protective clothing, and avoid planning your trip during the hottest months of the year
• Your ability to complete this hike will depend on campsite availability so book your campsites early (see Camping section below for details)

---

GETTING TO THE TRANS-CATALINA TRAIL

Starting Point: Avalon
Ending Point: Two Harbors

Backpacking the Trans-Catalina Trail involves hiking from the town of Avalon to Parsons Landing Campground and then backtracking to the town of Two Harbors. From the ferry dock in Avalon the trail is a 1.75-mile walk. From the ferry dock in Two Harbors the trail is ¼ mile walk.

By Ferry

Catalina Island is a convenient one-hour ferry ride from the California mainland.  The Catalina Express offers departures from Long Beach, San Pedro, and Dana Point. Service to and from Avalon is available from all three terminals, but service to and from Two Harbors is only available from the San Pedro Terminal.  The Catalina Flyer offers service from Newport Beach to Avalon only.

By Air

Although getting to the island by ferry is the most economical and common method, you can also book a helicopter flight from Long Beach, Orange County, San Pedro, or Burbank and arrive at Island in the Sky Airport. Keep in mind you will need to arrange a shuttle between the airport and the trailheads or hike sections of the trail twice.

Interior Shuttles

If you do not arrive in Avalon and depart from Two Harbors (or vice versa) you may need to arrange a shuttle service to get between trailheads. Catalina Transportation Services, Wildlands Express Shuttle, and Safari Bus are all options.

---

WHEN TO VISIT THE TRANS-CATALINA TRAIL

Backpacking the Trans-Catalina trail can be done any time of year; however, I would recommend hitting the trail between November and April. Here are a few considerations to help you decide when to plan your trip:

Temperature

While average temperatures on Catalina Island are between 60-70 degrees year-round, the summer months can get very warm. From July to October daytime temperatures can often be in the 80’s to 90’s. Given the trail has literally no shade and there are few water sources, hiking during the warmer months can be miserable and I don’t recommend it.

Rain

The trail receives the most rain between November and March. Monthly rainfall during these months averages around two inches. It can be risky to plan a trip during this season as it could rain the entire time; however, these months do offer comfortable daytime hiking temperatures, cheaper prices, and more solitude. Personally, this is my favorite time on this trail, but I recommend checking the forecast for any major storms before departing. If there has recently been a storm you can check road and trail conditions by contacting the Catalina Conservancy at 310-510-1445.

Views

Depending on yearly rainfall, hiking in the spring can be the most visually stunning. Following a good rainy season, the hillsides will be vibrant and green and can be covered in wildflowers. During the summer and fall, the terrain is typically dry, and the hillsides turn brown.

Busy Season

The towns and campsites are busiest between April and September. Campsites during this season are usually full and you will need to make reservations well in advance. Traveling during the off-season (October to March) offers fewer crowds and lower prices on campsites. However, during the off-season, many of the food options in Two Harbors are closed during the week and the Catalina Express ferry has fewer daily departure options.

---

PERMITS AND CAMPSITES

When backpacking the Trans-Catalina Trail, camping is only allowed in designated campgrounds and reservations are required.  During the peak season and on weekends campsites are often full. Campsites can be reserved up to 13 months in advance and I recommend booking ASAP to ensure you get the dates you want. Campsites can be reserved online through Reserve America, or you can call the Two Harbor Visitor Service Center at 310-510-4205 to book by phone. I recommend researching availability online first and then calling the Visitor Center to book. This is because there is a two-night minimum when booking some campsites during the peak season, but if you call to reserve your campsite and tell them you are hiking the Trans-Catalina trail then the two-night minimum is waived.

Campgrounds

Hermit Gulch

This campground is located just 1.5 miles inland from the Avalon boat landing. This is a good option if you arrive at Avalon late in the day and need a place camp for the night before beginning the Trans-Catalina Trail.  The last time I was in this campground there was no water. Now the website states there is potable water but also says, “We encourage campers to purchase bottled water from the store before arriving at the campground.” I recommend filling up on water in Avalon just to be safe. There are picnic tables, restrooms, coin-operated showers, and BBQ stands.

