Santa Cruz Island Geo-hikes 5 days & 4 nights stay at the Christy Field Station

EVENT IS CLOSED, ITS FULL
This is a unique experience to learn about the natural sciences of the Northern Channel Islands and to make hikes to beautiful beaches and geologically interesting locations on the remote western portion of Santa Cruz Island. In addition, late summer through early fall is the most favorable weather period to visit the islands and the ocean-water temperatures peak at this time.

Cost of trip is $490/person. Payment is by check to the Geologic Maps Foundation, due at the start of the trip. Participants are responsible for their Island Packer's boat trip fare to the island and return.

This will be a small group event. Many of the geo-hikes are to and along pristine and lovely coastlines that provide a glimpse of what southern California beaches looked like hundreds of years ago. YOU'LL NEED TO BE IN GOOD HIKING SHAPE FOR THIS EVENT. The geology, history (including the prehistoric record), and flora and fauna of the island will be discussed. Thom Davis, the trip leader, is lead author on The Geological Society of America's 2020 Field Guide (#59) to Santa Cruz Island and the contents of the guidebook will be used extensively during the trip:
[https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/books/book/2279/chapter/126263829/Santa-Cruz-Island-field-trip-Geology-history-and](https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/books/book/2279/chapter/126263829/Santa-Cruz-Island-field-trip-Geology-history-and)

**IF YOU ARE ADDED TO THE TRIP (FROM WAITLIST TO ATTENDEE LIST), SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AND FULL NAME ASAP TO [email protected]. YOU'LL NEED TO PROVIDE YOUR FULL NAME, NAME OF THE TRIP YOU ARE ON, & YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS (DON'T ASSUME WE HAVE OR KNOW YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS). IF WE DON'T RECEIVE YOUR EMAIL QUICKLY YOU'LL BE REMOVED FROM THE TRIP. FURTHER INFORMATION: BOAT RESERVATIONS, WAIVERS, WHAT TO BRING, ETC. ARE SENT TO YOU BY EMAIL.**

**DO NOT MAKE YOUR BOAT RESERVATION UNTIL YOU ARE CONFIRMED ON THE TRIP AND WE HAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AND FULL NAME.**

Trip is designed for geologists and non-geologists. Key earth science concepts will be explained in a manner for all to understand. Obtain a parking pass from Island Packers at check-in

Participants are responsible for their Island Packer's boat trip reservations and fare to the island and return. At present costs are $93.00/adult-roundtrip and $88.00/senior and military-roundtrip (call Island Packers, 805-642-1393). I will inform you of the correct boat time to reserve in spring of 2026.

We stay at the historic Christy Ranch on the western end of the island that has bathrooms with showers, a kitchen equipped with cooking and eating utensils, cups and glasses, stovetop, refrigerator, and a dining room with wifi. There is no microwave, toaster, or electric coffee maker. Outside there is a patio with tables and chairs and a large built-in BBQ. I will bring plenty of charcoal for all to use and BBQing has been very popular with past trips.

We cannot sleep inside Christy Ranch as the building is not seismically retrofitted. **You will need to bring a sleeping bag (nightly lows are usually in the mid-50s degree F range), a tent, sleeping pad, and a backpacking-size ground tarp. You are responsible for bringing all your meals and drinks (potable water is available at the Ranch), preparing your meals, and clean-up.** More information on what to bring will be provided later by email. There are no stores on SCI, and cell coverage is poor. Christy Ranch and the SCI Main Station.

**PLEASE DON'T SIGN UP FOR TRIPS THAT REQUIRE OVERNIGHT ORGANIZATION AND EXPENDITURE THEN CANCEL-OUT RIGHT BEFORE THE TRIP. THIS CREATES EXTRA WORK FOR US AND THE UNIVERSITY RESERVE SYSTEM, PLUS IT DEPRIVES OTHERS FROM THE OPPORTUNITY.**

Please watch the bio-security video provided by TNC, [https://youtu.be/d8SLYWPOF2U?feature=shared](https://youtu.be/d8SLYWPOF2U?feature=shared)

Here's a link to a March 27, 2025 geologic tour of Santa Cruz Island (including some of Santa Rosa Island too):
[https://youtu.be/nvOv0DG0gec](https://youtu.be/nvOv0DG0gec)
This is a fund raiser for the nonprofit Geologic Maps Foundation (GMF), www.geologicmapsfoundation.org. GMF is a 501 (c) (3) organization and donations are tax deductible.

**Itinerary:**
First day, land at Prisoners Harbor, pick-up vehicles, orientation, driving tour of the Canada del Puerto to the UC SCI Main Field Station, check-in, lunch, followed by a drive to Christy Ranch along the Southern Ridge Rd. On the drive we will be stopping for landscape panoramas, discussions of geology, rock types, and flora and fauna. For example, at one point there is a very good view of gully offsets along active SCI fault that bisects the island, [https://youtu.be/n5jfomHlgyA](https://youtu.be/n5jfomHlgyA). At Christy Ranch we will set up our camp, possibly take a short beach hike, and prepare our dinners.

Second Day: We will drive out to Frazer Point and make a several hikes to view and discuss the geology, view the rich-assortment of bird life ar