Overlanding the most remote coast in California, The Lost Coast.
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- Опубликовано: 6 фев 2025
- We completed a 3 night 4 day run on the Lost Coast from south to north. We stayed at Usal, Tolkan and Mattole campgrounds. We didn’t need 4wd at all as it was dry, but it was a very pretty drive.
Thanks for watching!
![Overlanding the California Lost Coast [4K] - Part 1](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/VYm7LCv-hLw/mqdefault.jpg)
I love this place. drove up in my sprinter van last year and was surprised by the bioluminescent. Can't wait to go back!
We drove a 1965 Chrysler New Yorker (the big one) up the Usal Road around June 1966 including my wife, my mother and infant daughter. The car had average road clearance, but bottomed out a few times. The road appears a lot better now as we had to drive over 6 inch stumps and rocks up to the same size instead of one inch sized gravel. But there was, also, sections of soft, dry dirt that became extremely fine dust trailing behind as far as the eye could see.
At one point there is or was a one lane, 1/4 mile or so, built up section of the road with one side immediately dropping three or four hundred feet into the Pacific and the other side about one hundred feet into the trees. Right in the middle we met a late 1950s full size Dodge coming the other way with several passengers. Since the road was flat at this point, the tradition of the one coming down the hill had to back up wasn't feasible. We decided to have all the passengers get out to take weight off the edges of the road and at something like 0.25 mph seesawed back and forth missing the mirrors with about 1/2 inch clearance.
I think the most outstanding part of the trip was a meadow about a mile long and extending back several hundred yards to the trees of bright orange California poppies in full bloom. It looked like there were hundreds of thousands of them, if not more.
So, looking at the road now, it appears like most any vehicle with normal road clearance could make the trip, but only if the road is dry. We didn't take the side road as they did in this video, so can't comment on what is needed to get to the bottom.
The foxgloves 5:01 are not native but are reminders of the loggers' wives that lived here back when Usal and other places along the Lost Coast were thriving redwood lumber mill communities over a hundred years ago. Thay have survived generation after generation amazing well. They are not invasive. Thank you for bringing us here.
The background music is awesome. Than you for bringing us along.
The first time I crossed Honeydew bridge I was driving a crane truck to deliver some trusses just down by the fire station. Nobody told me there was a one lane bride that was covered, and fortunately I wasn't to tall 🤪
That's a tough drive for a crane truck!
Been on that stretch of the lost coast many times, love it up there the scenery reminds me of the Scottish highlands. So beautiful..
I love the Lost Coast! One of my favorite parts of the state. I've been up there a couple of times, camping in the back of my vintage Volvo. So much fun!
Such an awesome looking trip!
this just popped up on my feed and im so glad it did subbed!
Wise to place a vehicle windward of the camp tent.
Nice music to go with your fine video - this is a one of our favorite trails!
Thanks for sharing your trip!
Was there yesterday. We went up to centerville slide and played guitar and sang til we got rained out.
I wouldn't be brave enough, but would love to go along this path with my AWD SUV for that view. The edge of the hill tho, wow that was sketch haha!
I did USAL Beach and Shelter Cove in 1972, but my Gawd, now its overrun.
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Cheers from Southern California USA 🇺🇸
Amazing track ❤❤
Great video! Thank you!
Glad you liked it! I’m new at this.
Thank you
Last time I drove up there when I got to the end I found a Honda minivan up there.
Your way up North, looked up Shelter Cove. Explains why no people, Nice.
Sweet video. Reminds of the road to my property in Big Sur. I grew up in Santa Rosa and love the Lost Coast. Where was the first beach you guys camped at in this video?
Usal
D
Just wondering did you find the spring? Best water ever. Every time i have gone, one of the first things i do is walk to usals spring and take a drink then set camp. just a small walk from camp
Are you talking about the PVC Pipe Spring?
@@beyondroads yes I was on the old logging road across from usual creek. That road goes to the 1. There is another road that will take you to shelter cove.
This spot is just the start of the lost coast. The real lost coast is from Shelter cove to north to PATROILIA . 45 miles of real wilderness, no roads in you must walk along the beach to see the real lost coast.
At 9:58, where you able to open the gate? Great video, thank you!
@@darynanderson3103 no it was locked. A few of our group did hike about a mile past the gate to an old light house. But as you could see it was very windy with flying sand that made it uncomfortable.
That must’ve been a gnarly reverse back up the hill!
Sinkyone!
I have a 4x4 diesel Ram truck with an 8 ft bed. Would you foresee any trouble on the trail?
Should be fine
Thank you for the response.
heading out there in about a week, tacoma prerunner with AT tires. I have some off-road experience in this truck , looking for your input as far as capability to do this trail.
You will be fine. Just stay off the sand in a 2wd.
I would not do the road to windy point above the lighthouse from Mattole Beach without 4WD. There are signs multiple sighs stating that 4WD is required and I have actually pulled out 3 stuck trucks/vans myself over the years from a particular spot along that section
@@beyondroads thanks
What is the first trial in the video you guys are on? Looks absolutely gorgeous!
@@BlazingPhoenixArcher Usal road. I believe it stands for USA Lumber from the old days.
what do you do when there is another vehicle coming? some areas no room to even pull over..
@@josephsaeteurn9158 not sure… I only ran into one car and luckily it was at a wide spot! Generally someone has to back up to the closest wide spot. Some areas are pretty long without wide spots.
i have a 2wd taco, do you think i'd have any issues?
Should be fine if it’s dry. Can be pretty muddy with ruts at Usal beach. Stay out of the sand
@@beyondroads Thanks! Looking forward to making it out there next year. Any spots of hard compacted sand? I can air down if needed, I run 33.5in
@@khauribainha9604the soft sand is at the beach. The other sand spots are well packed
@@beyondroads Right on, I appreciate it!
The dirt road in the beginning is so narrow.. what happens if a car is coming opposite direction lol
Someone has to back up if it’s not wide enough. Luckily I only met one vehicle and there was a wide spot.
Is Usal Rd in Whale Gulch?
@@bjjthaiboxing actually goes through that little town
Would A small teardrop trailer set up for off roading with my jeep gladiator make it through there OK? I’ve always wanted to go that route but I’m just not sure what if someone else is coming is it white enough to get through with a small off-road trailer? 👍
I saw one small trailer at the campsite. I say it is doable. It’s mainly the first 3-4 miles that is very narrow.
YES I've done it three times: ruclips.net/video/8QriSFt25f0/видео.html
@@beyondroads thank you!!!
Do you even need a four-wheel-drive?
I just saw the sign. I guess I got my answer.
When it’s dry you don’t. I think clearance is most important
I really enjoyed your video as I love this place and have been going here since the 80's but It also makes me sad that so many people are posting videos of this place all over SM. Now it's getting really crowed and I see human feces and toilet paper all over and large "overlanding" groups are being brought in by guides! So much for calling it the Lost Coast. 😒
@@mikebartoli4755 I agree. It was pretty over used and neglected at Usal. The rest of the area is still pretty nice.
Can this trail be done in a van?
I think the area from Usal beach to needle rock it may be a little too rough for a low, long van.