- Drive
- Carlsbad → San Pedro, ~75 minCatalina Express lot, ~$23/day × 5 days.
- Ferry
- Catalina Express, San Pedro → Avalon~1 hr. One-way only — the return sails from Two Harbors.
- Stay
- Hotel Atwater, AvalonOne night. Last real bed until Monday.
- Resupply
- Vons in AvalonFresh items and anything forgotten. Freeze-dried comes from home.
- Dinner
- Avalon waterfront, your pick
Hotel bookedFerry + parking to book
Sea level → 1,600′
Steep, few switchbacks. Early start.
- Route
- Hermit Gulch Trail → Divide Road → Haypress → Black Jack
- Breakfast
- Café in AvalonEat before the ferry crowd wakes up.
- Lunch
- Trail snacks8 oz per person — the only full snack lunch you carry.
- Dinner
- Freeze-dried at campOne pouch per person. Water available at Black Jack.
- Camp
- Black Jack, 1,600′Highest camp, coldest night. Wind layer and a 40°F bag.
Campsite booked
1,600′ → sea level
Mostly downhill. Easiest of the four.
- Route
- Black Jack → Airport in the Sky → Sheep Chute → Little Harbor
- Breakfast
- Freeze-dried at Black Jack
- Lunch
- DC-3 Grille, Airport in the SkyCall 310-510-0143 to confirm November hours before counting on it.
- Dinner
- Freeze-dried at camp
- Camp
- Little Harbor, on the sandBest camp on the island. Water and flush toilets.
Campsite booked
Two climbs, two descents
Longest day. Sea level at Two Harbors, sea level again at Parsons.
- Route
- Little Harbor → Whale's Tail → Two Harbors → West End Road → Parsons
- Breakfast
- Freeze-dried at Little Harbor
- Lunch
- West End Galley, Two HarborsRoughly halfway. Refill every bottle here.
- Dinner
- Freeze-dried at Parsons Landing
- Water
- Locker at Parsons — 4 gallons + firewoodNo tap. Pick up the combination at the Two Harbors visitor center on your way through.
- Camp
- Parsons LandingMost remote camp, right on the beach. Breezy after dark.
Campsite + locker booked
Rolling coast road
Short. Leave time for the ferry, not the other way around.
- Breakfast
- Freeze-dried at ParsonsLast pouch. Pack everything out.
- Lunch
- Harbor Reef Restaurant, Two HarborsBuffalo Milk at the Saloon. You earned it.
- Ferry
- Two Harbors → San PedroFar fewer sailings than Avalon — check the departure before setting the alarm.
- Drive
- San Pedro → CarlsbadMonday afternoon; expect traffic through Orange County.
Return ferry to book
Ledger
Booked and outstanding
Conservancy Adventurer Membership$150.00
Campsites ×3 + water/firewood locker$312.30
Hotel Atwater, Nov 5$265.00
Ferry, both legs ×4 — to book~$376.00
San Pedro parking, 5 days — to book~$115.00
Running total~$1,218
Still open: Catalina Express tickets both legs, and the San Pedro lot. Confirm DC-3 Grille hours at 310-510-0143.