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Lost Coast Trail: Spanish Flat to Miller Flat

August 22, 2014 By Jeff H Leave a Comment

Climbing on Solid Ground

The Lost Coast Trail has several sections which are impassable at high tide, and it is essential that you bring a tide chart along to avoid becoming trapped in one of these spots.

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Trail Details
Distance: 7.5 miles
Time: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 100 ft
Dogs: Yes
When to go: Year-round
Today would be the only day of our adventure with no impassable sections. It was a pleasure knowing we didn’t have to watch the clock or worry about getting to any particular point before the tide came in.

I was the first one up, and took some time to play with my Olloclip macro lens for an early morning micro-adventure, cataloguing the various wildflowers right at our campsite. It never ceases to amaze me how brilliant and beautiful the world is, and often hidden in plain sight.

Thistle Blossom
Wildflower Macro
Yellow Flowers
Petals
Look Closely

No more than half a mile down the trail we passed another Lost Coast cabin further down Spanish Flat, looking well-kept and lived in.

Lost Coast Cabin

At the one mile mark, we crossed through a shady thicket of low trees at Oat Creek. The fog kept the temperatures perfect for hiking.

At two miles, we crossed Kinsey Creek, and marveled at how many creeks there were running this late in summer during a drought. You are never far from fresh water sources on the Lost Coast. In southern California, we’ve grown accustomed to carrying all the water we’ll need for a hike, and it took us while to realize that no, we don’t need to carry three liters of water. One will do.

At three miles, the ancient jeep trail we’d been following on Spanish Flat disappeared — a victim of erosion and the ever-changing coastline. We dropped down to the beach and started hiking on cobbled stones that crunched under our boots.

End of the Dirt
Crunchy Trail

At 3.6 miles we paused and took a break at Big Creek. Someone had built a rather elaborate structure out of driftwood. This practice is frowned upon by the rangers, as it runs counter to the leave no trace philosophy.

Driftwood Shelter

It was at Big Creek that we also saw our first sign of other people in almost two days. A tent was setup at a campsite not far away.

We picked our way down the coast. Hiking on these rocks was difficult and slow, so we tried to stick as close as possible to the base of the bluffs where the ground was at least a little bit more solid.

At 4.6 miles, the trail climbed atop a terrace. We had reached the northern limit of Big Flat. The trail begins to climb, reaching the highest on our trail — a mere 100 feet or so above sea level — through thick, twisted pine trees.

Short and Broad
Nearing Big Flat
Exiting the Dark Forest

When we finally emerged we came down to the broad terrace of the flat. The trail travels straight through grassy fields. We were wary of rattlesnakes and ticks, but had no problems with either.

The trail widens from single track to double track, eventually becoming a makeshift dirt air strip at mile six. We had heard about this air strip, and it was interesting to finally see it. Not much more than flat, straight dirt road that passed right by the nicest cabins we’d seen yet. The one was definitely inhabited, with solar panels for power and at least one person working in the yard. What a life.

Big Flat Cabin on the Lost Coast Trail

Deer grazed nearby, and one young fawn passed in front of us, completely unfazed by our presence. Not far past the cabin the trail turns abruptly 90 degrees and heads straight toward the ocean before turning to follow near the top of the bluff.

At 7 miles, we reached Big Flat Creek. It’s a big creek, and there are a number of good camp sites on both sides of it. We dropped our packs and scouted out the best. I had my eye on the tall forest of trees on the south side of the creek on Miller Flat, and found an idyllic spot out the hot afternoon sun.

While there really isn’t a bad campsite on the Lost Coast, this was the most comfortable. It was a fitting site for our final night on the trail.

Day 3 Campsite at Miller Flat

We were the first in the area to set up camp, but we were not alone. Over the next few hours several other small groups of backpackers showed up. It was the most people we had seen yet, but even so we were spread out. Sitting on the beach watching the sunset we saw other people, but back in our camp we had solitude and privacy.

Sunset on the Lost Coast Trail

Lost Coast Trail: Day Three Map

© OpenStreetMap contributors
Download file: Lost Coast Trail Day 3.gpx

Day Three on the Lost Coast: Photo Gallery

Click on any photo to view a larger version. You can also leave comments on any photo.

Snail's Pace
Private Road or Trail
Lost Coast Cabin
Fork in the Trail
Spanish Flat
Rope Ashore
Another Look at the Lost Coast Cabin
Trail vs Road
Another Creek
A Cool Grotto
Near the South End of Spanish Flat
Impromptu Sea Shell Sign
Working Our Way Down
Expert Creek Crossing Technique
Spanish Flat
Private Road or Trail
Cabin on Spanish Flat
End of the Dirt
Crunchy Trail
Driftwood Shelter
Creek Crossing
Climbing on Solid Ground
Burn Area on the Lost Coast Trail
Short and Broad
Nearing Big Flat
Exiting the Dark Forest
Big Flat Double Track
The Airstrip on Big Flat
A Look Back
Friendly Deer
Big Flat Cabin on the Lost Coast Trail
Junction with the Rattlesnake Ridge Trail
Day 3 Campsite at Miller Flat
Golden Rays on the King Range
Sunset on the Lost Coast Trail

Shelter Cove Weather Forecast

The location could not be found.

Come back tomorrow for Day 4 on the Lost Coast Trail!

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The Lost Coast Trail
Overview of the Lost Coast TrailOverview of the Lost Coast Trail

  • Day 1: Mattole Beach to Sea Lion Gulch
  • Day 2: Sea Lion Gulch to Spanish Flat
  • Day 3: Spanish Flat to Miller Flat – You are here
  • Day 4: Miller Flat to Shelter Cove

 

Filed Under: Backpacking, Trail Guides Tagged With: 6-8 miles, Backpacking, coastal, dog-friendly, LCT, Lost Coast Trail, out of bounds, strenuous

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Jeff H

About Jeff H

I'm an avid hiker and backpacker. My wife Joan and I are on the trails every weekend. I started SoCal Hiker to share my passion for outdoor adventure.

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I created SoCal Hiker while preparing to thru-hike the John Muir Trail. My goal? Create guides for the best hiking and backpacking trails with enough detail to make it an enjoyable experience for you. And while I started with trails in Southern California, I’ve expanded across the west. We hike each trail to create these guides, sharing practical advice on gear and outdoor skills. Read more…

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