#Trans-Catalina Trail

[magicbeanbuyr]

A spot to rest along the Trans-Catalina trail

[ultralowoxygen]

gold, mine | catalina island by vctr.rvra Via Flickr: Somewhere along the Trans Catalina Trail _ Canon Sureshot 90uii 35mm point-and-shoot; expired Fujifilm Fujicolor 200

[aformerghost]

40 miles, 4 days, 1,000+ft elevation, I backpacked an entire fucking island. No one can hold a candle to my flame right now.

[placeswordsdreams]

Trans-Catalina Trail, Catalina Island, California

[wanderingchardonnay]

Inspirational Tourist Trap

Waking up in my tent I felt the familiar pit in my stomach like before every backcountry hiking trip. But this was kinda different. I can’t do this. I’m not sure I want to do this, what if something goes wrong, breaks, hurts……When did I become this person. Oh yeah it came with my cancer diagnosis. Side effects: Fear and self-doubt. But I’m getting ahead of myself. After my surgery I didn’t do…

[tannertravelslife]

How we hiked the Trans-Catalina Trail

Day 1 - Long Beach -> Avalon -> Black Jack

 Total Mileage- 13.8

 Trail Miles - 10.7

  Time - 5 hours

We took the 6AM Catalina Express ferry from the Long Beach port, which costs $34.50 per person. While researching online, we found that a new Trailhead center had recently opened, and that we would need to stop there to get our permits. We also read that we could arrange for firewood and water to be positioned for us at our first stop, the Black Jack campgrounds. The trails have a system wherein you are given a key to a lockbox, into which water and firewood can be placed so you don’t need to pack it in. In theory, very convenient. In practice, less convenient, at least in our case. We walked around Avalon for the better half of 90 minutes trying to find the person we needed to talk to to get this firewood and water. The woman working at the Conservancy told us we needed to call the Island Company. The locals told us we needed to go to the Conservancy. After a while of fruitless effort, we said “F*ck it” and started heading towards the head of the trail.

We walked past Catalina’s Nature Center around mile 2, and a very nice lady there told us there would be a place to refill our water 6 miles into our hike.  She also told us there would be potable water at the Black Jack campground. As for firewood, due to high winds and dry conditions, there was currently a fire ban in effect, so a campfire of any kind was out of the question. Feeling reassured and confident, we continued on the first leg of our hike. In retrospect, we wasted time in Avalon for no reason. A bit of preparation and scouting of current conditions (maybe calling the Island Company ahead of time) would have saved us some effort. 

This first leg of the hike starts off on some switchbacks headed up the mountain, and then stays around 1,200’ for the remainder of the day. If you choose to hike the Trans-Catalina, you will be treated with some unique landscapes, awe-inspiring vistas, and will at some point enter the “playpen” through a large set of gates. Any time you are in this gated area, you are in bison country, and can encounter them roaming free. Obviously not a native species to the island, the bison were introduced in true California fashion: for a movie backdrop in the 1920s. The size of the herd is managed artificially (small islands aren’t meant for big hoofed mammals), and the gates simply control the range of the bison population. Make sure you stay at least 50 feet away from these animals! They are beautiful but can be dangerous. We left the 2 mile trail marker at 9:00AM, and hit Black Jack around 2:00PM, making for about 5 hours of hiking. There are multiple rest stop stations and places to fill up on water during this section of the hike. We settled in at Black Jack with our sleeping pads, pillows, and sleeping bags. We opted to really rough it and hike without tents, but were comfortable in our sleeping bags, even without a fire. 

Day 2 - Black Jack -> Two Harbors

Total Mileage - 16.2

 Trail Mileage -  13.5

 Time- 7 hours

This was my favorite day of the trip, but also in my opinion the hardest. Some people choose to stop and spend the night in Little Harbor campground, which is about 9 miles from Black Jack. Little Harbor is a beautiful option on the exposed pacific side, with a clear sandy beach and lots of palm trees. We stopped here to eat lunch and check out the ocean, but know that if you choose to camp here you will need to be prepared for the wind coming off the sea.

This leg contained the most mileage traveled and the most diverse landscape of the entire trip. You start the day walking past the Airport in the Sky (mile 12.75), which is as the name suggests Catalina’s own airport. We personally decided to keep hiking, but I would highly recommend taking a load off and checking it out. They have amenities and a full restaurant, for both those staying grounded and those heading for the air. Their hours are seasonally variable like many of the places on the island-- 8AM-7PM from April to October, and 8AM-5PM the rest of the year. After passing Airport in the Sky we continued to Little Harbor campground. We had a sip of coffee and a quick moment to relax, then pushed on towards towards Two Harbors. This was probably my favorite experience of the trip. The rawness on both sides, the way the cliffs dropped down to the ocean below, and the overcast conditions made it for a Lord of the Rings-like experience. I was my own Aragorn; I felt like we were transported to another universe for this section. We came back to Earth in Two Harbors, at a restaurant in town. The campsite itself is located about a quarter mile past the small village. There are fewer than 100 residents living permanently in Two Harbors, but they’re well-stocked for the hikers which pass through. You can check in at the information desk and get yourself situated. Don’t forget to hit the general store for a well deserved snack after a long day on the trail. 

