www.outdoorproject.

com
MADE BY: Anzelina Coodey CONTRIBUTOR: Brandon Katcher
LAST UPDATED: 08.21.15 The Outdoor Project LLC
NOTE: Content specified is from time of PDF creation. Please check
website for up-to-date information or for changes. Maps are illustrative
in nature and should be used for reference only.

The Lost Coast Trail, King Range, CA

Adventure Description
by Brandon Katcher | 03.30.13
The Lost Coast Trail is a wild and unique backpacking
adventure along one of the most rugged sections of the
Northern California Coast. The King Range area is nearly
untouched by civilization, with only a few small towns along
the two-hour shuttle from Shelter Cove to the Mattole Beach
trailhead to the north. The trail provides incredible views, a
variety of wildlife and flora, and a glimpse of some rarely seen
California coastal terrain. Keep in mind that portions of this trip
take a great deal of effort; the majority of the 25-mile, 3-day
trip takes place on sandy beaches, which can be exhausting
for legs and feet.

For the north to south route, you will need to take a shuttle
either at the beginning or end of your trip. Shuttling at the
beginning allows you to walk straight back to your car (at
Black Sands Beach in Shelter Cove). The shuttle will cost
approximately $200 (for two people), and it will drop you off at
the Mattole Beach Trailhead where you will begin your journey.
Expect foggy mornings and possible rain any time of the year.
You will walk beside sunning seals, sea birds and sea otters.
Be sure to check out the century old Punta Gorda Lighthouse,
Brandon Katcher | 03.29.13 which is a great spot to stop for lunch on your first day out.

The first day's hike is split between beaches and the trail that
winds along the coastal cliff. You can camp anywhere, but do
Highlights your best to stay in sites that already have camping impact.

DIFFICULTY: Very Difficult The second day is mostly trail hiking with occasional river
TRAILHEAD ELEV.: 10 ft (3 m) crossings. Try to keep your boots from getting wet! Sandals or
TOTAL DISTANCE: 24.60 mi (39.59 km) river shoes can make these crossings less troublesome.

TRAIL TYPE: One-way/Shuttle The third day brings you back to the beach. You will hike
TRAIL USES: Hiking through deep sand that is slow going. It can be easy to miss
PREFERABLE SEASON(S): Spring, Summer, Fall the trailhead at Black Sands Beach, Shelter Cove, so keep a
vigilant eye on your way out. Your shuttle driver will tell you
DOGS ALLOWED: Yes what to look for.
CONGESTION: Low
CLOSEST METROPOLITAN AREA: Santa Rosa, CA NOTE: Carry a tidal chart with you, and always be aware of the
tides and your location. There are two tidal zones along the
TIME TO GET THERE: 3:23 hours trek that are impassible at high tide. You do not want to get
ROAD CONDITION: Paved stuck in a small cove with a rising tide. There are many
DAY-USE/PARKING PASS REQ'D: Not Required campsites to choose from, so don't push yourself into a bad
spot. Also, note that you will need a bear canister for this trip.

Getting there (from Santa Rosa, CA):

From Santa Rosa, take US-101 N/Redwood Hwy for
approximately 150 miles
Take the exit toward Redway
Turn left onto Redwood Dr and continue for 2.6 miles
Turn left onto Briceland Thorn Rd and continue for 12.1
miles
Briceland Thorn Rd turns slightly right and becomes Shelter
Cove Rd; continue for 8 miles
Turn right onto Beach Rd and the parking lot will on the
right in 0.9 miles
 www.outdoorproject.com
MADE BY: Anzelina Coodey CONTRIBUTOR: Brandon Katcher
LAST UPDATED: 08.21.15 The Outdoor Project LLC
NOTE: Content specified is from time of PDF creation. Please check
website for up-to-date information or for changes. Maps are illustrative
in nature and should be used for reference only.

2-hour shuttle ride to Mattole Beach Trailhead

 www.outdoorproject.com
MADE BY: Anzelina Coodey CONTRIBUTOR: Brandon Katcher
LAST UPDATED: 08.21.15 The Outdoor Project LLC
NOTE: Content specified is from time of PDF creation. Please check
website for up-to-date information or for changes. Maps are illustrative
in nature and should be used for reference only.

The Lost Coast Trail, CA

0 2.5 mi. 5.0 mi. 10.0 mi.

0 75 min. 150 min. 300 min. NORTH

Paved Rd (major)
TO EUREKA + FERNDALE Paved Rd (minor)
Forest Rd (major)
Forest Rd (minor)
Petrolia
TO WEOTT + US HWY 101 Featured Route
Trail (major)
Prosper Trail (minor)
Ridge Rd
use Trail (unmaintained)
h tho
Lig Rd Impassable at high tide

Mattole (x14) Trailhead

A.W. Way County Park (30)

Parking
2.9 M

Co Ma
Cree oksie Cooksie Mtn tto
5.8 k Tr le Restrooms
M
ail EL 2,950 Riv Honeydew
2.3
M M er
at Vault Toilet
Cooksie Spur Trail to
le
Rd Honeydew Creek (x5)
Punta Gorda Picnic Area
Lighthouse ENLARGE
5.2 M
Spanish Ridge rail
er T
Wil

Picnic Shelter
-Ett
4.

ith
3

Kinsey
der
M

Ridge Sm
M

Visitor Center
Rid
9
2.

Spanish Ridge Trail

ge

4.0M
North Slide Historic Landmark
Rd

2.1
M
Lightning Vista / Viewpoint
3.
Lo

Kinsey Ridge Trail

1
st

Kin R

2.2 M ENLARGE
Co

Waterfall
gRd

King Pk
as

KING RANGE NATIONAL

idg

Ette
t T .5 M

EL 4,088
rsbu
ra

M
CONSERVATION AREA
e

5.
7 rg R Boat Ramp
il
4

d
Saddle Mtn Swimming
Horse Mtn (x9)
M

Rattlesnake Ridge Trail 3.3

M
4.5

Campground

Buck Creek Trail Backcountry Campsite

Tolkan (x9)
Horse Mtn Creek
3.4

RV Campground
M

TO US HWY 101
King

Horse Mtn Creek Trail Showers

Paradise Royal
Pea
1.8 M

Black Sands Beach Shelter

k

Nadelos (x8)
Rd

Abalone Point Food/Dining

Shelter Cove RV + Campground (x103) Wailaki (x13) Lighthouse

Seal Rock
Potable Water
Che

Mal Coombs Park

mis

Cliff Jumping
Shelter Cove
eM

Gasoline Station
Hidden Valley
tn R
d

Horseback Riding

Convenience /
PACIFIC OCEAN Grocery Store

Needle Rock Beach

Distance Marker
SINKYONE WILDERNESS STATE PARK
Peak

One Mile Grid

Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)