Lost Coast Found!

A brand new version of my popular map, California's Lost Coast is now available.

Sinkyone Wilderness State Park, along with the BLM's King Range National Conservation Area to the north, comprise California's Lost Coast, 60 miles of the state's wildest coastline located in northern Mendocino and southern Humboldt counties. One reason the coast is "lost" is because no highways cross it. So rugged is this country, highway engineers were forced to route Highway 1 many miles inland from the coast—and the region has remained sparsely settled and unspoiled. It's magnificent vistas and varied terrain—dense forests, prairies, coastal bluffs, beaches—reward the hardy explorer.

I created the first version of this map way back in 1988 when I spent a month as a volunteer ranger at Sinkyone Wilderness State Park. Just after I moved my belongings into the old ranch house, it began to rain. And rain. And rain some more. And by the next day the road to the park was closed by a minor mudslide, marooning me from the outside world. I had a glorious time. A state park and 20 miles of coastline all to myself. Well, almost to myself. The sky was filled with gulls and pelicans, sea lions and harbor seals gathered at Little Jackass Cove, gray whales were migrating near shore, and a herd of Roosevelt elk seemed to accompany me wherever I hiked.

I figured a few more nature-loving, don't mind the rain kind of hikers would love the Lost Coast, too, if only they could find it and know where to hike. So I hiked all the trails and supervised the production of a map. What's new about the 2005 edition?

A lot, actually. For one thing, it's WATERPROOF! Since the Lost Coast is one of the rainiest regions is California, if every a map should be waterproof, this one is it.

My only objection is the word WATERPROOF! on the front of the map is in way bigger type than John McKinney and I'm really going to have to speak to the otherwise bright and extremely meticulous editors at Wilderness Press about this...Imagine thinking WATERPROOF! is a more significant selling point than The Trailmaster's trail-blazing and compelling prose...

NEW for the Lost Coast map are my detailed descriptions of the best day hikes in the Sinkyone Wilderness and the King Range. And of course, you'll find updates of new trail segments, camps, rules and regulations. And in other Lost Coast News: Backpackers and those day hikers who like to make one-way journeys will be overjoyed to learn of Lost Coast Trail Transport Service, a locally owned shuttle that offers on demand drop-off and pickup at all the major Lost Coast trailheads.

The BLM has an improved visitor center, with a great staff and information handouts. Backpackers in particular will need to drop by to find out about trail camps and keeping your food out of the paws of the increasing bear population.

Have a great time on the Lost Coast!