Black Jack

This small campground is located 10.7 hilly miles from the boat terminal in Avalon.  The campground is unique compared to the rest of the campgrounds along the Trans-Catalina Trail because it is located on a hilltop in the interior of the island at 1,500 feet above sea level. Black Jack campground tends to be far less crowded than the other campgrounds, as the only way to get there is to hike in. Campsites are dispersed among eucalyptus and pine trees and from the southeast edge of the campground there are great views of the rolling hillside.  There are picnic tables, showers, potable water, pit toilets, and metal food storage boxes.

Best campsites: We stayed at Campsite #1. I would recommend campsites #1-3 as they are more secluded.

Little Harbor

If you are a strong hiker you could skip Little Harbor and head all the way to Two Harbors in one day…BUT YOU SHOULDN’T. The campground is situated right next to a lovely ocean cove with an easily accessible sandy beach. Little Harbor is the perfect campground to kick up your feet and chill for an afternoon. Campsites offer picnic tables, fire pits, showers, potable water, pit toilets, and metal food storage boxes. You can also prearrange to have firewood at your campsite when you make your reservation by phone.

Best campsites: We stayed at site #15 which sits on a bluff overlooking Little Harbor. I liked this spot but, if you want to be closest to the sand I would pick sites #10-12.

Two Harbors

This busy campground is located on a terraced hillside overlooking the ocean. The campground is located just a ¼ mile from the village of Two Harbors. The campground has tables, fire pits, potable water, and showers, but there are no food storage lockers.

Best campsites: We had site #11 which is small but set aside a little from the other sites. If I had to pick again, I would go for sites #1-3 which sit on a bluff with a front-row view of the ocean.

Parsons Landing

This secluded campground offers just eight primitive campsites directly on the beach. Parsons Landing campground is the most rugged and isolated campground along the Trans-Catalina Trail. There are tables, fire pits, metal food storage boxes, pit toilets, and port-a-potties. At the campground, there are pre-stocked lockers with one bundle of firewood, a fire starter, and 2.5 gallons of water. To pre-order a locker, you need to call Two Harbors Visitor Services at 310-510-4205. Remember to pick up your locker key at the Visitor Services Desk in Two Harbors before you start hiking to Parsons Landing. 

Best campsites: At Parsons Landing, the eight campsites are directly on the sand. We had campsite #2 which is tucked away from view slightly which makes it feel private. If I had my choice, I would go for campsite #1 because is tucked away in its own little cove and has the most privacy.

---

DIFFICULTY

Do not be fooled into thinking this is a casual beachside stroll. Backpacking the Trans-Catalina Trail easily deserves a moderate rating due to the total mileage and hilly terrain. As always, your physical condition, the weather, your pack weight, and your itinerary will affect the difficulty of your individual trip.

Trail

The actual trail on the Trans-Catalina trail is made up largely of dirt fire roads which are often very steep and rutted. There were multiple occasions where the trail was so steep it was difficult to walk downhill without our feet sliding out. For this reason, I highly recommend using trekking poles.

Elevation

Except for the “road walk” section between Parsons Landing and Two Harbors the trail is very hilly. The trail does not coddle hikers with long and gradual switchbacks to conceal elevation changes, but rather presents significant crests and troughs to challenge any backpacker.

Itinerary

Hiking the Trans-Catalina Trail in five days makes for a relaxed pace, allowing for a stop at each of the campsites with time to spare. Cutting it down to four or three days is only recommended if you are very fit or plan on cutting out the trip to Parsons Landing.

Water

Water is pretty much only available at the campgrounds so you will be carrying all the water you need each day. Carrying extra water means heavier packs and harder hiking (see the Water section below for details).

---

WATER

When backpacking the Trans-Catalina Trail, most days you will need to carry all the water you need for the whole day. Potable water is available at the Black Jack, Little Harbor, and Two Harbors Campgrounds. There are 2.5-gallon jugs of water in lockers at Parsons Landing, but you will need to pre-pay and pickup a locker key in Two Harbors before hiking to Parson Landing.

