Gauging Interest Lost Coast Trip Nov 13-15 (Fri-Sun) 2015

[LandRonB]

Last Update: Oct 15, 2015
 

NCLR Calendar - RSVP here

 

Print this page(s) for the Trip

 

Trip Organizer: Brenton and Ron

Trip Leader: Brenton

 

Interested List:

1) Brenton DII

2) Ron DII

3) Bear LR3

4) Chad RRC

5) Jason DII

6) Jared RRC

7) Nick RRC or LR4

8) Jethro

9) Robb/Daughter DII

10) Nils LR3

11) Don LR3

A Lil Bit about the Lost Coast and Glass Beach:

The Lost Coast is a section of California's north coast in Humboldt County, lying between the King Range and the Pacific Ocean.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/85/Morning_on_the_Lost_Coast.jpg/800px-Morning_on_the_Lost_Coast.jpg

Wiki Lost Coast: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lost_Coast
National Geographic Adventure: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/surfing/california-lost-coast-adventure-guide.html

Very rugged and remote location. Stock Land Rover is ok; good recovery points (front and rear), and gears (recovery strap, Maxtrax for the sand). Ham Radio is good to have.

The area is known for its black sand beaches, which get their color from the significant tectonic activity of one continental and two ocean plates meeting just offshore.

We'll be driving on an old logging trail (Usal Rd), primitive camping on Usal and Wailaki campgrounds; will end-up exploring a small town called Shelter Cove (parts of the town used in Afred Hitchcook's classic movie "The Birds"). Last leg of our trip is Glass Beach at Fort Bragg.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8f/Glass_Beach_Fort_Bragg_3.jpg/800px-Glass_Beach_Fort_Bragg_3.jpg

One of Previous Lost Coast Trips: http://norcalrovers.org/forum/showthread.php?2366-Unofficial-Club-Trip-to-the-Lost-Coast-Nov-2013&highlight=Lost+coast

Trip Dates/Overview/Agenda:

Dates:
Fri to Sun Nov 13, 14 & 15

Overview:
-Leave the Bay Area Friday morning eg 10am, and meet-up/caravan in Laytonville eg 2pm, and from Laytonville head to Leggett, turn left into Hwy 1, go 14.7 miles, look for mile marker sign 90.88 and then turn right into Usal Rd (off-road/dirt road from there on).
- Enter the Lost Coast unto Usal Rd, and then camp Friday night at Usal State campground or Usal Beach eg 5pm.
- Saturday morning head to Sinkyone Wilderness Park (Needle Rock Visit Center) and then camp at Wailoki Group Camp Saturday.

Add'l Trip Details:
- Details of this trip are highlighted in the guide Norther California Backroads and 4wheel Drive Trails by Charles A. Wells.
- From San Francisco to Laytonville (last fuel stop) is about 4 hours via Hwy 101 North.
- Suggestion: Chevron on 44801 Highway 101, Laytonville, CA (707). There's a grocery store across the station for last min shopping e.g. firewood, ice, food...
- From Laytonville to Leggett is about 22 miles via 101 North. Leggett has a gas station but limited hours and at times close.
- In Leggett, turn left into Hwy 1, go 14.7 miles, look for mile marker sign 90.88 and then turn right into Usal Rd (off-road).
- Less 5 miles on Usal Rd is a campground; large enough for 9 or more trucks. First come/first serve. Look for self-service fee lock box. $25 for the first vehicle and $8 per additional vehicles.
- About 6 miles after crossing the wooden bridge and left on Usal Beach. There's beach camping. $25 for the first vehicle and $8 per additional vehicles. 9 or less vehicles do not need group camping permit. Otherwise permit avail: http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/arcata/kingrange/sinkyone_wilderness.html
- Prepare for BYO dinner or we can have a pot luck, and have a camp fire (in fire rings only)
- Prepare for cold weather
- Be on the look out for Giant Elks. Mating Season (very hostile) so beware and keep your pets on the lease
- Next day Sat, continue on Usal Rd, and make it to Sinkyone Wilderness State Park (Needle Rock Visitor Center).
- If Bear Cove is open, we can hike down the beach.

