Lost Coast Backpacking

    In October of 2012, Erin decided she wanted to do a late season backpacking trip to the Lost Coast in Northern California. I jumped at the opportunity to visit such a mysteriously named and famously beautiful wilderness. Visions of walking shoeless on sandy beaches and relaxing by a warming campfire with no one around for miles floated through my mind. We decided to approach the Lost Coast from the very southern end, through the Sinkyone Wilderness, and make our way north.

 Obligatory pre-trip backpack photo

 Erin and I loaded up and ready to go!

 

 View looking south along the coastline

 

As it turns out the trail along the coast in the Sinkyone Wilderness is not actually on the beach but along a ridge. We were a little surprised at how strenuous the uphills along the ridges were, especially when followed by knee jarring downhills into the valleys. This process was trying when repeated an incalculable (not really, but it felt like it!) number of times.

 The only sign of fall in this lush Northern California coastal wonderland

 Some areas of the trail were poorly maintained and multiple times we were grateful for our hiking polls for saving us from a tumble to the ocean.

 Erin warming up on one of the many inclines with a beautiful view

 Making camp the first night. We were so tired that we were sure that we had made it the 7 odd miles in to a campsite marked on the questionable map we had. As we would find out the next day we had only made it about 5 miles in, but that left us with more time the next day to explore and enjoy the amazing scenery around us.

  On the second day we spent some time looking for a shortcut to some old growth redwoods that were marked on the previously mentioned marauders map (Harry Potter fans unite!). After a hasty retreat from what we were sure was a bear den we decided to stick to the trial and were soon rewarded with our intended campsite at Little Jackass Creek, and the gorgeous views it offered.

 So happy to be there

 The wildlife was mostly unfazed by our presence

 Sunset behind this fantastic arch close to our campsite

 Our third day, time to head home!

 Hiking above the fog is a magical experience

This trip ranks as one of my all time favorite experiences backpacking ever. A combination of idyllic scenery, relaxing seclusion (we only ran into one other group of people), my favorite backpacking partner, and the rewarding exertion to get there really made this an amazing memory.

Dates: 10/12/2012 - 10/14/2012
Location: Sinkyone Wilderness: Lost Coast Northern California
Trail: California Coastal Trail