Las Caballeras Trans-Catalina Trail 10-2-11

The last day of our island week, and I really wanted to do the Trans-Catalina Trail. So I was very pleased when a group of five decided that we would do that route on our walk out and back to Twin Harbors. We all packed up our tents and belongings, left our campsite cleaner than we found it, and then started off on the trail.

Length: 7 miles
Duration: 3 hours
Difficulty: Extreme riding. Very difficult. There were sections with drop-offs that went so far down straight to the sea I had to tell myself to just trust in the mule and hold on. I was very pleased that we went up it in the direction we did, there were some nearly vertical places that would have been much harder to come down. A BIG rush of accomplishment to have ridden this.

Altitude gain: 1290 ft 

Grade: II!!

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 Probably a scary sight for any men reading this blog, but seriously funny to the women on this campout: the Man Trap necklace! Victor rat traps filled with various occupations of men, shown here are a farmer and a diver, and an appaloosa horse for a cowboy. Call the theme Mardi Gras and keep an open bar and you never know WHAT the gals will come up with.

 Today was the end of the party, so after we packed up we started out. My group decided not to do the part of the Trans-Cat trail that was closest to the campground, and I'd ridden it a couple of days earlier, so I was OK with that. They said they wanted to save the animals' strength for the really technical part of the trail, and not knowing what was involved I took their word for it and we did the first part on the road.

 Then we turned off into the wild, and struck out across the landscape toward the peaks.

 Gnarled ghostlike trees and cactus filled the landscape, in its dry cycle of summer sere grasses.

 One last look back fondly at the Little Harbor, now just a memory and a goal to call us back here next summer.

 Then up so high that the mainland suddenly became visible on the horizon. Soon, soon enough we would be returning there and picking back up the reins of real life.

 A nearly vertical climb, with some rocky sections that required the animals to plant their feet and jump up. We riders just held on for dear life.

 Because if you turned to look down, the steep drop had no hope of catching yourself on a tree or bush............ it would be a slide to oblivion.

 My favorite photo from the whole trip, it captures the stark beauty of the land and the compelling calm of the sea. All from the top ridge on the very edge. Getting to this point, and seeing this, was a beautiful affirmation of all the hours I have spent learning to ride well. This took bravery, skill, and a darn good mule!

 And there is the mainland, looking like an island itself in the marine layer.

 All the time we were trail riding we'd been looking out to sea, but now, turning our faces toward home, the mainland compels us.

 The trail was wide enough at this point to drive a jeep, or walk two animals abreast. But it was very steep........ just ahead of us here it disappears utterly as it plummets down a hillside.

 But we made it, and once again stood on the hill overlooking Twin Harbors and the pretty sailing ships anchored there.

 But no, it can't be that easy. I had been thinking I needed maybe just one more buffalo photo, and these huge lads were just before the gate above the town.

 I know, they look like they are just dozing in the sun........ but actually, they look like a Ford truck parked on the side of the trail when you walk by them.

 This is a sign for the Trans-Cat trail, in front of the Yacht Club. Arriving back at Twin Harbors brought the grand total of miles ridden on Catalina Island in this week to 45.3, a number I am quite pleased with.

 This flag with a stylized graphic representing Catalina was on the wall of the Yacht Club. It is a building built as barracks for soldiers during the civil war, that is now owned by members who each maintain one room there for their use when they sail over from the mainland. We were graciously given a tour of the interior.

 And this poster was on the wall of one of the rooms.............. I would have liked to have taken a photo this good in real life, but the iPhone does not have a zoom lens and I couldn't ever get up the foolhardy courage to get up close and personal with an animal that could decide to have a bad day and stomp me.

 So then it was time to board our own yacht, the sturdy Pacific Star, and with my "Sea Bands" firmly on my wrists and some OTC pills and a dram of faith, onward to the mainland.

Homeward Bound. Part of the decorations for the annual Buccaneer Days festival, a Pirate farewell to this enchanted land.

Las Caballeras Ten Miles Gaited 10-1-11

Tobe and I were really enjoying stepping out with the Rocky Mountain horses, their riders were great gals and ole Tobe did his level best to keep up with them. So when they proposed that we do a ten mile route, we were ready. The rest of the group had declared it a "free day" and many went to the Cowgirl Spa to get mani-pedis or went swimming. But I was there to RIDE!


Length: 10 miles
Duration: 3.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate. Well defined trails and sandy roads, through canyons and along ridge crests with lots of great views.

Altitude gain: 1210 ft 

Grade: II

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 We started out with vigor, feeling maybe just a bit smug that we were embarking on an ambitious route when so many of the cowgirls were taking a day off riding.

 The sea was compelling, but far more unique and wonderful was being back out on the trails and experiencing Catalina as it is meant to be seen.

 Distances can be deceiving on the island, because it is actually a quite tiny world but feels vast.

 This is a bridge that washed out in 1995 in a big storm, and has recently been repaired, reopening access to this area.

 The building behind Tobe is the Eagle's Rest, a hunting lodge that was built in the 1920's. The Conservancy just got a large grant from the State of California that will fund a full restoration, making it once again a welcoming hearth for travelers. We sat beneath the trees and ate sack lunches and rested up the animals.

 Then we headed up the Eagle Trail, up to this high vantage from which to look back down the valley we had just climbed.

 The opuntia cactus was heavy with fruit. Tobe does like to snack on the trail but thankfully he never got any cactus spines in his nose.

