The Lost Coast - Pacific Coast Highway was constructed after the World Wars and created a scenic byway for those seeking an adventurous drive along the rugged coastline of California. When the engineers reached the area near modern day Redwood National Park the decision was made to cut the road east, leaving a long stretch of land untouched by man. The area is home to old growth coastal Redwood forests towering the ridgelines, herds of Roosevelt Elk roaming the prairies, and miles of desolate beaches where the rivers flow out to sea. A national sanctuary for migrating wildlife and ancient forests, the Lost Coast remains a remnant of a primeval world alive today as it was thousands of years ago. Explore the picturesque trails and come along on the journey with us to discover new terrains, the best local brews, and the newest Freeman’s Co. apparel.
Roadtrip Guide Volume 002: The Lost Coast by Aris A. Ford
MINERS RIDGE TRAIL
DIFFICULT with steep grades. The Miner’s Ridge trail is one of the world's best redwood hikes, This trail follows the route used by gold miners in the mid-1800s. It follows a ridgeline that allows the heart to pump, and offers breathtaking views of coastal forest and steep ocean bluffs.
Prairie Creek State Park
JAMES IRVINE TRAIL
DIFFICULT with creek crossing and steep grades. The James Irvine Trail is one of the world's best redwood hikes, but it's not actually the redwoods that make it great. There are, of course, plenty of great redwoods here, but the best ones are right around the visitor's center, so you could easily see them without hiking the entire trail. That would be a mistake, though, since what really makes this hike great is the way it unfolds through a variety of environments, passing from a redwood-lined ridgetop, to a wide-open undeveloped beach, and finally through a lush creek valley.
Prairie Creek State Park
Photo: @horse.bike
TRILLIUM FALLS
MODERATE with some steep grades. One of the newer trails in the park, this route is more notable for its noble redwoods and proximity to the Prairie Creek elk herd than for its small waterfall and scattering of trilliums. A springtime visit, with all four features present, is perhaps the best time for this hike, but it offers enjoyment—only a half mile from Highway 101—year-round.
Redwood National Park
THE COASTAL TRAIL
LONG HIKE - Walking along a coastal bluff, gulls and sea lions cry amidst the sound of crashing breakers. A gray whale spouts occasionally in the vast blue waters below and wind whistles through the alders. Trails lead down to secluded beaches where the driftwood piles and ancient rocks hide crabs and sea stars.
The Coastal Trail stretches over 70 miles on the rugged coast of California and can be accessed from the James Irvine Trail or Miner’s Ridge Trail.
PRAIRIE CREEK REDWOODS STATE PARK
GOLD BLUFFS BEACH
EASY - Discover 30-foot walls of ferns at Fern Canyon, a ¼-mile walk (seasonal bridges available only in the summer). Experience vast coastal prairies, elk watching, spring lupine, and seastacks jammed with seabirds. Walk the road to Gold Bluffs Beach and ford the creek to access the desolate stretch of coastline.
PRAIRIE CREEK REDWOODS STATE PARK
AVENUE OF THE GIANTS
DRIVE - A 31-mile portion of old Highway 101, Avenue of the Giants is a world-famous scenic drive which parallels Freeway 101 under the shade of old and new growth Pacific Coast Redwood groves.
HIGHWAY 101 CALIFORNIA
DRIVE THRU-TREE
DRIVE - Not one but three giant redwoods offer motorists the opportunity to steer their wheels through a living tree. All are right off US Highway 101, known as the Redwood Highway, within an hour or so drive of the historic seaport of Eureka. They are privately owned and charge a nominal fee.
Humboldt Redwoods State Park
EEL RIVER
BEST BREWS IN THE AREA
We hope you enjoy the Lost Coast on your own adventure. Save 10% off the Redwood Collection with code "lost10" and take Freeman's Co. gear with you when you #stepswiftly