Are you planning to visit the King Range this spring break? Check out this blog post for a ton of useful information.
This past week I hiked from Lightning Trailhead along the King Crest Trail to Rattlesnake Ridge Trail which I descended to Big and Miller Flats; from there I hiked out to Black Sands Beach. Although windy, it was warm and sunny most of the time. These are a few of the things I discovered:
This past week I hiked from Lightning Trailhead along the King Crest Trail to Rattlesnake Ridge Trail which I descended to Big and Miller Flats; from there I hiked out to Black Sands Beach. Although windy, it was warm and sunny most of the time. These are a few of the things I discovered:
1. Along Big Flat
Creek I was lucky to see this Northwestern Salamander:
Do you see it? Look a little closer:
2. Trail Conditions: This is
what you can currently expect on the trails in the King Range
- There are lots trees down on most of the upland trails – This is what Rattlesnake Ridge Trail looks like in several sections:
It is passable
on foot but makes travel more difficult at times.
- The lower portion of Rattlesnake Ridge Trail, where is meanders along Big Flat Creek, can be hard to follow at times. The trail crosses the creek 4 times - Keep an eye out for cairns on each side of the creek crossings to help you find the trail.
FYI - the photo above is not current. I'm including it here to show you what a cairn looks like so you know what to look for. Also, please do not build additional cairns.
- Many sections of the upland trails are dense with vegetation..
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Particularly, the King Crest Trail, the top half of Buck Creek Trail and the top half of Rattle Snake Ridge Trail.
- Cooskie Creek Trail can be VERY difficult to navigate because the trail goes through a lot of grass, it doesn’t receive a lot of traffic, and there are wildlife trails (and cattle trails in some areas) that go on/over/adjacent to the real trail. It would very much benefit you to have route finding skills.
- The Lost Coast Trail is rocky and sandy – you will probably not be going much faster than about 2 miles per hour. Many people tell me that the trail is much more difficult than they expected.
(Photo by Daniel Hartmann)
3. I packed
out close to 2 pounds of garbage between Big/Miller Flats and Black Sands
Beach. This is garbage left behind by backpackers! I know how easy it can be to
accidentally leave behind a wrapper – It’s good to get into the habit of
checking around your campsites, resting areas, lunch spots, etc., before you
leave. Once I get my pack on I always take a few steps then turn back around
and scan the site. You never know – this has saved me from not only forgetting
trash but also cameras, knives, and hats!
As always, feel free to contact me if you have any questions. There's a possibility that I may be out on the trail so give me a few days to get back to you. If you need immediate assistance call 707-986-5400.
Your Wilderness Ranger,
Paul Sever
Lostcoastranger@gmail.com
707-986-5405
