Highlights:

Camping one night on the unspoiled beaches above the mouth of the Smith River on the California/Oregon border. Meeting with a representative from the Tolowa Nation as we hike in the Tolowa Dunes State Park. Camping two nights in the 17-acre campground with open sunny sites and Alder Groves. Visit the Del Norte Museum in Crescent City and follow the beach to the east and rugged sea stacks to the west. Walk out to the Battery Point Lighthouse and walk to Enderts Beach trailhead. Follow the original old Redwood Highway route offering sweeping views of the Del Norte coastline descending through dense coastal scrub into Nickel Creek Canyon. Meet with Redwood National Park biologist and hike through virgin redwood forests. Camp for two nights at Kamp Klamath where the Pacific meets the mouth of the Klamath River. Enjoy an all you can eat BBQ (with vegetarian options) on our final night together. Learn about the Yurok Tribe at the Yurok Country Visitor Center in downtown Klamath.

Trip Includes:

Camping, parking, guided hiking; shuttle transportation; gear haul; light breakfast fixings (cereal, juice, coffee); and 5 dinners.

Make sure to bring:

Food for your lunches.

Average Daily Hiking:

5 to 12 miles.

Types of Hiking Surfaces:

Coastal bluffs, sandy beaches, steep coastal mountains, dirt trail, old road with some pavement.

Elevation Gain/Loss:

Climb and descend 1320 feet with many switchbacks on Damnation Creek Trail in Redwood National Park.

Fitness Requirements:

Hikers should be in good physical condition

Itinerary (subject to change after winter weather and spring scouting trip, with more details to come)

Day 1: Monday September 30 – Hike to the mouth of the Smith River 3.75 miles – Easy.
1:00 PM – Meet at Kamp Klamath Campground, 1661 West Klamath Beach Road, Klamath, CA. or Alternate, carpool from Santa Rosa or Ukiah CA to Kamp Klamath, details to be determined. Leave cars park here.

2 PM – Welcome and Introductions. After everyone arrives shuttle to the California/Oregon border hike to the mouth of the Smith River, set up camp.

5PM- Happy Hour

6PM – Dinner

Overnight: Clifford Camp

Day 2: Tuesday October 1 – Tolowa Dunes State Park 6 – 8 miles – Easy.

7-8 AM – Breakfast

9 AM – Shuttle to Tolowa Dunes, meet with Tolowa Nation representative.

12 NOON: LUNCH ON OWN – Walk down Kellogg Beach to Pt. St. George, possibly go to Pebble Beach in Crescent City.

5PM- Happy Hour

6PM – Dinner

Overnight: KOA Group Campground, Crescent City

Day 3: Wednesday October 2 – Battery Point to Enderts Beach Trailhead 6-12 miles – Strenuous.
7-8 AM- Breakfast

9AM – Shuttle to Battery Point walk south on CCT on the edge of Crescent City, Visit Del Norte Museum, the Marina, Starfish Way. Walk to Crescent Beach to Overlook 200 elevation gain.

12 NOON: LUNCH ON OWN – Enderts beach Overlook to Nickel Creek then up the Last Chance Trail to Damnation Trailhead. Total up to 12.75 miles, 1330 feet elevation gain/560 loss, hikers can choose options here.

5PM- Happy Hour

6PM – Dinner

Overnight: KOA Group Campground, Crescent City

Day 4: Thursday October 3 – Damnation Trailhead MPM 16 to Lagoon Creek Picnic Area, on the De Martin trail, 8.75 miles, 670 elevation gain, 1530 loss – Strenuous.

7-8 AM- Breakfast

9AM – Shuttle to Damnation Creek, Visit with Redwood National Park Biologist, hike to Lagoon Creek.

12 NOON: LUNCH ON OWN –

5PM- Happy Hour

6PM – Dinner

Overnight: Kamp Klamath Campground

Day 5: Friday October 4 – Lagoon Creek to Klamath River 5.5 miles – Moderate.
7-8 AM- Breakfast

9AM – Shuttle to Yurok Country Visitor Center, hike Lagoon Creek Parking area to Klamath River Overlook.

12 NOON: LUNCH ON OWN –

5PM- Happy Hour

6PM – Last Night Party and All you can eat Kamp Klamath BBQ

Overnight: Kamp Klamath Campground

Day 6: Saturday October 5 – Flint Trail 4.5 miles, 850 elevation gain/loss – Moderate.

