How to Hike the Lost Coast Trail

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Worthy of any hiking bucket list, the Lost Coast Trail offers a challenging adventure along California’s longest stretch of undeveloped coastline. You’ll hike along the boundary where the King Range Wilderness and the Pacific Ocean collide, showcasing nature’s beautiful and powerful forces. This guide will cover everything you need to know to make the Lost Coast Trail a reality, from planning to preparing and then doing the hike. There are several sections of Lost Coast Trail; in this guide, I’ll cover the most popular stretch from Mattole Beach to Shelter Cove’s Black Sands Beach.
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[@captainsalty9022]

I walked the first 5 miles south from the Matolle River in 1971, before there was any “official” trail and the acquisition of this area of the King Range by the government was underway. By chance, our party of 4 met Mr. Etter, an elderly man then, who showed up on horseback wearing an Alaskan rig holster with a large pistol. He was out scouting for lost sheep. Prior to WW2, the whole area was a sheep ranch that supplied a now lost wool business in Eureka. He was very friendly and suggested we might want to overnight in an old sheep station house that is now a ruin a mile or so north of Cooksie Campground. There was a metal roofed barn there too that appears as a ruin now on Google Earth. So much lost history on the list Coast.

[@honeybadgervoodoooutdoors7305]

One of the best outdoor channels on KZbin.

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you 🙏👍

[@tr00th]

Guides like this are the reason you are number one in my book for hiking advice. Keep up the amazing job Cris!

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you thank you 👍👍👍👍

[@Tom-jy3jd]

Did this hike several times volunteering to do trail maintenance and cleanup, spectacular.

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you for your work!

[@baboon_outdoors]

I've done this hike a few years back. At the beginning of the hike, there's actual a trail to the left, away from the beach. For you to hike the entire way to Fourmile Creek on the beach must have been really rough. Honestly, we've only found the trail because we sought shelter after being pelted by the sand during high winds. We accidentally ended up doing the hike during a storm. We got really lucky. Pretty cool that you documented this low-profile trail.

[@MrGusOrlando]

My wife, 2 brothers, sister in law and I hiked the LCT this past weekend and used your guide as the primary guide for our trip. Wanted to say much thanks for all the help you put out there. We couldn't have done it without you!! A couple suggested updates based on discussion with BLM: 1. The impassible point after Mattole, you can pass it at up to 5 ft for tides. 2. The first impassible zone, BLM suggests to pass ONLY at 2.5ft or less, not 3ft (our tides were really low so it wasn't an issue but something I thought I'd mention)

[@Hikingguy]

Thanks for posting, will update the guide

[@Chaantastic]

Great guide! Did this trail a few weeks ago (July 2023), and this was immensely helpful in planning our route. Two recent updates: 1) Tidal Zone #2 - When navigating around Hat Rock up onto the bluffs, the trail back to the beach that is marked here has been washed out. Instead of doubling back to head back to the beach,, you can follow a the trail north along the bluff and it eventually returns you to the beach, but further north, which is a nice break from the first brutal 2 miles in that tidal zone. 2) From Randal Creek, instead of continuing down the beach, there's an option to get onto the bluffs through a small trail in the back of the campsite. There's about a mile of trail off sand, which can also be a very nice break if you had to hustle through tidal zone #2.

[@Hikingguy]

Thanks so much for posting! Looking forward to getting back and updating at some point...

[@caseyhansen4567]

Years ago my friend Spencer his wife Jen and I hiked from shelter cove to Miller flat.the sand was deep .had to empty our hiking boots a few times. Beautiful place. A little bear showed itself the first nite and found half of our food.the next nite it got the rest of our food except for some jerky.some hikers showed up that morning and shared some coffee fun times

[@Fooshaloosh]

Oh man, such a great video. Grew up in Humboldt and hiked this back in High School. One less than fond memory is all of the ticks lurking in the vegetation just off the beach.

[@kenyoung3585]

Great video and excellent narration...THANK YOU.

[@ricet783]

I did this trip awhile ago. I love this video. I'm sitting at work dying to be outside and found this. Thanks for posting. Brought me back to better times

[@robertkreiling1746]

Bravo , excellent job

[@dave9351]

Excellent video and carrying a satellite phone sure looks like a good idea after seeing the "cobblestone trail" one has to venture through... strained or broken ankle deluxe ! Trying to hike out by one of the "exit trails" would not be a good idea with ankle issues.

