No road reaches this stretch of California coastline. Just black sand beaches, the King Range in fog, and tide windows you actually have to plan around.
California's wildest coastline. No road reaches this stretch of shore. Just you, the waves, black sand beaches, and the King Range rising steeply into fog. This is not a mountain trip; it's a beach backpacking experience unlike anything else in the state. Tide timing is critical. Plan it right and you'll walk beneath sea cliffs at low tide feeling like the last person on earth.
Start: Mattole Beach Trailhead
End: Black Sands Beach Trailhead
Water: Streams crossing beach
Head south from the Mattole Beach trailhead, tide permitting. The first ~4 miles are impassable at high tide — check NOAA charts before departing. Wildlife dense: harbor seals and Roosevelt elk are common on this stretch.
Water: Big Creek, streams
Continue south past rocky points — some requiring scrambling over boulders when the tide is in. Sea lion haul-outs are visible offshore. The trail cuts inland briefly to bypass the impassable Sea Lion Gulch headland.
Water: Streams
Longest day — start with the tide low. Pass through King Range's most dramatic black sand and boulder terrain. The final miles open onto Black Sands Beach with views of Shelter Cove. Car shuttle or pickup required.
Punta Gorda Lighthouse
MUST use tide charts - 3 sections impassable at high tide; shuttle needed ($100/person) or two cars; soft sand slows pace significantly; permits released Oct 1 prior year
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