Get Lost Coast Trip

“I will try to get a trip together for this time... I think it would be a good idea to do the whole stretch from Mattole to Black Sands beech and arrange to take the shuttle back to Mattole. Stream crossings might be tricky if the weather keeps up as it is and some places you have to time the hike right to avoid being swept out to sea but I would go anyway. So...Whos up for it?

I want to give myself a lot of time to meditate and think out there, so the pace will be easy going.


Info : http://www.sheltercove-lostcoast.com/lost_coast/index.htm”

“When are the dates you are considering?
What is the mileage for the total trip?
Is this a backpack trip?”

“24. something miles compleatly. Yes, back packing trip. Ive never been there but I hear its beautiful and worth it. I think that trail is pretty much flat. Im thinking the 18th to the 23rd but Ive never been on a hike longer then a weekend so I dont know how long it would take me...probebly not that long and those are just sketch dates”

“24. something miles compleatly. Yes, back packing trip. Ive never been there but I hear its beautiful and worth it. I think that trail is pretty much flat. Im thinking the 18th to the 23rd but Ive never been on a hike longer then a weekend so I dont know how long it would take me...probebly not that long and those are just sketch dates”

“when when when? WLD, let's carpool. ;)”

“I have a map or two of the lost coast trail. It's not flat.

When are we thinking about?”

“LOL like i said id never been there before...just going by word of mouth ;)”

“I'll be anxiouslyawaitingyour trip report. My wife and I were planning to hike that trail later this summer. That was before her knee injury and the newsthat we have a baby on the way in November. I spent the first five years of my life along that coast and have been back several times to visit.
I have some vacation time left but it would crush Amy if I went on this trip without her.

Have fun and take lots of pictures.”

“I just came back from doing 10 days on the Lost Coast...it turned into an epic (we got a tad bit of rain) but that's another story.

I have maps posted here (maps are at bottom of page 1 and on page 2) click on "view full size"...there are sections of trail above Seal Rock and in a couple other places that allow you to hike at high tide. there is actually only spot that MUST be done with the tide out. With two or three minor exceptions, most of the trail is flat (understand this is from a guy that spends his summers in the trinity Alps) ...Phaedrus, I think you may be thinking of the lower section in the Sinkyone's, that is major up and down.

Cooskie Creek is the worst of the creek crossings and even then it can usually be crossed while the creek is up and the tide is in, but you do have to be careful and you will get wet, again that's in the worst conditions. Bear canisters are required and if you go over Memorial Weekend be prepared for massive crowds, groups of 16 + are common.

I would love to go with ya, but it looks like my next 10 day leaves on the 12/13th, but that may change. I have to run, but I'll get back to you with some hints on good campsites that many folks don't know about and believe me finding campsites when the crowds are out can be a problem.

I just realized that I may be missing a map or two from the 7.5 maps of the trail....I'll check it out later . Also, "View full size", doest seem work on all the maps well, I'll look into that too.

Later kiddo”

“Yep Tarbubble, we should car pool! Save money and gas!
I realize this is the initial planning for the trip Free24 and
I am assuming we are looking at this month of May 18th to the 23th
That is 6 days. With only 24 miles it is not even 3 days of mileage. If you go 5 miles a day, then it is 5. I have been wanting to backpack this area, so if it is possible I will be there. If the dates are not set in stone. And you add the 17th. More people might be able to make it. Also MtnSteve and others will give us valuable information so you can plan the logistics of the trip.”

“I can add the 17th, thats no problem :) I will call and find out about the shuttle at the end. Sorry you cant go mtsteve :( maybe another trip. WLD where are you two coming from?”

“Tarbubble and I live in So Calif. I live near LA and Tarbubble farther south...
Free24 when you have the opportunity, email me some of your ideas, trails sections and logistics at wld257@aol.com. This is an exciting trip. But with my summer backpacking schedule I want to make sure I can fit it in...”

“I believe DUNK! has a write-up on his webpage about his hike there.”

“Just signed up on your trips posting.. Hey Guy, we will not be gettng "swept out to sea"! LOL”

“i have a church obligation from 11 am to 12 noon on the 18th, but i can leave right after that, OR i can see if somebody else can fill in for me. what kind of weather are we looking at, on average? i'd like very much to bring my son, so i'll need to get cracking on sewing his rainsuit (i assume there are good chances of rain). i have a canister that i will happily share with someone. i'd love to do this!”

“That should say Hey Guys and Gals... Hopefully we will not get swept out to sea....”

“Ok I maneged to get 17th-22nd off at work for sure. hehehe I love my low paying sucky job..they dun care how much time i take off LOL.
Tarbubble If you have an extra canister I would be happy to borrow it. Otherwise I will have to find someone or rent one that has one.

I assume that it will rain, especially the way the weather has been- But I will keep my fingers crossed for sun! Im wodering if i should take my nice warm new down bag or use my crappy old broken synthetic one if its wet there?”

“I got the Lost Coast maps fixed..now they cover from the Mattole River to Shelter Cove.

The ""View full size" thingy takes a min to function, then a little button pops up to enlarge it.

Free...I would recommend using your synthetic if it looks like rain. We lived in our rain jackets, shorts and sandals on the last trip. A little tip...hikinh in sandals with a pack, on the beach sucks..sand gets under all the straps and rubs you till you bleed.

The hike is really easy, but hiking in sand really kills the feet and knees, luckily only around half the hike is really in sand.”

“hmmmm, i'm pretty sure i can get a fill-in on the 18th, but WLD! the REI garage sale is on the morning of the 17th! whatever shall we do? i suppose i could just send Dan to it alone... and Free, you're welcome to share my canister - it's an Expedition so it holds a TON of food. but if i bring my son, i'd only ask that you carry it - i just can't strap it on his carrier! but i can fit everything else i need into or onto it. :)”

“oh, and i have a spare synthetic bag, too, as long as you don't mind that it's a Long.”