[@martharunstheworld]

I'm so happy to see a Northern California hike!!!! Great video!

[@nihao4587]

i have to say that, i enjoy your guide more than the scenery. your voice brings peace for me :)

[@criscarlson5012]

This trail looks absolutely stunning. Thank you for the lovely video!

[@newmansw93]

Thank you for such a clear description! I will be using this for my hike in march 😊

[@lisacalderon3367]

Looks beautiful

[@johnhallford239]

Great info and video. Thank you for sharing.

[@EternityRecordsUSA]

Great video. Thank you very much.

[@stevejohnston1272]

Best video I've seen yet-thanks. 🤘 Hoping to do this trail this year.

[@DNFADV]

Always great stuff. The first place I go for a proper prep.

[@karibaxter5330]

Wow, that is something! Thanks for sharing.

[@soniasias6226]

That's was awesome..thanks for taking those of us that can't do it.

[@MagellanandGreyhound]

This video was so helpful. Thank you. We are not from the area, but are big planners. This is one our top hikes to do at this point. Looks amazing.

[@zq1491]

I did this hike 3 years ago and I like the trip so much.

[@BRILIANT660]

Beautiful hike in coastal trail amazing mountain enjoyed watching here

[@DovieRuthAuthor]

Awesome! This looks more doable than the West Coast Trail which has me drooling. Thank you.

[@asiatravelasiatravel-fv6ob]

Lost coast yrail look very beautiful place nice hike thanks for sharing my friend greatting from Macau China

[@anthonymendoza1327]

Nice. I have taken the hike in Olympic National Park, but have always wondered about this one. thanks.

[@halabujioutdoors]

That IS a beautiful trail. You know how to pick a perfect days to hike. Thanks for sharing!🏖🏕👍

[@Hikingguy]

Ha I know, I lucked out with the weather for this trip, never had it so nice on the Lost Coast...

[@ColemanOutdoors]

Looks like a great trip. Need to do this. Great guide, Chris!

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you 👍👍👍👍

[@scacct2323]

So glad you made this guide. This hike is ony bucket list and it is one that needs a lot of planning and coordination. Thank you! I. Hoping you can do more overnight backpacking guides. Especially ones that are one nighters that can be done over a weekend (and in close proximity to SoCal). Great job!

[@Hikingguy]

You're welcome and hopefully the guide is handy 👍 yea, there's a lot of logistics with this guy so tried to make the guide on the website as easy / step by step as possible. Stay tuned for more overnighters...

[@rayeaglenz]

Looks like a beautiful walk, thank you from New Zealand 👍😊

[@Hikingguy]

Kia Ora!

[@ervinslens]

This is a stunning video, such an editing and filming master. Everything here is done masterfully.

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you! 👍👍👍👍

[@MidNightH3R0]

I most definitely will be doing this! thank you for such a developed video and narration! You have a gift.

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you!

[@MuddyRuttzz]

Lost Coast is a very special place. Camped at Usal Beach and Needle Rock. Hope to explore some other parts on foot.

[@dorseykindler9544]

Doing this in July. Wish me luck!

[@stihlsawrepairs7955]

When you were walking through that lush, green vegetation along Spanish flat, I was wondering about rattlesnakes! You should list in the description where there are pinchpoints that a person cannot escape from (ie, sheer cliff a person can’t climb) This, I feel, is vital information.

[@Hikingguy]

There are reattlesnakes all over the USA, Spanish Flat isn't really any different than most places. The tide zones I talk about are the pinch points.

[@aaronwill3548]

Great video, great guide info. Thanks! Anybody doing fishing or crabbing from the beach, trying to decide whether to bring tackle.

[@Hikingguy]

Think if you have a fishing license you can but I'd double check with the land bureau

[@MissKristaC]

I absolutely LOVE this part of the world,.and miss living in Shelter Cove so much it hurts! I do wish you would mention to NOT APPROACH THE WATER toward the end of that portion of the Lost Coast Trail at Black Sands Beach, where there are very treacherous conditions and underwear topographical which has sadly taken many unsuspecting lives even on seemingly very gentle days. Thank you for your excellent videos.

