I joined Joel Lanz for a fantastic tour of the entire Lost Coast from the mouth of the Mattole River at the north end to Usal Beach at the south end. The Lost Coast is the most undeveloped stretch along the entire West Coast of the United States and is characterized by steep and rugged relief of the coastal mountains right next to the ocean. The northern portion of the Lost Coast is protected in the King Range National Conservation Area and 42,585 acres received Federal Wilderness designation on October 17, 2006. The southern portion is protected in Sinkyone Wilderness State Park, named after the Sinkyone Indians that lived on this part of the coast. The two sections are split by Shelter Cove, a small community of mainly vacation homes, but the parts are completely different in terms of the overall feel and experience. The northern 24.6 mile section in the King Rance NCA from the Mattole River to Black Sands Beach at Shelter Cove is primarily a beach walk with two-thirds of the distance spent on sand, gravel, and rock-hopping and the remaining third on trails just above the beach on the bluffs. The southern 28 mile section from Hidden Valley to Usal Beach in the Sinkyone is entirely on the bluffs above the ocean with arduous climbs and narrow, brushy trails in the forest – a true adventure run with over 6,000 feet of elevation gain. The northern part has sweeping Oceanside views with every step while the southern part has inspiring vistas from atop rugged cliffs. The vegetation transitions from grassy hillsides at the far north end to lush Douglas fir forest further south. There is even a few nice groves of old growth redwoods in the Sinkyone portion. Along the way we saw a plethora of marine wildlife, a herd of 50+ elk, and multitudes of deer. We did not come across many people on either of the days and in particular, the Sinkyone portion appeared infrequently traveled. The first day took 7 hours and the second day 7.5 hours.
Day 1: King Range Beach Walk
Day 2: Sinkyone Wilderness Adventure Run
Leor Pantilat's Adventures 
Leor: Great video running thru the Sinkyone!! My family and I grew up in Wheeler which we called Wolf Creek, from 1951 thru 1959. Our homestead was on the little flat just to the north of the beach and lagoon. If you ever cruise thru again look for my mom’s white porcelain bathtub, which is the only remnant of our existence there. I’m looking for a still picture of the beach, lagoon, and north hillside to have a picture painted for my nieces wedding present. She’s been back in to Wolf Creek 4 or 5 times over the years with my family and holds this place dear to her heart. You would think after going back with my family or to the numerous reunions over the years that I might have one of these. Too much time spent filming the bull elk!!! If you might have one of these please contact me. Thanks Rick Rosa
It’s pronounced “you-saw” not “you’s-all” And, silent e on Sinkyone “Sink-y-own”. Geeze, talk to a local next time