Sinkyone Wilderness State Park might be the best way to scratch this itch. So let’s start with the southern end. We just spent July 4th weekend there and it was a nightmare. Road was mostly dry (haven't had rain for 1 month in the Bay Area, not sure about up here) but a few small patches of mud, nothing serious. The unpaved county road following the westernmost ridge line south from the King Range crosses Usal Creek near the Pacific coast, but the bridge may be removed during winter months. Ruts and such would make this a problem for rental cars or other passenger sedans. The unpaved county road following the westernmost ridge line south from the King Range crosses Usal Creek near the Pacific coast, but the bridge may be removed during winter months. For the southern section from Usal to Needle Rock Visitors Center I used the Wilderness Press Lost Coast Map.For the northern section from Needle Rock to Mattole Beach, I used the free downloadable BLM map.The former actually covers both sections, but it lacks the detail of the latter. There are no bathrooms so the there is fecal matter everywhere. Then he got verbally abusive and wanted to fight. The unspoiled and remarkably … Busier during July and August than other months, but the beach is relatively empty on a sunny day when compared to Ten Mile or MacKerricher. No description provided. 4. There was one family that made this an annual trip, otherwise we had the place to ourselves. It’s a long trek of about 13 miles on this meandering and undulating trail from Usal Beach to the visitor center. It was nerve-wracking, but my car made it just fine. Yes there were ruts, some water, some mud, no rock crawling. Its south end is found 13 miles north of Westport on Highway 1, … After turning onto US-101, the turnoff for Usal Road is roughly 13 miles north of Westport, California. We are both very good bike handlers so as long as its not too rocky or sketchy I think it would be ok. The roads and trails are limited to only the parks--King Range and Sinkyone--whereas the Lost Coast covers a lot of ground to the east as well that is not picked up. Located in a magical area called Shady Dell, the Peter Douglas Trail is 2.3 miles long and extends the original Lost Coast Trail. I’m now reproducing that information here, along with additional links and info. My “go to” spots are either Nadelos camp, or if I’m in the mood for beach camping, Black Sands Beach on the north end of Shelter Cove. Deep in the Lost Coast of Northern California, ... (one-way) along Usal Road, a single-lane unpaved former logging road. Weeknights are probably a better bet to if that’s an option. I’m not in a heavy duty 4 wheeling rig. I bet it would even shock or scare them. The trail meanders along the foot of high mountains in the King Range in southern Humboldt County and northern … Somebody has to back up sometimes a 1/4 mile. It’s a remote dark sand beach that’s over a mile long […] See details . The beach is in a small cove where Jackass […], Bear Harbor Beach is a small south-facing beach in Sinkyone Wilderness State Park. Take that left and our site was the first one on the left, after maybe another 50 yards. King Range National Conservation Area, Sinkyone Wilderness State Park. Good luck. If you have a capable four-wheel-drive vehicle (not just all-wheel-drive) and are up for the challenge, then this road trip is for you. The drunks with their guns and motorcycles really make you wish for a ranger but did not see one for the4 days we were there. I would not leave my campsite unattended for 2 minutes out there. I was going to go there this week, but I’ll cancel. Would love to go back, but only midweek and off season. I don’t think anyone paid for there camp sites? Lou. Usal Road, "The Lost Coast" ~ You really 'Need to Heed' This Warning One of the most beautiful coastal drives in California..... and risky, if you're … I don’t think the section you drove gets bad, and it probably sees more maintenance. In just the past decade, more and more adventurers have come to recognize Northern California's Lost Coast as the other jewell along California's coastline. I didn’t go last fall, but we are going this year. @Max: It’s been closed since November 2017. Heading north from the campground area, it’s about another 19-1/2 miles until you reach pavement again at Four Corners, and the end of Usal Road. Some additional thoughts on our Lost Coast trip: 5. Prepare for foggy cool coastal weather here in Northern California. Thanks for your input, Daniel. just returned to fort bragg from a drive on usal road from highway one