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San Miguel Island 2008 News
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Day Trips To San Miguel Island Check the outer island schedule for the limted number of day trips and camper drop offs, usually only one or two dates each year for your day excursion to remote San Miguel Island, and camping trips from May - September.
Arriving at Cuyler Harbor, you will take a skiff ride from the main vessel to land on a pristine white sand beach. You will have approximatley 3 hours of island time. You can take a stroll on the beach, and/or hike up Nidever Canyon to the Cabrillo Monument at your own relaxed pace. There is also an option to join a naturalist on a guided hike which usually heads to the Caliche forest which is a 5 mile round trip hike. This is a moderate to strenuous hike due to an elevation gain of 800 feet, and the short time to get to the caliche forest and back. However, it is a scenic hike well worth the effort for fit hikers. |
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The San Miguel Camping Experience Though all of the Channel Islands within the park can be considered wilderness areas, San Miguel is truly the backcountry of the Channel Islands National Park. This remote isolated island offers the wilderness enthusiast a chance to experience the rugged isolation of the Channel Islands with a backpack style camping excursion. Your adventure begins early in the morning on one of our high-speed catamaran boats. You will cover over 50 miles of ocean and island coastline on your journey to San Miguel Island. During the crossing there is an excellent chance to sea whales, dolphins, sea lions, seabirds, and other wildlife. Upon arrival the crew will set anchor, and skiff you and your camping gear to the beach. You need to bring complete provisions for your stay, including drinking water. To reach the campground, you will hike a distance of about three quarters of a mile up a narrow trail, with an elevation gian of 500 feet. This will be your base camp during your stay. Guided day hikes will be offered into the interior of the island where you will have a chance to see up to four species of seals and sea lions, as well as interesting plants, geological features, wildlife, and scenic overlooks. Guided day hikes are led by National Park Rangers, and will vary in distance from 5 - 15 miles round trip. You may also explore the beach at Cuyler Harbor on your own. For more specific information on the island hikes, you can download the San Miguel Island Hiking Guide. |
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 The caliche formation can be seen on a 4 mile round trip hike from the campground or en route to Point Bennett. |
 The hike to Point Bennett is about 15 miles round trip from the cmpground. Thousands of seals and sea lions can be seen here. |
 Cardwell Point is a great place to see elephant seals. This hike is about 5 miles round trip from the campground. |
 Hikers headed out on a six mile round trip hike to Harris Point will have a chance to see interesting plant life and scenic views. |
| *All of the hikes noted above (with the exception of the Caliche forest) are generally available only on camping trips due to the length of the hikes and the time required to hike the distance. There will be a limited number of day trips in the fall, and a guided hike to the Caliche forest (5 miles round trip from the beach) is generally offered. To day hike to the caliche forest you will have to move at a good hiking pace and there is about 800 feet of elevation gain, 500 ft. in the first mile. Day visitors may also explore the beach and Nidever Canyon on their own. | |