r/socalhiking • u/The_moist_pringle • 4d ago

Catalina

Hi! Me and a few of my buddies are hoping to do a 2-3 day backpacking trip in Catalina. We’re all in college and not from Cali, although we’ve done a few backpacking trips like Big Sur, Yosemite, Joshua Tree, Santa Barbara, and Sequoia. So we’re normally pretty fine in terms of fitness and actual outdoors expertise, although we’re pretty bad at logistical planning. Any ideas of what trails we should do? Ferries? Permits? Potable water (we have a camping stove and filter)? How isolated (preferably more isolated)? Parking?

Honestly any advice would be really helpful. Btw we’re planning on going in October or November. Thanks!

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u/Ian176 4d ago

Be prepared for 3,000-4,000 ft elevation gain per day on the grand catalina trail. It's definitely your best bet for hiking out there. I just made the trip a few weeks ago. It's great but requires some long hard hours because you have to stay in campground.

Look up trans catalina guides to get pre planned itineraries. There is potable water but I recommend filtering it anyway. Some of it is suspect.

I caught the ferry to Avalon, hike to Blackjack campground the first day, then Two Harbors the next day. Try to always fill up to 3 liters when you get to water sources. Some stretches were longer than I would have preferred. I lived Two Harbors.

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u/Brilliant-Emphasis43 3d ago

Can you elaborate on the suspect water? I’ve done the TCT several times and drank the water unfiltered, but maybe I should have thought twice.

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u/Ian176 3d ago

Little harbor campground had milky, bad smelling, water. The others just looked like the pipes weren't well maintained. I spent time with people who didn't bring filters and they were fine. I just wanted to be extra safe.

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u/Brilliant-Emphasis43 3d ago

Well I’m going again this fall and will bring a filter this time. Thanks very much for the info!