tarol
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Redding, CA
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Post by tarol on Aug 9, 2015 10:45:12 GMT -8
So when's the best time to hike it? How many days should I plan for (I don't hike fast). Thinking of planning it for next year...
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greno
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Post by greno on Aug 9, 2015 16:14:12 GMT -8
My wife is very interested in doing this trail also.
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davesenesac
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Our precious life is short within eternity, don't waste it!
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Post by davesenesac on Aug 11, 2015 12:04:43 GMT -8
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Post by OddBall on Aug 18, 2015 9:14:41 GMT -8
My friends and I did a section of the Lost Coast trail about 15 years ago and boy was that an experience. We started at the Patrick's Point section and headed North. Back then we were just some dumb kids so detailed planning wasn't our strong suit. We had a map that showed this trail like it would be in the cliffs but when we got to the trailhead at the beach we were confused as it lead us directly on the beach. Thinking we would join up with the trail further up, we continued up the beach. We soon found ourselves on one of the worst slogs of backpacking I've ever been on. If you ever thought hoofing it up a steep Sierra scramble was bad, just wait till you try to hoof your pack on a sandy beach! Every step was fatiguing and worse, we had expected to be hiking in Redwoods so we didn't bring sunscreen. The afternoon sun began to burn down on us and as it got lower, it got worse as the sun rays reflected off the water and made the sandy beach almost unbearably difficult to look at. I got one of the worse sunburns I've had in my life from this trip. As we got further up the beach we came to the point of no return and then realized that as the tide came in, we would be finding ourselves on a very narrow stretch of sand with no fresh water. We were fortunate to find a very neat little hideaway campsite on a tiny little ledge where a stream flowed through and then dropped down onto the beach. Probably one of the neatest campsites I've ever had as the ocean was about 20 feet below us and we had shade cover from a nice overhanging tree and fresh water just feet from our camp. The plan was to do a three day trip but while talking over dinner, we all were so sunburned and we really had no idea how far it would be until the trail headed inland that we decided it would be best to turn around and head back to the car in the morning. I think we slogged about 8 miles on the sand each way and since that experience, have disavowed backpacking on sand ever again...
That being said, I've heard that the inland stretches of the trail are pretty amazing and I'd love to give them a try sometime in my life.
My thoughts to your questions...
1. Northern California Coastal weather is a foggy wet environment most of the time. You should probably ask some locals when the best moderate temps would be.
2. If you do a section with a lot of sand, it's misery. Check your mileage and make certain you know exactly how much hiking on sand you will be doing before you start it. I say a good rule of thumb with sand, If it feels like you hiked three miles, you might have done just one.
3. If you are on the beach, try to get your hiking done early in the morning to avoid the sun reflecting off the water and cooking you. Ample sun protection is a requirement as the morning fog burns off and you can be cooking. There is no shade on the beach!
4. Check your water sources very carefully! We were lucky to find a small spring. I think there is a fair amount of water sources available but they may not be large streams or creeks unless you plan carefully.
5. Check your tide tables! Plan your trip when it is a period of low tide to give you a margin of safety. There are many cliffs and bluffs that at high tide you will be trying to time your scramble around while the waves go out and that is a very bad idea. Low tide will make your passage much safer.
6. After your trip, let us know how it went!
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Post by topshot on Aug 21, 2015 4:25:55 GMT -8
Are you thinking just the northern section along the beach or southern also higher and inland? Here's a blog of someone that did it this year (note they are thru-hikers so did the 55 miles in 3 days). They didn't care for the southern part. I did the northern 8 miles (all we had time for) a few years ago and had a blast (liked being next to the ocean). So glad we added it last minute to the trip and we had good weather, too. The weather can make it a not so enjoyable trip so make sure no storms are forecast. My trip report I found it easier to follow other's footsteps when hiking in the loose sand but we travel lightweight anyway so it wasn't much of a slog. Oh, you WILL run into poison oak even down by the beach. I know the trail went though a large patch. I wear long nylon pants for bugs/sun but still got a nasty rash on my lower legs later on - not sure if the oil soaked through on its own or if it's because my pants got wet later. I understand it is worse inland. A bear can is also required.
