Five Days on The Lost Coast Trail
The Lost Coast Trail, hugging the coast of the King Range Wilderness area in northern California, is a hike I’ve wanted to do for years. Not typically being one to plan my life six months in advance, I’ve never gone through the process of getting permits when they first become available. So last spring I had been keeping an eye out for cancellations that would work for my schedule, my friend Zack’s schedule, and the tide’s schedule. When a few permits opened up for mid-July I confirmed all the details and happily paid the $5 per entry permit. The Lost Coast Trail is unlike any hike Zack or I had ever done. After testing our backpacking skills last year with a 20-mile out-and-back trip to Sykes Hot Spring in Big Sur we felt confident we could complete our first thru-hike. The rules of the Lost Coast Trail were unique for me. Bear Canisters would have to be brought along for the trip, as bears there have learned to attack the anchor points holding up food bags hanging from trees. Being a...