Lost Coast Info?

Thats where the problem is, I want to enjoy the ride. Not have to be in such a hurry that I dont get to take in the sights. SF is kind of my goal for one night. I have a cousin that lives there. Going to ask her if I can crash on the couch one night.

Im really debating on whether or not I want to go with my original plan...up sierras, crossover and down coast....or banzai up the 5 to Redding or thereabouts and spend 3 or 4 days coming down the coast. Figure if I leave early and ride hard, I can make Redding saturday night or Sunday morning. Then Id have Sunday (?), Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and part of Thursday to get down to Cambria. I would really like to check out some of these places you guys have been talking about on here.

Ill probably finish deciding about the time I start the bike that Saturday morning.

I'd go county rd A16 out of Redding and cut west on hwy 36 and come out at Fortuna.
You may get tired of all the curves! A16 is killer! (but old pavement)
I am in Eureka now, going through LC tomorrow and stopping in Ukiah for the night - 220 miles apprx so I can enjoy LC!
For me 400 miles a day and I'm not seeing much, but I need to do apprx 300 a day to get somewhere...
On my return from Lake Arrowhead I will go thru Fresno, hwy 49, 4 (Ebbetts pass! ), tahoe, truckee, downieville, chico an north to wa!!
Whew
Good luck and enjoy yours!!!

All I can say is WOW.
From the north end to Shelter Cove and south on out, makes for a full day at the Lost Coast.
Epic day.

Hey yall. Ok Ive got a bit of a plan set out for my trip coming up, could do with a little bit of local knowledge.

Trip is going to start with burning my way up to Redding on Saturday, 530 miles or so should be doable if I leave early. Its the next section I could use some help wiht. Please keep in mind, Im looking for the most scenic route I can get (Ive never really been through that area except in my truck, and when you get from Coos Bay, OR to Santa Cruz, CA in a day, you dont see much).

The plan is:

299 to Arcata (or would be A16 to 36 to Fortuna be better??)

101 to 211

211 to Mattole Rd.

Mattole Rd to Ave of the Giants (Ive never been thru there, would that be a worthwhile section of the Avenue to see??)

Ave of the Giants to 101

to Briceland Thorn Rd

to Shelter Cove Rd

to Chemise Mountain Rd

to Usal Rd

to Hwy 1

Im going to have 4 days (Sun - Weds) to get from Redding to Cambria, although if I show up late on Thursday its not going to bother me. How difficult is Chemise Mtn Rd and Usal Rd?? What kind of conditions should I expect thru there?? I know Usal rd is all dirt. Im fairly experienced on dirt with a loaded bike, but I dont want to get into anything too hairy as Im riding solo. Camp sites, Im just going to play by ear, I want to take my time and enjoy the trip, maybe do a little fishing along the way.

Also, is there anyone willing to let me use them as an emergency contact for up there?? Someone I can call if I need help, and put you on my SPOT list for the trip. If so PM me. Thanks.

The plan is:

>"299 to Arcata (or would be A16 to 36 to Fortuna be better??)"

Recommend 299 A16 to 36, (A16 from Ono to 36 is a delight).
36 to Forest Highway 1 (South Fork Summit) to 299,
299 to 101. If you take FH1, gas up at Wildwood. Good lunch there too. Also a good lunch at Mad River Burger Bar.

If you don't want FH1, take Wildwood road to Hwy 3, 3 back to 299. The section of 3 over the mountain is really good.

>"101 to 211 - 211 to Mattole Rd."

If it's nice, recommend taking Hookton Slough Road to Table Bluff,
then take Copenhagen road to Fernbridge, 211 to Mattole.

Alternative, see Ferndale, at the south end of town take Grizzly Bluff road to the east, turns into Blue Slide road near Rio Dell. Pacific drive in Rio Dell turns into Monument Road. Goes west to Mattole road. Monument road is majestic gravel !

>"Mattole Rd to Ave of the Giants (Ive never been thru there, would that be a worthwhile section of the Avenue to see??)"

If it's the first time in the Redwoods, yes take the Avenue of the Giants. It goes south parallel to 101. (It's the old highway).

>"Ave of the Giants to 101 to Briceland Thorn Rd to Shelter Cove Rd
to Chemise Mountain Rd to Usal Rd to Hwy 1"

Briceland/Shelter Cove road takes off from 101 in Redway. In Redway, look along the road for the 'Majestic Shopping Center' (along the road). Debs Burgers in there is a good one! Serve breakfast all day long too. Be sure to gas up in Redway.

IMHO: Ride down into Sinkyone park (west at 4 corners). 3 mile trip, nice road (watch for elk), and if you're lucky it will be a nice day.

Rest of the trip is pretty much a no-brainer.
Unless it rains, Usal road should be easy. If it rains, the dust on sections of the road will make some fairly serious mud!

If you are in the area you must make the ride to Sinkyone and back. We saw a herd of @ 20 elk in Sinkyone. A couple of frmales right at the roadside. And a couple of impressive males.

Been hesitant to say it.... I was disappointed in Usal road. It makes for great off-road riding. But not many memorable views. I was expecting more.

That's why you gotta make the ride to Sinkyone.

Mattole Road is a must do. If you have the time I'd also promote the out-and-back to Windy Point.