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tarol
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Redding, CA
Posts: 582
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Post by tarol on Aug 22, 2015 2:12:54 GMT -8
Not sure how long we'll hike, but thinking 3-5 days, 8 miles or less each day would be ideal. Thanks for the tips. I knew the tide thing was probably the biggest issue. How is the fresh water availability in September? I run into loose sand a lot in the desert, so I know that it can be slow going. Rarely hike w/o a bear can these days... Even in places w/o bears they come in handy due to rodents. Dealt with poison oak in Sespe last fall. Usually hike in pants and loose long sleeves anyway due to being fair-skinned. Will probably hike with Sunbeam - but if he can't go I'd be looking for a partner or two because I don't do long hikes alone. May be able to convince my sister to go.
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Post by topshot on Aug 23, 2015 18:22:14 GMT -8
At that mileage you won't be doing the whole thing. It's a long shuttle, too, which is another reason why we did an out and back.
I'm not local and knowing the severe drought in CA I'd call the rangers and ask about water. There were several creeks but I'd have no idea if they are running now. Yes, you definitely want to have a current tide table. The map they show online indicates those sections you can't pass at high tide so you can see what mileage you need to make and what times you need to be in or out of those areas. That is why we stayed where we did, too, because of when we started and to set us up for moving through those areas.
One last thing I thought of - Not sure how shy you are, but when you're on the beach they want you to deposit near water's edge so no privacy to speak of.
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rebeccad
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Writing like a maniac
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Post by rebeccad on Sept 1, 2015 7:44:03 GMT -8
Tarol, I'm wondering about water, too. I haven't been out to Pt. Reyes or similar to see what streams are doing, but it has been such a dry summer...Echo may have more idea (I figure if streams are dry up where she is, we're outta luck on the Lost Coast). I might be interested in this hike, or in helping to set up a shuttle. Very long drive between endpoints, though, and at 55 miles more of a 6-day trip. It does look like there are some options for a shorter trip that doesn't go out and back, though, if you are willing to hike up the mountains
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tarol
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Redding, CA
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Post by tarol on Sept 5, 2015 5:48:36 GMT -8
That's why I was planning on next year, hopefully after some winter rain... 6 days would work, too.
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tarol
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Redding, CA
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Post by tarol on Sept 7, 2016 12:30:30 GMT -8
Didn't happen for 2016, since we moved, but now I'm thinking about spring/early summer 2017. Any recent intel on water availability/trail conditions?
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balzaccom
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Waiting for spring...
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Post by balzaccom on Sept 7, 2016 14:25:50 GMT -8
hmmm. My sister in law lives up there--they've had a lot more rain this year than we got.
But I still vote for fall for this trip. It's the only time of the year you get blue skies instead of fog.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Sept 8, 2016 20:06:40 GMT -8
Water will be better in the spring, but fog could be grim. Or not--it's pretty unpredictable in spring. I haven't heard any predictions yet about this winter--El Nino or not, etc. Which, come to think of it, is odd.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2016 10:22:18 GMT -8
Come on, just go with me in November, it'll be awesome! Haha
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tarol
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Redding, CA
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Post by tarol on Nov 2, 2016 9:21:38 GMT -8
We're moving to Redding in January! So this trip is on for 2017! Anyone want to come with?
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whistlepunk
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I was an award winning honor student once. I have no idea what happened...
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Post by whistlepunk on Nov 2, 2016 10:34:55 GMT -8
After the Lost Coast you can go to Ahjumawi State Park -- Wilderness accessible only by small boat. Good for a couple days.
I have a combined paddle/hike/bikepacking trip penciled out for Lassen Volcanic NP. Trying to fit it in somewhere.
Lava Beds National Monument is also nice. Not really a backpacking park, there is one trail that bisects the monument with limited water and no shade. Stay in the CG and explore the caves.
Why the move to Redding? Another promotion?
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