On December 30th, 2015, two of us set out for a New Years Eve trek along the Lost Coast. The ~25 mile trail hugs a remote shoreline on the Northern California coast. The northern trailhead at Matthole Beach takes some time to access via windy, rugged dirt roads, while the southern terminus at Black Sand Beach is more easily accessible. After dropping off a vehicle at the southern end, we drove up to Matthole Beach, and set off onto the trail.
Although almost the entire trail is flat - or as flat as it gets when backpacking - the terrain can be challenging at times, and it's constantly changing from a nice dirt path, to lesser nice sandy paths, to rock fields. There is one point on the trail where scrambling over giant rocks is required to pass. Another thing which must be observed are the tide charts, because there are two 4 mile portions of the trail which must be passed when the tide is low, otherwise one runs the risk of getting trapped in a dangerous position between the ocean and the cliffs. Last but not least, there are many stream crossings on this trail -- as many as one every mile or two during winter and spring. While some of the crossings are rather easy, there are a few that can be difficult -- hiking poles are definitely recommended on this trail for that reason! These streams all run directly into the raging ocean, of course, so you'll want to be able to cross the ones that are flowing with force with confidence!
Other than those obstacles, this trail is on the easier side as far as energy and endurance needed to complete it, and it provides amazing views of a pristine oceanfront wilderness.
A sign made by locals warns of the dangers along the Lost Coast
The trail starts out green and flat, with the ocean just off to the right over a sandy ridge
Many waterfalls drain into the ocean along the way
If preferred, one can walk along a driftwood covered beach instead of the grassy trail for the first part of the trail
The first stream crossing wasn't a testament of what was to come
A few miles in, the Punta Gorda Lighthouse is in sight
The primitive lighthouse was in commission from 1912 to 1951
The staircase is still in tact and functional
We also found a giant, extra heavy propeller in the sand nearby... Perhaps an argument in favor of the lighthouse
Just down the beach we came across a camp shelter made up of driftwood
The sunset at camp on the first night
Mercury setting at sunset
That night we captured the lighthouse under the starry sky
The next day we crossed paths with some other hikers just before hitting the section of trail which requires scrambling over some giant rocks to avoid the ocean
Traversing the Lost Coast with fellow hikers
Another somewhat swift stream crossing attempting to wash you into the ocean
The trail has some really great, green, grassy sections
We came across a deer carcass
The dog captured the skull without a second thought
There are a few desolately located cabins along the trail which are sure to make you jealous
More Lost Coast cabins
Upon reaching camp on the second night, we celebrated New Years Eve with some champagne
Sunset on the second night -- New Years Eve
Delicious, reheated pizza was had -- Mountain Mansion if you will
Mercury again trails into the sunset
The next morning we came across these significantly sized bear prints in the sand
And these squid remnants
Another nice, easy going green section of the trail
We ended at the southern terminus of Black Sand Beach