Hiking the Trans-Catalina Trail
Trail signage along the Trans-Catalina Trail
Santa Catalina Island sits just off the coast of Southern California & is often visible on the horizon from coastal Orange County up to Los Angeles. A short 1 to 1.5 hour boat ride from mainland California can bring you to the island, where you can find the 38.5 mile Trans-Catalina Trail (or TCT) that crosses from one end of the island to the other. The trail starts in the town of Avalon, traverses up and down the mountains of Catalina, and ends in the small town of Two Harbors.
My name is Andrew Snyder, a southern California-based landscape photographer. This trip report & my other Trip Reports focus on images, scenery, and wildlife, and provide a few travel tips if you’re interested in taking a trip of your own.
Table of contents
Prints available
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Getting there
Ferry service to Catalina is available via the Catalina Flyer and Catalina Express. Service is available from Dana Point, Newport Beach, Lon Beach, and San Pedro, and will deliver you to either Avalon or Two Harbors. These ferries typically have snacks and drinks available for purchase on board, although no eating or drinking were allowed on board due to COVID during my trip on the weekend of March 5, 2021.
If you’re lucky you might encounter a pod of dolphins while on the ferry as you make your way out to Catalina.
Prints available - Catalina Island is visible on the horizon from Balboa Pier in Newport Beach on the mainland
After boarding a Catalina Express ferry from San Pedro, the ferry slowly passed various cargo ships as I made my way out of the harbor and into the open ocean.
Planning your trip
Reservations are needed for the ferry and campsites / hotels. Campsites often book months in advance, so book your dates early. Clean water is available at all campsites except Parson’s Landing, although… (see the pic below)
There is no clean water spigot at Parson’s Landing campground, but you can obtain a key to one of these lockers, which include a 2.5 gallon jug of clean water and firewood
Here are 2 possible itineraries to help you plan.
The standard itinerary
Day 1: Hike 10.5 miles from Avalon to Black Jack Campground
Day 2: Hike 8.5 miles from Black Jack Campground to Little Harbor Campground
Day 3: Hike 7 miles from Little Harbor Campground to Two Harbors
Day 4: Hike 7 miles from Two Harbors to Parson’s Landing
Day 5: Hike 7.5 miles via a different route from Parson’s Landing to Two Harbors
My itinerary
I chose to do the hike in reverse, and to shorten this itinerary down to 3 days.
Day 1: Hike 14.5 miles from Two Harbors to Parson’s Landing and back
Day 2: Hike 7 miles from Two Harbors to Little Harbor
Day 3: Hike 19 miles from Little Harbor to Avalon
The Catalina Island Conservancy provides maps of the island online (link to map). Paper copies can be picked up at the visitor’s center in Two Harbors or at the Conservancy Trailhead in Avalon.
The TCT previously included an extended hike out past Parson’s Landing to Starlight Beach, but the official trail no longer includes it. I hiked the official TCT (so I didn’t visit Starlight) in reverse for this trip starting in Two Harbors and ending in Avalon
If you prefer to camp every night, campgrounds are available at the end of each day in both the 5 and 3 day itineraries above. If you’re looking for a more comfortable alternative, both towns have at least one hotel, allowing you to grab a shower and a comfy bed at the start or end of your journey. The Banning House Lodge in Two Harbors, for example, provides cozy rooms with excellent views including wine & cheese every evening of your stay.
Arriving on the island
Depending on where you’re traveling from, your ferry might arrive mid-morning or late-afternoon, so getting a full day of hiking in on day 1 is challenging. I chose to arrive on the island around 5pm, and spent the evening relaxing in town. I did the Trans-Catalina Trail, or TCT, backwards by starting in Two Harbors and ending in Avalon. After I finished exploring town on my first evening I made my way to the hotel, the Banning House Lodge, to settle in for the evening.
The center of town in Two Harbors has a restaurant, but it was closed during my stay. Instead there was an outdoor BBQ available with ocean-front tables right on the sand.
One of the roughly 150 bison that live on Catalina was grazing on the hillside in Two Harbors as I arrived
Day 1: Two Harbors to Parson's Landing and back
14.5 miles, 2,894 ft of elevation gain
After getting a good night’s sleep in Two Harbors, I began day 1 by starting on the trail towards Parson’s Landing. I packed a lot of water since there are no clean water sources on the trail during this long day. The trail on the way out passed by multiple private camps tucked into the valleys along the coast. The unique camps added to the beautiful ocean views. On a clear day you can see the mainland for nearly the entire 14.5 mile hike.
The clear waters of Two Harbors with the campground visible near the top center of the photo
The famous Catalina fox made its first appearance to me along the trail to Parson’s Landing
Ocean on both sides of the ridge line hike back to Two Harbors
Prints available - The ridgeline hike back to Two Harbors gives you a new vantage point on the various small camps along the coast line, such as this small camp in the bottom center
These ravens are talented at opening zippers and dumping your gear all over the ground. Ask me how I know!
Day 2: Two Harbors to Little Harbor
7 miles, 1,617 ft of elevation gain
After staying 2 nights in the Banning House Lodge, I packed up, put my backpack on, and headed out for the shortest day of the journey. This day was arguably the best day of the trip for many reasons - low mileage, incredible views along the hike, and being able to spend the night at the gorgeous Little Harbor at the end of the day. I didn’t pack much water since I would be able to refill once I reached camp at Little Harbor just 7 miles away.
Most of the day is now complete as I head downhill towards Little Harbor
The lush Little Harbor campground as I descend the hiking trail into camp. The ocean is just off to the left.
My ocean-front home for the evening
Carrying a full bottle of wine may not have been the best way to reduce weight in my backpack, but the struggle was worth it when I got to sip Syrah while watching sunset at my own private beach
Day 3: Little Harbor to Avalon
19 miles, 4,895 ft of elevation gain
Today is the longest day of the trip, so I woke up early and began the long ascent from the shoreline. I didn’t pack much water since there would be multiple opportunities to refill - at the Airport in the Sky (6.3 miles in), at the Haypress Recreation Area (13.5 miles in), then at Hermit Gulch Campground (17.8 miles in, just 1 mile from the end).
My 2nd bison sighting of the trip!
My 3rd bison sighting of the trip - an entire herd of 30+! And they’re standing on the hiking trail blocking the way. Uh oh.
Bison are large animals!
After hearing multiple warnings to keep my distance from the bison, I decided to do some light bushwhacking after encountering the herd of 30+ bison to exit the hiking trail and link up with the dirt road used by mountain bikers and cars. After reaching the road I still had to wait a few minutes for 3 bison to leave the road, but eventually I was able to safely pass. I then reached the first checkpoint of my day 6.3 miles into the hike - the Airport in the Sky. Time for an early lunch!
The end is near! Avalon is within sight.
Prints available - As the sun sets, a warm glow comes over the town of Avalon