How to backpack the trans-Catalina trail
- tyrawu19
- Apr 14, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: May 5, 2024
The trans-Catalina trail is one of the most unique backpacking trips you can take. If you're looking for a mix of ocean views, beachfront camping along with remote mountaintops, this is the trip for you. Along the trail you'll have lots of opportunities to see Catalina's wildlife, including bison and fox. Although planning and logistics can be a bit tricky, it's well worth it. It's a great trip for beginner backpackers, but it is definitely a challenging hike with elevation. This guide will take you through all of the details about backpacking Catalina Island, plus my itinerary and things I wish I knew before the trip.
About the trans-Catalina trail
The trans-Catalina trail, or TCT, stretches 38.5 miles across Catalina Island. The trail crosses hilly terrain between Avalon and Two Harbors. There are 5 campgrounds along the way, and each of them is very different. However, all of them, (aside from Parson's Landing) have some form of restroom and drinking water available.
There's pretty much no shade along the trail, so many backpackers choose to complete the trail in fall and spring when temperatures are cooler.
You mostly hike along a single-track trail, but there are moments when you walk along the main road. The trail is pretty easy to follow, with signs like the one in my photo all along the trail. There are also mile markers.
When to hike the trans-Catalina trail
Temperatures on Catalina are pretty moderate year round, however, the summer months can get hot, especially with how exposed the trail is. I did this hike in early April, when the average high is 63 F and the average low is 47 F. Although we braved very windy conditions on our first night, the next 2 days were perfectly sunny and gorgeous.
Itinerary Options for Backpacking Catalina Island
There are a few different options for itineraries including 3, 4 and even 5 day trips. It's really up to what you're looking to get out of the experience. I did a 3 day trip from Avalon to Two Harbors, which ended up at around 25 miles.
3-DAY ITINERARY - (My route)
Day 1 - Hike ~11 miles from Avalon to Black Jack Campground
Day 2 - Hike ~8 miles from Black Jack Campground to Little Harbor Campground
*We did 2 miles from Black Jack to the Catalina Airport. They have a restaurant that serves food and drinks. Highly recommend the bison burger. It was divine!
Day 3 - Hike ~6 miles from Little Harbor Campground to Two Harbors campground
*Two Harbors is a little town with a few shops and a restaurant. We got the Yacht Club
after finishing our hike and it was loaded up with deli meats and fries. A perfect post hike meal! The bartender also highly recommended the burger but we didn't try it.
3-DAY ITINERARY - (Another 3 day option)
Day 1 - Hike ~10.7 miles from Avalon to Black Jack Campground
Day 2 - Hike ~8 miles from Black Jack Campground to Little Harbor Campground
Day 3 - Hike ~6 miles from Little Harbor Campground to Two Harbors campground
4-DAY ITINERARY
Day 1 - Avalon to Black Jack Campground
Day 2 - Black Jack Campground to Little Harbor Campground
Day 3 - Little Harbor Campground to Two Harbors Campground
Day 4 - Two Harbors Campground - out to Parsons Landing - back to Two Harbors Campground
Logistics: Getting to the island and reservations
The first step in planning to backpack Catalina Island should be securing campsite reservations. These are extremely popular and can be booked out a year in advance. I booked my reservations on the first reservation day of the year, New Year's Day, and sites were already taken.
You have a few options for getting to the island. I took the Catalina Express, because I wanted to arrive in Avalon and leave from Two Harbors. I left from San Pedro, where I was able to park my car at the port parking lot for $20 a day.
Another option is the Catalina Flyer, however it only goes from Newport Beach to Avalon and back, so you would have to take a cab back to Avalon if you finish your hike in Two Harbors.
Why backpacking Catalina Island is good for beginners
All things considered, the TCT is a good option for beginners because of its proximity to civilization and infrastructure. Both of the campsites we stayed at had drinking water on tap and bathrooms with toilet paper. If you've spent time in the back country, you know having those things makes a huge difference.
I also think this is a good trip for solo backpackers because there's opportunities to meet people along the trails, and you're never completely alone for too long.
(The official drink of Catalina is"buffalo milk".Ingredients include Creme de Cococa, Kahlua, Creme de Banana and vodka.)
What I wish I knew before my trip
Bring a credit card with you. This trip is unique in that there are restaurants and stores along the way. I only brought $20, which went quickly since we stopped in Avalon at the beginning of our trip to buy a pair of gloves and some souvenirs. Luckily, my boyfriend brought his card.
Be prepared to spend more than usual if you're buying things from the airport or restaurant in Two Harbors. We paid $24 for a buffalo burger at the airport. It was delicious and a luxury to have on the trail but I was a little surprised by the price. We also paid more than usual for a club sandwich at Two Harbors at the end of our hike. My boyfriend had blisters and bought a pair of Volcom foam sandals in Two Harbors, which cost him $40.
Check the ferry times for your return. We finished our hike earlier than expected and wanted to catch an earlier ferry. Unfortunately as we were walking up to the office, the ferry left and the only other one was our previously scheduled ferry at 4:45pm. However, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise because we got to relax, eat some good food and sunbathe on a nearly empty beach.
There are full showers at Two Harbors. If you wanted, you could bring a clean change of clothes for the end of the hike and shower at Two Harbors. I chose not to because all of my clothes were dirty, but a nice hot shower would have felt amazing.
There's a lot of elevation gain during this hike. Although the mileage isn't too crazy, there are a lot of hills and valleys on this hike, making it quite challenging. For us, the hardest day was actually the shortest day, when we walked 6 miles from Little Harbor to Two Harbors. Even though it was the shortest distance, there were some crazy climbs, with no switchbacks.
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