overland

Lost Coast 4x4 Trail (Sept 12-15)

canfindtom

Trail Grom
Joined
Nov 27, 2021
Messages
3
*** You must have a ticket to attend this event ***

Sept. 12th to 15th
Trip duration:
4 days/3 nights
GPX File: Download Link

Trip Lead: Tom

Meeting Location Sept 12
Willits @ 9am. Meet in the parking lot of Lumberjack's Restaurant.
1740 S Main St, Willits, CA 95490

Please make sure you arrive with a full tank of fuel and all of the necessities required for the duration of the trip. Cheapest gas in the vicinity is at Coyote Valley Casino in Redwood Valley about 5 minutes north of Ukiah.

Documents/Fees
Please bring at least $50 for camping, including small denomination bills. We will be camping at at two developed campgrounds along the way given the limited dispersed camping opportunities.

Camping
Camping will be a mix of dispersed camping and camping at developed campgrounds. As noted above, please bring $50 for camping (nights 2 and 3 will be at developed campgrounds).

Firearms
This is a family friendly event. We ask that you leave your firearm at home or keep it stowed away in your vehicle at all times. Please make sure you read up on CA State Parks and King Range NCA regulations.

Pets
Dog welcome

Gear & Fuel
Bring appropriate hiking/outdoor gear. Daytime temps may range anywhere from the mid 50s along the coast, to 90s inland. Night time lows are likely be in the 40s-50s. We recommend bringing a good pair of hiking shoes, as we'll be doing some shorter hikes along the way. We'll have a few opportunities to refuel along the way, but I always recommend carrying an extra 5 gallons just in case.

Medical Info / Emergency Contact
Please print a copy of pertinent medical info and emergency contact info (at least two persons) on a card/piece of paper, and have this attached to your visor.

Comms: GMRS channel 15, freq 462.550
Firewood: please bring firewood if you can!


Itinerary


Day 1 | Mendocino Coast to Lost Coast


Camp: Usal Beach
Mileage: 90 miles (mostly pavement with some dirt)
Day 1 will be a mix of Dirt Roads and Pavement
  • Drive the Redwoods of Jackson Demo Forest
  • Stop at Big River Beach
  • Drive through town of Mendocino
  • Noyo Harbor (opportunity to eat lunch) >> Noyo Fish Co recommended!
  • Drive to Usal Road to Usal Beach


Day 2 | Usal Beach to Shelter Cove
Camp: Tolkan Campground or Shelter Cove
Mileage: 55-60 miles (80% dirt) >> Opportunity to Refuel at Shelter Cove general Store
Day 2 is predominantly dirt with some mixed in pavement.
  • Drive Usal Road to 4 Corners
  • Drive Saddle Mountain Road (best views along the Lost Coast) and head back to Shelter Cove via Kings Peak Road
  • Visit Black Sands Beach
  • Visit Shelter Cove Lighthouse and Tidepools
  • Stop by and check out the Gyppo Ale House (to help determine if we want to camp in Shelter Cove vs Tolkan)
  • Figure out where to Camp

Day 3 | Shelter Cove to Mattole River Valley
Camp: AW Way County Park
Mileage: 55 miles (mixture of dirt and pavement ) >> All vehicles without long range tanks must refuel in Petrolia
Day 3 is predominantly dirt with some mixed in pavement. Day 1 will be a mix of Dirt Roads and Pavement

  • Drive Kings Peak Road to Mattole Valley
  • Secure camp sites at AW Way
  • Visit Mattole Beach
  • Drive Prosper Ridge to Windy Point
  • Hike to Punta Gorda abandoned lighthouse (3 mile roundtrip) and visit elephant seal colony
  • Visit the famed truck-in-a-tree
Day 4: Head home via Mattole Road through Humboldt Redwoods
Head home via Mattole Road. Opportunities to hike the redwoods at the Big Tree Loop, and we also recommend stopping by the Dyerville Bar on your way home!
 
Last edited by a moderator:

canfindtom

Trail Grom
Joined
Nov 27, 2021
Messages
3
Hello fellow adventurers,

Checking in with you all. I received information from the Lost Coast trip that was just completed this weekend and all is good to go. I am very much looking forward to our upcoming shared adventure.

If you have any question comments, or concerns in advance this is a good time to get them out there as we will soon be on trail.
Please review the itinerary and please be sure to arrive for our first days meeting site by 9:00 am.
And, please confirm again your attendance.

Look for a white F350 with a FourWheel Camper at the meeting site.
My cell phone number is 415 860-7144.
Tom
 
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