Trans-Catalina Trail [2023]
thanks for watching!
In late-November, Nilufa & I completed a thru-hike of the Trans-Catalina Trail, a ~40 mile trail that spans the length of Santa Catalina Island (20ish miles off the coast of California).
We agreed that the best way to describe the TCT would be to refer to it as a 'Glampacking' adventure - it was an amenity-rich thru hike, with frequent options for town food, campsites stocked with showers and firewood, and some very pleasant hiking.
But what the TCT lacks in rugged remoteness, it more than makes up for in beauty - the TCT was one of the most incredible places I've ever hiked. The trail frequently transitioned between high and low desert, ocean, ridgeline, and beach towns. The sunsets and sunrises were unforgettable.
We were admittedly bummed to not see a single bison during our hike, but we saw some foxes, seals, dolphins, and even an awesome cat that hangs out at the Catalina Airport.
Weather was exactly as expected; 70 and sunny by day (with little to no shade), and pleasant nights dropping into the low 50s/high 40s. Windy, but no rain.
One of many highlights during the trip was ending our hike on Thanksgiving, and getting a plate of incredible Thanksgiving food at the Harbor Reef Restaurant in Two Harbors.
This trip also coincided with my 30th birthday, and hiking TCT with Nilufa was the most perfect way I could imagine celebrating it.
A huge shout out to the Catalina Island Conservancy, who does a fantastic job at preserving the beauty and magic of the TCT: https://catalinaconservancy.org/
music: https://cedarskies.bandcamp.com/
A Wash Of Diamond Waves - Cedar Skies
LNT: https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/
"Happiness only real when shared"
-Alexander Supertramp