to four corners. I hacked this together with Google Earth, showing an overview of the Usal Beach area. The reports continue to roll in and they’re generally not good, but a few friends have survived their visits since I was there. Click here if this … Unfortunately, the “iron ranger” pay station has been decapitated, so no one was leaving money for the park fees in it. I'll be in northern California in about three weeks and am hoping to jump on Usal Road just north of Rockport on Hwy 1 and … You will get some desert pinstripes…expect it, life with it, own them…they are badges of honor. Great place for a day trip during the week but avoid if you’re planning on doing a weekend family trip; this is not the place for that. I was planning on staying here saturday night, does anyone have any updates? Three of the beaches in the park are easy to access from the visitor center. Not sure if the previous commenter was on a different road or what but I’m glad we disregarded his review and gave it a shot anyways it was well worth it! The Lost Coast, Part Two: Usal Road & Beach, Guide to Northern California Backroads & 4-Wheel Drive Trails (Wells), Backcountry Adventures – Northern California (Massey & Wilson), http://www.overlandnomads.com/2012/09/exploring-the-lost-coast-of-california-day-1/, https://www.mendocinocounty.org/government/transportation/road-closures, Another Oregon Road Trip – December, 2015. 9. It’s a nightmare when vehicles meet on the road. I’m going to try to cover pretty much everything I know from my research and our recent visit to Usal Beach, Usal Road, Usal Creek, and Usal campground, with a side of Usal fries. We took usal road yesterday ( August 13) and it was in great condition and the views and beach were beautiful. California State Parks Sinkyone Wilderness SP official website. We camped a ways away from the main crowd and found the fireworks to be entertaining, but not what we typically look for when heading to the back country. Each site also has a picnic bench. The drive and area is still worth it, even if you don’t camp at Usal Beach… We considered the Rockport Bay campground but I couldn’t find much info about it, and I didn’t want to stay in a town for this part of our trip if I could avoid it. Our rig is a 2016 4Runner Trail Premium with all the bells and whistles (including KDSS)…but it is stock with just aftermarket tires (BFG AT KO2). Gary, it may be quieter out there now that the weather has cooled down and school is back in session. Hi there, thanks for the great post with really great info. We didn’t see any signs, had read of others driving on the beach, and saw other tracks on the beach, so had assumed it was OK. Now we know better. This section of Usal Road was a well-graded, narrow but easy dirt road. Sea lions and harbor seals hang out in rocky coves. Rectangle indicates map coverage. This is a rugged mountainous area and the ocean air collides with the hillsides often creating foggy or rainy conditions. This park is not a simple day trip from the highway. Maps / Information:. The remaining pit toilets are full and not useable. No cell surface. Usal Creek is the southernmost drainage basin unbridged by California State Route 1 on California's Lost Coast. On the map, the thing labeled to the farthest right is where Google has helpfully labeled Usal Creek as “Usal Road”. That’s true, we still may go. Wilderness Press offers a nice, waterproof  Lost Coast recreation map. When my husband confronted them they state they are looking for cans? During […], Needle Rock Beach is near the Needle Rock Visitor Center at Sinkyone Wilderness State Park. MCDoT would like to thank all parties that assist in the seasonal closures each winter for helping reduce sediment … The coordinates are N39º 50.111′ W123º 50.638′. Hoping to spend a few nights at Usal beach but not excited about the reports of rednecks firing off guns and driving drunk through campsites. Conveniently, there’s a parking lot here if you’re planning on backpacking your way up the Lost Coast trail. I’ve been lucky at Usal, and it saddens me that it’s such a terrible place to camp now. