Grr. Oh Yelp, why dost thou load my photographs backwards? I wanted to tell a story ... Just back from a beautiful weekend on the Humboldt/Mendocino Coast. Back to what appears a rainy day in the Bay Area. In late June. Wtf. This walk was as splendid as the last. Different, as I had a hiking buddy this time, different as I left the water filter on my bed at home and had to beg other hikers for the use of theirs. Different in those respects but similar in many others. Tips: 1. Bring the bear can for the food. I still don't think you need it if you think about what you're doing before you do it but the rangers don't agree and as we saw two this trip and they are serious about the bears you may as well bring it along. I hate bear cans. 2. Time your walk so you can stay at the best campsites. I like Big Flat the best of all. It's about 17 miles in from the northern trailhead, so either: a) start early and walk all the way there in one day, or b) start late, spend the first night at the lighthouse (3 ish miles), and make a more leisurely day of it to the sweet driftwood shelters that will serve for your Big Flat dwelling on day 2. 3. Time the tides. I don't fret too much over them but it pays to have a general sense of when they'll be high. Some spots are tough to traverse at high water. And some of the tough spots at high water are comprised of stones the size of bowling balls that when wet and when you're in a hurry because of sneaker waves can be a real pain to get across. Literally. 4. Watch for the rattlers in the grass; don't tree your food. 5. Pack a little tequila for the gloaming. About 280 miles from Temescal to the mouth of the Mattole (north trailhead). Less to Shelter Cove. You can take two cars and shuttle around (if you have company) or park at Shelter Cove and arrange for a shuttle to take you north (you'll be hiking back to your car at SC). A couple of years ago I paid 50 clams for a solo trip from SC to the put-in. Takes about an hour and a half to get around. The Lost Coast is about as far in miles and time as Yosemite Valley. In all other respects, it's a world apart. We're blessed to live in such a wonderful place. Take it all in. read more

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I went backpacking this Memorial weekend. It was an unforgettable experience. Lost Coast. First time I heard the name, I imagined a very desolated and abandoned coast. I got a picture in my mind the ocean sitting with sadness. I went there and found my image was not so wrong. There were a lot of driftwood on the beach as if it was abandoned by somebody. Scattered woods looked in grief. However, right next to the beach with dead trees, steep hills with lush green reside. What a contrast. The other side is Pacific Ocean. Ocean is powerful and strong. Reflecting the sun, the ocean was very shiny. So beautiful. I was able to see whales, sealions, and sea otters. Beauty and sadness exist on the same page. Actually the naming is from depopulation in 1930. Now many backpackers are attracted by the pretty scenery. In terms of difficulty of backpacking, I would say it is very different from doing in the Eastern Sierra. Hiking on the sandy and rocky beach requires another muscles. Overall, this Memorial Weekend was memorable. read more

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The way most hikes in my experience work is that you climb for several miles and get rewarded with grand sweeping views. The Lost Coast is a bit different. It's mostly flat and instead of long climbs rewarded with breathtaking views, it's mostly sand and loose rocks rewarded with solid ground. You know how after being thirsty forever, you understand how delicious water tastes? Well, after walking on sand for 5-6 miles, you understand how delicious solid ground feels beneath your feet. It was quite punishing and for that reason, I don't think I'd come back to the Lost Coast again for the 26 mile hike from Mattole Trailhead to Black Sand Beach. That being said, I'm extremely glad I did the hike. The isolation here - I didn't see any human constructs (road, pier, building) - presents you experiences you will never get again. The feeling of walking alongside the Pacific Ocean for 10+ miles and then sitting down and eating dinner to the sunset with a buddy is indescribable. At one point, we set out at 1 a.m. to avoid the high tides that would come in. What I saw that night I'll never forget. Deers darting back in forth with eyes shining in the dark, and the entire night sky visible to me. EVERY single star as well as the Milky Way. And no moon either. If you're not walking back to where you started (which will probably add 3 days to your trip) you can either bring two cars and transport from end to beginning or hire a local shuttle. Sure the local shuttles are expensive but a) you're supporting the locals and b) Do you really want o drive an extra 4 miles after you hiked a grueling 26 miles? I dearly hope this coast remains "lost" and that no highway or other constructs are created. The only sign of human technology I saw other than camping gear and carved out trails was one airplane and one boat. I'm so glad I came out here. But like I said, walking on sand for that long made me want to tear my own feet off. read more

