Let’s be real. I don’t particularly enjoy the challenges of hiking in snow, mud, or freezing cold temperatures. I have a hard enough time avoiding roots and rocks in the best conditions. And, I’m certainly not eager to slip off any wet or icy rocks while scrambling over them in January. So call me crazy, but I’m a skeptic when anyone suggests going out for backpacking trip in the middle of winter.
Despite my reluctance to get on the trail when it’s ridiculously cold outside, the Channel Islands provide hikers with a truly atypical winter adventure. I just hiked the 38.5 mile Trans-Catalina Trail (TCT) , and here’s my top 10 reasons why you should consider the TCT for your next off-season hike.
1) You won’t need any extra gear
Santa Catalina Island is located less than 30 miles off the coast of Southern California. With a Mediterranean climate and super mild winters, this island doesn’t experience a traditional winter season. Their annual snowfall is 0.00 inches! So, you can enjoy your winter hiking adventure without taking snowshoes, an ice axe, or 15 extra pounds of gear to keep you warm. If you’re hiking the TCT in winter, it’s still a smart idea to bring your rain gear though. The island gets an average of 12-14 inches of rain annually, and much of it falls between December and March.
2) The gym is just too crowded
Every January, crowds of people who just made New Year’s resolutions are bound to descend upon your gym like clockwork. With their lofty intentions of losing weight or getting fit, these newbies will temporarily congest all your normal winter workout spaces. Rather than fighting for your turn on the treadmill or other cardio machines, why not experience an epic outdoor adventure instead? Some fresh air will do you good, and there’s less chance of someone coughing all over you or trying to get you sick.
3) Avoid the summertime burn
When hiking on Santa Catalina Island during the peak spring or summer months, you have to be prepared to avoid dehydration and sunburn. The TCT follows the island’s mountainous ridge line, which means it’s a very exposed route with little shade. Once the sun gets high in the sky, hikers don’t have much respite from the heat and harsh UV rays. Peak-season visitors often find themselves needing to adjust their schedule to avoid hiking during the hottest hours of the day. But, if you hike the TCT during the winter months, the sun won’t be nearly as menacing. Instead it’s a welcome addition as it gently warms you up throughout the day.
4) Less competition for campsites
Stealth camping isn’t allowed along the TCT, so you must stay in one of the five established campgrounds. There are lots of itineraries you can use when planning a TCT thru-hike (click HERE to see my absolute favorites). However, trying to string together campsite reservations between April and September can be a real challenge. Everyone is vying for them, and they book up quickly online. Why not avoid this headache altogether? It’s far easier to book the most popular beachfront campsites in the off-season, especially if you avoid holiday weekends. And who knows, you may even have the beach to yourself!
5) The wildflowers are in bloom
In much of the U.S., it’s rare to see flowers in bloom in late January or February. However, the mild Mediterranean climate in the Channel Islands means color abounds, even in the winter months. Across the island, hikers can expect to see wildflowers dotting the hillsides, including red paintbrush, Catalina bush mallows, island gila, red buckwheat, and shooting stars. Wildflower season officially runs from February to May, so lace up your hiking shoes and don’t forget to bring your camera.
6) Everything is less crowded
Santa Catalina Island is a major tourist attraction for southern California. And, unless you’re uber-rich and can afford to hire a helicopter, private plane, or yacht to bring you over from the mainland – chances are you’ll arrive on the island via the ferry. The ferry tends to book up quickly in peak months, but it’s pretty rare for tourists to descend during the winter (outside of Valentine’s Day). Choosing to hike the TCT in the off-season means you’ll have an easier time getting to/from the island, and you won’t have to fight the crowds in town when you arrive. The restaurants can seat you immediately, the hotels have cheaper rates, and you’ll feel more like a local during your visit.
7) Ideal hiking weather
The Channel Islands experience unmatched weather conditions during the winter. Most days, the average high temperature in Avalon is between 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit. Overnight lows also tend to be mild, usually only dropping down to 50 degrees. So, the winter weather really hits the sweet spot for an outdoor adventure. Santa Catalina Island also has an average of 278 days of sunshine, so expect the winter days to feel more like your typical springtime.
8) Enjoy a sunset cruise
Between January and March, the evening ferries back to mainland California depart between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. In the wintertime, the sun sets right about this same time. As a result, a ride on the evening ferry means you’ll be treated to a colorful sunset over Catalina Island as it disappears on the horizon. And the best part? It won’t cost you an extra dime! So why not head to the ferry’s bar, grab your favorite beverage, and turn this happy coincidence into sunset cruise?
9) Work off the holiday heft
The holidays a notorious for lots of extra food. You can blame your co-workers for bringing all those cookies and treats into the office, and your mom for making those sweet potatoes you can’t stay away from at Thanksgiving. Or maybe you aren’t a glutton, but you just kept your head down (and your mouth full) at the Christmas table to avoid talking politics with your cantankerous uncle. Whatever the source, we all are are apt to put on a few unwanted pounds over the holidays. Getting outdoors and hiking a trial like the TCT in winter gives you an opportunity to shed that holiday stress, and maybe even get back into swimsuit shape early.
10) Get some serenity
Most trails only see a fraction of their normal use during the the off-season. So there’s far less chance you’ll have to share the trail with other hikers if you opt for a wintertime hike. This absence of people on trail means you’re more likely to hear the birds chirping and frogs croaking instead of that guy who insists on basting his obnoxious music through a bluetooth speaker. A winter hike also also means a chance to recharge from the holidays, and reflect on all the things you want to see and do in the upcoming year.
Want to know more about the Trans-Catalina Trail?
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