7-8 AM- Breakfast

9AM – Shuttle to Flint Trailhead – hike Flint Trail.

12 NOON: LUNCH ON OWN –

GOOD BYE COASTWALKERS

What to Bring

• Camping gear
• food for your lunches
• Tent, sleeping bag, & sleeping pad
• Sturdy walking shoes/boots
• Windbreaker/parka
• Fleece pullover, sweatshirt or sweater for warmth
• Long pants and long sleeve shirt (protection against sunburn, poison oak, and tics)
• Hat for sun protection, watchcap/beanie for cold, windy conditions
• Other clothing – underwear, T-shirts, socks, etc.
• Sun glasses with UV protection
• Personal first aid kit (Band-Aids, antiseptic, blister pads, aspirin,
• bug repellant
• Toiletries, sunscreen
• Day pack & reusable water bottle
• Mess kit: plate, cup, bowl, eating utensils
• Personal medicines & toiletries
• Flashlight or Headlamp with new batteries (bring extra batteries)
• Folding chair

Gail Williams: Gail is a retired Air Quality Planner who loves the coast and hiking and naturally found Coastwalk as a good fit. This is Gail’s first time as a walk leader, but she has many other seasoned leaders joining her for the revival of Del Norte Coastwalk. Gail has been on many Coastwalks over the years including Santa Catalina, San Francisco, Marin, San Mateo and Fort Bragg. It is Gail’s vision to walk the entire California Coastal Trail.

Bob Adams: I was born to a mom that loved taking her dogs for long walks. It was the 50’s & 60’s and San Francisco was a much less “developed” area, offering large areas to hike or drive to one of the many open coastal properties nearby for a daily 4-6-mile walk. My dad would arrange family gatherings and camping adventures throughout the Western United States. I then spent 24 years flying Air Force Cargo Aircraft around the world which afforded me access to hiking and camping opportunities throughout the globe so that I was able to hike on every continent-including Antarctica! Alone, with family or like-minded groups I have spent my years with a love of the outdoors. I spent 20 years as a RN at medical, surgical, oncology hospitals units.  I joined Coastwalk several years ago for another opportunity to discover new hiking and camping experiences and have been a Chuckwagon Wrangler supporting Coastwalks in almost every coastal county. This is my first year as a Walk Leader & organizer and I look forward to sharing some of my favorite hiking areas with like-minded friends & coastal enthusiasts”.

David LaFollette: I am a third generation Californian, now living in Ukiah, in Mendocino County. I have an education in Biological Science and years of experience in traveling and working in the woods and enjoying our Natural History.

Having retired from Cal Fire about ten years ago I got to travel all around the State fighting fires. Now I get to go to some of the Beautiful natural areas of this state and the world seeing the fauna and flora as a Naturalist.

I first become aware of Coastwalk in 1983 when as President of Madrone Audubon Society; a group of coastal activists approached the Sonoma Environmental Counsel seeking seed money to start Coastwalk. I joined their group and helped organize and lead the first couple of years of “Walks”. Then a permanent position with CDF opened up in Mendocino County and I took it. As a wildland fire fighter, back then, we couldn’t take summer vacation so making plans with Coastwalk ended, until I retired. With my summers free again, I have coordinated and led about ten years of “Walks” in Mendocino, Sonoma, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. My commitment to Coastwalk has grown as I stepped up to help, with the Walks Committee, as a Day Hike Leader and now on the Advisory Committee. Our latest project, a “Service Walk” will bring out my knowledge of working in the Forest with hand tools and combine it with coordinating a camping/hiking trip like a Coastwalk. This project will bring me a lot of satisfaction building another section of the California Coastal Trail. Finishing the whole CCT is a life time goal of mine.

Del Norte Chamber of Commerce:

  http://www.delnorte.org/

Del Norte Wikipedia:

 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Del_Norte_County,_California

Redwood National Park:

 https://www.nps.gov/redw/planyourvisit/maps.htm

Tolowa Dunes State Park:  

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=430

Yurok Country Visitor Center:  

http://visityurokcountry.com/

KCET Del Norte Coastal Trail videos:

https://www.kcet.org/shows/california-coastal-trail

And

https://www.kcet.org/shows/california-coastal-trail/protecting-old-growth-forests-at-del-norte-coast-redwoods-state-park

We have revised this trip for a more moderate-hiker friendly experience.  Come see this magnificent coastline!  

