Located off the coast of Southern California, Channel Islands National Park is made up of five islands and the waters that surround them. The park is home to about 30 threatened and endangered plants and animals and almost 150 endemic species which are found nowhere else on Earth. Wow!

The Channel Islands exceeded my expeditions, thanks in part to an amazing company @islandpackers that safely escorted us to and from Santa Rosa Island. This ended up as a 10 hour day, 6 hours spent on the boat and 4 hours hiking. The ride out was smooth with perfect conditions, calm and full of wildlife – the 20+ whale sightings was amazing! The way home we were rockin’ with 8ft + waves but the waters calmed at the entrance of painted cave and the captain drove our 40ft boat INSIDE! It was spectacular and an unexpected addition to our already amazing day. 

The islands are also the homeland of the Island Chumash, along with their ancestors lived on the islands for at least 600 generations. Ranchers called the islands home for six generations. The ranch buildings still remain on the island but are closed except for escorted tours. Be aware of poison oak, “jumping” cholla cactus and ticks. When you are departing from the island be mindful of your time, with no cell service there is no way to reach someone and you will miss the only concessionaire trip that day, and they are not scheduled every day!