The Lost Coast in California

Up north on the California coast. There is a section of an unspoiled stretch of shoreline so rugged and so steep that modern highway builders deemed it impossible to build a road on. After seeing the terrain, the highway builders high-tailed it outta there to find an easier route. While Highway 1 could tame Big Sur. It couldn't do the same to the rugged Lost Coast as it veers inland 20 miles around this remote section of coastline.

Rugged Beaches

Their retreat left a rare slice of a wilderness trail that's become one of the premier beach-hugging hikes in the world. With the King's Range National Conservation Area and the Sinkyone Wilderness State Park. It is the longest extent of coastline in the continental United States with no developed road beside it. You can tackle this 26-mile trail where you’ll straddle the seam where ocean and land meet. But be at the mercy of tidal forces and unpredictable weather.

Northbound Trail from Shelter Cove

You’ll need knowledge about tides to pass sections where cliffs and waves meet. Once the tides sweep in the trail becomes impassable. This shouldn't dissuade you. There are otters and sea lions basking on the beaches. There's the possibility of spotting a whale over the horizon. You'll run into deer and bald eagles. You might have to run away from mountain lions.

Let that sink in for a minute...

It is wild here. If you want an escape away from the concrete jungles and sound of automobiles, this is it. You come here to get away from it all even for just a weekend, that's just what we did. When you step foot onto the solitary convergence of ocean and land. Scramble on the slopes of the earthquake active Kings Range. Walk along Madrones and gnarled Douglas fir trees. Dodge sword fern that’s growing so wild it obscures the trail. When you’re scrambling onto a rocky beach wedged between unscalable cliffs as the surf pounds at the near high tide.

You are, without a doubt, caught in the primal web of nature’s bounty. Disconnected from the modern world and engrossed in an awe-inspiring landscape.

Fine Black Sand

There are several approaches to this trail, one is southbound and other northbound. The most popular is the southbound trail which starts at the Mattole Beach trail and ends at Shelter Cove.

The northbound is just the opposite or you can complete the loop. You can arrange a shuttle service to pick you up at the end of your hike or they can shuttle you to the Mattole trail. You then end up at Shelter Cove where you can park your car. Bear canisters are required. However, the ranger station rents some for $5.

You can tackle this 26-mile trail in a leisurely fashion or blaze it, depending on your abilities. We approached somewhere between, taking 2 nights and 3 days to complete the trail from north to south.

Basking Sea Lions

Hiking the trail!

The following itinerary is not intended to be followed verbatim. This was based on my experience. As always, please take all the proper safety precaution. The wilderness is a beautiful place but can also place you in danger if you don't come prepared.

DAY 1 (Mattole Beach to Spanish Flat)

We arrived at Mattole Beach early in the afternoon and sorted out our wilderness permits; some rangers checked to see we had bear canisters (required). We had our vehicle driven back to Shelter Cove via the Shuttle company. We then hit the trail and lose ourselves in the vast beauty of coastal divide.

Hiking along the coast

There are bits of trail that are easy to see, but we walked on the beach enjoying the first mile until realizing that walking on sand isn’t as energy-efficient and tiring. There’s an initial climb at around the 3rd mile in single-track switchbacks which when combined with sand provides quite a workout; It wasn’t soon after then I shed layers for a lighter base to soak in and be exposed to the cool breeze.

Lost Coast Trail

You can walk on the beach and sand, it’s enjoyable and relaxing. But do it for a good amount of time and it becomes taxing. I recommend you to take the trail when you see it as the coastline is in constant influx. At the 2.5-mile mark is an impassable terrain during high tide. Plan accordingly (tide charts are available so plan ahead). In the event you're caught on high tide you can scramble up the bluffs and walk right around it.

We went past Four Mile Creek and saw a few weathered private cabins, there are no traces of roads, power lines or the sort. It sort of reminded me of those cliff farms in Norway that baffled me about how they got up there and why? We scrambled past the Punta Gorda Lighthouse at mile 4 and past Sea Lion Gulch stopping for a break and checking out basking Sea lions.

Lost Coast Sea Lions

The Sun was already low on the horizon when we reached the LCT junction. We decided not to push on to Spanish Flat and scrambled to find a campsite to pitch our tents and call it a day.

DAY 2 (LCT Junction to Miller Flat)

I woke up late in the morning, the fatigue is no doubt contributing to a fairly good night’s sleep (and a few edibles). My companions were already up waiting for my lazy bum to join. We fired up our portable stoves, made breakfast burritos while enjoying the view of the coast and chilling to the motion of the ocean waves.

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Posted from my blog with SteemPress : Lost Coast

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