Day 3 - Two Harbors -> Parsons Landing

Total Mileage - 7.8

Trail Mileage - 6.6

 Time - 4 hours

Day 3 will bring you to the highest elevation of the trip, 1,600’ above sea-level. It is an extremely steep ascent with an even steeper descent. You must check in at the information desk for this final chunk of the trek to get your firewood and water dropped at Parsons Landing, as there is no potable water or amenities to speak of. The trail kindly sends someone once a day to drop supplies for hikers, so you’ll be good as long as you stop at the information desk. On my way down from the peak, I was sliding on my pockets down what seemed like a giant gravel slide. We got into Parsons Landing around 12:30, and at that time of day the kelp flies were nearly unbearable. Not wanting to walk any more cliffs, we tried staying in the water to beat the bugs as best we could. The tide was a bit aggressive and there were a lot of sharp rocks in the water, which made it a tossup between being eaten by insects or smashed against the crags. When our water showed up around 3:00 PM, we decided to take our bets with the flies. Thankfully, they eventually went away at sundown and we could finally sit comfortably. We slept here for the night.

Day 4 - Parsons Landing -> Two Harbors

 Total Mileage - 10.6

 Trail Mileage -  7.7

 Time - 3 hours

The last leg of the trip begins with a small trail that leads somewhat anticlimactically to a road. Follow that road at a gradual descent all the way back to Two Harbors, and there you have it, you’ve reached the end of the TCT. You wind past a few kids camps and some pleasant views on this final, leisurely day.

During the main hiking season, you can catch a ferry from Two Harbors back to San Pedro. Unfortunately, we were hiking during the off season. Again, this is where some forethought and planning will do you good. Having neither the time nor energy to hike all the way back to Avalon, we instead took the town taxi across the island. This cost us each an additional 94 dollars. Though we were both out some cash, it was funny to see the same scenery which took us four days of sweat to conquer, passing idly by the window of a taxi in just two hours. Feeling accomplished, exhausted, sweaty, and in dire need of a shower, we took the ferry from Avalon back to Long Beach. 

To watch our recap video, click here !! 

Check out Grant’s Photo series from the trip - HERE

[nataliatakesnyc]

Not everyone can say they’ve been to the Big Apple, but  [ NATALIA CASTANEDA ], a [ 27 ] year-old [ TRANS FEMALE ] has lived in [ BROOKLYN ] for [ 24 HOURS ]. This is the city of dreams and [ SHE ] knows it, because they came to NYC to be an [ LAWYER ]. Well, that and as an [ SISTER ] to [ CAMILA CASTANEDA ]. Living in the city means they meet all kinds of people, but everyone always seems to think they look like [ ZION MORENO ]. They even got away with free cab fare once because of it!

— general information !

full name: Natalia Celeste Castaneda.

nickname(s): Nat. 

age: Twenty-seven.

date of birth: December 28th.

place of birth: Cartagena, Colombia.

ethnicity: Mexican. 

gender: Trans female. 

pronouns: She/Her. 

sexual/romantic orientation: Bisexual / Biromantic.

— physical appearance !

hair color: Dark brown.

eye color: Dark brown.

height: 5'10"

tattoos: Lily flowers and leaves over her right thigh and onto her hip. 

piercings: Several in both ears: two in both lobes, one in upper lobe in both ears, daith in right ear, helix in both ears, conch in left ear.

scars: None. 

— health !

sleeping habits: She tends to work too hard and stay up too late, waking up far too early. She is trying to be better about it, trying to make sure she is in bed by 11pm or 12am and up by 7 or 8 am. Sometimes 9-10am if she lets herself sleep in!

exercise habits: Not super exercise forward. She tries to go running once or twice a week, sometimes hiking, but nothing too labor intensive. 

addictions: None.

drug use: No.

alcohol use: Occasionally, whether it’s a night out with friends or coworkers. A social drinker more than anything. 

— favorites !

weather: Sunny. 

color: Pink. 

beverage: Iced vanilla latte. 

food: Glazed donuts. 

animal: Any breed of cats. 

— family !

parent(s): Catalina Castaneda & Arturo Castaneda.

sibling(s): Camila Castaneda, Alejandro Castaneda.

spouse: None.

children: None.

pet(s): None.

Natalia Castaneda was the baby of the Castaneda children, born in Cartagena, Columbia. She was a fairly happy child, constantly trailing after her siblings and always far too eager to spend time with them. She was always interested in the work that her father was doing, a lawyer and a good one at that. The man always seemed so strict and firm to everyone else, but was a huge teddy bear to the family he cared so deeply for. Assigned male at birth, Natalia was considered her father’s mini me for the longest time. Her personality far too similar to the man’s in her tendency to work far too hard and have a stand-off-ish aura to those who didn’t know her well. She would always stand up for those who needed it, for those who she cared deeply for. She even wanted to pursue the same career in law, set on getting the best grades possible. 

