About 230 miles north of San Francisco, the Lost Coast is now largely undeveloped. After the California gold rush, the Redwood forests were clear-cut to fuel the San Francisco building boom. By the late 1800s the Redwoods were gone, The rugged mountains of the King Range made road building difficult, and there are still no major highways into the area. You’ll find about 80 miles of wilderness shoreline protected in the Sinkyone Wilderness State Park and the King Range National Conservation Area. The trail hugs the beach with plenty of wildlife and spectacular views.
There’s no shortage of views like this while hiking the Lost Coast.
But wait! Before we continue, we absolutely must know . . . what is this dead thing we found on the beach?
We think this is a primitive sea creature belonging to the group Salpa. It’s very weird. Check it out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SalpWho could resist shouldering a pack and following this lovely little trail down the coastline?Bear Harbor: home sweet home . . . unless a storm or tsunami washes us away.Another night’s plush lodging. See the tiny green tent under the hill at the center of the photo? That’s our presidential suite. Larry longed for the old days when these little streams were full of steelhead. If you hooked one in this pool, you might end up fighting it in the ocean surf.Construction on the Punta Gorda lighthouse began in 1910 and was completed two years later. Total cost for the station (which included 3 houses): $59,814.51. http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=63Although most of the hike was lush, there were many places where the grass was already dry in early June. These trees were killed in a recent forest fire.This section of the coast once attracted homesteaders who came in by ship. Some of their lonely cabins are still standing.Some cabins are privately owned vacation spots, accessible by dirt roads that are closed to the public.
Many lovely plants along the way.
Ice plant?Foxglove
Plenty of wildlife as well, both on land and sea.
SeagullsRoosevelt elkOctopusSea urchinSpongeChiton or Larry’s earphonesFemale elephant sealsCamping by sea lions is like camping next to a pack of barking dogs.The final leg of the 3-day trip was spent slogging through miles of sand. Larry pushed ahead in his haste to return to Moby and a cold beer.Good-bye Lost Coast . . .
Wow, cool hikes! I might actually enjoy that one myself someday! The first animal looks like a type of jellyfish….similar to the Portuguese Man of War tt has a clear, ziplock type sack at the top. The PMoW though, has a blue bottom. I will see what I can find! Hope all is well J and L! Miss you guys!
Moby Goes 
It really was a beautiful hike. There’s something magical about the coast.
What a spectacular place. Gets the summer juices flowing. Thanks.
Great post.
Thanks, Rick!
Wow, cool hikes! I might actually enjoy that one myself someday! The first animal looks like a type of jellyfish….similar to the Portuguese Man of War tt has a clear, ziplock type sack at the top. The PMoW though, has a blue bottom. I will see what I can find! Hope all is well J and L! Miss you guys!
I think you would like this hike. The weather was perfect and the coast beautiful. 🙂
Wow lots of wildlife! The first plant is stonecrop – Crassulaceae I think is the family.
Thanks, Dawn, for the plant identification!