Catalina's New Zip Line!

Visitors Catch an Exhilarating Glimpse of Catalina’s Spectacular Scenery and Rugged Interior on Brand New Zip Line Eco Tours

Santa Catalina Island Company is preparing to launch the Zip Line Eco Tour on April 15, forever changing the way visitors see the island by enabling them to soar above the mountains, canyons down to the ocean as if they were one of the bald eagles that frequent the island’s skies.

The exhilarating journey begins at 500 feet above Avalon, at the top of “Hog's Back”, high in the hills. From there, visitors travel nearly three quarters of a mile over the 3,671-foot zip line. The ride comprises five separate zips with a total elevation drop of 440 feet and speeds reaching 40 to 45 mph.

“I’ve seen and designed zip lines around the world and without a doubt this is one of the very best,” said Bradd Morse of Canopy Tours Inc, which designed the Catalina Zip Line. “This experience gives people a chance to see the rugged mountains above Avalon and learn about the unique qualities of the Island. It’s perfect!”

Riders gather at Descanso Beach Club to pick up their helmets, harnesses and trolley and to receive instructions. From there, a Mercedes Unimog will escort tour takers to the zip line’s start high in the hills above Avalon at “Hog’s Back” and the gate into the interior of the Island.

From Hog’s Back, zip riders descend through Descanso Canyon, pausing at six eco-station platforms located at varying elevations above sea level along the way. While standing on the specially designed platform, visitors can admire spectacular views of the surrounding Island interior and ocean and read interpretive signage depicting the unique and interesting aspects of Catalina Island, its flora, fauna and history. After two hours of admiring the breathtaking scenery from the bird’s-eye view, tour takers come back down to earth at Descanso Beach.

Other facts about the Zip Line Eco Tour Include:

• The longest zip is 1,045 lineal feet
• Maximum height is 300 feet above Descanso Canyon floor
• Rider weight limits are 60 to 245 pounds
• Elevations vary from 500 feet above sea level at station 1 to 60 feet above sea level at station 6

Canopy Tours of New Hampshire designed the zip line and Discovery Tours (Santa Catalina Island Company) will operate the tours daily. For more information, visit www.DiscoverCatalina.com.