Tips for Planning & Hiking the Trans-Catalina Trail

The Trans-Catalina Trail is an awesome multi-day hike across the island of Catalina. You can watch my full video from when I did this hike with my dad and a friend here • Hiking the Trans-Catal... and you can learn about my tips for planning this hike in this video. Let me know what questions you have in the comments!
*This information is from spring 2020 and some of it may have changed, so be sure to double check before going*
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[@rayenriquez2839]

Great tips. Short and sweet right to the point. Thanks.

[@Teetee554]

I will have to add this to my bucket list.

[@TylerTerry]

Definitely the most helpful TCT tips video I've found. Thanks!

[@kmm129]

Always enjoyable.

[@ChooseAdventureCaliforniaStyle]

I was literally just telling my wife I'm planning on doing the TCT. Unbelievable timing. Thanks for the video....thanks for all your videos.

[@californiathroughmylens]

No problem, let me know if you have any questions!

[@maiajones1310]

Definitely had to share this video! Had always wanted to go there😃thank you for sharibg all your adventures with us!

[@californiathroughmylens]

Thanks for sharing the video. Glad it was helpful!

[@mikithompson745]

I grew up in Avalon so it’s a special place to me. I’ve been all over the island and it’s one of my favorite places.

[@californiathroughmylens]

That is awesome! It really is such a beautiful island

[@InfamousMS]

Thanks, Josh. This is really helpful. Love your channel!

[@californiathroughmylens]

Happy to help!

[@allisonsherman7231]

Whoa.....Catalina video stays onnnn:)

[@lisalandry9346]

Great info, thank you so much!

[@keithjohnson5398]

I camped at Parsons eons ago, caught a ride on a dive boat and hopped off and swam in with a dry bag. Beautiful campground and wonderful adventure wandering the hills to end of the Isthmus. Toughest part was hitching a ride back the next day to San Pedro on a dive boat that just happened to be nearby. Brought along a marine radio so that helped. The more remote parts of the island are so amazing to explore.

[@californiathroughmylens]

That sounds like an adventure for sure!

[@lindaloop642]

Great tips! I wish I saw this before I went on the trek. Gear hauling and planning the water stops is a must do if you don’t want a bad experience

[@californiathroughmylens]

Glad you were able to do it, what did you think of the hike?

[@scottscriticalmass]

Thanks Josh... Well done as always.

[@californiathroughmylens]

My pleasure!

[@zoeyhu6878]

Thank you for your videos! They are awesome and much needed :)

[@californiathroughmylens]

No problem! Glad you enjoy the videos!

[@mixeddrinks8100]

If I remember correctly there is an exceptionally good waterproof map that was either given or purchased when we got the permit. Have that in a pocket comes in handy all the time, but also use a more detailed map, and studied the layout. Also a slight cheat on gear haul depending on situation, we did ours during early summer so didn't need a lot of clothes and cold weather gear, and lots of tours happening. Not sure if it is still possible now. We had two friends who came with us but didn't want to go on the trail they take the tour bus to the airport and drop off some gear for us, they also took the tour boat to two harbor to deliver more gear for us. So if you have people who aren't doing the trail coming with you, this is a good alternative to gear haul. They had fun on both tours and you get the gear haul on the cheap. I think both tours were less than 40 each and gear haul was a few hundred dollars. But again depends on the gear haul needed.

[@californiathroughmylens]

That is a great suggestion, especially if you have people that don't want to do the trail. Thanks for sharing!

[@dsmom6898]

Someday I want to take my son to Catalina. Thank you for the tips!

[@californiathroughmylens]

No problem!

[@pappysproductions]

These are my favorite. I'm still working on my Santa Cruz Campground video (that I was able to book,thanks to your how to book Santa Cruz video) Hopefully, I'll finish tomorrow. ... Now, to continue watching this video...

[@californiathroughmylens]

Glad you like them! I look forward to seeing your video!

[@OneTentInCalifornia]

Your videos are always such great quality and so helpful, thank you! This looks amazing and is now on our to-do list

[@californiathroughmylens]

Really appreciate that! I hope you are able to do it in the future!

[@leonardkian4305]

I realize it's kinda randomly asking but does anyone know of a good website to watch newly released series online?

[@kylercarl3871]

@Leonard Kian flixportal :D

[@leonardkian4305]

@Kyler Carl thank you, I went there and it seems like a nice service :) I really appreciate it !

[@kylercarl3871]

@Leonard Kian You are welcome xD

[@Mandarin110631]

Thank you!

[@Cali.fornia.k]

Catalina is so beautiful. The Bison scare me a bit so I may need to try the vehicle tour first!

[@californiathroughmylens]

That's a great way to do it! We saw some bison when we were there, but we just stayed really far away.

[@ohwhoaitzjoe]

I like taking photos. What focal lengths do you recommend bringing? I normally bring a standard zoom but it seems like a telephoto or super zoom (24-200) might me nice to have.

[@andresnoriega4287]

Awesome video as usual! My boyfriend and I plan on doing this next March but we are unable to book campsites until 1/1/21. I believe you went in February - how far in advance were you able to book your campsites? Thanks in advance!

[@cassiemoore6854]

My family and are thing about doing this during Christmas next year.what’s your thoughts on winter versus summer or spring?

[@lindsaygreen1982]

Did you use poles? Not used to them but this is my first time doing it

[@babetravelling]

5 days, 4 nights on. this journey! You are amazing and a true camper. I haven't camped in my life but really interested in doing one. What's ur best advise for me?

[@californiathroughmylens]

Thanks for the comment! I would recommend getting some cheap gear, like a tent and air mattress, then book a car camping site at the beach. That way you can test out camping and if you don't like it you are right next to your car. Hope that helps and let me know what other questions you have!