King Range National Conservation Area - Ocean front real estate - Parks Near Me - Whitethorn, California

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The ruggedness and beauty of California's Lost Coast is unparalled anywhere else in the world, except maybe for parts of Alaska. Perhaps if the west coast of Ireland had trees it could also be this majestic. Hidden on the very southern most end of the Lost Coast is Shady Dell, a grove of unique of redwoods that defies written description. Nicknamed the "Enchanted Forest" pictures barely even do it justice. This is the Chronicle's link to the land purchase article: http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/Shady-Dell-deal-preserves-majestic-redwood-forest-2324634.php These trees are a one of a kind stand of "candelabra redwoods" Shaped by decades of wind, these trees could be straight out of a Harry Potter movie. I could easily see Voldermort's wand chopped from one of these branches. To get there you have to drive six miles in on an old dirt logging road, the trees are on the opposite hillside across the wooden bridge from the huge rock memorial to the 18yo girl who died while drunkenly falling out of the back of a pick-up truck 20 years ago. (I swear, I am not making this up!) Few will ever venture this far, but for those willing to take the trek to the Lost Coast, I promise you won't be disappointed. read more

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We stayed one night at the Wailaki Campground at the southern end of King Range. It was more of a stop along the way on our trip, but the area is beautiful and remote. When we showed up, we were literally the only ones at this first-come first-serve campground. Eventually another couple came but it was completely quiet and remote the night we visited. The road in from the 101 is super windy and narrow, yet the locals tend to fly down the road so be careful. We passed a lot of junkyards on the way in, which gave us an eerie vibe, but the campground was beautiful and we didn't have any issues. A night's stay is only $8, so super affordable and the bathrooms are very basic. read more

King Range National Conservation Area - Parks Near Me - Whitethorn, California

The most starkly beautiful part of Northern California I've ever seen. The last bastion where the primordial head of nature can rear up across the centuries and stare you right in the face. Pretty cool read more

5 Stars for a breathtaking, isolating, and truly nature binding hike. I went with my friend for a long (14mi ish) day hike. Started at Shelter Cove along Black Sands beach & Lost Coast Trail to Buck Creek Trail and looped back around. I love this hike because it appears to have been barely touched by man, and we felt completely alone in King Range (although we passed one group of tired campers on the beach- who kindly warned us of bear tracks they had seen by the trail we were looking for.) I checked tides before hand and was prepared for that. Id read other reviews if you plan on camping, but as for a day trip, I can vouch that the highlights were the views and the solitude of the place. Usual tips - food & water, check tides, etc etc. Im a spontaneous person, and sometimes hasty, so honestly, I wasn't the smartest person about this hike (I planned it last min). We used a print-out map that specifically stated that it should NOT be used as a hiking map... so we couldnt tell how far away we were from other trails, etc. Luckily we found a posted trail map on Saddle Mtn Road which was a little more helpful. Im an avid hiker/runner so the trails were not the hard part, but the altitude change is what wore me out the most. The variety of trees, plants and animals were plentiful and the hike was, simply put, gorgeous. I love the beach and the mountains, so the combination of the two was my dream come true! read more

King Range National Conservation Area - Lost Coast Trail / Black Sands Beach - Parks Near Me - Whitethorn, California

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My CCC Crew #9, and I cut the chinquapin loop trail up on chamise mountain. We created the entire trail in a matter of eight, ten hour back breaking, ball busting, head to toe poision oak, and blister filled days, back in 2001 or 2002?? I've been back one time since then, with my younger brother. We hiked from the base of kings peak to the top of kings peak. It was breath taking!!! I really enjoyed the 360 degree views!!! We then drove over to the base of chamise mtn, and hiked to the top. We barely made it to the top before we hit complete darkness, followed by rain!!! Neither of us had camped in the rain before, and it was quite the experience because we had no clue what we were doing!!! we had no bivy bags at that time! we didn't know we needed to make a ditch around our tent either... needless to say it did rain on our parade!!! if any one can give me some advice on what to do if I ever get caught in that situation again, please PM me... I now know I need to have a bivy bag, and make a ditch / moat around the tent. possibly a rain fly? or... what else? It was fun none the less, and our bacon, and eggs heater meal in the morning was heavenly!!! read more