What you will see:  

Remote beaches, grand vistas, wildlife encounters, serenity, the spirit of adventure and a sense of accomplishment; Coastwalk has been running this trip for over 25 years!

Fitness Requirements: 

You must be an experienced and well-conditioned backpacker. Hike leaders will contact you to help you decide if you are ready for this adventure and are capable of completing it without undue difficulty. Please click here to see, complete, and submit the fitness questionnaire. You must be approved by a hike leader prior to registration and payment. 

Trip Includes: 

Expert itinerary developed around tide conditions; guided hiking; camping, parking & permit fees; first night’s dinner and last day’s lunch provided as well as daily morning coffee, tea, hot chocolate; transportation from parking area to starting point and back to your car. 

What to Bring: 

After registration, you will be provided with a detailed letter regarding meeting location, hiking itinerary, more detailed list of what to pack, food suggestions, where to get things, etc.  

Food & Water: 

Coastwalk will provide the first night’s dinner at Mattole Campground and the last day’s lunch and hot water & coffee each morning.  Hikers are responsible for all other meals. ** Hikers should bring a personal water filtration system for refilling their water bottles.  

**Prepared vegetarian and non-vegetarian prepared food packages will be available for purchase from Coastwalk. 

Typical Daily Hiking: 

Usually about 5 hours of hiking each day, averaging 6 to 7 miles per day (shortest 4, longest 8). Though moderate distances, trails are difficult, and you are carrying a full pack every day over sometimes challenging terrain. 24 miles total over 4 days of hiking with a full pack. 

Types of Hiking Surfaces: 

Sandy and rocky beaches, grassy flats, rock hopping, ridge trails, crumbling ravines, and even potentially scrambling over downed trees and wading creek crossings 

Elevation Gains & Losses: 

Modest daily gains and losses (300 ft. some days), depending on necessity to take inland trails when coastal route less navigable. 

Subject to change (some hikes and campsites use special permits. This itinerary is not a recommendation for personal use) 

Day 1 May 20: 
Meet in Shelter Cove at Black Sands Beach Parking lot at 12:30 where you will leave your vehicles. CW shuttle to Mattole River Campground for dinner & camp 

Day 2 May 21: 
Hike to Cooskie Creek, 6 miles, moderate sand hiking and rock-hopping, with one steep but short climb 

Day 3 May 22: 
Hike to Hadley Creek, 6.5 miles, grassy flat and moderate sand hiking 

Day 4 May 23: 
Hike to Gitchell Creek, 7.5 miles, grassy flats and moderate sand hiking with some rugged cobbled beaches 

Day 5 May 24:  
Hike to Black Sands Beach Trailhead in Shelter Cove, about 4.5 miles on soft sand. Catered lunch provided, and then return to your vehicles for farewell. 

What to Bring

Just bring the essentials, what you need will make you more comfortable than bringing all that you want.  A lighter backpack makes for a happier hiker! You will be provided with a more detailed list of items once you have registered.  

• Backpack large enough to carry necessary gear plus one group item 
• Sleeping bag- 3 season bag (to 40 degrees) and sleeping pad 
• Tent with ground cloth and rain fly 
• stove and fuel 
• bear-proof canister (REQUIRED)
• eating/cooking utensils- fork, spoon, plate or bowl, thermal cup 
• sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, chapstick, flashlight, extra batteries, pocket knife 
• biodegradable soap, toothbrush, paste, small roll of toilet paper, small plastic shovel 
• insect repellent, and any first aid or medical supplies you personally need 
• Comfortable hiking boots or hiking shoes (broken in), camp sandals for night and stream crossings 
• Clothing- thin layers, long pants, extra socks, windbreaker 
• water bottle(s), water filter or purification tablets, camera,  
• Notebook and pencil, binoculars, reading material 
• Headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries 
• 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, & 3 dinners plus snacks 

