Hiking & Backpacking on the Channel Islands

During the last ice age, the four islands off our coast, Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel, were all part of a single, larger island called Santarosae. This talk will highlight the hiking and backpacking opportunities on these four islands today, as well as describe an imagined traverse of the now submerged super island of Santarosae.

Join local author James Wapotich as he shares images and stories from hiking, backpacking, and camping on the four islands off our coast. James has hiked many of the trails on the islands and has visited all five islands within Channel Islands National Park. He is an experienced backpacker, trail guide, and author of the Santa Barbara News-Press hiking column, Trail Quest.

This program is part of our 2022 Book to Action series. Programming is inspired by Island Visions, edited by Jacob Seigel Brielle and illustrated by Isaac Seigel-Boettner, which features essays and infographics written by scientists, environmentalists, rangers, fisherman, and local outdoor enthusiasts and explores what is special about the Channel Islands and why it’s important to conserve the environment and cultural significance of this unique place.