There is also water available at the park next to Haypress Reservoir (day one) and at Airport in the Sky (day two). 

---

CAMPFIRES

Campfires are allowed in designated fire pits only. There are fire pits at Black Jack, Little Harbor, Two Harbors, and Parsons Landing. The last two times I have been at Black Jack Campground, fires have been banned due to high fire risk. You can pay to have firewood and a fire starter at your campsite by calling Two Harbors Visitor Services at 310-510-4205.

---

HAZARDS

There are relatively few hazards when backpacking the Trans-Catalina Trail, but below are a few things to be aware of.

Bison were brought to Catalina Island in 1924 for use in filming Zane Grey’s The Vanishing American. After filming, the 15 bison were allowed to stay on the island. Today the heard consists of roughly 150 bison that roam much of the island. Seeing bison on the Trans-Catalina Trail and in campgrounds is common. I once woke up in the middle of the night to a bison standing a few feet from my tent! When you come across bison do not approach them as they can do serious damage if they feel threatened. It is best to give bison at least 100 feet of space and always make sure they are not boxed in. For more info on how to be safe around bison check out this Bison Safety Sheet.

Rattlesnakes can be found year-round along the Trans-Catalina Trail. Rattlesnakes would rather avoid hikers than bite and will retreat if given the opportunity. If you come across a rattlesnake, give it plenty of room.  Check here for some great tips on how to hike safely in rattlesnake territory.

Heat can be a major issue on the Trans-Catalina Trail. In the summer, daytime temperatures can be over 90 degrees. Additionally, the trail offers little shade and few water sources (see Water section above). In general, it is recommended that you have at least one gallon of water per full day of hiking.

---

FOOD STORAGE

Catalina Island is home to many animals that would like to take your food. While backpacking the Trans-Catalina Trail you are likely to encounter foxes, squirrels, mice, and raccoons and these persistent little buggers will try to take anything you leave unattended. I had a fox steal a stuff sack containing my knife, GPS, and wallet from me while I slept! Luckily, the fox decided it wasn’t food and I was able to find it in the bushes the next morning.

To avoid losing your food, the best practice is to place all food and smelly items inside the metal food lockers provided at the campsites. These lockers are present at Black Jack, Little Harbor, and Parsons Landing Campgrounds; unfortunately, there are no metal lockers at Two Harbors Campground. I used an Armored Outdoor Gear Ratsack Cache Food Storage Bag to keep our food safe at Two Harbors Campground. These relatively lightweight rodent-proof bags are great for food storage when backpacking in areas where rodents are the concern. Just make sure to tie the bag to a fixed object so it can’t be carried off.

---

TRAIL MAP AND PROFILE

[sgpx gpx=”/wp-content/uploads/gpx/Trans Catalina Trail.gpx.gpx”]

---

TRANS-CATALINA TRAIL ITINERARIES

The official start and finish of the Trans-Catalina Trail has evolved slightly over time. The first time I hiked the Trans-Catalina Trail the official route was from Pebbly Beach to Starlight Beach. Nowadays, the trail begins in Avalon and terminates at Parsons Landing Campground, however, you can still opt to hike to Starlight Beach as a side trip (see notes below). From Parsons Landing Campground, you will then need to hike back to Two Harbors to catch a ferry home. You can do this by either hiking West End Road (flat and easy) or retracing the previous day’s route along the Trans-Catalina Trail (hilly and difficult). We chose to take the easier route along West End Road on our final day to ensure that we would get to the dock in time to catch our ferry home.  

We hiked the Trans-Catalina trail northbound, starting in Avalon and finishing at Two Harbors. While it’s possible to hike the trail in either direction, I prefer the northbound route for a few reasons. First, hiking northbound means the trail will start with the least scenic campground (Black Jack) and finish with the most scenic and secluded campsite (Parsons). This makes the route feel like its building to a big scenic payoff at the end. Secondly, it allowed us the opportunity to get into the small town of Two Harbors on our third night and “replenish” with some delicious food and drinks. Having this stop towards the end of the trip made us appreciate the town more than if it had been our first stop.

