This meant we had to leave our car at the Mattole beach trailhead (Northern Trailhead), and get shuttled to Black Sands Beach Trailhead, all of which had to be arranged in advance. Yes. Handheld GPS with Satellite Communicator: (Like the Deuter Act Lite 45 + 10L Backpack), Water Bottles and/or Camelbak Hydration Pack. You won't go wrong with any of these hiking gift ideas. Plus, be sure to check out the bottom of this post to find more hiking trail guides in California and other additional hiking, camping and backpacking resources! Many motorhome owners make month long trips out of travelling from national park to national park, checking them off their lost as they go. January through March is fishing season, drawing quite a few campers to catch and release steelhead trout. To hike the entire Lost Coast Trail, leave one car at Mattole River Beach and the other at Black Sands Beach near Shelter Cove, or make arrangements with a local shuttle service. It used to be really easy to get a permit, but now there are new reservation regulations in place, so be sure to read this section! Way County Park, a short distance from the mouth of the Mattole River, where the north end of the Lost Coast trail begins. Petrolia also is known for the damage it sustained in a 1992 earthquake from a strong jolt of 7.1 magnitude and two aftershocks, measuring 6.6 and 6.7, that destroyed its century-old post office. Camping Near The Lost Coast, California. We made arrangements with Lost Coast Shuttle to transport us from Black Sands Beach on the south end of the trail to Mattole Beach on the north end of the trail. There is a lot of information in this post, if you are looking for something in particular, feel free to skip ahead to one of the below categories (they are ordered as shown below). DO buy/rent a bear canister. Be prepared to backpack along miles and miles of isolated, breathtaking California coastline. Lost Coast Trail California Crowds: Medium. Here is how we split up our hike on the Lost Coast Trail into 2 nights and 3 days. Also, you will have to plan your hiking time accordingly in order to avoid high tide where parts of the trail will be completely impossible to cross at certain times of the day. You can apply for you lost coast permits online at Recreation.gov. Camp at Black Sands Beach on the Lost Coast. The road to Ferndale zig-zags up the flanks of Cape Mendocino, the part of California that juts farthest west into the Pacific Ocean and the first landmark for Spanish galleons after a harrowing journey from the Philippines. The terrain is uneven and can take a toll on your body even though the elevation gain and mileage is not too intense. Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for indoor rock climbers or those who love to get outdoors on real rock, you can’t go wrong with any of these gift ideas. It is so complete different from the backpacking trips I’ve gone on in the Sierras (like backpacking Mt. We started our hike that evening, and hiked a couple miles away from Black Sands Beach and camped along side the trail (a little ways past Horse Mountain Creek Camp). Two of these sections are around 4 miles long, so you must plan ahead of time! recommend that you bring trekking poles to help stabilize yourself on the rough terrain and bring some padded insoles for your hiking boots to take some of the force away from your feet. I’ll help to make the process simple for you and cover everything you need to know about backpacking the Lost Coast Trail from getting a permit, trail details and GPX files, to what you should pack on your visit. 2208 S. El Camino Real San Clamente, CA 92672. Hiking the Lost Coast trail, which crosses the beach at times. The area is prone to strong quakes because of three tectonic plates that converge off Cape Mendocino. They also hold up so well, I … In this freebie, you’ll get access to: A Full Backpacking Gear Checklist for 2-5 Day Backpacking Trips, 25+ Backpacking Food Ideas for your upcoming Lost Coast Trail Hike. | shedreamsofalpine.com, 43 of the Best Gifts for Rock Climbers and Boulderers | The holidays are fast approaching and so I decided to put together a rock climbing gift guide based on products that I love. This would take a lot of coordination and planning, but totally doable. Langley or backpacking in Tuolumne). So basically, if you are planning way far in advance, you’ll have the best chances getting the exact date that you want if you look on October 1st of the prior year. Camping near Shelter Cove: the closest options too Shelter Cove are the BLM Wailaki Campground, the Nadelos Campground, or even a bit further out, the Tolkan Campground. Giant redwoods, wild beaches, and the King Range await you in Shelter Cove. It has a legacy of ranching and logging, but the nearby King Mountain Range was too daunting for early road builders. for my recommendations on hiking clothing and layering! Don’t ever risk getting lost, and don’t rely on other people for your safety. In just a short few bullet points, you’ll get a high-level overview of what to expect on your Lost Coast hiking adventure. There are powerful under-toes in the water, so be very aware of whats going on around you as you hike. The Lost Coast Trail is located in the King Range National Conservation Area in Northern California. Also unlike other