Cea Higgins

The Executive Director of Coastwalk, Cea has focused her career on education and coastal advocacy. She taught at the elementary, middle, high-school, & junior college levels. She was the Policy & Volunteer Coordinator for Sonoma Coast Surfrider Foundation for 2 decades. To improve her ability to advocate for coastal preservation, she earned a Juris Doctorate with honors in 2016 focusing on ocean policy. Cea was selected by NOAA to serve on the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council as the Sonoma/Mendocino Coast Community-at-Large Primary representative.  She is a founding member of the Bodega Bay Collaborative, which sponsors town halls, community forums, and provides a voice to unincorporated coastal areas. Cea also helped establish the Sonoma County Marine Protected Areas Collaborative, where she works with scientific institutions, environmental NGOs, and tribal governments to raise awareness of the value of marine protected areas amongst coastal residents and visitors.  An avid surfer, hiker, and trained in marine mammal and sea bird rescue, Cea believes in giving back to the ocean that she cherishes and sharing its wonders so that others will work to advocate for its stewardship. 

Connie Ayers

Connie is retired from a career in Family Medicine and has been catching up on following her passion for hiking, backpacking, and pursuit of nature in all its manifestations.  She has hiked, and backpacked the John Muir Trail, the Grand Canyon and Havasupai, sections of the Colorado Trail, many sections of the High Sierra trails, Trinity Alps, Desolation Wilderness, as well as her homelands of Point Reyes and Tamalpais State Park.   She led a private group of backpackers on the Lost Coast a few years ago and was inspired by the experience.  She is working to bring her expertise to Coastwalk at the recent retirement of the long-active and hard-to-replace Lost Coast leader, Stan Bluhm. 

She is a certified Naturalist and for 10 years has been active with the Laguna Foundation bringing the love and joy of the natural world into the elementary schools in Sonoma County.  She also is active in the public safety sector, volunteering and training with the Sonoma County Search and Rescue team

Kings Range Conservation Area Info: 

https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/california/king-range-national-conservation-area 

Interactive Map of King’s Range: 

https://blm-egis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=4819cc0d690e486f9b0d018115192ff4 

Birds of the Kings Range: 

https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/uploads/BirdsofKingRangeNCA.pdf 

Lost Coast Blogs:  

notes from a BLM backcountry ranger in the Kings Range 

Leave No Trace Camping Suggestions:  

https://lnt.org/learn/7-principles 

Aerial Photos of the California Coast 

https://www.californiacoastline.org/ 

Conditioning for Backpacking: 

https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/conditioning-backpacking.html 

Backpackers Info: (includes information about how to avoid knee injury before and during a hike, pre-hike workout routine, and how to use Trekking poles 

https://www.backpacker.com/skills/how-to-get-in-shape-for-hiking 

This is a unique Coastwalk we will be walking on the California Coastal Trail (CCT) from Sinkyone Wilderness State Park, to Little River; staying, two nights at MacKerricher State Park, two nights in Jug Handle Farms and Nature Center and one night at Van Damme State Park.  Our trail will pass through Redwood Forest, Pine Forest, Fir Forest and over eleven beaches. All dinners, campsites, transportation and leadership will be provided.

Sunday, July 7:

This Coastwalk will begin July 7, at 3 PM, just north of Fort Brag, CA; at MacKerricher State Park, group site (Cleone West).  We will set up camp, introduce everyone.  Around four we will head to the beach, take in the Ocean environment and feel the soft sand beneath our feet.  Dinner 6 PM. followed by an Orientation for the week and Coastal Safety discussion.

Monday, July 8:

Breakfast 7-8 AM.  8:30 Shuttle to Usal.  Hike to Shady Dell and candelabra shaped Redwood trees, on the Peter Douglas section of the (CCT.), about 4 miles on the trail and dirt road, 1060 feet elevation loss, down 400 steps.  About 2 PM. shuttle to Pacific Star Winery and Westport. Dinner before 6 PM, Purple Rose Restaurant**

** $15 voucher for food and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided for this meal.

Tuesday, July 9:

 Breakfast 7-8AM.  8:30 break camp all gear loaded up, drivers move vehicles to Botanical Gardens parking lot. When we are all together again, we’ll walk south on the CCT, stopping along the way at Laguna Point,  Glass Beach, Noyo River, Pomo Bluffs, Hare Creek, Babcock Beach and ending our day of hiking at the beautiful Coast Botanical Gardens.  After the Gardens we’ll shuttle to Jug Handle Farms and Nature Center, our base for the next two nights.  

