The last time Daily Breeze photographer Sean Hiller and I traveled to Catalina Island, it was under vastly different circumstances than our trip there this week to hike the new Trans-Catalina Trail. It was the day after the start of the May 2007 brush fire, and he and I were nearly alone but for a few news crews on the early Catalina Express ferry. We disembarked to a deserted, smoky Avalon and could feel nothing but sadness for the destruction to the blaze caused to the paradise get-away.
(Bob Rhein and me on the way out of town - all photos by Sean)
Tuesday's journey for today's story on the opening of the Trans-Catalina Trail was a vastly different, upbeat, unique and beautiful Catalina Island experience. Sean and I met with Catalina Island Conservancy spokesman Bob Rhein at the terminal in Long Beach, and sat with him atop the ferry for the hour-long ride to the island. We were treated like first-class visitors upon our arrival, as a conservancy staff met us at the dock and whisked away in his golf cart to the Conservancy House. From there, another staffer took us more inland to the Nature Center, where we claimed a four-wheel drive open-air Jeep as our transportation for the day.
(Sean)
We knew we were going to the interior to hike a stretch of the trail. We didn't know that it was nearly an hour-long ride along twisting and turning mountain roads without guard rails and steep, treacherous drops. The rickety jeep made the ride seem all the more treacherous. I was trying to be brave and pretend I wasn't sick, although I was.
The difficult ride, though, was totally worth it. It was stunning to see the charred and blackened brush silhouetted against the lush, new green grass covering the mountain side in the burn areas. At every turn, Rhein had a story to share with us having to do with the island's rich history or ecology. The conservancy, he explained, wants people to come and see the interior. Understanding, he said, could only lead to more support of their mission of conservation, education and recreation.
Long before we hit the trail, we were treated to sweeping ocean views and lush trees and plants. About half-way to Black Jack Campground, we encountered a family of bison at a small reservoir along the side of the road. Sean and I jumped out to take pictures. It was exhilarating to see them up close, and only the first of several bison viewings we had that day.
We made it to the serene campground and met up with Kevin Ryan. The 40-year-old Oregon native has lived on Catalina since 2000 and worked for the conservancy for two years. Before that, he helped with the removal of the wild goats and pigs from the island. Between the two jobs, he thinks he's covered every square inch of the island. He led Sean and I on the hike, stopping to point out native plants and flowers.
The path was a little challenging, but not bad. There was a little slip-sliding on loose dirt, but nothing dangerous. At the end, we met up with Rhein and the dreaded Jeep at the reservoir, along with a herd of bison taking a siesta under a grove of oak trees. Ryan, Sean and I snuck up the hill and got pretty close to take some photos. The bison greeted us with some low base moans before getting annoyed and sauntering off. We were thrilled.
Environment reporter Kristin Agostoni filled in the information about the trail and it's importance to the island, Sean put together a wonderful gallery of pictures and a slideshow and Graphic Artist Paul Penzella designed the map and legend that accompanies the story. It's a fine package we hope you'll enjoy - be sure to see it all here.
