*** You must have a ticket to attend this event ***
Sept. 5th- 8th
Trip duration: 4 days/3 nights
GPX File: Download Link
Trip Lead: Ben S.
Meeting Location Sept 5
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 $60 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.
Please make sure you bring $60, including small denomination bills as there will be two nights of camping 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 as long as they are well behaved around children.
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. Please have a GMRS radio either handheld or mounted in your rig as this will be our form of communication on the trip. Also consider dispersed camping toilet situation.
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.
- 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!
