Day two of a Trans-Catalina Trail thru-hike delivers everything the island is known for: relentless sunshine, quail in pairs, a surprising airport breakfast, and a campsite right on the sand. This leg runs from Black Jack Campground to Little Harbor — just 8.5 miles with 1,125 feet of climbing and 2,600 feet of descent — but the heat, not the distance, is the real challenge.
The day starts early, with the trail dropping through an unusually green, dewy valley before climbing to the Airport in the Sky, Catalina's small mountaintop airstrip. It's the trail's best resupply stop: a grill serving breakfast sandwiches, cold Gatorade, restrooms, shade and the legendary Killer Cookie. Arriving early beats the lunch rush — the queue swells noticeably by mid-morning.
After the airport, the route alternates between shadeless dirt road and singletrack, with ocean views the whole way. The standout stretch is a ridge walk along the very top of a crest before the descent into Little Harbor — rare, exposed trail with views on both sides. Sun protection matters more than miles here; the writer wore a sun hoodie, hat, gloves and sunglasses and still caught extra sun. There is essentially no shade anywhere on this trail, so hiking before the temperatures climb is the single best tactic.
Little Harbor itself is the reward. Campsites 10, 11 and 12 sit directly on the beach, and site 10 — this hiker's lucky draw — comes with a big palm tree, a fire ring, a picnic table and a stream inlet beside the harbour. Sites 8 and 9 sit just behind with easier water and bathroom access, while Shark Harbour next door offers just three camps and more privacy. Facilities are basic: a water spigot, porta potties with a hand-washing station.
Wildlife is half the fun. Catalina quail scurry about in pairs (apparently mating season), brown pelicans dive offshore, rainbow-coloured side-blotched lizards freeze on the trail, and a bold Catalina fox padded right through camp eyeing a picnic table — resist the begging, and don't feed them. Bison were introduced to the island decades ago and do roam here; one was lounging under a tree beside the trail into camp, so well camouflaged that this hiker walked straight past it.
For anyone plotting this hike, day two shows the trail's character: short mileage, big views, and logistics that reward early starts and booked-in-advance campsites. It's a great pick for fit beginners wanting a multi-day backpacking trip with ocean sunsets, or experienced hikers after a quick warm-weather escape just off the Southern California coast. Plan for heat, carry more water than feels necessary, and snag a beachfront site if you can.
Story via The Trek.