Hmmm....I don't know how to say this.....I want to review this place, but by doing so I'm sure I will raise attention to the place: raise people's attention to one of the best places in the world, or quietly stand in the corner and look around nonchalantly.....I'm a yelper, and I must yelp! Ok, the Lost Coast. It has to be one of my favorite places on the planet. I've been going here since 1993. When I was going to school at Humboldt State, I should have went every weekend, but I didn't have a vehicle. Now, I just go whenever I am down there, and everytime I go, I remember how much I miss this place. The Lost Coast (going south via Ferndale toward Petrolia) is a stretch of northern California coastline which is very isolated and somewhat rugged. The single lane rough road sometimes degenerates to only one way of single lane traffic and a dirt road on stretches. This driving sketchiness adds to the flavor of the Lost Coast. **it's not that rough, but the drive can be breath-taking and attention-pulling** There are drives through pine forests, pasture-y hills, very high bluffs (with awesome views of the Pacific), and then long straight stretches where you can almost be splashed by the waves. This is a remote part of the world (and for California--go figure!). Unfortunately, there are stretches fenced and holding cattle--who let that happen? The weather can be iffy, so hope you luck out and get some rain-free hours. I love this place. I've gone for day trips, but I think my favorite thing to do is an overnight hiking-in camping trip. From the parking lot near Petrolia, one can hike down south along the coast, and see groups of huge pelicans glide super-low along the waves, sea lions poking their heads up looking at you, and tons of beautiful scenery. There are a few abandoned structures worth checking out on the hike south, most notably: the Punta Gorda lighthouse. I've actually set up camp near it. Have had some awesome sunsets here. At night you can see fishing trawlers miles out at sea with there night lights ablaze. Be wary of the bluffs above the beach. One time we hiked straight up them (for a good view), and hours/days later, I realized I had poison oak!! Sucked! But that's a small price to pay. Now back to the "real" world and my daydreams of being back on the Lost Coast...with a Lost Coast brew in hand. read more

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I'll second everything that previous reviewers have said about the Lost Coast, and add that there are great trails in the interior of the King Range NCA as well. I recommend the moderate five-mile loop hike from the Lightning trailhead to the summit of King Peak, at 4088 feet the highest mountain in the range, and only about three miles from the beach. The views are absolutely stunning, taking in sections of the coast below and the river valleys and mountains to the north, east, and south. We on the North Coast are truly spoiled for choice when it comes to natural beauty, and the King Range is definitely one of our brightest jewels. read more

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Just spent a wonderful 4 days at King Range. We camped two nights at Mattole Beach, then drove down to the Southern end of King Range and camped at Wailaki Camp (near Shelter Cover). Camping is EXTREMELY affordable here (at $8 a night, $5 a night in other locations). In attempt to make this more succinct (and readable), I'm just going to mention some highlights (or lowpoints), random thoughts, and some tips regarding the Range. 1. Don't take the exit that goes through Honeydew if you're going straight to Mattole Beach. This is what Mapquest suggested. After driving on a narrow one-lane road for several miles through tall redwoods, we proceeded to go down the windiest and most squirrely road I've driven all of my life. I don't remember a lot of it now, but much of it was unpaved/gravel. It was DRAINING. And much of King Range is windy or difficult to drive, but this road was traumatizing by comparison. Its much easier to take the Shelter Cove exit and drive up to Mattole Beach that way instead. This was the worst part of an otherwise great trip. 2. Taking Mattole Road out through Petrolia and out through Ferndale is a MUST. The view is gorgeous - easily the most beautiful drive I've ever taken. The view of the ocean is amazing and uninhibited - the roads here are also windy and there are constant altitude changes (including a nearly 2,000 ft. climb at one point) but its worth it. We enjoyed the drive so much we took it again when we left. Its also worthwhile to check out Ferndale, a nice little town with countless Victorian homes and neat shops. From there, its easy to go to Fortuna or Eureka. 3. Don't expect to swim here. I read that you can swim at the portion of the beach in Shelter Cove where the launch point is, but I couldn't find this. Black Sands Beach and Mattole Beach are more for viewing - the tides can be unpredictable and very high at times. I attempted to swim at Mattole but found the waves to be too much. 4. If you're staying at any of the BLM campsites, don't expect to find any showers. And no charcoal allowed. I only note this because none of this is specified online. The campsites are sparse, with fire rings and vault (or pit) toilets. We also didn't see any rangers in our time at the park (weird). If you like to rough it, then it gets no rougher then here. There are a few places to get groceries, the best being the store in Shelter Cove (off of Shelter Cove Road). They carried meat, several gourmet items, and gas here. The other stores have food (Petrolia, Honeydew) but this one blew us away. 5. They are very stringent about bear containers for hikers. If you're only camping, I would suggest only renting these if you plan on leaving your food/supplies behind when you're away from your tent. We rented these but found out we really didn't need them. Which was a bummer because we had to go out of our way to return them (this leads me to my next point). 6. Do NOT rely on technology. Phone service was non-existent the entire time when we in King Range. And many of the places cannot be located by GPS (include the King Range office). I really regretted not picking up a map. 6. Shelter Cove is a weird, funky town. It's quite a juxtaposition compared to other parts of King Range. There's these large, opulent homes (and a golf course!). It was a nice departure from the isolation of Mattole Beach but I also preferred the solitude there. There's a few places to eat here and some sights to see. These seem like gripes more then anything, but its just what I observed. Going here is a unique experience that can't be replicated. Not to mention that local people (except for Shelter Cove - which seemed kinda snobbish) are extremely friendly and easy going. They also seem to love dogs here. I had to remind myself several times that I was still in California, as it seemed like another world in the Lost Coast. read more

