The trail is fairly flat there are a few hills to climb but the terrain is challenging. The trail is primarily used for hiking and camping and is best used from march until november. The lost coast trail stretches 25 miles through the king range national conservation area, from mattole beach in the north to the village of shelter cove in the south. Solitude can be difficult to find on holiday weekends, so try to plan your hike during weekdays, or the less crowded springfall months. The lost coast trail is the premier coastal backpacking trail in california and because of its significance has been designated a national recreation trail. Your ultimate guide to backpacking the lost coast trail in california trail details, camping, permits, weather, tide tables, and more the lost coast trail lies along california s beautiful rugged coastline and follows some of its most isolated and breathtaking beaches. This is all from a seven day trip on the lost coast in december. This stretch of beach, aptly called the lost coast, stretches for about 80 miles. Feb 15, 2016 the lost coast trail is a trail that runs through the kings range and sinkyone wilderness. Hiking the lost coast trail in californias king range. Map californias lost coast rec wilderness press maps. For claire get lost embroidered patch, funny iron on patch, explore patch marshall dickey fitted white vneck tee from. Jagged peaks loom at the pacifics edge, with oldgrowth forests and beaches in between.
Hikers can view sea lions, tidepools and spectacular spring wildflowers. The trail is about 25 miles long and takes about 23 days to backpack. Due to the long and very expensive shuttle, we decided to do an out and back hike to big flat along the coast. Backpack the lost coast trail, 930102 backpack the lost coast and explore californias most remote stretch of coastline. Over labor day weekend i was able to hike the lost coast trail with 3 great friends. The california coastal trail, or cct, is an environmental project by the california coastal conservancy, an organization developed to enhance coastal resources and promote access to the shore in 2001 the trail is designed to connect the entire coast of california by forming an extensive hiking trail. In a single day you can ride through mountain passes, dense redwood forests, grassy rolling hills, coastal cliffs and sprawling vineyards all on roads that seem like.
Find peace out in the natural world at lost coast trail. The lost coast trail in december backpacking light. This is the western edge of humboldt county in northern california. While planning our trip, we repeatedly turned to the everhelpful lost coast trail ca facebook group for tips and recommendations. San francisco a coast guard helicopter rescued a 29yearold female hiker from northern california thursday after she became distressed on lost coast trail. Lost coast trail and northern california endless mountains. Mt april 22, 2015 the 52mile lost coast trail starts about 255 miles north of san francisco. Watch the whales pass by, the seals frolic or the storm roll in while breathing in that amazing lost coast air. Apr 27, 2010 hiking the remote lost coast of northern california is on the bucket list of many serious hikers.
Additionally, the boundary between the kings range conservation area where dogs are permitted and the sinkyone wilderness state park where dogs are prohibited is not clear on this map, and occurs well ahead of whale gulch, when hiking south on the lost coast trail. Aug 29, 2016 on the third morning along northern californias lost coast trail, i awoke to discover large imprints in the sand just outside of camp. Californias lost coast mattole, petrolia, ferndale. Lost coast 4x4s humboldt county california address. Sep 01, 2015 the lost coast is the most rugged, undeveloped stretch of coastline in california. Hiking the remote lost coast of northern california is on the bucket list of many serious hikers. Hiking the lost coast northern california hiking trails. Californias lost coast trail, a 53 mile hike along one of the worlds most beautiful.
In a single day you can ride through mountain passes, dense redwood forests, grassy rolling hills, coastal cliffs and sprawling vineyards all on roads that seem like they were made for motorcycles. The king range national conservation area nca is a spectacular meeting of land and sea as mountains thrust straight out of the surf with king peak 4,088 feet only 3miles from the ocean. Buy california highway 101 embroidered patch interstate ironon highway road sign biker emblem. The overgrown trail descends to a small cove with a wide, secluded black sand beach, the most scenic beach on the trail. After a few hours of travel, the hiker will look upon any patch of firm ground with relief. Enjoy a relaxing getaway in this newly renovated 1. Shop top fashion brands appliques at free delivery and returns possible on. Its recommended that you drop one car at the shelter cove trailhead 40. The king range nca encompasses 68,000 acres along 35 miles of californias north coast. It was named the lost coast after the region experienced depopulation in the 1930s, but the name still seems appropriate today considering the. The lost coast is an isolated area of humboldt and mendocino counties, named for the steep and rugged terrain which made the construction of any state highway into the region too costly. Bumps from stinging nettle bushes began to rise on my ankles, shoulders, and face. The lost coast trail is a 25mile hike through the king range national conservation area in northern california, right along the pacific ocean youre hiking within feet of the water the entire time.