areas of California, you won’t find mansions or homes tucked away on the cliffs of the beach. Through in-depth stories and vivid photography, Sonoma Magazine keeps readers on the pulse of the restaurants, wineries, arts, entertainment, culture and style that make Sonoma a destination, a haven, and a way of life. 1) Backpacking Backpack (Like the Deuter Act Lite 45 + 10L Backpack) Camping is all the rage in this vacation town, but crowds are never an issue. If you hike this trail as an out-and-back styled trail, you’re in for a much longer hike (about 50 miles), but you won’t have to hassle with shuttle transportation. There are plenty of spots to pitch a tent, but Shelter Cove RV parks are few and far between. For more information about camping guidelines, visit www.parks.ca.gov/COVID19Camping What is currently closed at this park and throughout the State Park System? There is lots of poison oak along the leafier portions of the Lost Coast Trail. If you think you can manage, I highly (highly!) All logistical details have been updated as of January, 2018. How many miles, elevation gain, & more. Not up to backpacking but want to stretch your legs? The Lost Yurt is secluded and quiet, with spectacular views of the coastal mountains of the famed Lost Coast. Before your trip, look at the tide schedule and print out a tide table. After a nice lunch in Ferndale, we took off for a Lost Coast Scenic Drive. However, there is a non-refundable reservation fee that costs $6 per person. However, if you backpacking this trail as a point-to-point trail (as most do), you have a few options: Arrange Shuttle Transportation: This is the most common option people opt for on the Lost Coast Trail, and you can read more details in the section below. What to Bring - What are the essential items you should bring to California’s Lost Coast trail? Petrolia has a small store that’s good for sundries like ice cream, with another little general store about 15 miles away in the even smaller community of Honeydew. ----- Lost Coast information -- STATE PARK LANDS: The 7,400 acres of Sinkyone Wilderness State Park holds one primitive car camp, at Usal, and nine hike-in camps along the Lost Coast … Check out the Lost Coast weather average temperature map below for reference. Type: Hike-in tent camping. 34085 Pacific Coast Hwy. There are 2 primary sections to the Lost Coast Trail, but most people are primarily familiar with the Northern section, which is what will be covered in the below guide, but for clarity here are a few more details on the two sections of the trail: The Northern Section: From Mattole beach to Black Sands Beach (near Shelter Cove), this is the most well known portion of the Lost Coast trail, and what will be covered in this trail guide. A GPS IS NICE TO HAVE: Check out the GAIA App for Your Phone. : Deuter makes some of the best backpacking backpacks out there. Grab my Packing Checklist below! 4) Headlamp (Like the Petzl Actik Core) If you did this, you should expect for some very long driving times. From wool socks to down jackets, these are all great products that we can personally vouch for. From Ferndale, you can extend your Lost Coast … You can also download this file as a GPX file to upload into your own personal GPS device. We even made a friend (whom we called “Henry the Seal”) along our hike. These are are also know as King Range Wilderness Permits. The BLM does not restrict camping to any specific area. Here’s what I recommend: 1) GAIA GPS Phone App: At a bare minimum, consider getting a premium subscription to GAIA GPS App. I always bring my Black Diamond Trekking Poles with me! Earlier this year, the county threatened to shut down A.W. This is a major bang-for-your-buck value here! We took the Ram Rebel and Palomino Camper combo out to the wilderness for an exploratory trip to a part of the state we'd never seen before. You could plan to swap car keys along the hike and drive home accordingly. It’s run by Humboldt County Parks department. If you do dare to hike this trail in the Winter months, be prepared with extra rain gear and be prepared for some of the streams that enter into the ocean to be in full rage, which can make them somewhat difficult to cross! There may be stretches of this hike where you will have an entire beach to yourself. While I can’t really comment on the quality of the surfing on the Lost Coast Trail, an article from Teton Gravity mentions, “Scoring a perfect swell in Northern California is always unlikely. You can simply use your smart phone's GPS to find camping near you or even use our trip planner to plan your route from coast to coast. Takeout Meals and Virtual Events for New Year’s Eve in Sonoma County, These Sonoma Stores Sell Cozy Loungewear You Could Actually Wear Outside Your Home, 10 Sonoma-Made Products That Will Help You Start The New Year Right, 20 Kid-Friendly Takeout Options in Sonoma County, Half-Bottles for the Holidays: 10 Small-Format Sonoma Wines That Are Mighty Good, How to Restaurant Now: Local Takeout Triumphs and Delivery Disasters, Sonoma County’s Best Restaurant Dishes 2020, Heat & Eat Rescue: These Local Restaurants Are Serving Up Family Meals To Go, Best Venues to Hear Acoustic Music in Sonoma County, Downtown Santa Rosa Restaurant Comes Back to Life. The only campground in Ferndale is