High Sierra Topix

I mistakenly said we did the south section. It was the northern section that we hiked, from the mouth of the Mattole to Shelter Cove. At the time we hiked it, it had been written up but that was pre-Internet days. My sense at the time was that it would be an isolated route, and it was. The established camp sites were all empty---as we walked, we talked about how we'd check out the camps when we got to them. We didn't expect them to be taken. Your photos of the interior valleys: that's one of the things I loved about the hike. When you look up those valleys, you feel how remote you are from anything. Beautiful shots.

Thanks for another great trip report that gives real flavor of the adventure.

Great report! The northern section was my first solo backpacking trip, back in 1990 I think. I went on Memorial Day weekend and did not see a soul! Times have apparently changed in that regard...

Your report makes me think I should get back there someday and do the southern part. Except maybe for the poison oak part.

Hi Dkramaic,

Welcome to HST! Hope to read some of your TR's in the future.
A intro would be appreciated when you get the time here: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=9329

I'm very curious about this stretch of trail. Did you have any issues with ticks? That is one of my biggest concerns about the area.

maverick wrote:http://lostcoastranger.blogspot.com/201 ... -tick.html

Precisely why I'm worried, especially since I'm interested in hiking with Callie, who picks up ticks so easily.

I'm curious how many ticks WD ran into over the course of the hike, and which sections they were problematic.

When I did the hike in 2006 there were quite a few ticks. I met a couple at Spanish Flat who had a black lab, and the dog had lots of ticks on it. I only had to pick a few ticks of me.

This year, do not know why, but I only found one absolutely tiny tick on me (on outer clothing). I also wore a "bugs-off" shirt - not sure if that helped because I only saw a few ticks anyway.

So I guess I would say that it all depends. Some years and some seasons ticks are bad, some not. Although I went the same time of year on both hikes, this year was much drier and the third year of drought; 2006 was at the end of a very wet rainy winter and in fact was still in the rainy season.

Thanks for the great trip report. I had the opportunity to hike the Lost Coast with my dad and wife a couple years back and we had an absolutely wonderful time. The three of us picked up a combined total of one tick. Poison oak was also fairly prevalent along the trail, although none of us experienced a reaction. I'm not sure if dogs are allowed on the northern half of the trail, but you could definitely avoid ticks and poison oak by just hiking that section--it's an incredibly beautiful stretch.

Dogs are allowed on BLM - Mattolle TH to the Sinkyone boundary. Dogs on leash allowed for day-hiking from Needle Rock (Sinkyone headquarters). Dogs on leash allowed south to Bear Harbor. After that no dogs allowed. North of Shelter Cove, is all BLM, dogs allowed. There is some rough rock hopping. Several dogs I saw on the route were wearing dog booties.

The state parks are becoming a bit more "dog friendly". Evidently the new director is more open to allowing dogs on trails. On a whole, CA state parks, especially Monteray south, do not allow dogs on any trails. The difference between state park and BLM is quite distinct. I really like how BLM operates - self registration, no quotas, very liberal "rules". However, quite contrary, BLM requires bear canisters and Sinkyone does not! There currently is a ranger who patrols BLM Lost Coast area who is very good- he has a web page and it has good information on it.