Areas Deemed Impassable at High Tide
From the north to the south, several areas have been deemed unsafe or impassable at high tide. These areas are:
Punta Gorda, 2.9 miles south of the Mattole trailhead
Mile 4.5 to 8.4, Sea Lion Gulch to Randall Creek
Mile 16.7 to Mile 20.7, from the south end of Miller Flat to 1.5 miles north of Gitchell Creek.
Tide Tables for Shelter Cove. More Tide Tables for Shelter Cove
Update: February 2006 - After a very dry past few weeks the roads in the area are dry and passable: a rare situation for winter months. However, recent new mudslides all along the North Coast cliffs have resulted in new obstruction and perhaps impassable areas in the Tide Zone where none before existed. Slides have been reported in the Shipman Creek and Gitchell Creek areas of the Lost Coast Hike, two areas already deemed difficult or even impassable at high tide.
Hiking the Lost Coast Trail can be dangerous. Hike at your own risk.
From the north to the south, several areas have been deemed unsafe or impassable at high tide. These areas are:
Update: February 2006 - After a very dry past few weeks the roads in the area are dry and passable: a rare situation for winter months. However, recent new mudslides all along the North Coast cliffs have resulted in new obstruction and perhaps impassable areas in the Tide Zone where none before existed. Slides have been reported in the Shipman Creek and Gitchell Creek areas of the Lost Coast Hike, two areas already deemed difficult or even impassable at high tide.
Hiking the Lost Coast Trail can be dangerous. Hike at your own risk.
Other Activities at Shelter Cove
Bouldering
The trailhead area at Shelter Cove contains several terrific bouldering areas, especially if you walk a little bit north up the beach. The rock is hard, lava-like, and absolutely clean and spotless, free of sand, grit, moss or any organic material, as a result of being continually blasted over the years by high tides, storm waves and wind. It is well-featured, holds are numerous and its clean condition makes it perfect for smearing and friction-type climbing. This rock is free of cracks and shattered areas; one would be hard pressed indeed to find better and more reliable quality rock. This is just an added little bonus to the number of activities that can be found to take part in along this area.
Surfing is also popular here, and there is also a small grass airstrip at Big Flat, used to ferry surfers by small plane to the awesome empty beaches of the Lost Coast.
Guided fishing tours and whale-watching tours are also available, with services provided by several commercial outfitters in Shelter Cove. Salt water angling for salmon, bottom fish, and rock fish is a popular activity at Shelter Cove, as it is one of the few protected harbors on the northcoast. Boat launching and rental facilities, fish cleaning facilities, supplies, motels and restaurants are provided by private interests at Shelter Cove.
Additional recreation opportunities include beachcombing, onshore fishing for perch and cod, picnicking and overnight camping. The Mattole River, north and east of the King Range, is one of the finest salmon and steelhead streams on the northcoast. The section of river from the Mattole Campground to Honeydew is open from mid-November through February. Anglers should check California Department of Fish and Game regulations and license requirements as they are subject to frequent change.
Bouldering
The trailhead area at Shelter Cove contains several terrific bouldering areas, especially if you walk a little bit north up the beach. The rock is hard, lava-like, and absolutely clean and spotless, free of sand, grit, moss or any organic material, as a result of being continually blasted over the years by high tides, storm waves and wind. It is well-featured, holds are numerous and its clean condition makes it perfect for smearing and friction-type climbing. This rock is free of cracks and shattered areas; one would be hard pressed indeed to find better and more reliable quality rock. This is just an added little bonus to the number of activities that can be found to take part in along this area.
Surfing is also popular here, and there is also a small grass airstrip at Big Flat, used to ferry surfers by small plane to the awesome empty beaches of the Lost Coast.
Guided fishing tours and whale-watching tours are also available, with services provided by several commercial outfitters in Shelter Cove. Salt water angling for salmon, bottom fish, and rock fish is a popular activity at Shelter Cove, as it is one of the few protected harbors on the northcoast. Boat launching and rental facilities, fish cleaning facilities, supplies, motels and restaurants are provided by private interests at Shelter Cove.
Additional recreation opportunities include beachcombing, onshore fishing for perch and cod, picnicking and overnight camping. The Mattole River, north and east of the King Range, is one of the finest salmon and steelhead streams on the northcoast. The section of river from the Mattole Campground to Honeydew is open from mid-November through February. Anglers should check California Department of Fish and Game regulations and license requirements as they are subject to frequent change.