at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds. 12) Trekking Poles San Francisco to Black Sands Beach Trailhead: 4 and 1/2 hours, Sacramento to Black Sands Beach Trailhead: 5 hours, Los Angeles to Black Sands Beach Trailhead: Over 10 hours. This article was originally published in The Press Democrat. Feel free to hike to the top of the hill for views of the mouth of the Mattole River and the Pacific Ocean. Most people backpack this trail in 2-3 days. Note: I hiked the Lost Coast Trail in April, 2014. All the data for the trail. Our driver Sherri shared some local knowledge during the 2 hour trip. Cost of Shuttle? Car Camping Near The Trailheads. Never turn your back to the sea, so to speak. Other important notes: Your food is required to be contained in a bear can on this hike. The King Range Wilderness area is truly a remote gem, a rarity in California. Can you bring dogs on the Lost Coast Trail? The permits are first-come, first-serve, and there are no lottery or walk-in permits available, so you must do this in advance. In fact on our way back we had to warn some hikers who were filtering water closer to the trail about the dead whale. My parents had done this drive back in 1998 in a Toyota four-door sedan in early Autumn. This trail isn’t advised to younger children, but older children may be able to handle this trail if they are a confident and good hiker/backpacker. 3) Handheld GPS with Satellite Communicator: However, if you have a little bit more money to spend, if I were starting over, I’d get the Garmin inReach Explorer+ which provides not only GPS tracking capabilities, but also an SOS satellite search and rescue communicator. It’s run by Humboldt County Parks department. Photo: Josiah Roe The Lost Coast is an iconic California backpacking trail but Black Sands Beach, while part of the famous Lost Coast Trail, is also accessible by car. Camping at Mattole Trailhead Area: there is a car campground at Mattole that has several sites and potable water. into your bear can at nights and store the bear can away from your tent. We opted to take our shuttle drive on the beginning portion of our backpacking trip so we could just head straight home after we finished our trip and not wait for a shuttle. Don't forget to pack rain gear! Here’s a roundup of local cafes and pubs to visit for live performances. There are a lot of resources out there for the Lost Coast hike and a lot of good trip reports, but I always do my best to give you everything you need and I kind of think this post as an awesome one-stop-shop for planning your Lost Coast backpacking trip. Make sure you understand what it looks like (remember, leaves of 3, let it be), and know how to treat it if you happen to brush up against Poison Oak. | shedreamsofalpine.com, 33 Best Gifts for Outdoor Women | The holidays are fast approaching and so we put together a gift guide based on products that we love for outdoorsy women. Be sure that you pack away all food in an approved bear can. You must plan your backpacking trip along the Lost Coast trail a bit more strategically than other hikes because 2 times per day there are sections of the trail in which the beach will be completely covered by the high-tide. Below is a quick guide to some of the popular camp sites along the northern stretch of the coast. However, an adventure pass is needed to be purchased. The beauty of the Lost Coast Trail hike is that it can be practically hiked year-round thanks to the fabulous nature of California coastal weather. In particular, there are 3 stretches of the trail that are impassible during high-tide. The block of permits available for each year are released the prior year on October 1. One of the biggest issues we had with finding information for our trip was understanding common camp grounds along the Lost Coast. The narrow roads that lead to these peculiarly named Lost Coast communities are steep in some places and badly pockmarked in many spots, slowing motorists who have to weave around crater-sized indentations. In the past you didn’t have to reserve lost coast trail permits in advance and you could pick them up at the trailhead, but the rules have changed and now all backpacking reservations must be made in advance. Deposit solid human waste in holes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet (70 paces) from water, camp, and trails. These days, I’m more inclined to a less strenuous approach to the Lost Coast that doesn’t involve lugging food, sleeping bag and tent over loose sand, or scrambling around rocky outcrops, racing the tide. Permits are required for overnight camping on this trail (day-hiking requires no permit). You can also camp along the beach here. California’s Lost Coast Trail, a 53 mile hike along one of the world’s most beautiful coastlines. to expect! Use Humboldt County campground as a base for exploring California’s longest stretch of undeveloped coastline. Dana Point, CA 92629. Note: To be clear, this trail guide covers the Northern (and most well-known) portion of the Lost Coast trail which runs between Mattole beach and Black Sands beach (near Shelter Cove). | shedreamsofalpine.com, 25 Best Gifts for Outdoorsy Men | Get the outdoorsman in your life a birthday or Christmas gift that they’ll truly love to use in the backcountry by using this specially curated list