This is an absolutely stunning 25 mile thruhike on the northern part of california s coast. Aug 17, 2014 the lost coast trail stretches 25 miles through the king range national conservation area, from mattole beach in the north to the village of shelter cove in the south. Summer time along the lost coast is typically foggy but dry, while winter and. Hes spent decades exploring northern california trails and towns by motorcycle, truck, and foot. The lost coast trail, a hikers guide to californias hidden. Lorna johnston drys out her socks at randle creek on the lost coast trail in northern californias humboldt county. The lost coast trail backpacking guide the hiking life. The lost coast is the most rugged, undeveloped stretch of coastline in california. Lost coast trail sticker, 3 inch weatherproof and durable, hiking sticker. If youve ever wanted to go to california, this is the perfect excuse. Aug 20, 2014 our first day on the lost coast was memorable. Backpacking california camping humboldt county king range. This is an absolutely stunning 25 mile thruhike on the northern part of californias coast. It takes knowledge and preparation, because there are significant dangers and obstacles.
King range national conservation area bureau of land management. In addition, the steepness and related geotechnical challenges of the coastal mountains made this stretch of. Adventure motorcycle ride to explore the pacific ocean and coastal mountains of northern california. Lost coast trail north mattole black sands beach 24. There, kneeling in the wet zone left by the previous nights high tide, the. Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy a 30 minute video of the lost coast trail in northern california. Be ready to travel a little farther than usual to reach the front door of your hotel after an eventfilled day. There, kneeling in the wet zone left by the previous nights high tide, the pad and claw marks proved unmistakable. The lost coast trail makes a nice, easy descent through mixed woodland. You need to contact us prior to getting on the trail to confirm the requested shuttle date and time meets minimum capacity requirements. This is the california coastal trail at its finest. Explore some of the most remote and ruggedly beautiful coastline in california, no backpack required.
It was named the lost coast after the area experienced depopulation in the 1930s. Guthrie creek trailhead follows a wellmaintained path that zigzags down a rolling hillside to a remote driftwoodstrewn beach, with views of crumbling bluffs, coastal. Shuttle lost coast trail transport price varies, 7079869909 permits north section free, 7079865400. Worth the drive and also the hike to the coast we drove along the coast from ferndale to a blm site called guthrie creek. Fluent in spanish, he also taught scuba diving in venezuela for 4 years, then returned to open lost coast adventure tours in 2011. Lost coast scenic drive ferndale 2020 all you need to. The experience of hiking where the land meets the sea is unforgettable and strenuous. Discover the northern coast of california adventure motorcycle ride to explore the pacific ocean and coastal mountains of northern california. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible yearround. The lost coast is a mostly natural and undeveloped area of the california north coast in humboldt and mendocino counties, which includes the king range. Born and raised on the lost coast, blu did his first hike at age 9. Highway 1 was meant to hug the whole california coast, but an 80mile stretch above fort bragg was too rugged to tame. When complete, the trail will be 1,200 miles 1,900 km longspanning from oregon to mexico. The lost coast trail, a hikers guide to californias hidden coast.
All logistical details have been updated as of january, 2018. It is only 27 feet in height, and you can climb the spiral iron staircase to where a. Sep 15, 2016 over labor day weekend i was able to hike the lost coast trail with 3 great friends. Wilderness explorer scout embroidered iron on patch licensed. On the third morning along northern californias lost coast trail, i awoke to discover large imprints in the sand just outside of camp. The lost coast trail continues north of usal for 53 miles, winding up and down through the sinkyone wilderness state park in mendocino county and along the beach in the blm kings range national conservation area, ending at the mattole river in humboldt county. Aug 18, 2014 highway 1 was meant to hug the whole california coast, but an 80mile stretch above fort bragg was too rugged to tame. Backpack the lost coast trail, 930102 bay areas outdoor. Visitors from all over the world travel california highway1 hundreds of miles to see the states spectacular cliffs and beaches the pacific coast highway in southern california, the famous big sur route along the central coast, and the shoreline highway north of san francisco.
We drifted to sleep serenaded by the waves crashing on the rocks below. Jul 05, 2016 lost coast trail we traveled to the isolated oceanside village of shelter cove to begin the famed lost coast trail. Custom not all who wander are lost your text here 3. Take a hike patch hiking boots ironon andor sewon colourful embroidered patch adventure. Poison oak laced the undergrowth in thick, unavoidable patches. However, the lost coast, a 24mile strip of untouched beach five hours north of san francisco, has to be one of the most remote. The clips from the video were taken during the march of 2015 over a course of 4 days in the kings range. Hiking the lost coast rick mccharles of the blog just wrote about his recent exploration of the lost coast of far northern california. California coast, northern california, free in, black sand, pacific ocean. The trail starts at mattole beach up north and ends at the small town of shelter cove down south. Inspiration boost iron on patches, lapel pins, and vinyl stickers for your everyday carry. There arent any signs, but wheeler camp is spread out over about the next threequarters of a mile of trail. May 23, 2016 the lost coast trail is a 25mile hike through the king range national conservation area in northern california, right along the pacific ocean youre hiking within feet of the water the entire time. Sew on patch, the lost coast shelter cove shelter cove.
