Catalina Island

[ThinkFast]

I'm thinking about trying to set up a day trip to Catalina Island for some riding. Has anyone here ridden on Catalina Island?

Looks like there are basically just 2 out and back rides on fire road. One is 19 miles and 4200' of elevation gain and the other is about 14 miles and 1800' of elevation gain.

There is some info here : http://www.singletrackmind.com/Trail...rnia_Index.htm

Looks like fun.

[Shannon]

We've ridden there and you're right, just some fire road climbing. Also, you have to get a pass to ride on the island. I think it's $15.00 or $20.00 per day or $30.00 for the year.

[mtbchip]

I would suggest an "Avalon to 2 Harbors", then take the boat back to Avalon.

[genusmtbkr5]

Troy, I've ridden Catalina. I went from Avalon to 2 Harbors and back, 54 miles round trip. You will need a pass fromthe conservancy and it opens at 11am. You will also be charged a fee to get your bike on the ferry.

After I got my pass, I ate and rode off at 1pm, got back to town around 7:30pm. which means no more ferries to the mainland, but I had reservations to stay the night. If you don't plan on staying, you won't have time to do much heavy riding beacuse of the ferry schedules. I think the last one leaves at 4pm.

http://www.catalinaconservancy.org/v...ion/hiking.cfm

[MTBBill]

Originally Posted by genusmtbkr5

http://www.catalinaconservancy.org/v...ion/hiking.cfm

Catalina is on my todo list. I read a report a couple of years ago about some folks who did some kind of ride from the harbor to a remote campsite. Camped the night and finshed up a big loop the following day.

Also heard something similiar for the San Nicholas Islands

-Bill

[ericfoltz]

I've ridden over there. I usually stay at Two Harbors and ride to the Airport and back on day one then do the loop around the north end of the island the second day. The loop is really remote with some great views. There is a remote campground on the north end of the island.

[Rockinthecasbah]

I'm defintly in if you set this up with enough time to get work off for some reason Ive always wanted to ride there

[TahoeDays]

We rode Catalina last April and had a great time. We camped at Hermit Gulch right outside of Avalon. They have 6 man tents (large enought to stand up in) mounted on wooden decks and with cots. They can also supply stoves and a lantern. There are a lot of trails, but unfortunately not all are open to biking. We rode around the east end on the fire roads, starting in Avalon and making a large loop and back. The views and scenary were incredible. We even got some buffalo in the photos. Here is the link to the official biking map. http://www.catalinaconservancy.org/v...ion/biking.cfm Next time I go I want to start in Avalon and ride to Two Harbors, camp and ride back.

[mrtawney]

I would be interested in going on this ride- It sounds way cool-

[Chewyeti]

i would so be in for a 2 day thing

[osmarandsara]

I have never ridden, but once I backpacked from Two Harbors all the way to Avalon with one stop at the Black Jack Campground.....

You can totally do this ride in one day since the Ferry can drop you off at Two Harbors and then you can catch one back to the mainland from Avalon after having some dinner and suds.....total mileage around 22 miles.

[Wrecker]

I rode there a few years ago and only remember the yearly pass as an option (yes, they DO check). But, the annual pass is pro-rated, so it's almost nothing the week before their next year (sometime in the spring)

Of course, it took us a while, as we were touring (pictures with the buffalo, stopped at the Eagle reserve), but it was a fun ride. The hill back into town was one of the things that switched me to disk brakes (a bit steep, but I was a newbie, too)

[ThinkFast]

I was looking over some stuff on the internet tonight. I think this is easily doable in one day. Friday or Saturday looks best based on the Catalina Express Schedule:
http://www.catalinaexpress.com/PDFs/...8_Mar17_08.pdf.
http://www.catalinaexpress.com/scheduleFares.php

Starting in San Pedro over to Avalon, get permit, then ride to Little Harbor, Two Harbors, West End and back to Two Harbors and take the boat back to San Pedro. A complete out and back from Avalon could possibly be done as well if the boat was caught from Long Beach-Catalina Landing. Like Gene said, anything out of Dana Point won't leave enough time for a long ride.