 The landscape changed and California live oaks made me feel quite at home, so similar to the flora I am used to in the coastal chaparral in Santa Barbara.

 This interesting stile built into a wall speaks of a time when this was part of the Arabian breeding ranch the Wrigleys ran for decades.

 At the ranch the weathered wood of a sorting chute and old painted gates are poignant, once part of a thriving endeavor and now silent and unused.

 A new enterprise has been developed, and this is a vineyard already producing a quality vintage of wine. The island continues to evolve.

And even though Tobe is pretty much a roll in the dust and shake it off kinda guy, we watched as every horse owner seemed to give their pal a daily bath. So today, ok, Tobe got a bath. He looks quite black and stayed this way for just a minute or two, then rolled in the dirt to make the point that he can dry-clean himself just fine, thankyou.

Las Caballeras Fun Day 9-30-11

This day was devoted to riding up to the Rancho Escondido again and then many of the gals took part in a costumed "Parade of Pretty Ponies" and equestrian games. But I was watching the sky, and listening to the booming thunder, and a group of us decided we'd rather take a small cadre and ride back on an interesting trail than stick around gaming and maybe ride back in rain.

Length: 8.6 miles
Duration: 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate. Some rocky climbs, single track trails, but nothing with a significant drop-off. 

Altitude gain: 1070 ft 

Grade: II

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 Patient Tobe, dozing in the sun, ready to carry me to adventure.

 Off we go, leading the way out of the pretty campground.

 Everyone straggled out of camp in small groups. already I have found two gals with gaited Rocky Mountain horses, what Tobe's mother was, so we make a fine riding crew.

 There are a lot of clouds over the mountains, and the sound of thunder booming close by, and we struck out to explore, all the while aiming for the Rancho Escondido we had visited the day before. Fun how going the opposite direction on a trail makes it a whole new ride.

 Looking out to sea it is a clear summer's day, visual poetry.

 Relatively flat open areas gave us a chance to rack our gaited animals. Poor Tobe, he does his best but his rack is just not as fast as a full Rocky Mountain horse. I have to think that if I get him out on the trail to practice with more Rockies that he'll have an incentive to get faster!

 At Rancho Escondido the Wrigley family have a lovely small museum with artifacts from their time living on the island. This is a carriage used to bring people up to the ranches from the harbors.

 All of what is being done with Catalina today is due to the foresight William Wrigley, Jr. Without his stewardship it could so easily have been developed into a Coney Island West.

 This place is filled with history, and pride of accomplishment.

 The display cases had lots of silver-mounted saddles made for the family by Edward Bohlin, for use in events like the Pasadena Rose Parade.

 Walking down a barranca away from the ranch as the first raindrops fell.

 Following old roads, sensing as the smells of the chaparral are enhanced by the slight moisture falling.

 An open sided picnic house, that was built in the 1920's for dignitaries to be treated to an al fresco meal after a tour in one of the wagons or on horseback.

 A view across the interior, way out to the coast where we are camped. By this time the rain had stopped, but we could still hear thunder.

 Oh no, not another bison! So far we have not met any angry ones, but once I learned that they can out run any horse I have been trying my darndest not to let that nervousness transmit to Tobe. I know if I am scared he feels it through my legs, so as we go past these monsters I practice calm breathing.

 And there is our home base, a slice of paradise.

A sunset over my tent under the pam tree, a lovely cap for a pleasant day. 

Las Caballeras Airport in the Sky 9-29-11

For our first ambitious ride I hooked up with some spirited gals and we decided to ride up to the Airport in the Sky and then come back. A perfect example of the journey being more important than the destination, we just want to explore and discover Catalina.

Length: 12.5 miles
Duration: 4.25 hours
Difficulty: Moderate. Some rocky climbs, single track trails, but nothing with a significant drop-off. 

Altitude gain: 2060 ft 

Grade: II

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Tobe wearing my beret, looking jaunty and patient as I get him all tacked up and ready to go exploring and visit the Airport in the Sky. 

 These trails and roads are a good example of why shoes are necessary here. The rocks are very sharp and all this walking in sandy roads would wear down his hooves.

 The day was much clearer and the sea a splendid azure, as we wound around and rose higher and higher.

 This is looking back on our little cove, what an amazing campsite. I even swam in the ocean, made it feel even more like summer camp.

 There are lots of harbors and coves all along the coast, and because the land has never been developed except for minimal roads it is easy to imagine landing on this place in a canoe or a sailing vessel in eons past.

 Traveling at mule speed is so relaxing, watching the landscape unfold. 

 And the island is big enough that there are mountain ranges receding into the distance, ........... but wait, ears UP! There are three more bison! We actually went of the road and bushwhacked a big leisurely loop around these guys.

 Off the grid, no computer, just natural light and vistas to gaze upon.

 This looked like a natural lagoon that was a bison watering hole. 

 A sign for the Santa Catalina Island Conservancy outside the airport. We were so very grateful that they granted Las Caballeras the opportunity to ride on the Island once a year.

 The airport, tiny and quaint and with an astounding mountaintop location.

 A metal sculpture of a cowboy roping a calf at the entrance to the ranch next to the airport.

 Looking across the valley at Rancho Escondido, where the Wrigley family used to have their famous Arabian horse breeding program. Now it houses a museum and is being restored for more public use.

 Rancho Escondido's main buildings and corral.

 An old barn at the Rancho.

And a silly portrait of me, wearing a buffalo gal hat I got at the airport. If they scare me I have to find a way to deal with that, might as well laugh!