OK local's, my only question is, am I going to be fogged in Saturday morning.
Getting hot over in the Big Valley and am wondering if I should hold up short of the Coast Friday night.

>"I should hold up short of the Coast Friday night. "

Camping? Might be a thought. There are a number of camping areas along 299 and 36... last one on 299 is Boise Creek just west of Willow Creek. 36 is Grizzly Creek, about 10 miles east of Carlotta.

If you're riding a KLR... here are a couple 'free' ones.

Hwy 36, about 1 mile east of Forest Glen. There is a sign for Hells Gate Campground (That one is USFS paid). Take the road past the Hells gate campground and go upstream on the dirt road. Leads over the creek to the left. Mile or so, you will find 'Scott Flat' campground. Last I was there, it was free.

Hwy 299. Junction City. Take the road to the north in Junction City. Breaks off in a 'triangle', by the old tavern. Go 14 miles up the road, the 'Ripstien' campground is at the end of the road. This is a very special camp next to Canyon creek. You will go to sleep with the sounds of the creek.

I was worried a bit about Fog. It looks like an off shore push will clear the fog.
We are coming in from the Big Valley, southern Trinity, north side of yolla Bolly.
we are riding dirt roads. Thanks for the suggustion.

Thanks for the info. Soon as I recover from working since 7pm last night, Ill give it a real good run through. Right now Im so blurry eyed Im seeing triples.

Thanks guys for the info. Sinkyone looks like itll definately be added to my route, FH1 Im going to play by ear. I want to leave Redding Sunday morning, and be in SF by Tuesday afternoon (I might bump this too wednesday and then Prewitt Ridge to Thursday, another one Ill play by ear). Going to visit my cousin and hang out with her for a bit, so I dont want to get there too late. Want to be down around Prewitt Ridge Wednesday night. That part is flexible, but I do want time to see my cousin. Looking at a map (Ive got the Benchmark one) it looks like itd be a pretty good day of riding to get from Redding to Sinkyone, while enjoying the ride, so Im thinking I might camp there Sunday night.

Any of you fishermen?? Going to be carrying my 4 wt flyrod, and a few accessories. Would like to try and wet a line a little bit. Any must see creeks/rivers/coastal spots to look for?? Im going to be bringing a small assortment of trout and saltwater flies. Not too much since the trip is going to more of a riding trip.

Most of the coast will be pretty much 'no fishing' (freshwater). Streams are very low. Later on in the winter/spring there will be runs of Salmon and Steelhead.

Heading out from Longmont, Colorado on my Concours next week. The plan is to trend generally west by north and end up near Crescent City, CA and then begin generally trending south along the shore - weather permitting.
I'm guessing the weather could be clear and cool or foggy and misty/rainy or some combination.
Have the dope farmers pretty much harvested?
Do campgrounds close for the season or will campsites be reasonably easy to find?
I have 2 or three weeks and no itinerary other than to see a lot of water after six years of living in the desert. Also plan to avoid freeways.

>"Im guessing the weather could be clear and cool or foggy and misty/rainy or some combination."

Early October... hopefully so... but around here you never know.

>"Have the dope farmers pretty much harvested? "

Dope farmers, likely not an issue. Since the counties stopped (genreally) enforcing pot cultivation laws the climate is er... 'mellow'. However it looks like the feds are moving in, which may send things back a dicy situation.

>"Do campgrounds close for the season or will campsites be reasonably easy to find?"

Most of the campgrounds I've went by (yesterday) are open... or nearby ones are open. Primitive campgrounds usually stay open all year.

>"I have 2 or three weeks and no itinerary other than to see a lot of water after six years of living in the desert. Also plan to avoid freeways."

If you just head a bit north and come onto the coast at Reedsport, you'll see a lot of the Orygun coast too.

I'll check out Reedsport - thanks. I've also never been to the Crater Lake area and hoped to pass through there.

IMO the Usal road is more about the road itself than the views. Ancient (appearing) road, carved out with a excellent short single lane paved lead in (south bound) to endless (26 mi. +-) cool dirt road with plenty of areas to keep your attention, as in don't crash out there as you are a long way from help.

Fun road for me but also tiring. Long road solo!
And yes as you say johnp, no views...

BTW, the fish & chips were good at Shelter Cove!

>"Usal road is more about the road..."

Hmmm... looks like a bloody freeway now. (it was 'upgraded' by Mendo county last year)
Try the road in the dark... ! Monkeys in the trees.

Grew up in that area so have known the road for a long time. Many more open views 40-50years ago when logging was active. Also , there were roads , word used loosely, that switchbacked down to the ocean in several places. Places called 'Wolf Creek' , 'Sheep Pens' , and especially ' Little Jackass Creek' . Anybody know of these old roads/trails? Twilight? Did Usal last week and still love it. Saw a Black Bear and a small block chevy:eek1 on my ride through. Saw a Bobcat last year , that always makes my day.

I believe Just North of Usal camp ground the gated road just before the hill runs into the remains of the town of Wheeler.

Spent the night at Needle Rock a week ago, we were the only ones there, even the camp host bailed. On the road before sun-up and rode Usal to Hwy 1. Magic time.