[@izzyduzit5562]

It would be so dope to travel with you bro

[@Thee1Wolfpack]

What time of year was your trip and can you tell me how much campsites cost ?

[@calebfoote7937]

Do you have to camp at the sites?

[@trance24x7]

Do we need permit for this trail? Or just the campsite booking will work?

[@lecroissant4088]

What month did you hike?

[@erick6715]

Did this hike couple years ago summer time an the heat inland trails are extremely hot...the weather report is usually for Avalon an that’s by the water.... much cooler!! Think winter time hiking an weathers cooler an makes those bull dozer hill climbing much easier... Trek on safe ...........

[@californiathroughmylens]

That is a great point, I can only imagine how hot it would be in the summer!

[@johnanderson8096]

Thanks... may do it TCT late September... if I get camp spots... SUPER disappointed about the cost to park car at San Pedro Ferry building... nothing short of criminal... Ill try to figure an alternative... Its a principle thing with me! Thanks again Great Video...

[@californiathroughmylens]

That would be a good time to go as it probably wouldn't be as hot then which is nice. Not a lot of shade on the trail haha

[@mixeddrinks8100]

yea parking is expensive, friends or uber if you close by gets the job done.

[@msmariasolis1]

I would love to do this one day. Is there a time of year that is best weatherwise? I don't do well in the heat. I prefer the cold but want to avoid the rain if I can.

[@californiathroughmylens]

You will want to go in the spring or late fall. It is really hot on the island in the summer and there is not much shade on the trail.

[@randyclark1221]

Nice video. Did you take a map? If so, where did you get it and which one did you get?

[@californiathroughmylens]

I didn’t take a map but I did download the All Trails map on my phone to follow. Just make sure it is more recent as the trail has changed a little bit. There are great maps online too from the Catalina Conservancy (I believe it is called) as well.

[@guillermoraya4967]

can I take a knife on the ferry? Am hiking this summer but I don't want to get confiscated

[@derekweiland1857]

TBH, I've done the whole, put it in a condom and 'insert' it with a string tied on for removal later. Not ideal, but definitely doable.

[@2011woodlands]

It might be worth a short taxi drive to the jump off point to avoid the parking fees, leave the car at the hotel.

[@MDWavemaster]

So im planning 3 days, 2 nights for this. Starting from Avalon. My main questions are A. Is that realistic, and B. You mentioned there was water every six miles..is that also realistic? Thanks!

[@californiathroughmylens]

That would be a quick trip for sure with a lot of hiking, so it would totally depend on your hiking abilities and how fast you want to get through everything. For water, you can find it at all of the campsites (except for Parsons). I would say the longest stretch without a good water source is from Two Harbors to Parsons and back. Make sure you have a lot of water during that section, especially if you are not staying at Parsons. If you do stay at Parsons, then make sure to pay for your water and firewood in advance so that you have some waiting for you.

[@MDWavemaster]

@@californiathroughmylens thanks man

[@stefank.9908]

Where can I get that "National Park Photo Frames"? I love your videos - Greetings from Germany

[@californiathroughmylens]

Here is the Etsy shop for the artist www.etsy.com/shop/OlsonRC

[@ivancazessus3133]

What’s the best campsite at parsons landing ?

[@californiathroughmylens]

I think number 1 would be pretty epic as it is in its own little cove. #2 was what we got and it was good though, no real bad spot there.

[@tlove9125]

What about restrooms? Showers? Along the way?

[@californiathroughmylens]

Pit toilet restrooms are at all of the major campsites and available in the cities you walk through as well. There are showers in Two Harbor and I am guessing they probably have them in Avalon as well, but not at the rest of the campgrounds. Hope that helps!

[@derekweiland1857]

​@@californiathroughmylensDo they have potable water at all the campsites?

[@rayenriquez2839]

What are considered the major campsites?

[@shaneomack5018]

We haven’t seen ms amy in a bit. Hope all is well

[@californiathroughmylens]

She is good! She is pregnant with twins so has taken a break from traveling at the moment

[@C-TOS]

I wanted to go so bad this year with my dad.

[@californiathroughmylens]

This year was a tough one for sure.

[@Khatoon170]

Brother would you mind if gave you gift as appreciation for your efforts for all citizens of California state as I told you before iam Arabic lady subscriber I enjoy reading about places you visited ihope all of us citizens are fine from this pandemic and we heard from news there huge fire in California woods too may god protect all of you state song ilove you California you are greatest state of alll ilove your winter summer spring in fall ilove your fertile valleys your dear mountain I adore. And love your gronnd ocean and love her rugged shore ilove your red wood forest ilove your field of yellow grain ilove your summer breezes and ilove your winter rain ilove you land of flowers land of honey fruits and wine ilove you California you have won this heart of mine ilove your old gray missions love your Diney yards stretching for ilove you California with your. Golden gate jar ilove your purple sunset love you’re skies of azure blue ilove California I just can’t help loving you ilove you Catalina you are very dear to me ilove you tampalais and ilove Yosemite ilove you land of sunshine half your beauties are untold ilove you in my childhood and I’ll love you when iam old when the snow crowned golden seirra keep their watch oer the valley bloom itis there I would be in our land by the sea every breeze breathing rich perfume it’s here nature gives of her rarest it’s home sweet home to me and iknow when I die I shall breath last sigh for my sunny California ihope you like it good luck iwish for your channel more success and progress stay safe blessed

[@Khatoon170]

If you please Catalina is beautiful island located 22miles of coast of California use back packing hiking trail running forest diving wild life California state famous known by Disney land Death Valley red wood trees wind land of milk honey surfing Hollywood great weather beautiful beaches fantastic food. Healthy living culture high education may god bless state of California and protect all state citizens old or young there thank you for showing us as foreigners magnificent landscapes and beauty of nature’s