of outdoorsy gifts for him. Some 7,500 miles from where I was raised. If you come in a day before your hike, you have a few options for camping. My below Lost Coast Trail guide will cover the following: About The Lost Coast Area- Get to know the area before you go! From hiking to mountain biking, to bakeries, and to hot springs, there are so many fun things to do here! It wasn’t named after a to-do list for husbands, but supposedly for thick dew resembling honey drops that covered the meadow. Don't forget! The Lost Coast is the type of rugged, remote place that the roof tent was born for, at least when mounted atop a proper 4x4. Mattole Campground is a BLM operated campground located at the beach adjacent to the start of The Lost Coast Trail. | shedreamsofalpine.com, 15 Best Things to do in Bend Oregon | Bend, Oregon is one of our favorite mountain towns in the US, and in this post we are going to list out some of our absolute favorite things to do in Bend, OR. Camping and Lodging Online reservations are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can arrange shuttle transportation with one of the below approved BLM Lost Coast Trail shuttle organizations: Bill’s Lost Coast Shuttle: 707-442-1983, Lost Coast Adventure Tours: 707-986-9895 or 707-502-7514, Mendo Insider Tours: 707-962-4131 or info@mendoinsidertours.com. The appeal from the public apparently helped keep the park open. On our first day we parked a car at Mattole Beach Trailhead, and took a shuttle to Black Sands Beach Trailhead. This guide will help you pick fun and practical gifts that RV owners will adore! How long is the Lost Coast hike? My husband and I just returned from a very rustic camping adventure in the King Range National Conservation Area. 9 Do’s & Dont’s for Hiking the Lost Coast Trail. according to what you like! Look, I believe every hiker and backpacker should be self-sufficient, and that includes knowing how to practice smart navigational skills in the outdoors. Head for the Lost Trail’s northern terminus, accessed by following Lighthouse Road west from the hamlet of Petrolia. Lost Coast Trail hike difficulty: the biggest difficulty in backpacking this rugged California coastline is that hiking in the sand and among the rocks can be difficult on your knees. Photo: Greg Balkin The uneven terrain of hiking on sand (loose sand and packed sand) plus the long sections of trail that went on for miles hiking over uneven pebbled rocks took a serious toll on all of our knees. : for your hiking boots to help alleviate the abuse your feet will take hiking on rough terrain. Where is the Lost Coast Trail? 5) Water Bottles and/or Camelbak Hydration Pack. Of course, your best course of action will be to prevent it entirely, which is why wearing pants is advisable on this trail. Because the coastline is so exposed, conditions are often too rough or too windy. But there are other more sedentary ways to take in the spectacular scenery. When planning your Lost Coast backpacking trip, pay particular attention to the below hazards and plan ahead for accordingly. So far my favorite phone GPS app solution is the premium version of the GAIA GPS, which allows you to download maps in advance and take them offline into the backcountry (perfect for the Lost Coast Hike!). Check out Section 4 ‘The Lost Coast Trail Map, Itinerary, & GPX File’ for more details. Whitney Permits, Mount Whitney lottery, California. We downloaded maps, had plenty of gas, water, etc., and had a great time. Camping on the Lost Coast Trail Camping locations along the Lost Coast Trail. Failing to plan accordingly could be deadly. These gifts are perfect for the outdoor woman in your life, or even for yourself. I own the Garmin inReach mini now and I pair it with my Garmin 64st, but you can save weight by getting this all-in-one solution. The Lost Coast trail lies along one of California’s most beautiful rugged coastlines and follows some of its most isolated and breathtaking beaches. California’s Lost Coast is a backpacker’s dream, the longest stretch of undeveloped coastline in the state with miles of deserted beaches and coves. This trail has gotten more popular over the year, however a newly enforced permit system does keep the quotas down. Camping is allowed 700' away, north of Telegraph Creek. The trail pretty much just follows the coastline. So as I mentioned above, we parked at Mattole, took a shuttle from Mattole too Black Sands Beach Trailhead and began our hike from there. DONT FORGET YOUR BEAR CAN For my full backpacking gear list check out the link below: The Ultimate 3-5 Day Backpacking Packing List for 2019 (PLUS Backpacking Checklist PDF). Irvine Data … Hazards of the Lost Coast Trail- The key hazards you need to be aware of when backpacking the Lost Coast Trail. Check the websites above (or call) for more details from one of the above providers. How many days to spend backpacking the Lost Coast Trail? | shedreamsofalpine.com, 29 of the Best Gifts for Backpackers | The holidays are fast approaching and so I decided to put together a gift guide for those in your life that love backpacking based on products that I love. Note that there is no camping right at Black Sands Beach or Shelter Cove. The 30 acres along a bend in the Mattole were donated in 1968 for a park by the civic-minded Arthur Way, a