The best itinerary for your hike will be determined by your hiking pace, the ferry schedule, and campsite availability. While the trail can be hiked faster, we really enjoyed taking our time to explore the trail over five days. This allowed us to camp at Little Harbor Campground, which we all agreed was one of the best campgrounds. Additionally, we had plenty of time to enjoy our beachside campsites and to go into Two Harbors for food and drinks on the third night. Below are a few itineraries to help you plan your trip.

Five-Day, Four-Night Option

Day 1: Avalon to Black Jack Campground (10.7 miles)
Day 2: Black Jack Campground to Little Harbor Campground (9.6 miles)
Day 3: Little Harbor Campground to Two Harbors Campground (5.3 miles)
Day 4: Two Harbors Campground to Parsons Landing Campground (6.5 miles)
Day 5: Parsons Landing Campground back to Two Harbors Campground (via West End road7.7 miles)

Four-Day, Three-Night Option

Day 1: Avalon to Black Jack Campground (10.7 miles)
Day 2: Black Jack Campground to Two Harbors Campground (14.9 miles)
Day 3: Two Harbors Campground to Parsons Landing Campground (6.5 miles)
Day 4: Parsons Landing Campground back to Two Harbors Campground (via West End Road 7.7 miles)

Or

Day 1: Avalon to Black Jack Campground (10.7 miles)
Day 2: Black Jack Campground to Little Harbor Campground (9.6 miles)
Day 3: Little Harbor to Parsons Landing Campground (13 miles, using West End Road between Two Harbors and Parsons Landing)
Day 4: Parsons Landing Campground back to Two Harbors Campground (6.5 miles)

Optional side trip to Starlight Beach

If you have the time and energy, you can tack on a side trip to Starlight Beach, the original terminus of the trail. There are two ways you can do this:

1. The first option is to hike directly there from Two Harbors by taking the Silver Peak Trail to Starlight Beach and then continuing onto Parsons Landing Campground via West End Road (12.5 miles).
2. The second option is to hike from Two Harbors to Parsons Landing via the official Trans-Catalina Trail route using Fenceline Road (6.5 miles), setup camp at Parsons Landing, and then day hike to Starlight Beach (8.5 miles round trip).

---

BACKPACKING GEAR

For recommendations on what to pack for backpacking the Trans-Catalina Trail, you can check out my overnight backpacking gear list.

---

Specifically for this trip, I recommend the following adjustments to my normal gear:

Trekking Poles: The Trans-Catalina Trail has many steep and slippery sections. We all wished we brought a good set of trekking poles to give us more stability.

Sun Protection: There is no shade on the Trans-Catalina Trail so proper sun protection is essential. I love wearing lightweight UV protective clothing to avoid slathering myself in sunscreen. For this trip, I wore my REI Sahara Long Sleeve Shirt (men’s / women’s) and used my Buff to keep the sun off my neck.

Food Storage: You will need to protect your food from foxes and rodents on the trail. Although the majority of campgrounds have metal storage lockers for food, Two Harbors does not. We used an Armored Outdoor Gear Ratsack Cache Food Storage Bag to keep our food safe.

Water purification: We brought a water filter but ended up not needing it. We got all our water from drinkable sources in campgrounds or business where there was no need to filter. You can leave the filter a home.

TRANS-CATALINA TRAIL ROUTE DETAILS

Day one: Avalon to Black Jack Campground (10.7 miles)

You will start your day by catching a ferry from the mainland to Catalina Island. If you are planning to arrive at the island and hike to Black Jack Campground on the same day, then I would recommend taking the earliest ferry. There is a 6 AM ferry from Long Beach and a 9 AM ferry from San Pedro. One issue to be aware of is the return ferry from Two Harbors only travels to San Pedro so you will need to figure out a ride to get back to your car if you depart from Long Beach. We opted to take the 6 AM Catalina Express from Long Beach to ensure, after the hour-long ferry ride, we would have plenty of time to get to camp.

If getting up early isn’t for you, then another option is to travel to Avalon the day before starting the hike. Once in Avalon, you can either stay in a hotel or camp at Hermit Gulch Campground.