- Camp at BLM Wailoki group campground: http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/prog/nlcs/King_Range_NCA/recreation/campgrounds.html
- Prepare for BYO dinner or we can have a pot luck, and have a camp fire (in fire rings only) 2nd night on the Lost Coast
- Prepare for cold weather

- Last Day Sunday, up early and head to Shelter Cover for breakfast and explore.
- Fish Tank Espresso Cafe has one of the best Bagel and Lox w/the Works that I've tasted. Ocean view with your breakfast. http://www.innofthelostcoast.com/dining-2/fish-tank-coffee-house/
- Make our way to Glass Beach at Fort Bragg for late lunch
- Head home after playing at Glass Beach.

Additional Trip Information:

Maps/Links: will be provided during driver's meeting at our last gas stop before we enter the Lost Coast

Weather: will check the week before; last few year, Nov has been warm during the day 60-65 degrees, sunny but lil cloudy; be prepared for cold weather at night.

GPS Coordinates:
Entrance to Lost Coast via Hwy 1 (Usal Rd): Lat 39 46 50.0 Long 123 49 49.2
Next Marker (Usal Beach): Lat 39 50 5.4 Long 123 50 33
Next (Entrance to Sinkyone Wilderness State Park): Lat 39 58 24.5 Long 123 57 54
Nadelos Group Campground: N 40.02098 and W -124.00614
Next (Shelter Cover): Lat 40 2 19.9 Long 124 1 52.8
Exit to 101: Lat 40 21 19.7 Long 123 55 23.8 head to Fort Bragg (Glass Beach)

Vehicle Requirements
Stock vehicles welcome. Towing a camper is fine as long as it has good clearance.
Communication: CB is ok but Ham is preferred
Required SAFETY Equipment and trail items: FIRE EXTINGUISHER, and first aide.
Required Recovery Equipment: Strong recovery points (front and rear), and strap
Misc equipment: metal shovel, repair tools and spare parts (to suit your vehicle) and sand ladder (for the beach)
Expected Trail conditions: Dry if no rain; otherwise wet/muddy
Clothing Suggestions: Cold weather clothing

Fuel:

You won't need a spare fuel can if completely fill-up in Laytonville on Friday.
From Laytonville to Leggett/entrance to Usal Rd is about 35 miles (all paved road)
And the entrance from Hwy 1 unto Usal Rd to Friday night's Usal campground, and then to Saturday night Nadelos campground is about 30 miles (add +5 miles exploring or getting lost no pun intended) (90% off road).
From Nadelos campground to Shelter Cover and to Garberville where we will jump on 101S back home is about 30 miles (all paved road).
On my 2004 DII, I still have about 1/4 tank left by the time I get to Garberville.

Services:

Sinkyonne Wilderness SP is managed by CA parks:
Park Tel Contact: (707) 986-7711
Park Office Address: Richardson Grove State Park, 1600 U.S. Highway 101 # 8, Garberville, CA 95542

Nadelos Campground is managed by Kings Range BLM
Tel Contact: 707-825-2300
Office Address: 1695 Heindon Road, Arcata, CA 95521
Website: http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/arcata/kingrange/campground.html

Towing: Redwood Towing in Garberville - 707-923-3440

Parts Store: Don's Auto Parts on 622 Locust St, Garberville, CA 707-923-3961

Generally what to bring:
Bring your camera and extra batteries
Tent/SLEEPING BAG
Cold Weather Gears
Extra garbage bags
FOOD/drink supplies (1 gallon of water per person per day)
Sun-block/sun-screen/hat/glasses (protect your skin/eyes expected to be sunny)
GPS Unit optional certainly map of the area and compass
Nights might be cold - bring extra blanket and warm clothing
There's a pit toilet @ Usal Beach State Campground, and Sinkyone State Park - but suggest bring your own PORTABLE TOILET/wag bags
Firewood

[BEAR]

I've got those days off and will plan on going. This has been on my list of trips to go on since 2008!! Stupid life just keeps getting in the way. 

