So... since this is the "Hiking & Backpacking Discussions" Forum, I thought I'd actually start a thread about Backpacking! Sorry if this offends anyone (can y'all tell I'm an old TT'r? :)
I finally made it up to the Lost Coast Trail over the Mem Day Weekend. It's been on my "want to hike" list for YEARS, but for a number of reasons I was never able to make it. (1) it really is in a very remote area in many respects - takes a long time to drive up there from the more populated areas of Northern CA (2) to really appreciate it you should hike it's length, meaning that you leave your vehicle & start at one point & end at another... and the transport from point A to Point B can be extremely expensive!
The Northern CA Hikers Group organized this trip so that 1/2 of us started at the north end of the trail & hiked south, the other 1/2 of us started at the south end & hiked north: we met in the middle at a common campsite & exchanged car-keys - thus eliminating the transportation problem!
Hiking this trail was amazing! First, it's drop-dead gorgeous, you're hiking along the ocean the entire trail, of course, and along the way can view Seals, Otters, Sea-Lions, flocks of pelicans, and all sorts of wildlife activity!
Second, it's WAAAAY more challenging than you might think! Especially for those of us who live here in California & backpack in the Sierra - the idea of hiking for 20 or 30 miles along a trail that has only a couple thousand feet elevation change seems like a "no big deal" physical challenge! HOWEVER.... hiking in the sand with an extra 30 pounds or so on your back is one helluva challenge! Reminded me of post-holing in 4 feet of snow! Then, you encounter segments of the trail which can be hundreds of yards long requiring you to hike over rock-strewn areas meaning that you're jumping/balancing from one rock to the next to the next, which is also very challenging!
Bottom Line: hiking along the Lost Coast Trail can be much more physically challenging than the average trail in the Sierra where you're doing thousands of feet elevation change... wheoever came up with those old expressions about things being as simple & easy as "a walk along the beach" obviously never backpacked along the Lost Coast Trail! :) It's not easy!
Having said all that, I am VERY glad I finally made it there, would STRONGLY recommend this trail to anyone who is a backpacker, & am looking forward to going back later this year (or next) to do another section. The only difference is that I will just be prepared for a more challenging hike the next time!
Here's a link
http://www.americantrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails/blm/lostcoast.html to some other descvriptions / photo's if you're interested!
