Mattole Beach via Lost Coast Trail(edit)

based on 84 tracks & routes | |

DIFFICULT

#17 hike out of 46 in Rocks and Islands Wilderness Area |

DIFFICULT

25.2 mi

Distance

15 hrs 12 min

Time

184 ft

Elev Gain

Overview

This is a difficult one way trail to Mattole Beach Trailhead in Rocks and Islands Wilderness Area.

This trail goes by Black Sands Beach, Horse Mountain Creek, Place for a tent, Gitchell Creek, Buck Creek, Shipman Creek, Big Flat, Big Creek Camp, Kinsey Creek, Spanish Creek, Spanish Flats, Camp Wolfman, Randall Creek, Cooskie Creek, Sea Lion Gulch, Punta Gorda, Impassible point at high tide, Windy Point, Mattole Beach, and Mattole Campground.

Sights to See

Rate this Hike

★★★★★

SlowGloves9803 1 week, 6 days ago

2nd year in a row doing the lost cost trail. Much easier this time. I hit the tide zones on more of the low tide side and discovered it easier and faster to get thru them. Avoided the rock hoping and difficult terrain and hiked in the hard sand and made it thru just fine. Beautiful hike with a lot of wildlife. It was fun to experience the heavy rain and then it cleared out. My gear was dry a few hours later. Over night rains again but dry morning allowed us to dry up again. Weather cooperated after that and it was a fun hike with sunsets and fires every night. A great mid spring hiking destination before the mountains open up from the winter snow. If you have the time I recommend 4 days. Why rush it is my mindset. Saw pods of whales migrating along the coast spouting off in the distance while watching the sun set. Memorable experience.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★