2025 Lost Coast Trail

The Lost Coast Trail follows 24.7 miles and is mostly level, hiking on beaches and crossing over rocky outcrops. The trail offers one of the few coastal hiking wilderness experiences in the United States. The Lost Coast boasts exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities such as sea lions, elephant seals, sea otters, river otters, bobcats, deer, and 300+ bird species. Tide pools line the trail and are teaming with life. And in April we should have fairly decent weather.

This year we have two permits for a total of four adventurers. We will take the southbound route, starting at the Mattole Trailhead. From there we will hike to Punta Gorda Lighthouse, Spanish Flat, and Miller Flat. We will take a layover day at Miller Flat to rest and explore, and then reverse course to Mattole; seven days in all.

Proposed Itinerary:

• Optional: On Saturday, April 5, we will meet at Mattole Campground. The campground has fire rings, picnic tables, bear-proof trash cans, vault toilets, with Mattole River and estuary access. $15 per site. I will collect campground fees from attendees at the site. NO POTABLE WATER.
• Sunday, April 6th, meet at the Mattole trailhead and hike 3.2 miles to the Punta Gorda Lighthouse, then 1.3 miles to Sea Lion Gulch
• Monday, April 7th, camp at Randall Creek, 5.3 miles
• Thursday, April 8th & 9th, camp at Big Flat (one day of hiking, one layover day), 5 miles
• Friday, April 10th, camp at Spanish Flat
• Saturday, April 11th, camp at Sea Lion Gulch
• Sunday, April 12th, hike out to Mattole

Payment: The fees have gone up to $14 per person. When you put yourself on the waitlist, I will send you the payment info. Venmo is my preferred method of payment. I can also take PayPal and Zelle.

One final note: Lost Coast is always a challenge because of the limited number of reservations. If you do not make it onto the Going list, you can keep an eye on the Recreation.gov page (https://www.recreation.gov/permits/445864) and the Lost Coast Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1715411398472948) for cancellations. Make sure that the reservation starts on Sunday, April 6... that way, you can start with us and—if you opt for a shorter trip—you can turn back at the appropriate midway point and be sure to let me know so I can add you to the Going list.

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As always, everyone is responsible for their own food and gear

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Joining this trip is entirely voluntary and participants signing up for this activity fully understand the risks associated with the activity. It is each participant’s responsibility to ensure that they, and their guest(s), are in sufficient fitness and health to participate in this trip and be prepared with the appropriate water, food, clothing, equipment, supplies and first aid. Group Organizers and Trip Host(s) make no warranties about the quality, safety, or supervision of these activities. By signing up for this event, you are accepting all the rules of this trip, the campground facility and he King Range National Conservation Area.

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