Trail Followed: Avalon --> Blackjack --> Little Harbor --> Parson's Landing (via Two Harbors along the coast) --> Two Harbors (along the coast)
Summary: This was a very challenging hike and I developed blisters on both my larger toes and one on the toe next to the big one. I wore cross trainers and felt every single rock. I'd opt to wear trail runners next time to get the perfect mix of durability, comfort, and weight. You won't be traversing anything wet unless its raining. This has the most amenities of the 2 backpacking trips I've done so far (Enchanted Valley and Havasupi). There's multiple showers at the campsites, food protection in the form of bear cabinets at each site, various spigots along the route so you don't need a water filter, and even delivery service if you schedule it ahead time. Don't let the luxuries fool you though as the length and elevation will wear on you no matter how comfortable you just were. Treat every ounce as an additional half pound as the elevation can be punishing and make sure your hiking shoes are broken in.
Total Mileage: ~40 miles
Total Elevation Gain: ~6,600 feet
Avalon to Blackjack Campsite Pro Tips:
- No gear hauls here and it's the longest and strenuous leg if you start from Avalon. It was warmer in the mountain and didn't have much of a breeze so you can maybe get away with less cold weather gear.
- There are 3 chances to fill water on the way: 1.5 miles in at Hermit Gulch, 5.6 miles in at the Haypress Recreation area playground, and 1-2 more miles in after the playground.
- DEFINITELY FILL YOUR WATER IF YOU ARE RUNNING LOW ON THE TRIAL SPIGOT, BUT TO BE SAFE, DO IT AT THE PLAYGROUND TOO.
- Due to the elevation change, it will be warmer/hotter than the weather at Avalon. When I went it was ~70 in Avalon but 80-85 on the trail. We got cooked and definitely suffered heat exhaustion
- BRING A HAT AND STAY COVERED. It is very exposed and can get hot with no breeze for long stretches
- STAY HYDRATED AND KEEP THE ELECTROLYTE CHEWS/GATORADE ON HAND. We started hallucinating a bit and I started hearing noises that were not there toward the end and on the very tough uphill climb.
- If you get to the fire road and are tanked or really struggling, you can try and hitch a ride to the campsite via Ranger.
- There is a free shower at the Blackjack campsite. Bring your swimsuit!
- Cell Signal: T-mobile had no signal here but AT&T did. No Wifi at the camp
Blackjack to Little Harbor Campsite Pro Tips:
- BEFORE YOU GET THERE: Order firewood logs ahead of time, or find the man in the trailer at the top of the hill in the south side of camp and pay ~$15-20 per bundle. Provision delivery here is done at the Two Harbors convenience store and requires you to purchase it IN-STORE before they ship it. Shipping is also an additional $50 delivery fee. We were lucky enough to have the Ranger (Aaron/Erin?) pick it up for a neighboring camp. Definitely keep an eye out for him and ask nicely :) Fun Fact: he's a 5th generation Calatalinan.
- Stop by Airport in the Sky and get the Bison Brisket Breakfast Burrito which is off menu. You can pass on the other secret item which was definitely not worth it (the Bison buger) If you are bringing freeze dried meals, pick up a few Tapatio packets for extra flavor.
- Stock up on an ice cold Gatorade or ask to get your fill of ice for the rest of the hike. This is not as bad as the first leg but is still not an easy jaunt
- There is wifi and electrical outlets at the Airport In the Sky if you need to recharge or connect to the world again
- A water spigot is also available by the Corn Hole games
- This trail is a lot breezier on certain parts and you finally get a view
- Recommend resting at each of the little gazebos as they are few and far between (I recall 2)
- There are several free shower locations amongst the campsites
- Cell Signal: T-mobile had no signal here but AT&T did, though spotty and better on the hills. No Wifi at the camp
Little Harbor to Parson's Landing Campsite Pro Tips:
- BEFORE YOU GET THERE: There is NO potable water spigot or delivery services here. Order a locker ahead of time containing 2 gallons of water, 1 bundle of wood, and a fire starter at the Two Harbors Visitor Service Center. If you want to risk it or be a degenerate see the unethical life pro tip at the end.
- When you arrive at Two Harbors get the "Yacht Club", its delicious and the best item there
- Fill up on Ice at the soda machine, buy a gatorade if you want extra provisions
- Stock up on beer at the convenience store if you wanna pack in alcohol to Parson's. It's worth it 🍻
- Showers can be taken here at $2 for 3 minutes of run time. They have cash exchange machines so bring some dollar bills. I made the mistake of lugging around quarters for the first half of this trip. Make sure you're naked when you put in the 8th quarter to maximize on time
- You can make it to Parson's landing via the 6 mile, 1800 feet OR the 8 mile 200 feet route. The 8 mile route is more scenic and a respite if you really suffered the first leg. This is the route we went and we didn't regret it one bit. The 8 mile hike also had actual service for T-Mobile if that matters to you
- There is a decent outhouse ~2.5 miles in from the short route from Two Harbors to Parson's. This'll probably be the cleanest bathroom you get before the campgrounds
- The Boy Scouts camp along the 8 mile route have some spigots but the one closest to the road didn't seem to turn on.
- Sites 4, 5, 6, and 7 are on the north end of the beach
- Cell Signal: T-mobile had consistent signal in certain spots here and AT&T did, though spotty. No Wifi at the camp
- Unethical Life Pro Tip: If you need to get supplies in a pinch... the lockers follow a very logical code system. You can check the locks that are opened and chances are someone has left the code exactly as it is. I was able to solve one column of lockers by seeing the pattern of 3074, 3063, 3052 where the 3rd number went up as you went up and the fourth number went down as you went down the column. Also, the furthest left column's lockbox code for box 3 was 3038 🤫
Misc Pro Tips:
- Beers on the boat are ~$1 cheaper than at the bar
- There are some outlets on the deck in between the bar and the restaurant
- Leaving nice TP, glade air freshners, or water at each site is a nice way to bank some karma on the route and the person coming after you will thank ya.
Gear List:
Total Weight ~35-40 lbs with a full bladder + beer
Backpack: 55L Colombia Titanium Backpack w/ 3L Camelbak
Tent: 2 Person REI Trail Hut (1 person tent recommended to shed weight)
Sleeping Mat: Big Agnes Insulated "Divide" Wide
Sleeping Bag: Mummy rated to 32 degrees (could go something for warmer temps)
Hiking Poles: Definitely saved me and helped distribute weight when carrying all the beer. Helpful on the steep descents as well.
8 Freeze dried meals (3 Breakfast ones), 2 protein bars, 2 Kind bars, 2 packs of Energy Chews, 2 packs of Salt Sticks. I ended up with 1 breakfast meal and could have probably eaten 1 less meal. You could eat more or get "fresh" food at 2 different points on the trips so if you want to pack lighter and bank on these, that's an option I would have done to save a little weight.
Nalgene bottle (good for general liquid storage and less frequent trips to the spigots)
Puffer Jacket (Perfect for Little Harbor and Parson's Landing)
Crocs are perfect camp shoes but you can cut weight with sandals if you prefer
4 shirts, 1 long sleeve. Long sleeve was a luxury item but worth it for the nights when I didn't want to don a puffer
3 pairs of shorts
One pair of board shorts
4 socks
4 undies
Jetboil
Mole skin pack for blisters
Things I should have left home:
- Utility knife
- Trauma Shears
- Quarters (bring dollar bills)
- Electric pump