San Miguel Island

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Aerial view of San Miguel

San Miguel Island is the westernmost of California's Channel Islands and the sixth-largest of the eight at 9,325 acres (37.74 km²), including offshore islands and rocks. Prince Island, 700 m off the northeastern coast, measures 35 acres in area. The island, at its furthest extent, is 8 miles (13 km) long and 3.7 miles (6 km) wide. San Miguel Island, together with numerous small islets around it, is defined by the United States Census Bureau as Block 3010, Block Group 3, Census Tract 29.10 of Santa Barbara County, California. The island is uninhabited. ^[1] Highest peak is San Miguel Hill, at 831 feet (253 m).

San Miguel is part of Channel Islands National Park and lies within Santa Barbara County. This westernmost island receives northwesterly winds and severe weather from the open ocean. The cold and nutrient-rich water surrounding the island is home to a diverse array of sea life that is not found on the southern islands.

Submerged rocks make the nearly 28-mile (45-km) coastline a mariner's nightmare.

1 History
2 Park Service Operations
3 Camping Facilities
4 Hiking
5 Water Activities
6 Weather
7 Landing
8 Visitation
9 References

[edit] History

Rough seas and risky landings did not daunt the Chumash who lived there, nor did they deter the first European explorer, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, in 1542--it is also rumored be his burialplace (there is a monument there in his honor). Ranchers raised sheep from 1850 to 1948. Later, the Navy used the island for a bombing range.

[edit] Park Service Operations

San Miguel Island Ranger Station

The National Park Service maintains two airstrips, a ranger station and a research station on the island. The Island is normally staffed by a ranger that enforces park laws, while also providing interpretive services for public visitors. The island also hosts scientists that study pinnipeds and manage the Island Fox captive breeding program that is conducted on the island. Volunteer interpretive rangers often fill in for regularly paid rangers due to budget deficits within the park. Park employees and researchers are flown to the island by Channel Islands Aviation. Public visitors are not permitted to fly in.

[edit] Camping Facilities

San Miguel Island Campground.

San Miguel Island includes a campground with 10 sites. Each campsite includes a picnic table, wind break, and animal proof box. The campground includes one pit toilet. Fires are prohibited due to the high winds and the inability to extinguish them. Sturdy tents are recommended as the wind can exceed 50 mph, even during the summer. It is recommended that campers tie their tents to the wind break to keep them from blowing away when not being slept in.

[edit] Hiking

Caliche Forest.

With the exception of the trail leading to the campground and ranger station, hiking is restricted to ranger led outings. Many visitors participate in the 14 mile round trip hike to Point Bennett to view the thousands of seals and sea lions that reside at the west end of the island during spring and summer. Another popular hike is to the Island's caliche forest.

[edit] Water Activities

Visitors to the island are restricted to ocean access at Cuyler Harbor. This landing is well protected from the strong ocean swell that is driven from the northwest. Cuyler has a sandy beach and visitors will often find themselves sharing the beach with elephant seals. The water is generally below 60F, making it cold without a wet suit. During low tides the harbor offers a tide pool area at the east end of the beach. Sea kayaking is not recommended for the novice as high winds can develop without notice.

[edit] Weather

San Miguel Island does not receive protection from the open ocean as the other channel islands. Most of the time a strong northwest wind blows across the island. These winds often exceed 25 mph and can surpass 50 mph. When strong high pressure is over the mainland, the winds often cease.

Heavy fog is common on the island. On warmer days the fog will burn off only to have the strong northwest wind blow in additional fog from the open ocean. On foggy days the temperature will rarely exceed 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

[edit] Landing

Landing on San Miguel Island

There is no pier on San Miguel island so all public visitors arrive on the island by skiff at Cuyler Harbor. Landing on the island can be an exciting experience as the surf can swamp the landing boat. During ideal weather visitors are put ashore directly in front of the trail that leads into the interior of the island. When the swell is high, visitors might be placed on the beach to the east or west depending upon conditions.

The hike to the campsite is steep and campers normally make multiple trips to transport belongings and water.

[edit] Visitation

Hiking down to Cuyler Harbor from the campground

Normally fewer than 200 public visitors set foot on San Miguel during a given year.

Visitors are transported by boat to the Island by the Park concessionaire, Island Packers. Eight foot seas are not uncommon in the Pacific between Santa Rosa Island and San Miguel Island.

Rough seas often result in cancellation of excursions. In 2006, the first public voyage did not take place until July 15, as two prior attempts were canceled due to 50 mph winds and high seas. No more than 30 visitors are permitted on the island at any given time and sometimes fewer than ten campers make the voyage. The National Park Service advises campers to carry an extra day's food and water in the event the pickup needs to be delayed due to bad weather.