Once you arrive, the town of Avalon has many restaurants and a small grocery store so you can grab a bite to eat or get any last-minute items before starting your hike. As soon as we got off the ferry, we unanimously decided to fuel up on some coffee and pastry before hitting the trail. We found Catalina Coffee and Cookie which has great coffee, delicious baked goods, and filling breakfast sandwiches.

From Avalon, it’s a 1.75 mile, gradually uphill, road walk to the trailhead. Just past Hermit Gulch Campground, you will find Hermit Gulch Trail, the start of the “trail portion” of the Trans-Catalina Trail. Straight away, the trail gains 1,200 feet in elevation over the next mile and a half. This uphill section has switchbacks that make the climb less steep. Don’t get used to these gradual switchbacks though; the rest of the Trans-Catalina trail takes the sadistic approach of traveling straight up and straight downhill. Despite the effort, the climb was well worth it and we were rewarded with a great view of Avalon from Hermit Gulch Lookout.

For roughly the next two miles the trail merges with Divide Road and travels along the ridgeline. From there, the Trans-Catalina trail leaves Divide Road and turns northwest towards Haypress Reservoir. There is a small park at the reservoir which has a drinking fountain where you can top off your water supply.

The remainder of the day, the Trans-Catalina Trail follows a mostly single-track route that takes a winding path along gently rolling hills up to Black Jack Campground. This section of trail is one of the few parts without views of the ocean and it’s common to see shuttle vans traveling along Airport Road which runs parallel to the trail.

We arrived at Black Jack in the late afternoon with just enough time to rinse off at the tiny outdoor shower before it got too cold. Unlike the other campgrounds along the Trans-Catalina Trail, Black Jack has no ocean views but it does have a lovely forested feel as campsites are surrounded by pine and eucalyptus trees.

Day two: Black Jack Campground to Little Harbor Campground (9.6 miles)

On day two we woke to thick fog and the sight of bison grazing in the grassy hillside just 20 feet from our campsite. Despite the bison appearing docile many trail signs had alerted us that bison can be aggressive if threatened. But these bison looked far more interested in the grass around our campsite and didn’t seem to care about us at all, but we decided to play it safe. We moved slowly, talked quietly, and positioned ourselves so that our large picnic table was between us and them. It was probably an abundance of caution but it’s probably best to not piss off a one-ton mammal with horns.  

After a lazy start, we packed our gear and set out. We deliberately didn’t eat breakfast because Airport in the Sky is only two miles from the campground.

At the airport, the DC3 grill has a great selection of food and supplies and it makes a perfect place to stop. We opted for breakfast burritos, some giant cookies, and a beer for the road. Although there was no flight traffic while we were there, the grill itself was crowded with other hikers and mountain bikers all taking advantage of the rest spot.

From the airport, the trail continues traveling northwest along the spine of the island for roughly the next four miles. Toward the end of this section, we got some great views of the coastline and marveled at how far down we would have to descend to get to Little Harbor.

With just three miles to go, we made a sharp turn towards the west side of the island and began the long descent down to Little Harbor along Big Springs Ridge Trail. Despite the trail going mostly downhill we found the terrain to be a little exhausting due to some steep sections, especially at the end.

Little Harbor Campground is situated at the foot of two tranquil coves called Little Harbor and Shark Harbor. The campsites are sprinkled among palm trees and set back from the sand. When we arrived in Little Harbor, we couldn’t find a map of the campsite locations so we ended up walking what felt like an additional mile to get to campsite #15. Exhausted, we discovered we had walked the “long way round,” but we were happy to find out our spot was perched on an open bluff overlooking the ocean.

In the evening we walked out onto a rocky peninsula, called Whales Tale, which separates Little Harbor from Shark Harbor. This spot turned out to be an excellent place to take in the sunset.

Day three: Little Harbor Campground to Two Harbors Campground (5.3 miles)

Don’t count on a nice easy warm-up when leaving Little Harbor! The trail immediately climbs 1,000 feet from the beach over the first two miles. The good news is you will be instantly rewarded with stunning views back towards the turquoise water of Little Harbor.

