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Lost Coast Trail: North (Mattole - Black Sands Beach)

Intermediate/Difficult
 4.7 (26)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …North Coast
  4. King Range National Conservation Area
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“Miles and miles of epic, untouched coastal beauty await! ”

Willie Virgen
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Map Key

27.3

Miles

43.9

KM

Point to Point

152' 46 m

High

0' 0 m

Low

1,840' 561 m

Up

1,820' 555 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (1°)

36%

Max Grade (20°)

Dogs Off-leash

Features Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Description

This trail may be approached from 3 main entry points: at the top of the King Range National Conservation Area, at the middle between the King Range and Sinkyone Wilderness (Needle Rock), or at the southern end of the Sinkyone Wilderness at Usal Campground.

There are many tall ferns, trees, and other plants that overhang the trail the whole time. Keep an eye out for wildlife as well. On this trip, I encountered one ginormous elk, 2 black bears, 2 does, a handful of lizards, and a couple of ticks (one of which left me with a nice bullseye ring, which is most likely onset Lyme disease, so use caution with these guys!).

Make sure you stretch, have plenty of water, eat a big breakfast, have trekking poles handy, and have a big memory card for your camera because this trail demands it. There are so many amazing views once you reach the flat areas of the trail.

Flora & Fauna

Coastal shrubs and bushes, tall redwoods and other trees, mushrooms, ferns.

Contacts

Land Manager: BLM California - King Range National Conservation Area

Shared By:

Willie Virgen with improvements by Granger Guy
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 26 votes

#1

in King Range National Conservation Area

#148

Overall
  4.7 from 26 votes
5 Star
73%
4 Star
23%
3 Star
4%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in King Range National Co…

#14

in California

#148

Overall
14 Views Last Month
5,492 Since Nov 24, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult
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Photos

Campsite next to Punta Gorda Lighthouse
Feb 5, 2020 near Ferndale, CA
Taco night on the Lost Coast Trail.
Feb 3, 2016 near Redway, CA
A misty morning greets backpackers along the Lost Coast Trail.
May 6, 2017 near Redway, CA
Onward along the Lost Coast Trail.
Feb 3, 2016 near Redway, CA
Incredible campsites along this trail!
Jun 8, 2016 near Redway, CA
Sunset along the Lost Coast.
Nov 17, 2021 near Ferndale, CA

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Weather

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Aug 25, 2022
Sara S
Mar 23, 2022
Dante Viggers
Jul 24, 2021
Swagath Manda
Jun 14, 2021
Brynna cadman
Beautiful 28.3mi
Sep 17, 2020
Valerie Norton
Looped north part with Cooskie Creek: https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2020/09/lost-coast-kinsey-creek-spanish-flat.html
Mar 9, 2020
Valerie Norton
https://valhikes.blogspot.com/2020/03/king-peak-lost-coast.html
Sep 1, 2019
Hiking Bear
25mi — 72h 00m
Aug 9, 2019
Lisa Roach
The Lost Coast - Take 2. Co-organized with Becky. A few first-timers, many friends, and lots of fun. 26mi — 48h 00m

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