East SCI Overview

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Page 1

East Santa Cruz Island

Arriving at Santa Cruz Island, most visitors are impressed by

the massive size of this island in the sea. Chumash Indians, the

first humans to live on the Channel Islands, called the island

Limuw, which actually means “In The Sea”. Santa Cruz Island

is the largest of all the Channel Islands, and it is also the most

diverse. Two mountain ranges that rise over 2000 feet above

sea level, create many canyons, fresh water springs, streams,

coastal cliffs, pristine sandy beaches, and rugged rocky inter-

tidal areas. In part, because of the islands diversity, there is an

extensive cultural history here, beginning with the Chumash

Indians, followed by ranching, and now as part of the Channel

Islands National Park.

Chumash Legends

The Chumash did not use written language, so we rely on

oral narratives when interpreting their stories or legends. The

legend of the Rainbow Bridge, tells of the first Chumash on

Limuw (Santa Cruz Island). They were made from the seeds of

a magic plant by the Earth Goddess, Hutash. The people lived

well on Limuw, and more were born each year causing their

villages to grow and grow. As the island became crowded with

people, Hutash decided some of the people should move to the

mainland, which at that time did not have many people. Since

there were not enough canoes to carry the people, Hutash made

a very long, very high rainbow bridge. The Chumash started

across and some made it safely, but others looked down,

becoming dizzy, and falling into the cold ocean below. Hutash

felt badly and did not want here people to drown, so she turned

them into dolphins. The Chumash have since believed, that the

dolphins are their brothers.

Chumash, Mati Waiya, telling the

story of the Rainbow Bridge on

June 8th,World Oceans Day 2003

Ranching on Santa Cruz Island

The Spanish made contact with the Channel Islands in the mid 1500s.

This contact brought many changes to the Chumash way of life. New

diseases were introduced as were different philosophies. Many

Chumash moved to missions on the mainland and were taught a

different way of life. Eventually, there were no Chumash on the

islands. The ranching era on Santa Cruz Island came next. Scorpion

Ranch was one of several ranching establishments on Santa Cruz from

the 1800s through the 1900s. It might seem like an isolated island is

a poor place for a ranch, but there were some real advantages. During

your visit try to discover what some of these might have been?

Page 2

Island Isolation

The northern Channel Islands rose from the sea about 5 million years ago, and are true oceanic

islands, isolated from the mainland. This isolation has resulted in some of the unique

assemblages of plants and animals that are found in the Channel Islands National Park. Though

isolated, these islands have both a rich natural and cultural history going back hundreds, or even

thousands of years ago. Today, visitors to the Channel Islands National Park can observe many

of the unique natural wonders, as well as see first hand some of the human impacts which have

become part of island life. During the interpretive program on the island, your guide will help

you discover how isolation from the mainland has had a profound effect on all island life. In

addition you will be introduced to some of the ongoing research, restoration and preservation

efforts of the National Park designed to help protect these unique island resources.

The following are some terms that will be used on your guided hike, and examples you might

come across as part of your East Santa Cruz Island experience.

Native:

a species that grows or occurs naturally in California. Furthermore, natives to the

Channel Islands include species that were not brought here by humans.

Exotic or non-native:

a species that has been introduced by man to the island from the

adjacent mainland or another area.

Left: several species of

exotic south African iceplants

have been introduced to the

Channel Islands including the

small flowered iceplant.

Right: several species of

thistles grow on the island.

A European native, the milk

thistle is found along the trail

leading to Cavern Point.

Left: Datura, also known as

Jimsen Weed, was used as a

ceremonial hallucinogen by

Native Americans, it is toxic to

humans and has caused many

deaths.

Right: California poppies

bloom in the spring in

grasslands and coastal scrub

habitats on the island.

Page 3

Island Endemic:

a species that grows naturally only on one or more of the Channel

Islands.

