On the Lost Coast, a lawless Calif. state park has been overtaken by off-roading, fireworks, raves Ashley Harrell Sep. 23, 2021 https://www.sfgate.com/california-parks/amp/lost-coast-california-illegal-beach-camping-park-16477935.php read more

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As you'll see from the photographs, I'm not the first one to share this secret with you. But my friend David A. perhaps was without words, for as he left this to me to write. The Sinkyone stretch of the Lost Coast is the southernmost stretch, named after the people who used to make this their own. Signs say some still do, but you know not in the way they used to. Pictured here is Usal Beach and the road thereto. You'll make it easiest on the six-mile graded road heading in from Highway 1 at Mendocino County Mile Marker 90.88 a few miles in from Leggett, further from Fort Bragg and the coast. You can make arrival more rewarding by walking from Shelter Cove or, better still, the mouth of the Mattole fifty or so miles to the north. Usal has a half dozen ish maybe more campsites in a grove of trees near the beach. Secluded primitive sites, peopled clearly by folks who groove on something other than the beaten path. The road in is passable by a 2WD vehicle, rutted in places but not too terribly bad. Its fine-grained matrix is slick and unpredictable during the rain. This is classic desolate deceptive California coast. Beautiful. read more

Sinkyone Wilderness State Park - Leave nothing but footprints ... - Parks Near Me

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Holy shit. This place is not for the faint of heart. The Sinkyone Wilderness will take what it wants from you and leave you with your pants down begging for momma. We arrived here as six brave men, not really knowing what to expect, and left as six beaten down weary travelers. DAY ONE FRIDAY: Drove up from the Bay Area camped at Usal(pronounced Uusal like in the movie Dune) Campground-5.5 hour drive with one stop. The drive can be difficult from HWY 1 on Usal Rd. to Usal Campground washouts were everywhere, recommend 4x4 vehicle. The entrance to Usal Rd. is not marked so you really need to look out for it. DAY TWO SATURDAY: Left Usal Camp at approx. 11:00(late start mainly due to multiple travelers being affected by hangovers) and hiked on a horse trail to the Wheeler Beach campground. Easy hike because of the wide trail BUT its a LONG way approx. 14.5 miles total. Actual time hiking: 7.5 hours. DAY THREE SUNDAY: Left Wheeler for Little Jackass Creek. The trail now is narrower and slower going. Its about a 7 mile hike to the Little Jackass Campground, this was the easiest hike by far. Actual time hiking: 6 hours. DAY FOUR MONDAY: Woke up, got an early start left camp at 09:30. My god, we should have left earlier! The hike from Little Jackass Creek back to Usal Campground is approx. 13 miles with CRAZY elevation changes(3 Peaks) and very narrow trails. It took us about 10.5 hours with minimal breaks mainly due to: poison oak being everywhere, trail washouts, getting lost because the trail would disappear in some spots, and being in the sun for the majority of the hike. ANIMALS: Many Elk at Usal Campground and they blocked the main trail at Wheeler Creek. We had the Security Specialist cover us with bear mace in case of attack as we ran past a huge buck that did not like our presence in HIS wilderness. Do not look these things in the eye as you get close. We also saw: Raptors, snakes, lizards, whales, sea otters, sea lions, deer, and cool looking spiders. NATURE: Cliffs, water, redwoods, beaches, Fing amazing. However because the trails are so overgrown poison oak is EVERYWHERE and unavoidable! Comparatively speaking: this trail has more poison oak than CNN has fake news. Fake News is everywhere in the trail.. Three out of six of us got Fake News, but because we washed up constantly(and don't watch CNN) the outbreaks were minimal. RECOMMENDATIONS: Bring TONS of water, many travelers ran out on the last day as there aren't any streams to get water at past Anderson Gulch. This is not a novice trail(if you're looking for a good time go to the Kings Range up North) children and first timers WILL have a hard time. Going in the Spring means lots of water washouts and tight squeezes. Going off the trail is a necessity due to fallen trees and landslides. Contrary to popular belief, not everyone needs carry a huge Ka-Bar knife on their waistline, you will need the maneuverability so keep all huge knives within accessible range on your backpack. We will return and this time we will be ready for another great adventure... read more

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Beautiful area. The 3.5 mile one lane dirt road on the side of a cliff was a little terrifying though. My husband and I did the 3 mile hike from Needle Rock Visitor Center to Bear Harbor last Sunday. There were actually a surprising amount of people there for how remote it is, but it was still an enjoyable trip. We were hoping to see more wildlife. read more

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Camped at Usal Beach in early July 2015. FANTASTIC! Super remote, rugged coastline smothered in fog and mist and all those wonderful Northern California things, only less patchouli hippie fug. Most of the campsites are in the forest, but a few have beach views. Or you can camp in the unofficial sites right on the beach -- no tables or BBQ grills or outhouses, but a magnificent view. Place was lightly populated at the time of my visit -- a few quiet families, a few people hanging out on the beach, and one notably resourceful redneck sleeping al fresco on an air mattress on the back of his flatbed truck facing the ocean. We came in on Usal Road from Hwy 1, and the condition was fine -- bumpy and slightly rugged, but no 4WD necessary. It hadn't rained in a while, so even a low-clearance car could have made it easily. But I understand the road is much worse after/during a rain....so beware. Overall, an amazing place and I will definitely be back!!! read more