Further up the trail, you will also be treated with views of the rugged coastline to the north. Once you crest the top of the ridgeline the descent down to Two Harbors is just as steep so don’t count on much of a break. Despite being a “short mileage” day we all agreed that it was one of the most challenging as well as one of the most beautiful.

The trail leads you straight into the town of Two Harbors. The town gets its name because the island is narrow at this point and there are “two harbors,” one on each side of the island. As you descend into town you will see Catalina Harbor to the west and Isthmus Cove to the east, where Two Harbors Campground is located.

The campground is a 1/4 mile walk from town. The sites are set up on a terraced hillside so everyone has a view. At the foot of the campground, there is beach access and a cold shower. Since we got into town early, and maybe because we were stinky hikers, we opted to go for a quick swim in the cold—but surprisingly clear—water before heading into town for food.

In town, there are restrooms and coin-operated showers. There is also a little grocery store and the Harbor Reef Restaurant if you are tired of backpacker meals. We opted for the casual atmosphere of the Harbor Reef Saloon outside bar. After hiking for three days, we loved the generous portions and delicious options.

Note: I’m a beer kind of lady myself, but Catalina Island is known for a blended and creamy libation called “Buffalo Milk.” Go ahead . . . treat yourself.

Buffalo Milk Recipe

• Half shot of Crème de Cocoa
• Half shot of Kahlua
• Half shot of Crème de Banana
• One shot of vodka
• Half & Half

Blend together with ice and top with whip cream, nutmeg and a slice of banana

Day four: Two Harbors Campground to Parsons Landing Campground (6.5 miles)

For the hike from Two Harbors to Parsons Landing, you have two options. The first is to hike southwest along Catalina Harbor and then take the Silver Peak Trail up and over the center or the island. From there, follow Fenceline Trail down to Parsons Landing. This is the official route, but it’s tough because you literally need to climb up and over the island to get from Catalina Harbor to Parsons Landing. The trail gains 1,700 feet in just 2.5 miles and then you will be greeted with a steep and sometimes slippery descent back down to sea level. The second option is to take the flat and easy route following the dirt West End Road.

We decided to take the official route following Silver Peak Trail to Parsons Landing, knowing that we would take West End Road the following day to get back to Two Harbors. The climb was long and tedious but the perspective from up high was worth it. The hardest part of the day was actually descending down Fenceline Trail which has some very steep sections with loose gravel. None of us brought trekking poles, but we agreed they would have been very helpful for this section.

We got down to Parsons Landing Campground around one o’clock. We toyed with the idea of dropping our gear and hiking on to Starlight Beach but quickly agreed that Parsons Landing was just too nice and none of us were eager to take on another 8.5 miles of hiking. I am always a person that likes to see everything possible, but I think we made the right choice. We saw several other hiking groups set out for Starlight Beach in the early afternoon and none of them made it back until well after dark. Additionally, after talking with other hikers and looking at pictures, I’m not convinced it’s worth the extra effort. We were happy we had time to enjoy Parsons Landing rather than pushing on just for the sake of it.

Day five: Parsons Landing Campground to Two harbors (7.7 miles)

To get from Parsons Landing to Two Harbors you will have the same route options as the previous day. The official route is to follow West End Road along the coast back to Two Harbors. Since we took the “hard” route the day before, and we had to make sure to be back in time to catch our ferry, we welcomed the “flat and easy” option.

West End Road is a flat and wide dirt road that hugs the eastern coast of the island. The road winds in and out of numerous coves along the way. From the trail, you will have continuous views of the coastline. During our hike, this section was also covered with a variety of wildflowers. 

Thanks to the easy terrain we made it back to Two Harbors with time to spare and we were able to celebrate our successful hike with some well-deserved breakfast burritos at the West End Galley.

---

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Thanks so much for checking out my guide for backpacking the Trans-Catalina Trail.  I hope that this guide will help you have an excellent trip. As always, please remember to follow the Leave No Trace principles to preserve the natural state of the places we love. Feel free to comment below if you have any questions, suggestions, or good vibes you want to share. If you found this guide useful, please like, pin, and share using the “share” icons below.

---

LOOKING FOR MORE?