- Joined
- Jun 27, 2007
- Messages
- 1,797
Northern California's Lost Coast is an unusual region. Due to the harsh terrain Hwy. 1/101 cuts inland for about 70 miles. The communities in this region have poor access and are fairly isolated. If you like your roads local, twisty, rugged, and semi-paved it's the place to be. And if enjoy shrubbery this area is extra special. 
Shelter cove was "developed" in the 60s/70s, but failed miserably due to shyster developers, poor access, and an unfortunate plain crash at the small airport killing 17. The region has a checkered history for sure.
Last week nine of us set out on a four day hike starting at Shelter Cove. Instead of pounding out the entire trail we decided to smell the roses and do two four mile days North, stay two nights, and one eight mile day back South to the trail-head. For the most part the tides dictated when we could travel. Low tide was around 0600 so there were some early mornings. The weather can be unpredictable, but we lucked out with high 60s/low 70s during the day and low 50s at night. Heavy fog in the mornings and evenings kept everything damp. Great weather for hoofing it up the coast.
Trail-head day 1:
Okay, sand is a workout for sure:
Plenty of wildlife:
First camp:
Bear vs. Sea Lion carcass about 200 yards from our first camp, and the after-party:
Luckily someone brought the manual MP3 player:
The second camp was tucked in the trees at Big Flat:
Looking for the beer! Where's the freakin' beer!!! Next time I'm paying for an air-drop.
The mandatory knife pic. The Bark River Colonial Patch is a great light-weight all-arounder that has served well for years.:
On the way out. Forget about sand, rocks will do you in. Rough on everything from the knees down and requires a lot of attention. Guessing that 20% of the distance was through rock but it required 50% of the effort.
Outside of the random backpacker and a handful of off shore fishing boats there wasn't much trace of humanity. Wildlife is in abundance including bear (tracks everywhere), rattlesnake, raccoon, sea lion, hawk, vulture, skunk, deer, more deer, etc. Next year it's the entire trail for sure (with beer)!
Shelter cove was "developed" in the 60s/70s, but failed miserably due to shyster developers, poor access, and an unfortunate plain crash at the small airport killing 17. The region has a checkered history for sure.
Last week nine of us set out on a four day hike starting at Shelter Cove. Instead of pounding out the entire trail we decided to smell the roses and do two four mile days North, stay two nights, and one eight mile day back South to the trail-head. For the most part the tides dictated when we could travel. Low tide was around 0600 so there were some early mornings. The weather can be unpredictable, but we lucked out with high 60s/low 70s during the day and low 50s at night. Heavy fog in the mornings and evenings kept everything damp. Great weather for hoofing it up the coast.
Trail-head day 1:
Okay, sand is a workout for sure:
Plenty of wildlife:
First camp:
Bear vs. Sea Lion carcass about 200 yards from our first camp, and the after-party:
Luckily someone brought the manual MP3 player:
The second camp was tucked in the trees at Big Flat:
Looking for the beer! Where's the freakin' beer!!! Next time I'm paying for an air-drop.
The mandatory knife pic. The Bark River Colonial Patch is a great light-weight all-arounder that has served well for years.:
On the way out. Forget about sand, rocks will do you in. Rough on everything from the knees down and requires a lot of attention. Guessing that 20% of the distance was through rock but it required 50% of the effort.
Outside of the random backpacker and a handful of off shore fishing boats there wasn't much trace of humanity. Wildlife is in abundance including bear (tracks everywhere), rattlesnake, raccoon, sea lion, hawk, vulture, skunk, deer, more deer, etc. Next year it's the entire trail for sure (with beer)!
I've always wanted to hike the Lost Coast. Need to get down there one of these days...
