2026 L3 50M Catalina Avalon Loop

General Info on Catalina 50 Mile Avalon Loop May 2026

This is a plan that includes a camp site to accommodate doing the hike over a weekend without having to book a two night minimum at the hotels on the island.

General Timeline and Dates: 05/08 – 5/11

05/08 (Fri):

16:30 ➡️ 18:00: JB -> SNA
xx:xx – xx:xx   <open >

05/09 (Sat):

04:30 ➡️ 05:15: Head to Long Beach ferry terminal
05:30 ➡️ 05:55: Prep for & Board ferry
06:00 ➡️ 07:15: Ferry Long Beach -> Avalon
07:30 ➡️ 08:30: Breakfast (if desired)
08:30 ➡️ 21:30: Hike: Avalon Loop to Campgsite (11h HT estimate – See pace info)

Sat Night/Mile 29: Two Harbors Campsite (or keep going)

05/10 (Sun):

06:00 ➡️ 06:30: AM prep
06:45 ➡️ 07:45: Two Harbors Breakfast?
08:00 ➡️ 20:45 Campsite to Avalon Loop Hike  ( 8.5 HT estimate See pace info)**
21:45 ➡️ 22:45: Avalon to Long Beach
22:45 ➡️ 23:59: Long Beach -> IRV

05/11 (Mon)

07:00 – 07:30: JB -> SNA
08:20 -> 09:45: JB -> OAK

Notes:

  • (**) = Times are variable, times shown are longest duration available, if things are efficient times can be adjusted back.

Ferry to Catalina:

  • First departure booked to Avalon for 6am. Should be at dock ~5:15am.
  • Sunday departure from Avalon to Long Beach. Last departure is  9:45pm
  • Since the ferry ride back requests the passengers be at the dock 1h prior to departure the max time would be 8:45pm
  • Route goes by campsite at mile 29.
  • Campsite and hiking permits obtained
  • Time to complete is 36h based on an 8:30am start

Items needed for adventure:

  • 3 – 4 liters hydration
  • Snacks/Food/Electrolytes/GU
  • Sunscreen
  • Poles
  • Water Filter
  • Garmin InReach (one)
  • headlamp x2
  • Batteries

Pace Info:

  • Avalon to Campsite:
    • 31 miles 5.2k evg (Strava Map)
    • Based on 8:30 AM start time
Pace (mph) Min/Mile Hiking Time (hours) Est Completion
2.0 30 15+ 23:59
2.5 24 12.5 21:30
2.7 21.5 11.25 19:45
3.0 20 10.3 18:50
  • Campsite to Avalon
    • 21.5 miles 4k evg (Strava Map)
    • Based on 8am start time
    • XT based on 9pm at dock for ferry
Pace (mph)  Min.Mile Hiking Time (hours) Est Completion /
XT (hours)
2.0 30 10.5 18:30 / 2.5
2.5 24 8.5 16:30 / 4.5
2.7 21.5 8.0 16:00 / 5.0
3.0 20 7.25 15:15 / 5.75

 

Total/Overall Pace Info

36 hour Average Pace estimates including stoppages for 52 miles:

ST HH AP
240m / 4h 32h 1.625 mph / 37 mpm
360m / 6h 30h 1.733 mph / 35 mpm
480m / 8h 28h 1.86  mph /  32 mpm
600m /10h 26h 2.0 mph / 30 mpm

ST = Stoppage Time
HH = Hiking Hours
AP = Average Pace

Average pace and completion times with stoppage over 2mph and start time of 9:45am

Average Pace Hiking Time Total Time +8/10/12h Approx Sunday Completion TOD Time Left
Before Departure
2.0 24:45 33/36/X 4pm – 6pm+
2.4 21:40 29+/31+/33+ 1pm – 5pm
2.8 18:34 26+/28+/30+ 10am – 2pm
3.2 16:15 24+/26+/28+ 8am – 12pm

 

Brought to by L3 Tactical Marine Edition Hiking 😉