[@josephrobb2321]

Thank you for your videos and web content. I am doing lost coast in July and Whitney in Sept. I have been referencing your videos and guides in my prep work. I really appreciate your detailing and trail knowledge

[@Hikingguy]

Thank you and good luck 👍👍👍

[@josephrobb2321]

@@Hikingguy Do you have any info on the overland cut around the first tide zone. I'm looking to go through the first tide zone first thing in the morning (4am) to position me well for the 2nd tide zone during the afternoon low tide. If there is a bypass I rather do that during day light. Any advice?

[@Hikingguy]

@@josephrobb2321 If you zoom in on Google sat view there's def a use trail up and around the pinch point - looks like you go up a gully from the beach and then the trail appears - worth a try if you have the track mapped out beforehand using a GPX file - looks like it might be easy to miss the part where you leave the beach

[@sneakystoopy]

Thank you so much for your helpful input. Doesn't look like 8/24-8/26, my scheduled dates, will be good. :(

[@weirdshibainu]

Did this in 2019. Have permits for September 2022

[@dragon1indo162]

I live here in Humboldt County and we love our Lost Coast travel here if you're lucky and you get deep in you can see some coyotes mountain lions or bears on the right times of the year cuz they'll come out of the woods and under the beach specially the Bears the coyotes

[@Hikingguy]

It's awesome, and I can't imagine living there. I've seen bear and coyotes there, it's incredible. Also some massive octopus washed up on shore.

[@laurabenedict6903]

great video and corresponding blog/notes. I've gotten permit starting 9/25 for 4 days. Thinking to head north starting at Shelter Cove. If wind is too rough, we'll probably go the other way. Any advice about hiking from Shelter Cove to Mattole? And is the road to Mattole passable for a Promaster 2500 Ram camper Van assuming we shuttle back from their to our start point.

[@Hikingguy]

It's pretty much the same deal heading north but chances are you'll have the wind in your face. And yes, you should be fine driving that to Mattole. Call the shuttle company and get a report, sometimes things get washed out, etc. but generally that road is pretty solid.

[@brandylorphanpaibul3783]

I landed a pass for May 2023 and doing my research, which I have to thank you for all the information you put out here for us. Do you recall if Randall Creek Camp the first safe place to camp after tide zone 2.

[@Hikingguy]

Congrats on getting the pass! And yes, Randall is the first option past the zone: caltopo.com/m/MB1VK

[@brandylorphanpaibul3783]

@@Hikingguy Thanks so much for the link, I really can't tell you how much I appreciate the info. I did the CRHT in Joshoua Tree and your information was spot on. Infact, I have to say when I plan a trip yours is the first site me and my hiking partner check.

[@Hikingguy]

@@brandylorphanpaibul3783 that's awesome, thank you!

[@TheKiro5505]

I hate to ask this, but are you going to make a guide for the southern half of the lost coast trail(shelter cove to usal beach)?

[@Hikingguy]

I might at some point but probably not this year.

[@robertschwartz7528]

Does anyone know if you can hike the trail both ways as opposed to shuttling?

[@danpalmer6227]

👍

[@xxa455xx]

Did you say you had another video with lost coast hazards explained?

[@Hikingguy]

See the guide on my website

[@dghudson68]

Will trekking pole tents work for this trip or do you recommend free standing tents?

[@Hikingguy]

Either one, I'd go with what you're used to.

[@Sean-be2ge]

I live in California and have been wanting to do a backpacking trip. Would you recommend the Lost Coast Trail for a first-timer? If not, what trail would you recommend?

[@Hikingguy]

For a first timer maybe try an overnight in Yosemite, hard to beat. This one is a bit of a logistical challenge.

[@LC444]

Should I play at the beach here? But if you recommend, where should I play? Also are you going to make a guide for King Peak?

[@Hikingguy]

The beach is pretty rough - hoping to get a King Peak guide up at some point.

[@LC444]

Ok

[@619sdbdub]

What kind of camera were you using for this?

[@Hikingguy]

GoPro 11

[@marmaladesky]

Where do you get the permit at

[@Hikingguy]

check link in description

[@leewinter28]

Great channel! Excellent work! Keep up all the informative content.

[@samanthawatkins7005]

Do you think this is doable in one day if prepared and start early?

[@samanthawatkins7005]

I say for those of us that did not get camping permits.

[@Hikingguy]

Maybe running

[@raleighrmb]

what month was this filmed?

[@Hikingguy]

June

[@JoeZUGOOLA]

Land of the free - needs a permit 😅