It sounds like the fire roads don't do well when wet (clay) so it would probably be best to do when we haven't had any rain for at least a week or more so they are nice and dry.

Sounds like some tough hill climbs too.

[Rockinthecasbah]

I think If i do it I want to make it an overnighter so I dont have to worry about spending to long on a climb or just messing around

[ride hard]

Originally Posted by mtbchip

I would suggest an "Avalon to 2 Harbors", then take the boat back to Avalon.

did that a few years ago as a boyscout hike it's fun but a long hike... riding it should be easy though only about 28 miles

[SheDevil]

The idea of riding from Avalon to Two Harbors would be awesome (still haven't done it)....then to camp in two harbors. The camping in two harbors is great and there is a fun little party pirate bar down there seasonally.

Problem is getting your gear there...so it has to be set up right. As a group we could all take a shuttle into Avalon(one boat goes out of Newport Beach for the OC people)....and then boat shuttle gear over to two harbors in the morning, come back and start the ride... (sorry but as a female my gear won't fit into one pack unless it's 85-100 degrees, so carrying it is out)

or like Gene says just do a r/t ride starting and ending in Avalon, so it could be back to civilization for hotels(or Avalon camping) and real pubs???



Did I mention I am IN?

[CC]

I won a trip there this past summer from FREE FM so I'll be heading to Catalina Jan. 11th & 12th. Originally the trip was supposed to happen back in May with a BBQ with Dan Bonaduce, but the placed burned down that week, so they rescheduled it.

I'm hoping to ride one or both of the days, so were looking into getting the passes early and ride when we get there.

If anyones planning on going that weekend, hit me up, maybe we can hook up a ride.

[OMR]

We use to go over to Catalina every Labor Day for 8 years out of Long Beach. We'd have our camping stuff sagged to Little Harbor (about midway up the Island on the other side) pick up our yearly permits, then ride up to Little Harbor on fire roads... going down Black Jack Canyon. Little Harbor is right on the beach. They have showers (salt water) and rest rooms. You get to camp among the Buffalo... then up to the north end of the island through Cat Harbor (2 Harbors) up to Parson's Landing where you get to ride one of the only single tracks on the island. The ride back from Parsons is great as you are 50-100 feet above the coast line. We stopped doing the 3 day camping as it started to get too expensive to sag the camping gear and food to Little Harbor and back. The ride is fun and the views are incredible...some of the best I've seen on a bike.

[Cat Brad]

Happy New Year from Catalina Island! I live on the Island and ride several times a week. There are several rides out of Avalon.
Map here for details on permits and maps:

http://www.catalinaconservancy.org/v...ion/biking.cfm


The "easiest" ride is up the Stage Road (paved) the other way is up the East End to Summit ride (tough ride with 2,800 vert.) From the Summit at the top of the Stage Road you have several options. You can ride pavement all the way to the Airport In the Sky (20 miles r/t) or go out the Airport road to Blackjack Campground (2 miles off Airport Road) and down Cape Canyon to Middle Ranch Rd and back to the Airport road and back into Avalon.

If you want a longer loop try riding out to the Airport, down El Rancho Escondido to Middle Ranch Rd. and back to Avalon (you could add the option of riding to Little Harbor Campground with its beautiful beach and setting).

The ride to Two Harbors and back is +50 miles with a lot of elevation gain/loss.

If you're not up to the 1,300 vert. ride out of Avalon the Conservancy does offer shuttles to several drop off points between Avalon and the Airport in the sky.

[Cat Brad]

I forgot a couple of things:

CC-drop me an e-mail and perhaps we can ride when you come over on the promotion (FYI-I set up that promotion!)

The Catalina Express is limiting their schedule after the holidays so please look at the schedule if you are planning a trip to either Avalon or Two Harbors. If you do plan a trip to Two Harbors you can always stay at the Banning House B & B http://www.visitcatalinaisland.com/t...rs/Lodging.php ,it is really cool and very reasonable in the off season