San Miguel Island is a Channel Islands National Park destination that is a rare bird of sorts. It's considered one of the outer islands, along with Santa Rosa, and getting there involves a long boat ride that crosses some of the roughest seas on the west coast. This trip was no exception.
Even at check-in they were telling us that we might not get there, and to please consider alternatives. Even as we unloaded campers onto Santa Rosa, the skipper was hedging his bets. After consulting his charts and reports, the decision was to give it the 'ol college try. I was impressed with his skills to handle the large craft in 10 foot seas without too much sea sickness discomfort to the passengers. Even after all that, and we were safe in Cuyler harbor, he was now telling us that the skiff may not be able to safely land us onto the beach through the surf. The final landing turned out to be a piece of cake, since there was no ground swell that would cause dangerous shore break, only wind chop. So all us campers were safely on the island, and commenced that steep hike up to the camp ground after our Volunteer Ranger orientation.
Unlike Santa Rosa, travel on this island is regulated. Cuyler harbor is just about the only place a hiker can go unescorted or without permission. All other destinations require Ranger accompaniment. Luckily, the Rangers are very accommodating, and offered our group ample opportunities to hike everyday of the trip. There was no obligation to go, one can find plenty to do and see within the boundaries outlined by the Ranger. On one of the days I did just that, and made some wonderful discoveries, all within bounds. The first was at the Cabrillo Monument. During the obligitory picture shoot of the Monument, and trying to get a different view point, I noticed at the Monument base, a large Chumash grinding stone.
Just below that stone, was a small round stone, that looked like the grinder that complimented the larger stone, so I put them together, then contemplated the odds of the monument erectors actually knew what they had used.
The center piece of any visit to this island, is the hike out to Bennett Point to view the California Sea Lion breeding colony.This was our destination on day two.
Right next to our viewing location was a huge Chumash midden, loaded with perfect ancient abalone shells.
On another organized hike, we visited a large Elephant Seal breeding area and witnessed this interesting standoff between two bulls. Please note the disinterested females.
Later the same day, I took a solo hike to the tide pools on the southern reach of Cuyler Harbor. The day was cloudy, but the tide pool life remained colorful and abundant.
Our final day on the island had the best weather, in fact, it was the first windless day in months on San Miguel Island!
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| Looking toward Santa Rosa Island. |
Surf rolling onto one on the many point-bay setups on this island. No crowds except the body surfing pinnipeds.
This weather held for the rest of the trip, and the return voyage was smooth as silk. These conditions made for perfect and abundant viewing of marine wildlife to keep us on our toes until we were on the Ventura Flats. What started as a wild roller coaster boat ride, ended as a relaxed sundrenched afternoon filled with easy conversation and Micro brew beers to wash down the grit of the previous windy island days.
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