Wednesday, July 10:

Breakfast 7:30-8:30 AM.  This morning we will enjoy Jughandle  Beach and State Preserve, then walk south to Casper across Caspar Creek on the Upland Trail to Point Cabrillo Lighthouse.  We’ll enjoy lunch at the lighthouse and a Docent talk. From Point Cabrillo we will shuttle you back to Jug Handle Farms and Nature Center.

Thursday, July 11:

 Breakfast 7-8AM, after breakfast break camp, load gear then shuttle cars to Van Damme parking lot. When drivers return, shuttle to Russian Gulch State Park, walk into the park from North, follow CCT to Russian Gulch, then up onto the cliffs to the south of the Gulch and onto Road 500D.  At Highway One, shuttle to Lansing street, then walk along the Mendocino Headlands State Park to Lunch in Village of Mendocino.  At 2PM we will meet at the front of the Ford House Museum and walk along Big River beach to Big River parking lot. Then shuttle to Brewery Gulch, walk to Van Damme State Park via Spring Ranch Headlands and Little River Beach.

Friday, July 12:

 Breakfast 7:30-8:30. Pack up camp, around 9AM walk up Little River Canyon and back, at noon, picnic lunch (included), Little River Inn.  After lunch we’ll walk back to Van Damme State Park group site; trip ends around 1 PM.

Clothing

Hat

Jacket, wind and water resistant

Long pants

Hiking shorts

Hiking boots

Walking shoes

Vest

Long Sleeve shirt

Sweater

Underwear

Tee shirt

Socks

Bandanna, handkerchief

Sleep wear

Poncho or rain gear

Toiletries

Soap or body wash, Bio based/biodegradable

Tooth brush

Toothpaste

Dental floss

Daily Medications and vitamins

Shampoo, bio based/biodegradable

Sunscreen

Insect repellent

Comb or brush

Towel and wash cloth

Personnel first aid items

 Camping gear

Tent, with foot print

Sleeping bag with pad

Plate, bowl, cup, knife, fork and spoon

Flashlight or head lamp (bring extra batteries)

Small Folding chair/ camp chair

Day pack

Canteen, hydration pack or 2 water bottles, 1 liter minimum each.

 Food

Breakfast and Lunch food

 Nice to have

Camera

Binoculars

Tupperware container, for left overs

  David La Follette

I am a third generation Californian, now living in Ukiah, in Mendocino County. I have an education in Biological Science and years of experience in traveling and working in the woods and enjoying our Natural History.

Having retired from Cal Fire about ten years ago I got to travel all around the State fighting fires. Now I get to go to some of the Beautiful natural areas of this state and the world seeing the fauna and flora as a Naturalist.

I first become aware of Coastwalk in 1983 when as President of Madrone Audubon Society; a group of coastal activists approached the Sonoma Environmental Counsel seeking seed money to start Coastwalk. I joined their group and helped organize and lead the first couple of years of “Walks”. Then a permanent position with CDF opened in Mendocino County and I took it. As a wildland fire fighter, back then, we couldn’t take summer vacation so making plans with Coastwalk ended, until I retired. With my summers free again, I have coordinated and led about ten years of “Walks” in Mendocino, Sonoma, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. My commitment to Coastwalk has grown as I stepped up to help, with the Walks Committee, as a Day Hike Leader and now on the Advisory Committee. Our latest project, a “Service Walk” will bring out my knowledge of working in the Forest with hand tools and combine it with coordinating a camping/hiking trip like a Coastwalk. This project will bring me a lot of satisfaction building another section of the California Coastal Trail. Finishing the whole CCT is a life time goal of mine

Resources:

Mendocino Information 

https://visitmendocino.com/

and

www.mendocino.com/gomendocino.html

Lodging and travel:

https://www.mendocino.org/

State Parks: Van Damme

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=433

State Parks:  MacKerricher

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=436

KCET Mendocino California Coastal Trail Videos:

Glass Beach: https://www.kcet.org/shows/california-coastal-trail/mackerricher-state-park-home-of-glass-beach-and-diverse-habitats

Noyo Headlands: https://www.kcet.org/shows/california-coastal-trail/restoring-coastal-access-at-noyo-headlands-park