It wasn’t until around age thirteen that Natalia got the courage to come to her family with the information that she was a woman and had felt this way for ages. She wanted to be addressed as the name Natalia and referred to as the young woman she was. Her family was immediately supportive, the way they supported her only made her already deep love for them all grow. She had no doubts that they would do whatever made her the most comfortable and happy in her own skin. Over the process of a few years, Natalia transitioned. Different clothes, a name that felt utterly her, and becoming more comfortable in who she had always been.

After high school, Natalia attended college with the intent to go into law. She made the move to Bogotá, Colombia. She attended university there, graduated undergrad completing a bachelor in law before moving onto going back to school for a Masters in law. After finishing school, Natalia felt she was at a stand still. Unsure of what exactly to do, the young woman moved back home to Cartagena. She decided to intern at the office her father worked at, happy to get some experience underneath her belt.

Natalia has always been extremely close to both her siblings, telling them everything and them telling her everything in return. She’s always looked up to Camila in particular, seeing how she saw what she wanted to do and went after it. She missed her immensely while living in Colombia, making the decision to start applying for positions in New York City to be able to live near her sister. It was something that she didn’t particularly enjoy doing in lying slash keeping things from her sister, but she wanted to surprise the woman. It took awhile before finally Natalia was able to score a job as a lawyer in a firm in the city.

Packing up all her things and her life in Colombia, Natalia headed to the city after she was able to find an apartment in Brooklyn. Arriving at the city, Natalia now is beginning her life in New York City.  

[new--tomorrows]

Trail's end at Starlight Beach on Santa Catalina Island, 12 June 2016.

[jackson-falahee]

jackfalahee: Completely no filter from the Trans Catalina Trail a while back. Look at that sky.

[svtriteia]

Season 7 : Episode #147 : Enjoying the anchorage at Cat Harbor Hello Friends, After Camille and Mister Steady's hike on the Trans-Catalina Trail she was ready for some food prepared by someone else (and steady was ready for a long nap). We made our way ashore with the help of our new to us 1973 Johnson 2-stroke outboard (who served us brilliantly the entire time we were on the island). This is the first trip we have ever done with a "reliable" outboard for the dinghy and boy what a dream it is!!!! After enjoying some grub at Two Harbors we made our way back to Triteia while watching lots of "Mullet" fish jumping out of the water. As the sun was setting an older gentleman in a small sailboat came sailing slowly into the bay. We chatted boat to boat as he sailed and made his way up near the dinghy dock and anchored! 

Love  James and Camille 

[theadventuresofzarradekumori]

🏔 Had a blast on Catalina Island for my birthday 🎂Best birthday yet! Spent it with this handsome man of mine, @rhiannicholson. . . 🛳 Thank you @catalinaexpress for digging through your trash and by some miracle finding our patches, memento, we purchased from the island! 🌴 . . . 🐠 We hope to go back soon to experience our first backpacking trip across the Trans Catalina Trail. 😍 . . . . #hiking_daily #hikingboots #hiking🌲 #hiking👣 #hiking_hobby #hikingshoes #hikingboots #hikingtrail #hikinglife #hikingaddict #hikingfun #hikinggirl #hikinglovers #hikingtrails #hikingday #hikingwithfriends #womenwhohike #hikingwithdogs #hikewithdogs #dogfriendlyhiking #dogfriendlyhikes #travel2019 #2019Travel #2019Hiking #hiking2019 #explore2019 #2019exploring #traveller #fitnessandtravel #womenwholift (at Avalon, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxFtzUVgqWN/?igshid=72ze2l6ps47v

[elliotbabin]

Hiking the Trans Catalina Trail was a beautiful and humbling experience. Walked 40 miles with 17,000 feet of elevation change, saw lots of bison/foxes and had real good company (at Trans-Catalina Trail) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsQnLg5A1Dm/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=15bjn2e1ls3jy

[icarusdusoleil]

One of my goals for this year is to take a week long vacation. I haven’t had a real, honest, seven day long vacation in... gosh I wanna say 5 years? Taking a vacation and traveling has always been really important for my family and something we did often when I was growing up. I miss it.

I know I’m going to take a few days off work for Fanime in May... but I think I’m going to try to do the week long vacation in the fall. Like October maybe? I think it would be fun to do a vacation around my birthday.

Not sure where I want to go though... I’d love to go to Fort Bragg because that’s one of my favourite places. But maybe I wanna look up some stuff in northern California because I love huge redwoods. Then again... I’ve really been wanting to backpack the Trans-Catalina Island trail. Idk I gotta think about it and see what I can afford this year.

sighhh

[placeswordsdreams]

Trans-Catalina Trail, Catalina Islands, California

[halfwayanywhere]

Trans-Catalina Trail Backpacking Guide

Trans-Catalina Trail Backpacking Guide

[atwjustin]

Detour! ⚠️ @kingaphilipps took me slightly off the #TransCatalinaTrail to hike #CatHarborOverlook right before arriving at #TwoHarbors. DO THIS HIKE! The trail is lined with barbed wire #fenceart and the overlook at the end is one of the best views of #CatalinaIsland. (at Trans-Catalina Trail) https://www.instagram.com/p/CWRq94vlQm2/?utm_medium=tumblr