Solo Backpacking the Trans Catalina Trail

I recently took a solo backpacking trip to Catalina Island where I hiked the Trans Catalina Trail over the course of 2.5 days. The island is off the coast of Los Angeles, California, and the TCT crosses from one end to the other, over the course of ~40 miles. There are a lot of very steep parts to this trail, with long climbs and descents, elevation gain is around 8,000 ft. The campgrounds and views are truly amazing, plus a herd of bison inhabit the island and usually hang out by the trail. This simple thru-hike is a must in Southern California.
Come hiking with me on this rollercoaster of a trail, and enjoy the beautiful views!
0:00 Intro
0:23 Getting there
2:20 Hermit Gulch Campground
3:08 Day One: Hermit Gulch to Two Harbors
10:10 Little Harbor Campground
14:54 Day Two: Little Harbor to Parsons Landing
19:36 Parson Landing Campground
20:23 Day Three: Parsons Landing to Two Harbors
For more about my experience, check out my Instagram: @beeswildlife and for the full itinerary, recount, and gear list, check out my trail journal/blog: beeswildlife.home.blog
Happy trails!
-Bee

[@hikingwithkiara]

Love this vlog!! Your editing style is so peaceful just straight vibes. I did this last year solo for the first time ever and it was so fun. going back again this year :)

[@beeswildlife]

Hey thanks!! It’s such a great trail! I hope to go back one day to do it again!

[@russellbicad1659]

Thankyou for sharing Ms Bee...I felt like I was there with you.....Have a Heavenly Day.....Keep on Hiking

[@vancekeith5642]

Never mind I saw your ticket stub. Once again thanks for sharing

[@dearmountains3431]

I really enjoy watching your adventure, especially when you're in nature❣❣ Stay safe and have lots of fun😊

[@AdamxSoldo]

Wow really cool place and great video. I have to add this to my list of places to go!

[@beeswildlife]

Thanks! It's definitely a new experience! Pretty cool to walk from one end of an island to the other!

[@ervinslens]

Beautiful video, you captured some stunning shots here. Fantastic work.

[@beeswildlife]

Thank you! I appreciate it!

[@elr05]

Great video. I’d like to try that sometime.

[@beeswildlife]

go for it! It's an amazing experience!

[@Eddie-jr6bs]

Very well done. I’m going 1st packtrip soon and your vid will really help. Love the chipmunk voiceover going into LH.

[@beeswildlife]

hahaha I was chanting to myself _I walk with love_ over and over

[@adventureawaits5003]

Awesome video 👍 definitely something I've been wanting to do. Knew about the bison didn't know they had mule deer too. Great views thanks for sharing 👍

[@beeswildlife]

Thanks! I hope you get out there! I did see a sign that said deer hunting in progress, so I guess they've become a nuisance. I've heard that foxes are also super common, but I didn't get to see one.

[@helpfulcommenter]

Return of the bear can YES!

[@beeswildlife]

hahaha

[@pismorichy]

Those "trails" sure look like gravel roads to me? Hmmm. Great vid

[@spawnrcandbikes]

your survivorgirl.....

[@jimc386]

What an awesome adventure 😃. Take care of your knees. We want to see videos for years to come.

[@beeswildlife]

Thanks! I'll be working on some knee strengthening exercises for sure! I hope to keep hiking for the rest of my life!

[@helpfulcommenter]

@@beeswildlife Check out Chase Mountains here on YT and also Strength Side also on YT, speciically his bulletproof knees routines.

[@roberttrinies7698]

​@@beeswildlifeTrekking poles help tremendously, especially on dowhills. ✌️

[@50-n-ON]

Which month did you go? And do you know the wind speed? Thanks!

[@cricketgorey2806]

great video! i'm planning on hiking it sometime - were you comfortable enough doing this as a solo female hiker? i worry about other people on the trail on the trail as much as i do bison etc!

[@beeswildlife]

Thanks for watching! I would say this is an excellent trail for a first solo backpacking trip for a few reasons. All of the campgrounds are accessible by road, so if you are in trouble, you can get picked up pretty easily. There was enough phone service that I was able to check in with family at least once or twice a day, I also carry a Garmin inReach satellite device which even though I didn't need to use it, it helped me feel safe. Phone service isn't reliable at the campgrounds, so having the Garmin was nice at night time. The people I met on the island were all very nice, and fellow hikers tend to be kind and helpful. As for the bison, they should not be a problem so long as you do not get too close to them. They are known to charge at people who do get close. I kept about 100 yards between myself and the bison. If you have more questions or want to talk more about it, feel free to DM me on Instagram: @beeswildlife :) Happy trails!

[@alexhidel3732]

💨🌊 🌧️ 🏝️ 😊

[@helpfulcommenter]

Dang you got some classic CA winter weather. Was this during those rough storms we got a couple weeks ago? The islands can be like that this time of year. Still looked pretty beautiful though! Glad your tent held up!

[@beeswildlife]

Yep, I heard that some areas even had hail from the storms. It was certainly still beautiful and a great experience, but next time I will go during a warmer month.

[@Thee1Wolfpack]

When did you record this ?

[@beeswildlife]

My trip was in February

[@tombixler]

what time of year did you complete this?

[@vancekeith5642]

Great video, thanks for sharing. What time of year did you go? looks like winter due to the empty mooring cans

[@benpetty9603]

Great video, did you go during the winter? Im thinking of going in december is that a bad idea? thanks!

[@beeswildlife]

I went in February. Winter isn't a bad time to go, but the weather wasn't great. It tends to be foggy and windy most of the day in the winter/ early spring months.

[@helpfulcommenter]

If you could do it over would you camp on the little harbor side or the shark side?

[@beeswildlife]

Honestly, I would stay in the exact same campsite I had, it was perfect!

[@camic9457]

weird question, where did you leave your car? 😂 i plan on renting one and cant find any information ln whether i can leave it at the san pedro port for 4 days

[@beeswildlife]

Yes! There was an overnight parking lot next to the ferry at San Pedro! I parked near the world cruise center