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Hike along one of California's wildest stretches of ocean shoreline, the Lost Coast, past the Punta Gorda promontory to an abandoned lighthouse. An abundance of wildflowers grows on the sea-hugging, steep hills, and numerous animals of the sea and coast inhabit the ocean waves, the rocky tidepools, and the beach.
To reach the trailhead, you must first get to Petrolia. Either take the Honeydew exit off Highway 101 and drive 38 miles along Honeydew Road and Mattole Road to Petrolia or drive 30 miles southwest from Ferndale on Mattole Road to Petrolia. Once in Petrolia, go 50 feet south of the bridge across the Mattole River, turn west on Lighthouse Road, and drive 4.9 miles to the parking area.
Before heading for the lighthouse, be sure to walk 0.25 mile north of the parking area to the Mattole River's mouth. Here you'll see a wide variety of waterbirds where the mountains' freshwater meets the ocean's saltwater.
To begin the main portion of the hike, let your ears lead you over low dunes to the ocean's roar. As you walk south along Mattole Beach's black sand, observe numerous pelicans, cormorants, seagulls, and other birds skimming between the ocean's tall waves or perching on the seastacks that puncture the surf zone. Also, watch for otters spying on you from just offshore during the entire journey.
After passing a sea lion rookery, you'll see at 2 miles a small cave in the cliff side near Punta Gorda (Spanish for "Thick Point"). Walk a 0.5-mile stretch of actual trail from here if you want firmer tread.
Shortly after spotting the lighthouse in the distance at 2.5 miles, you'll reach two old ranch cabins on private property beside a year-round stream. Walk along a dirt road past another cabin and a barn to reach the lighthouse at 3 miles. The lighthouse, in operation from 1911 to 1951, was built after several ships wrecked on the rocks offshore. You can see a remnant of one unlucky vessel embedded in the beach below.
If you want to extend your hike, walk farther down the beach. The Lost Coast extends another 21 miles to Shelter Cove and makes an excellent backpacking trip, especially if you can arrange a car shuttle. Contact the Bureau of Land Management for a detailed map and more information.
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100 Classic Hikes in Northern California, Copyright © 2000 by John R. Soares and Marc J. Soares, published by The Mountaineers Books, Seattle. Maps by Jody MacDonald.