[AdvRovr]

In. As it turns out, this date works better than the next weekend anyway.

[GraemeWare]

Ron,

 

Boommm .... I'm currently out for that weekend.  Nov. 21-23 has been on the calendar for months and I moved things around it.  Never mind.  Next year (didn't I say that last year?).

 

Graeme

[LandRonB]

Ron,

 

Boommm .... I'm currently out for that weekend.  Nov. 21-23 has been on the calendar for months and I moved things around it.  Never mind.  Next year (didn't I say that last year?).

 

Graeme

 Sorry Graeme; hey Maybe we can have Group B run Lost Cost Nov 21-23 (any volunteers)?

[AlysonH]

Sorry Graeme; hey Maybe will can have Group B run Lost Cost Nov 21-23 (any volunteers)?

I'd be interested in an April or May Lost Coast trip when it's nice and muddy

[AdvRovr]

Mud would definitely be fun. I'd be in for that as well.

[jasonphines]

I will try to get the days off. Would love to go

 

 

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[LandRonB]

I'd be interested in an April or May Lost Coast trip when it's nice and muddy

 

Thanks for volunteering to organize the trip Alyson; when it's muddy in the LC, makes more challenging and fun  

[hinesdisco2]

I will try to get the days off. Would love to go

 

 

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so far I am free     about 90% chance I can go

[RedRover]

Added to the NCLR Calendar.

[alpaca]

Also can't make Nov 13-15 - have fun (and post lots of pics)

 

Cheers - Martin

[BEAR]

I'd be interested in an April or May Lost Coast trip when it's nice and muddy

You guys and gals know more than I do but I know they close Usal rd. for part of the year because of mud and people making ruts so I'm not sure when it opens again. I bet  it would be by May though.

[ndamico]

Put me down as going! I may be solo may have family

 

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[LandRonB]

BTT I updated the list of attendees

[Jethro]

BTT I updated the list of attendees

I'm shooting for it, should know soon what the wife's plan's are.

[wineryrover]

I am going to try to make it again this year, but I will have to check work/school schedules.  I just picked up a Disco II for my daughter and she would love to take it up there instead of the series. 

[NThyrring]

I think that I can make it.

[DHappel]

Michele is out of town for this one.  I'm not sure if I'll try to come solo or not.

[NThyrring]

I think that I can make it.

I think that I can't make it.

 

I just booked two concerts.

 

I'll see if I can come up with something.

 

I was really looking forward to going somewhere with out dust.

[Jethro]

I'm not going to be able to get away Friday so seems like a no go unless I did Saturday through Mon/Tue.

[ndamico]

I cant make it. Wife has a softball tournament

[Disco2Guy]

Ok, I've finally had some time to get the gps track sorted for the trip. Here's the gpx file. It has 5 tracks and waypoints for everything:

 

Day 0 (Friday) - Laytonville to USAL Camp

Day 1 (Saturday - USAL Camp to Sinkyone

Day 1 (Saturday) - Sinkyone to Nadelos Camp

Day 2 (Sunday) - Nadelos Camp to Shelter Cove

Day 2 (Sunday) - Shelter Cove to Ft. Bragg

 

Lost Coast 2015.gpx

[Disco2Guy]

This is the current list of attendees or possible attendees. If you're in or out please confirm within the next week or so. It's nice to see the D2's back in the majority for a trip:)

 

1) Brenton DII

2) Ron DII

3) Bear LR3

4) Chad RRC

5) Jason DII

6) Robb/Daughter DII

7) Don LR3 ???

[DHappel]

Looks like I'm out on this one. Michele has to be out of town that weekend.