judge, Eureka mayor and state senator. Knowledge is power my friend, and I'm a girl who loves data. The campground has men’s and women’s bathrooms with flush toilets, plus additional private rooms with hot showers that cost about 25 cents a minute (bring quarters). Campsites are $25 per night per vehicle. Plan to go with 2 Separate Hiking Parties: If you plan ahead and have 2 separate groups. Considering that on this rougher terrain you may only hike about 1.5 miles per hour, you need to plan your hiking accordingly. From down jackets to gear patches, these are all great products that we can personally vouch for. Along the Lost Coast Trail there is not restricted campsites, however always practice leave no trace and try to minimize your impact on the environment by camping in areas that already appear to be existing campsites. So rugged, in-fact, that the state of California was unable to continue the well-known Highway 1 (otherwise known as “The One” to Californians) along this stretch of California coastline, and instead they had to continue Highway One inland. However, it’s always smart to plan accordingly though, because there will be some stretches of coastline with no opportunities to fill up on water, and always filter your water in the backcountry. : MSR is another one of my go-to brands. From the minute I got my first jacket I was hooked. You never know what might be upstream. : Petzl is one of the best brands for top-quality headlamps, and my go to for a lot of outdoor gear. More than 1,000 people signed a petition to keep it open. That being said, make sure you take a few precautions when hiking this trail to prevent any unwanted wildlife encounters. In order to avoid getting wet, you may find yourself at times, having to scramble over rocks. 6) Water Filter Like the Sawyer Squeeze or the Katadyn Hiker Pro Hard-sided bear canisters are required; find detailed information and rental locations. Get access to this trails GPX file PLUS my library of GPX files with tracks and waypoints for all the trails loaded onto the She Dreams of Alpine blog. It is part of one of the longest stretches of coastline of the US outside of the state of Alaska. This video will just give you a quick taste of what to expect on the trail and the kind of terrain (and wildlife!) These gifts are perfect for the avid climber in your life, or even for yourself. : Goodr Sunglasses are essentially my go-to sunglasses for hiking and backpacking because they don’t slip! This Lost Coast Trail map below details all the key milestones of the hike including the 2 campsites we choose to camp at on our specific journey on the Lost Coast Trail. Camping is allowed north of Telegraph Creek. If you have a long time to spend ini Northern California, consider adding the Southern Section of this hike onto your trip. Location: Point Reyes National Seashore, Marin County. Focusing on building trust, friendship, and teamwork, Lost Coast Camp strives to bring kids back to nature, by offering 70-90% of need-based campers scholarships. Another interesting historical footnote is the town of Petrolia, located about five miles from the mouth of the Mattole and named for the first oil well drilled after petroleum was discovered in 1861. Backpack Along Rialto Beach. We choose Northbound. If you are looking for additional California hiking adventures, check out our resources below: 7 of the Best Hikes in Southern California, Hiking Death Valleys tallest peak, Telescope Peak. You will also want to decide whether to hike Northbound or Southbound. Also be on the look out for rattlesnakes (rare) and possibly ticks. Bears: Bear cans are required on the Lost Coast Trail (and can be rented ahead of time if you need them). The campground is open year-round, despite some heavy rains that can lash the Lost Coast in the winter and drive season rainfall totals to more than 100 inches. Ryan has self-certified that Hipcamp’s COVID-19 Safety Standards have been implemented at this listing. 15 pages of my best hiking, backpacking and rock climbing tips, techniques and inspiration to help you get started today on honing your outdoor adventure skills & ultimately becoming more confident and self-sufficient on the trails. The Lost Coast Hike Details - Stats baby! We saw deer, seals, sea lions, hawks, starfish, and even bear tracks in the sand. Also be sure to check out these essential hiking resources! Outdoorsy women are badass. These gifts are perfect for the avid hiker in your life, or even for yourself. How do you find gifts for RV owners that are worth taking up valuable space in the RV and won’t be left behind when they hit the road? Plus if you’re planning to stick around California for a while, I’ve got a few great posts on other great hikes in California that you can check out at the bottom of this post under resources! I swear he followed us the entire way to Mattole beach. Thanks to the remoteness of this area, one can backpack this trail and watch the seals bobbing around in the ocean waves, sea-lions sunbathing along the coast, and the occasional star fish washed ashore all while hiking The Lost Coast Trail. This area is far removed from Californias big cities. 2. A lot of folks are surprised,” Littleton said. … : These are really important to bring! 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