Lost coast adventure trail 160 gpskevin adventure rides. A hardearned guide to hiking californias lost coast trail. Lorna johnston drys out her socks at randle creek on the lost coast trail in northern california s humboldt county. May 30, 2016 the lost coast trail is the premier coastal backpacking trail in california and because of its significance has been designated a national recreation trail. May 11, 2016 california has plenty of coastline fun from the sunkissed beaches of santa barbara to the jagged cliffs and rolling hills of big sur. This terrain is so rugged that no paved roads exist along the shore for more than 50 miles. We are a group of 4 wheel drive owners that have formed this club to promote safe, fun, and reponsible outdoor. Just 22 miles, shelter cove road cuts through the thick of it. You go from hiking on coarse black sand to pebbly beaches. In addition, the steepness and related geotechnical challenges of the coastal mountains made this stretch of coastline too costly for state highway or county.
California has plenty of coastline fun from the sunkissed beaches of santa barbara to the jagged cliffs and rolling hills of big sur. Lost coast trail eureka 2020 all you need to know before. To accomplish this hike, youll either need to bring 2 cars or use a shuttle service. Backpacking the lost coast trail northern california youtube.
This is an essential step in the booking process when planning your hike. Trail sign for california coastal trail near capitola, california. The trail meanders along the foot of high mountains in the king range in southern humboldt county and northern mendocino county. We felt the solitude of the trail, and the beauty and history of this rugged coastline. Aug 06, 2019 the lost coast trail skirts the coast of the king range national conservation area.
The lost coast trail is a trail that runs through the kings range and sinkyone wilderness. Located six miles west of ferndale, the lost coast headlands includes four hundred sixtythree acres of scenic coastal wilderness offering incredible hiking, bird watching, wildflower viewing and beachcombing opportunities. The trail itself is 25 miles along the coast from mattole beach to shelter cove. Sign on the california coastal trail south of muir beach the california coastal trail, or cct, is an environmental project by the california coastal conservancy, an organization developed to enhance coastal resources and promote access to the shore in 2001. Lost coast blm lost coast trail lost coast national recreation trail lostcoasttrails. This park also offers several miles of hiking trails along the cliffs, and nearby. Sep 30, 2016 backpack the lost coast trail, 930102 backpack the lost coast and explore californias most remote stretch of coastline.
The best breaking news, stories, and events from the patch network of local news sites. Lost coast trail we traveled to the isolated oceanside village of shelter cove to begin the famed lost coast trail. Californias black sand beaches travel tips usa today. For unknown reasons, nobody mentioned that the last part of the drive, leading down to the trailhead at mattole beach, was filled with surprising patches of unpaved dirt and dozens of moon cratersized potholes. Great road great road for motorcycle and sports car people, only problem is the road itself. King range national conservation area bureau of land. To the south of the king range, highway 1 veers eastward, blocked by impassible slopes near rockport. Californias lost coast trail, a 53 mile hike along one of the worlds most beautiful coastlines. The 28mile mattole road, a legendary scenic route known to locals as the wildcat, traverses through alpine forests, by tiny secluded towns and down an epic drop to the ocean at cape mendocino, where sweeping cliffside views give big sur and the hawaiian islands a run for their money. The lost coast trail skirts the coast of the king range national conservation area. The landscape was too rugged for highway building, giving the remote region the title.
Californias lost coast is one of the states least wellknown wonderlands. The clips from the video were taken during the march of. The coastal scenery was impressive as towering mountains rose from the ocean along steep, narrow ridges. The lost coast trail is a popular summer backpacking route along the shoreline of a remote region in northern california. The landscape was too rugged for highway building, giving the remote region the title of californias lost coast. Refunds will not be given for failure to buy a permit. Backpackers, being far more nimble than cars, can navigate this area on the lost coast trail lct. The lost coast trail, a hikers guide to californias. A place where the sun sets rather than rises over the water.
Backpacking the lost coast trail northern california. Here is a link to the video on my blog with my group gear list, food list, and a trip. Feb 14, 2017 shuttle lost coast trail transport price varies, 7079869909 permits north section free, 7079865400. Show your lost coast love by adding these patches to your favorite jackets, beanies, bags and more. California highway 101 embroidered patch interstate iron. Your ultimate guide to backpacking the lost coast trail in. This may be one of the hardest things ive ever done, but so worth it. It was named the lost coast after the region experienced depopulation in the 1930s, but the name still seems appropriate today considering the isolated nature of the place.