Camping on the Lost Coast
Campgrounds
Off U.S. Highway 101 at Garberville or Redway, west 16.5 miles on Briceland/Shelter Cove Road. 60,000-acre area. Ocean and beach to the mountains. Elevations to 2200 feet (roads), 4087 feet (King Peak). Steep, winding, narrow dirt roads; some roads impassable during wet weather. Large trailers and RV's not recommended. Hunting, hiking, and surf fishing (refer to California Dept. of Fish and Game for specific regulations). Open all year, no reservations. Facilities are kept to a minimum in order to preserve the area's rustic and semi-primitive qualities. Fresh water can be had from numerous creeks early in the season, some of these will dry up as the summer goes by. All water taken from creeks should be treated.
Campgrounds
Off U.S. Highway 101 at Garberville or Redway, west 16.5 miles on Briceland/Shelter Cove Road. 60,000-acre area. Ocean and beach to the mountains. Elevations to 2200 feet (roads), 4087 feet (King Peak). Steep, winding, narrow dirt roads; some roads impassable during wet weather. Large trailers and RV's not recommended. Hunting, hiking, and surf fishing (refer to California Dept. of Fish and Game for specific regulations). Open all year, no reservations. Facilities are kept to a minimum in order to preserve the area's rustic and semi-primitive qualities. Fresh water can be had from numerous creeks early in the season, some of these will dry up as the summer goes by. All water taken from creeks should be treated.
- Mattole Campground
Location: North end of King Range at the beach. U.S. 101 at Garberville, South Fork/Honeydew, or Ferndale exits. Follow signs toward Petrolia, turn on Lighthouse Road to ocean. Facilities: 14 tent/trailer campsites with picnic tables, fire rings, pit toilets, no hookups or potable water. Lost Coast Trailhead and parking area. No OHV access. Use Fee: Camping - $5.00
- Honeydew Creek Campground
Location: U.S. 101 at South/Fork Honeydew exit. Follow signs to Honeydew, turn south onto Wilder Ridge Road toward Ettersburg for 1 mile. Facilities: 5 tent/trailer campsites with picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets. No water (campground is near creek; treat water before drinking), no hookups. Wheelchair accessible. Use Fee: Camping - $5.00
- Horse Mountain Campground
Location: U.S. 101 to Redway, west 22 miles on Briceland/Shelter Cove Road, then 6.5 miles north on King Peak Road. Facilities: 9 tent/trailer campsites with picnic tables, fire rings, pit toilets. No water. No hookups. Use Fee: Camping - $5.00; day use $1.00
- Tolkan Campground
Location: U.S. 101 to Redway, west 22 miles on Briceland/Shelter Cove Road, then 3.5 miles north on King Peak Road. Facilities: 5 trailer/4 tent campsites with picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets. No water. No hookups. Wheelchair accessible. Use Fee: Camping - $8.00; day use $1.00
- Nadelos Campground
Location: U.S. 101 to Redway, west 22 miles on Briceland/Shelter Cove Road, south 1.5 miles on Chemise Mountain Road. Facilities: 8 tent campsites with picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets. No hookups. Wheelchair accessible. Chemise Mtn. Trailhead. Entire campground may be reserved for overnight group use for $85 per night. Minimum number of people in group is 20, and maximum group number is 60. All applications and fees must be received 30 days prior to the first use day. To request a permit application please call the BLM King Range Office at 707-986-5400. Use Fee: Camping - $8.00; day use $1.00
- Wailaki Campground
Location: U.S. 101 to Redway, west 22 miles on Briceland/Shelter Cove Road, south 2 miles on Chemise Mountain Road. Facilities: 13 tent/trailer campsites with picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets. No hookups. Wheelchair accessible. Chemise Mtn. Trailhead. Use Fee: Camping - $8.00; day use $1.00
Maps
Photos by Above California
Photo by Blikum.com
Photo by Blikum.com
Next three images property of PhotosbyMartin.com
The Lost Coast Acknowledgements and Photo Credits
The information contained on the Lost Coast page has been compiled by Henry Timmer, a Canadian citizen, mountaineer and adventurer currently residing in Sacramento, California, USA. To make comments, corrections, additions or inquiries, contact me atclimbwild@hotmail.com
The text of this page is based on the experiences, research and writing of Henry Timmer and is protected by copyright.
All images not credited to others are the property of Henry Timmer and are protected by copyright.
The information contained on the Lost Coast page has been compiled by Henry Timmer, a Canadian citizen, mountaineer and adventurer currently residing in Sacramento, California, USA. To make comments, corrections, additions or inquiries, contact me at
The text of this page is based on the experiences, research and writing of Henry Timmer and is protected by copyright.
All images not credited to others are the property of Henry Timmer and are protected by copyright.
