Lost Coast Trek
Guided Backpacking Trips
5 Days, 4 Nights 25MI / 40KM
Trip Highlights
The Lost Coast is a stretch of California coastline so rugged State Highway 101 was forced to go around. The remoteness is a rare respite from the rest of the state’s border with the Pacific Ocean. There are no mansions tucked along hillsides or congested lines of traffic winding along the cliffs. Here, the weathered cliffs of the King Range tower above the sea, blocking the way of everyone who’s not on foot.
Between the cliffs and the sea, the Lost Coast Trail passes along a narrow band of pristine black sand beaches. It is the domain of the hiker, a wild and severe landscape swathed in dense forest with pristine creeks, waterfalls, and stunning sunsets. Our path leads us to expansive vistas above the surf and to remote, majestic campsites. Apart from sea lions and a few other adventurous hikers, it is pure solitude. The Lost Coast trail is one of the finest beach backpacking trips in the world – don’t miss this one of a kind tour!
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Rugged California Coastline
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Dense Old Growth Forests
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Stunning Beach Camping
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Remote Black Sand Beaches
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Ocean Wildlife
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Wonderful Solitude
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Point to Point Thru-Hike
Book This Trip
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Trip Details
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Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Trip Length
5 Days, 4 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
6-10 mi -
Group Size
4-12 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
This trip is rated as a level 5 due to the challenging nature of the terrain which includes traversing slopes of wet sand as well as sections of wet rock and slippery tidal zones. The trip is completely based upon the tides which include 3 impassable zones during high tide. Hikers must be fit and prepared to hike at a quick pace over rough/wet terrain with a 35-45 lb pack. Anticipate early wake up times based on the tides.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
Drive to Black Sands Beach from Sacramento: 5.5 hrs
Today we will eat a quick breakfast and wake up early to make our way toward the Lost Coast. After a 5.5 hour drive, we will arrive at our starting beach trailhead where will set up camp on the beach sit around a cozy campfire as the sun sets, and dine on some amazing outdoor cuisine prepared by your guide. Also, if we arrive at the beach early enough there are some wonderful hikes and walks in the immediate area that we can enjoy.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 4.7 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 600 feet
After a hearty breakfast we will pack up and begin our adventure along the Lost Coast Trail. The first two miles of trail wind through dune grass, after which we reach our first of three tidal zones, which are stretches of beach impassable at high tide. Navigating with the tide charts, we will make our way through the ½ mile stretch, after which the Punta Gorda Lighthouse comes into view. Known as the “Alcatraz” of lighthouses, due to its isolation and solitude, Punta Gorda makes for wonderful photography. The lighthouse, first lit in 1912, provided a beacon to ships until the 1950’s. After the lighthouse we will continue past Sea Lion Gulch and make our camp for the evening.
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: 11.9 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 500 feeta
Our third day begins with a hike along a 2 mile stretch that is impassable at high tide, so we’ll time our departure carefully. Following tide charts, we make our way along rough and wet cobblestone where a coastal creek flows into the ocean. Beyond the tidal zone, we’ll stop for a quick snack along and then continue down a nice dirt trail, a wonderful section of hiking. For the next few miles, we ascend a densely forested ridge with with views of prominent coast peaks to our left and eventually drop down to a major valley with a crystal clear creek. We’ll stop, fill up water and enjoy the scenery, then continue another 2.8 miles to our camp at Miller Flat, where we’ll eat a delicious dinner around a roaring campfire.
Day 4
Hiking Mileage: 6.8 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 200 feet
After a tasty breakfast, today’s hike begins with more timing with the tides. Only twice a day during low tide does today’s initial trail emerge. The mountains rise up directly out of the sea and the beach is a thin shelf along the cliffs. This section is steep, rocky and sometimes involves timing travel with the patterns of the waves. Most think this is the most beautiful part of our trail. After roughly 4 miles we approach a beautiful creek and the beach opens up wide enough for high tide travel. We will make our way toward another majestic mountain creek trickling out of the mountains into the ocean where we will camp for the evening and enjoy our final, celebratory dinner around another cozy campfire.
Day 5
Hiking Mileage: 1.9 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 200 feet
On our last day, after a hearty breakfast, we will pack up and head south toward our ending trailhead. Walking along the black sand, forests of Douglas fir covering the hillsides and homes along a cove come into view. As we climb up from the beach to our shuttle, we will enjoy a last lunch before making our 4.5 hour drive back to Sacramento, where we will say our goodbyes and start dreaming about our next adventure.
Trip Dates
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What's Included
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Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
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High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use)
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Use of trekking poles
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All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Comprehensive, roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Sacramento and back
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All necessary entrance fees and permits
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear, and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
Backcountry Sleeping
TENT CAMPING
Sleeping on backpacking trips is in premier 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents. Solo travelers, and anyone else who requests it, are issued single tents. Top-of-the-line self-inflating sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags (professionally laundered after every trip) are also provided.
Backcountry Cuisine
FRESH & DELICIOUS
Meals from breakfast Day 1 through lunch the last day are fully included and prepared by your guide. We never use dehydrated backpacking meals, instead serving freshly prepared, delicious backcountry cuisine made with a variety of common and specialty ingredients that travel well in the wilderness.
Amazing Campsites
IN THE ACTION
Campsites vary by destination, trip and even by the individual day of a trip. However, you can expect to camp in beautiful areas that put you right in the action to make the most of your trekking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
This trip originates in Sacramento, California with an orientation meeting the evening before the trip begins at the Hampton Inn & Suites Sacramento-Airport-Natomas. We recommend staying at this hotel, as we will depart directly from here on the morning of Day 1 and return to this hotel on Day 5. Your guide will be in contact approximately 10 days before the trip start date to coordinate the pre-trip orientation.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Sacramento
Sacramento International Airport is one of the most easily accessed destinations in the country. Many major cities in the United States and internationally offer direct flights into Sacramento. We recommend staying in a hotel near the airport.
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s departure time at the orientation meeting. Generally, you can expect it to be between 6 and 8 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at this hotel on the final day normally before 7 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time).
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 10 and older to join scheduled tours (approval on a case by case basis)
Reviews
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Conan M
1 year agoGreat experience!
The Lost Coast hike was amazing. The views are nonstop, and the beach walking (once you get used to it) beats slogging up a mountain. Sea life, wildlife, beaches, meadows, mountains, and creeks all combined. Our guide Matt was outstanding and created a safe, fun, and relaxed environment for the group. Overall a great experience!
Joan A
1 year agoGreat trip with zero issues:)
Another excellent trip with Wildland! Beautiful scenery, great hiking along the Pacific Coast and superb company. The terrain was challenging due to tiny rocks ranging to large, slippery ones and ever sinking sand but nothing brutal. I believe our group was allowed the privilege of having Rafi as our guide. What an extraordinary, kind, unique, interesting and remarkable woman. Thank you Rafi! Looking forward to another Wildland trip!
Lee B
1 year agoLost Coast is unique and special.
The Lost Coast is a must-do trip with Wildland. It's an amazing place to hike and camp. The weather was perfect. The bugs can't compete with the constant sea breeze. The campsites are all near creeks that work their way down from the King Range. Falling asleep the powerful sound of the Pacific and the gentle flow of the creeks was super relaxing.
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