Island Morning Glory

Island Monkey Flower

Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat

Below are a few examples of endemic island plants that you might see at Santa Cruz Island

Animals of Santa Cruz Island:

being the largest and most diverse, Santa Cruz island

supports a number of animal species. The island fox is the largest native mammal at 12 to 13

inches in height. The fox is rarely seen, and is now threatened with extinction. The island jay is

a Santa Cruz island endemic, it is found nowhere else in the world. There are also five reptile

species, and three amphibians, including the pacific tree frog.

Island Fox

Island Scrub Jay

Pacific Tree Frog

• Gull Island

• Painted Cave

Image from Channel Islands National Park

Page 4

Scorpion Ranch Beach Habitat

The cobble and sand beach area at

Scorpion is a great place to explore.

Beach wrack (kelp, sea grass, and

other natural debris) wash ashore and

provide habitat for rock louse and

beach hopers which in turn provide

food for shore birds and some

intertidal organisms. During periods

of low tides there are some limited

tidepools near the man-made pier.

New State Marine Protected Areas

In October 2002, the State of California created the West Coasts largest network of marine

reserves which is in the Channel Islands National Park and Channel Islands National Marine

Sanctuary. There are twelve fully protected zones and two conservation areas totalling 175

square miles. This represents about 10 percent of the Sanctuary waters. Santa Cruz Island now

has three of these special protected areas. The Ocean area at Scorpion Ranch is a State Marine

Reserve. Though the reserves are open for boating and diving, you are not allowed to remove

any plants or animals from their natural habitat (no fishing). The Scorpion reserve has a shore-

line length of 3.3 nautical miles and extends three miles out from the shoreline with a depth

range of 0 to 750 feet. Gull Island State Marine Reserve is located on the south side of West

Santa Cruz Island. There is also one SMCA on Santa Cruz Island, named Painted Cave State

Marine Conservation Area. Painted cave is located on the north shore of the western portion of

the island and is one of the largest known sea caves in the world.

Long term monitoring of the kelp forest revealed that the quality of the

kelp forest habitat around the Channel Islands was declining. It is

believed that the ecosystem was thrown out of balance by a

combination of environmental conditions, as well as fishing. Some

reefs today show low biodiversity, and many are overrun by urchins and

sea stars. By creating these new protected zones, scientists hope that

the area will be enhanced and restored to a more natural condition. In

other places around the world, protected zones also enhanced local

fisheries near the reserves, this is known as spill over effect.

Urchins eating the kelp

Page 5

• East Santa Cruz Island is about 20 miles from the from

Ventura Harbor. Travel time on one of our high speed

catamarans is about one hour. If you are traveling to the

islands during the migration of the pacific gray whale

(January-March), time on the boat may be

extended to look for and observe whales.

• Island Packers recommends that you call:

(805) 642-1393 after 5:30AM on the day of your trip.

This number will provide you with confirmation of your

scheduled trip, or inform you of any cancellations due to

unsafe sea conditions or inclement weather.

• Check your reservation information to confirm the

time and location (Ventura or Oxnard) of your departure.

Please plan to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your

departure time so you can check in at the office.

• Dress for outdoor activity, wear sturdy closed shoes for

both your safety and comfort (no sandals please). Dress

in layers, and bring a jacket since it can be cool and

breezy even on a sunny day. Sunscreen, or a visor or hat

can also make you more comfortable.

• Pack a lunch and beverages, as there are no snack bars

on the island, and no running water. Some snacks and

beverages can be purchased on the boat. Try to minimize

paper and plastic wrappings, as you will have to keep all

your waste with you since there are no trash cans or trash

services on the island. Santa Cruz has pit style restrooms

at several locations near the ranch and campgrounds.

• Please come to enjoy the isolation and natural beauty of

the ocean and the islands. Bring a camera, binoculars or

note pad, but leave electronic music and games at home.

We look forward to having you aboard!

www.islandpackers.com 805-642-1393

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