“Free I'd love to join in but I'm headed to Big Basin that weekend for a BP trip with the crew. (I'm assuming you mean May 16-17-18 weekend). If you end up re-arranging dates lemme know, I can drive up & leave my car at one end of the trail to serve as a shuttle. This is a beautiful spot!

If anyone is confused, there are actually two trails named Lost Coast Trail. The one most refer to is Free's, but there's another one in Sinkyone Wilderness. Free's is 24 miles, the other one is 16.7, and does have a fair amount of up-down. They're both great spots!”

“My synthetic works great when wet (its the only time I would use it) I practically lived in it when I lived in humbodlt co on the beaches. I'd wake up in a puddle of water with out ever feeling the chill.”

“And no prob on the canister, I'll carry it! :) My pack is pretty small but I'm going to get more compression sacks to maximize the space. Mtsteve...I think I will just hike in my boots and save the sandles for crossings and camp ><


LOL also going to get a map...they have em at REI?”

“cool. i have 2800 cu. in. of space in the carrier, plus a mesh pocket, plus i can strap stuff along the frame. sleeping pads fit nicely, for example. yee-haw, i'm already excited!”

“would we all be interested in sharing a tarp for cooking under if it turns rainy? i have a 10x10 silnylon tarp that i could bring if we think it might be necessary.

and hey, are mosquitoes going to be an issue on this trip? i may try to sew up a new tent this week and i'd rather not add the netting yet if i don't have to.”

“I've actually done portions of the Lost Coast a few times. My write up is on Phil's site under Dunk. As Mtnsteve mentions, this is the flat section, the section south of Hidden Valley has ups and downs. Still with it being flat, it's not a cake walk. Plenty of wet stream crossings, walking in sand, walking on rocks...not to mention, the weather can be down right messy. If you hit it when the weather is good, you've struck gold. We never had to take a bear canister and haven't seen sign of bear although I know they're out there. Watch out for poison oak too and rattlesnakes, they love the driftwood piles. Timing is critical for a few miles south of Punta Gorda. Watch out for surfers!”

“Try this site, It has the answers to most of your questions;
http://pub4.ca.blm.gov/arcata/king_range.html
They can also supply you with maps.”

“Additional poison oak warning..

Some of the poison oak along the coast grows like ground cover, in the ground cover...it may only be a couple inches tall...be aware!

Like Dunk mentions, we have never had a bear problem either, but during the tourist season, it's supposed to be bad. I never noticed the sign that says "bear canisters required" before. You can rent them in town.”

“Should I get a fire permit?”

“Tarbaby I was thinking a tarp would be a good Idea If we have ways of tieing up. Does anybody know if we are going to be mainly camping on the beach or in the woods? If no tarp I have a tent with two vestibules we can cook under if neccisary.

Thanks mtsteve!...maybe its a good thing I'm not allergic to posion oak LOL Ive also seen it growing as a vine up trees and as a shrub.
When I was up at fort bragg there were mesquitos a plenty out. im bringing my deet!”

“Free, most of your camping spots will be on the flats where creeks open up to the ocean.

Going north to south, your best bets are Spanish Flat (8.0), Big Flat (12.5), Miller Flat (15.0) and Shipman Ck (17.0). I've also camped at Gitchell Ck but that is actually beach camping.”

“North to south? because of the winds I guess. Ok were gonna start from the top then.”

“i'll start from anywhere. are the dates set in stone yet? it's a loooong drive up there and i wanna make sure i can ge there in time, my son has a Dr.'s appt. at 9 am on the 16th. sheesh, there's always something! WLD, where are you? are we serious about this?”

“There are also some good campsites at Cooskie Creek, about 6.5 miles.
On the North side, just up the creek is a really nice camp, you can walk to the ocean in 3/4 min.”

“I am sorry, but I am not able to get off of work..”

“Sorry Tarbubble and Free... I really wanted to check this place out. For me it will have to wait.”

“Aww :( I wish you could come WLD!
Tarbubble when do you think you could arrive? If its not till late we could camp right near the trailhead the first night. Let me know whats best for you.”

“hmmmm, i must now decide if i will drive all the way up there alone (well, alone with a baby). maybe i can loop my no-good brother into coming with me. he likes to backpack, but he needs more experience. i'll have to let you know, but for now i'm a "maybe."”

“Thats ok. I'm trying to loop a newbie into going too LOL But if I cant I'll just have to go alone.”

“no shame in solo! i'll probably be solo this Friday night - i'm heading to the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness for a quick overnighter. (i'll be baby-free for the night! yippee!)”

“Never gone backpacking solo...LOL should be an interesting expirience..”

“yeah, it'll be my first time, too. i'll let you know if i chicken out.”

“I checked into renting a bear canister...$5. just incase you dont decide to go. Its a long drive for you .”

“hey Free, i ran the idea by my brother but he said, "i'll have to see what's on my platter." hmmm, his band broke up, he has no job, and his only obligation is the rabbit rescue shelter he volunteers for. go figure. i'll let you know when i have a real yes or no from him.”

“very cool that your brtoher volunteers to help them rabbits!!
I like him already LOL”

“tar that would be awesome :) Tell him I like my rabbit medium rare on my platter!”

“Looks like the weather will be ok :) Might get a little windy. But so far it shouldnt be too wet.”

“This place is beautiful. It is where I asked my wife to marry me.”

“Oh gawd dun say that!
one of the things I need to think about while I am out there is a relationship that is getting very serious (and I am commitment phobic) my bf has asked me how would I react if he asked me to marry him ><. So I gotta try and figure that out.”

“Don't tell him how you'll react, free. You'll ruin the surprize!”