Santa Rosa Island Trip Report

Friday, Day one. Jim was at my door bright and early for the trip down to Island Packers in Ventura Harbor. The forecast was for high winds, and we were not disappointed, we could see the windswell on the water already. The early departure helped, and the skipper took us up the back side of Santa Cruz Island after dropping of hikers at Scorpion's which afforded some protection to the worst of it. I am glad he did, that side of the island is so different from the front side with a unique beauty all its own. Once on the Island, we settled into our camp site, Jim took a snooze, and I assembled my rod for a beach check. Way too windy! So I did a nice hike up Wreck road to the back side of the Torrey Pines then hiked back to the coast via the pines trail. Wreck road has a story all it's own as it winds it's way to the south side of the island and Wreck Canyon. For some reason the native flowers thrive and show off their blooms in the harsh and raw road cut.

 The camp ground was in great shape. Freshly mowed, flush toilets, tiled bathroom, and solar shower. I could easily walk around barefoot and not worry about stepping on anything sharp, hard or pointy.

Saturday, Day Two. Our first serious attempt and fly fishing the beach so we walked to the pier with the intention of fishing the beach back to Water Canyon. We casted and we tried, but to no avail. It became clear to me that this was going to be a hiking trip, not a fishing trip. After getting back to Water Canyon and the camp ground, we had lunch, a nap, then set off on a hike to East Point. The wind was now full throttle and gusting to 40 knots out of the northwest. We did not make it to the point because of our late start but did get a good look at the eastern side and appreciate it's uniqueness and beauty.

On the way back form the Point we paid a visit to Southeast Anchorage to watch seals swimming and warming in the sun. I also spotted a Bald Eagle.

We were back into camp by 6 for Martinis and a steak dinner, all the while, huddled behind the windscreen to protect us from the gale.

Sunday, day three. We awoke to a completely different weather pattern. A windless, low hanging fog had moved in overnight. By 8 the sun was burning through, pancakes and coffee consumed, and Jim and I were on the beach casting into a glassy surface laying over a  three foot swell. Same results, lots of "Jim Cod"--another name for seaweed at the end of the hook. The windless conditions made for perfect wave and beach beauty.

It was one more lunch in camp, then it was the time to pack and head back to the pier for the trip home. Slowly the camp became deserted as all the campers began their final march back to the pier, but we lingered until the last minute to time our arrival just as they started to board.

Many thanks to Mr. Jim Deacon for being the trip photographer and for joining me on this first trip of the season to Wimat, the Chumash name for Santa Rosa and loosely translated as "the place to find redwood".