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'californiabeaches_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_0',676,'0','0']));See the map above and the list below of the seven sandy beaches in Sinkyone Wilderness State Park. And if someone catches up behind you, do the goddam courteous thing and let them pass when you can safely move over for them. North of Westport and south of Eureka lies a seldom traveled ribbon of rugged California coastline accurately called the Lost Coast. But I can’t speak for every driver or their vehicle. Watch where you walk, there iare piles of fecal matter everywhere. Background. Another way to see this park is by hiking The Lost Coast Trail. The camp sites are attroucios and we never felt good about leaving our camp out of fear of thieves. Heavy metal concert all night, with gunshots, people screaming and the camp sites were discusting! A fabulous trip, fun drive that was challenging in spots but not really technical. It was definitely a little rougher and more rutted, but still nothing that I would call technical, at least not that I can recall. Waiting until the roads are dry and have been cleared later in the summer is a good idea.eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'californiabeaches_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_1',102,'0','0'])); Trailheads along the way lead to remote dark sand beaches. People were shooting guns throughout the night and racing there 4×4 trucks in the campground. Usal Beach dirt roads were muddy but passable and the pot holes were inspiring but again passable. For more info and a map of Usal Road, see the state park page. You know you have reached the campground area when you encounter the park sign which is posted with numerous warnings and regulations. The pot holes and ruts are really bad and would probably damgage anything other than a 4×4 wheel drive. A herd of Roosevelt elk are sometimes spotted roaming around the property. Beaches on this map. The trailheads start here, and on the opposite end at Needle Rock up north. We continued to camp there through the 70’s. Includes driving directions, trail mileages, campground details, precautions, regulation and topographic features. In California Coastal Byways (Tony Huegel), Usal Road is Tour 14, and King’s Peak Road is Tour 11. The Usal Road (Mendocino Co. Route 431) offers an example of that latter option. 7. Slow going unless you want to beat up your vehicle. The yahoos in their pickup and 4wheel drives have done wheelies all through the park, made roads through everything knocked over outhouses and generally destroyed everything. Usal Creek, 9.7 miles (15.6 km) long, drains about 28 square miles (73 km Are there a lot of them or could you bridge them with traction aids, etc? Also, didn’t see many people at Usal Beach – just a few vehicles on a Saturday mid-day. Usal Beach. One the northern side (King Range) the topo lines are at 500' intervals and on the south side (Sinkyone) they are at 250'. This is located about 20 miles west of Leggett, CA. Usal Road, a long dirt roads leads north from Hwy 101 (just as it curves away from coast). used a ford expedition and although some very deep ruts, we did just fine. Don’t know conditions there. Wow! Usal Creek is the southernmost drainage basin unbridged by California State Route 1 on California's Lost Coast.The unpaved county road following the westernmost ridge line south from the King Range crosses Usal Creek near the Pacific coast, but the bridge may be removed during winter months. There is a small white sign at the entrance to the road. But the light rain showers may have discouraged parties. We quit going in the early 80’s. Once in awhile we would run across a backpacker. If that's not you, then be prepared to turn around and go back the way you came. I will be back later this summer and hopefully the whole rd will be open … and it too will be during the week …. Very beautiful drive for the part that I got to see. California State Parks Sinkyone Wilderness SP official website. Friday night we had a drunk camper come into our camp at 1am thinking it was his camp. It was after the the state park people came in with ‘improvements’, maps and it was ‘discovered’ that things started to go downhill. Disclaimer – This information is provided from the best of my recollections, as well as my photos and GPS data, and is written from my personal (and subjective) perspective. It’s open from the south end, but just after Usal Beach there is another gate that is closed. Very deep ruts (upwards of 18" deep or more), several in succession. We just stayed there last week and witnessed some of the craziest things! We drove Usal Road from its southern terminus with Highway 1, to it’s northern end at the Four Corners intersection. This despite the ranger at Needle Rock telling us not to bother – he said the road is awful, slow, and there are no views worth bothering with. As a California state park that has mostly been abandoned, there are no trash cans and no trash pickup. After passing the camp area entrance board, you soon cross the cool wooden bridge over Usal Creek. And unlike Big Sur, you won't find Highway 1 running along the coast here. In partnership with RFFI and Usal Redwoods we will have a unique opportunity to ride on state, county and private RFFI/Usal … We had sleeping bags, rain gear, a tarp, TREAD traction pads. Our site conveniently had wood & kindling already, otherwise bring your own if you want a campfire. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'californiabeaches_com-banner-1','ezslot_7',895,'0','0']));The only visitor center in the park is the Needle Rock Visitor Center on the north end. I have been going to USAL since 1971 “was” awesome. The place is not safe and it’s just a matter of time before somebody is hurt. Thanks. Usal Road was a bit intimidating at first, and the 6.2 mile stretch took us … Does anyone know if the roads are open during the winter months. I was looking for some nice family camping and light 4 wheeling. There’s a road immediately after it on the left, where there’s also a memorial plaque. This state park is one of the most remote coastal stretches along the Pacific Coast of California. Looks like the road hasn’t been graded since last winter’s rains. Anyone been recently? When I arrived there was the biggest pyramid of speakers I’ve ever seen on the beach…While I know people are bummed that this isn’t the backcountry utopia they’re aiming for with their families, it’s nice to think about riding a dirt bike on the beach and dancing under fireworks next to the ocean and the forest at a party without cops. The Lost Coast is spectacular! Fort Bragg / Sherwood Road: CR 419 MP 5.08 – 27.54 I took a shovel, Hi Lift jack, food, water, gas, chainsaw, tools, a fishing rod, Sig .40 and 50 rounds of Critical Defense ammo. One family’s kids threw rocks at the elk, and the big group of young people left their campfire unattended. If you leave money, someone’s gonna just grab it. Unfortunately, several years later this place has not changed. It’s like the state has washed there hands with this park. But is a beautiful drive. The road past the beach going north is closed , cause I suppose of the rains we had this year ( slides, etc. ) The exceptionally scenic Lost Coast Trail winds over dramatic, high seaside bluffs and through deep, redwood-filled canyons. What an awful lawless place! I think they need a couple weekends of arrests and the rats will get out. Just spent three days there and will never go back! Just tried this weekend to drive Usal Road from the north, in our very well equipped Toyota FJ. We had two lifted rigs and one stock 4runner (on road tires) and they all made just fine. There were still house foundations at Jackass Creek from the logging they did there in the early 1900’s. The complete trip from Ft. Bragg to Usal … We saw Elk, Bald Eagles, two dead SUVs that were abandoned. Too old to do that kind of camping anymore, but the pictures do bring back so many wonderful memories of times spent at both places. It’s in a 1920’s house and has information and exhibits on the park and the trail. The newest part of the trail is at its most southern part. If we do I’ll take your advice and go during the week. 8/30/18, Drove with my wife and dog. Lost Coast - Usal Road to Mattole Road. Note that I’ve already covered some of this information and posted a lot of related photos in Part One of this series. Kelsie, It sounds like you took the short road from the south up to Usal Beach, as opposed to John who was taking the long dirt road from the north. i had a great site at Mckerricher park and it was a short ride to Usal from there. We had zero AT&T cell/data reception the entire time we were in this area, and well beyond. One night gun fire through camp sites, another time finding strangers wondering in middle of camp site, parties all night and best of all drunk drivers driving through camp sites while people are in tents not to mention loud music. Ten Mile Road: CR 506 MP 0.18 – 1.68 The Lost Coast Trail starts at Usal Beach at the south end of the park and meanders north for […], Little Jackass Creek Beach is a hike-in only beach located in Sinkyone Wilderness State Park. Part Three of our Lost Coast trip will be up next to wrap things up. If you could get back to me that would be a HUGE help! Did feel limited slip apply going up hill through the deep ruts. I’ve since heard that this is not permitted and that the rangers will ticket you if they see you doing it. I have a stock 4WD SUV very slightly lifted, 4×4 (Hi only–and no lockers), and a good set of A/T tires.