Lost Coast Trail or Ansel Adams?

[Rob P]

I’ve got a nice predicament in choosing between the Lost Coast trail or Thousand Island Lake via PCT coming up.

I have a 2 night permit for mid to late August for the Lost Coast Trail (Mattole to Black Sands).  Originally, I was set to go with a good buddy of mine who’m I haven’t had a proper chance to catch up with in years… we figured taking this leisurely pace and car ride up to catch up, joke around, and reminisce on the good ol days would do us some good.  Anyways, he had to cancel.  So this leaves me with a long drive up and down from Los Angeles and a whole lot of sitting on the beach time, waiting for the sun to set… albeit in a gorgeous environment.  I’ve never done this trail, and have always wanted to.  But now that it’s within site, I just can’t seem to pump myself up for sitting around for most of the afternoon, waiting for the sun to set, thinking about a lonely 11ish hour drive back down home.

Meanwhile, a buddy of mine has an overnight permit for Thousand Island Lake that I can jump onto… when we’ve hiked in the past, he can keep a good pace, but with his pack weight, it’s harder for him to hike longer distances.  He’s coming along with 2 other people who I have yet to meet, but by all accounts are lovely people.  They’re also bringing their dogs, which I’ve heard usually poop out at about the 3 mile mark and then get carried the rest of the way, haha.  I figure if time permits, I can just hike past Thousand lakes up to Donohue Pass and back or loop back around Waugh Lake to get in a good 19ish mile day and some extra time on the PCT, while they set up camp and hang out by Thousand Island Lake.  I’ve done this trail before – but many years ago, so I feel it will still be worthwhile to rehash.

These are both very short trips, in the spectrum of things, but with not a lot of available time out and about this year I’m trying to get the most bang for my buck.

Does anyone have any special insight into either of these trails that could help me definitively make a decision on which way to go?  They both look great on paper, but have circumstances that seem to set things back a bit on both ends.  Any help in making a clearer decision would be much appreciated.

[Ken Thompson]

Permit restrictions on the Lost Coast. A victim of its own success. That blows.

I would go to AA or go solo elsewhere.

[Dave B]

I did the 60 mile version of the Lost Coast Trail about 15 years ago. It was one of the best trips I’ve ever taken. That being said, I wouldn’t want to do that whole trail solo. It was a logistical pain in the neck. The trail heads are very rural, and it’s tough to shuttle between them.  The Northern section (north of Mattole) can get a little dicey with the tides.  It is, however, an amazing place.  Wait until you have a hiking buddy, and do the entire 60 mile trail. I highly recommend the Eel River Cafe in Garberville.

[Ken Thompson]

Ferndale Pizza

I really like spring on the Lost Coast.

[Jane Baack]

As of today road down to Agnew Meadows/Red’s Meadow is still closed to all vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians. Road was plowed but severe winter damage is being ascertained by experts before allowing vehicles, the shuttles, etc. on the road. No estimated time for opening the road. Hikers can pass through Red’s and Agnew Meadows, eat, pick up re-supplies, etc. but no driving down there at this time, no shuttles. Complicated!

[Ken Thompson]

Good to know Jane. Rough winter.

[Jane Baack]

UPDATE: Just got an e-mail from Red’s Meadow Resort that the road is still closed to vehicles, including the shuttles, but now bikes and pedestrians are being allowed to be on the road. They’re warning those on bikes to be very careful as there is still a lot of work going on and a lot of debris. No estimate for opening the road to cars and the shuttles.
We’ve got a pack trip scheduled with our youngest grandchildren for late July so hoping we can get in and do the trip. They will ride horses with our daughter, we will hike, setting will be Thousand Island Lake, Garnet, etc. Fingers crossed!!

[Kenneth Keating]

For what it’s worth, last year on June 17 the road at the  Kiosk at the top was closed to vehicle traffic, so we hiked from the Kiosk down to Agnew Meadow and the trip only took an hour.  About a 900 foot elevation difference from the top to the meadow.

[Rob P]

Jane – thanks for the update on Agnew Meadow… just saw all these replies.

I hope it works out for you and your daughter as well!

[Nick Gatel]

This is would be my decision tree:

solo > 3 companions of which 2 I don’t know

great new route > great route I’ve done before

Lost Coast > Ansel Adams

[Jane Baack]

Thanks, Rob, for your good wishes for our pack trip. Nothing new about the road yet but there’s still time for it all to work out.
You have two fine choices so either will be great.

[Frances S]

I dont know the AA route, but I did the Lost Coast earlier this year.  It’s not a great trail if you’re wanting to put in big miles (since it’s only 28 miles long) but given the circumstances surrounding going to AA (being slowed down by hiking partners, not knowing hiking partners, etc…) I would go with the Lost Coast.

I hate to say this, since this is backpacking LIGHT, but maybe bring a book to read?  Sitting on the beach, reading a book, sipping on an alcoholic beverage, watching the sun go down…sounds like a perfect vacation to me.

[Author]

Posts