One of the most naturally scenic places in the United States, the Lost Coast Trail in King Range is a stunningly beautiful place to backpack, hike or camp. Lush evergreen forests slope diagonally into emerald green valleys, only to open into gentle estuaries along the shore. The rocky terrain is pummeled by large waves, breaking down over millenia into tiny specks of black sand. We saw deer, sea lions, porpoises or dolphins swimming far off in the horizon, and one dead whale calf that smelled like it had been sitting on the beach for way too long while gulls picked at its flesh. Informal structures made of driftwood and dead tree trunks serve as hideaways and basecamps. Campfires are permitted depending on fire danger and bear canisters are a must. Winds can gust to an uncomfortable speed, and daytime/nighttime temperatures can change dramatically. As the boy scouts say: Always be prepared. 26 miles of waterfalls, the Pacific Ocean, redwood trees, shaded valleys, rivers and fresh water sources line this particular segment of California. read more

The Lost Coast definitely deserves five stars! It is one of the most beautiful if not the most beautiful parts of California and this is coming from someone who has hiked through the rest of the Redwood Coast, Yosemite, the beaches of Southern California and the mountains of the Sierra. It is a very fitting place to be my 75th Yelp review. My group began the hike on Thursday, April 26th as we drove all the way up from the San Francisco Bay area. Our goal was to walk the entire Lost Coast, starting from Shelter Cove and walking 24 miles in 4 days to the northern end at the Mattole River mouth. We began our hike at Black Sands Beach and walked three miles in and found a campsite a bit above the beach so the high tide would not get us. Our chosen campsite was a bit too sandy for our liking though. We arrived late so set up camp at 10 and watched the moon set. Then a squall suddenly came out of nowhere and for 20 minutes, rain pounded our tents and clothing so we had to put on our rain gear but once we did, the storm stopped! Once all was said done though, it was somewhere around 1am (I did not bother checking my watch,) when we fell asleep. The next morning, we woke up and looked at our tide tables. There are impassable zones so when you hike on the Lost Coast, BRING your tide tables for Shelter Cove and a map that shows where the impassable zones are. There are a few impassable areas along the Lost Coast and you need to use the tide tables and your map so you can safely pass the impassable zones. Also, remember to bring bear canisters too, we did not run into bears on our trip but we did see bear tracks once or twice and a friend who went to the Lost Coast a few years ago woke up to find bear tracks next to her tent so keep your food safe! We then camped at Big Flat which has a few good camping spots that are sheltered by some small wind swept trees but be warned it can get very windy here. April 28th: we then hiked along a trail which followed the ocean to Spanish Flat which is a nice flat area just north of a small cabin. Make sure to camp in the stream area though because camping on the flat means getting battered by wind (and if you are not careful, your tent may blow away which happened to one of our group members and it almost hit the ocean. We raced after it and carried it back. Then we decided to put large rocks on the stakes which was not too hard because there were large rocks everywhere to hold down the tents. Anyway, on April 29th, we arose and hiked further north, keeping a close eye on the tide tables because we were going through an impassable zone that was very rocky. Make sure to rock hop because these rocks are very slippery. Then the rocks finally ended and we approached an abandoned lighthouse. The lighthouse is called Punta Gorda and we climbed up to the top room on a rickety stairway. We got to see the part of the Lost Coast we had just hiked on, a rock filled beach which was fun. Then we sat down there and felt how protected we were from the wind. After the lighthouse though, things became easier as the beach became wider and less rocky. Then we passed the last impassable zone and were fine in terms of tides. What was not fine was the wind which kept blowing. We passed Windy point which was the most windiest part. We felt battered and beat but we continued onward andcamped 2 miles from the parking lot. We found a quiet place in the sand dunes and spent time watching the sun go down. We also noticed how the clouds were beginning to form. The next morning, we saw how cloudy it was and fearing a possible rain shower, we packed up and in 40 minutes, we reached our shuttle van. 15 minutes after we were packed up in it, it began to rain. Phew!!! Overall, it was so exciting to finish our trip and I just love the lost coast so much! It had been my goal for three years to get up here and hike at least part of the coast. Who knew I could hike all of it? It was so beautiful, so unspoiled and I really hope it stays that way. It definitely deserves five stars for its tranquility and beauty. read more

King Range National Conservation Area - Parks Near Me - Whitethorn, California

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Quick tip: We hiked from Black Sand Beach to Big Flat. A tough hike-- lots of stretches of rock-covered beaches, which makes for tricky hiking. The rewards are great though. We were out over the 4th of July and it wasn't too crowded. What didn't work: We aspired to find Rattlesnake Ridge Trail from Big Flat, and hike up to King's Crest and then to Maple Camp and down. Nope. Different maps showed different places where the Rattle Snake Ridge trail would be, and we never found the trailhead! This is BLM land, not a State or National Park. They don't have the same budget or mandate for trail maintenance. Others we met who did trails up into the hills said they did a fair amount of bushwhacking to make their way through, and noted they had to follow their topo maps closely to figure it out. Be warned! Otherwise, the beach hike is gorgeous. read more

OK, this yelp will be short. I pray many do not find out about the Punta Gorda Lighthouse just past Petrolia. If you are lucky enough to do this hike and camp the Lost Coast then you have experienced a piece of heaven. **Weather and tides can be tricky, so know the area and bring a tide book. Camping the beach is nice but don't get sucked out to sea!** It is gorgeous no matter where on the trail you stop to camp. If you have read this far then just get out of your seat and get hiking!!! You'll thank me later. read more

Just an awesome experience from beginning to end. I did an 8 mile and a 10 mile hike - two separate days - and saw a total of three people! And I think that says all you need to know about how isolated this place is. If you want to get away from people, and see a beautiful unspoiled coastline, and a black pebble sand beach - this is the place. read more

King Range National Conservation Area - Lost Coast - not a person in sight for miles - Parks Near Me - Whitethorn, California

Awesome place to camp/hike. It's a long drive out there from the 101, but it is totally worth it. If you ever have the chance, definitely check this place out, you won't be disappointing! read more

The lost coast is probably the most beautiful outdoor backpacking experience I have ever had. The 25 miles hike includes some of the prettiest beaches and views ever. After a day of hiking on pristine coastline you begin to grow numb to its beauty. Once your trip is over though you will have withdrawal symptoms like you are on day 3 of quiting smoking cold turkey. The ample supply of fresh water creeks make this the easiest outdoor experience. You can refill your canteen whenever you see fit and with the many cool wind shelters previous backpackers have built, you can have fun even if the wind is not cooperating. When I went the weather was 70-80 degrees the whole time. It felt like one long 3 day corona commercial. I recommend heading North to South. The change in scenery is much better that way, plus you can avoid the wind in your face. Every adult should bring a bear canister, and hiking should be done quickly to avoid the high tides and so that you can get to camp quicker and just relax on the beach. Truly one of the ultimate, must do backpacking experiences in the great Golden State. read more

Just got back from a great 3-day trip to the Lost Coast. The beauty and peacefulness of this place is just incredible. The hiking can be a little rough, feet sinking into sand, negotiating rocks, feet sinking into small rocks, you lose a lot of momentum hiking on this beach, so plan on 3+ days of hiking. You'll probably have company on the trail, but there's plenty of places to have a quiet isolated campsite. And you can't beat the setting, the views, the beaches . . . read more