The Battle for the Sea Ranch Coast
Looking back at the history of how the public’s right to coastal access was won, the battle between Sonoma County environmentalists and a huge corporation backed by local elected officials and news media is now recognized as a seminal event. In 1963 Oceanic Properties bought about ten miles of undeveloped coast at the northern end…
Getting Started
June 1, 2003 – Del Norte The Coastal Trail Expedition 2003 steps off June 3! Youd never believe that taking a walk could be so complicated and involve so many people and organizations. Getting ten hikers to the Oregon border for a summers walk to Mexico has been a two year project for Coastwalk. …
Planning the Hike is a Big Deal
Grover Beach (April 27, 2003) A pivotal step in insuring the success of the Coastal Trail Expedition 2003 was the purchase of a 1997 Dodge 15-passenger van. In excellent condition, it would provide the wheels to allow our feet to walk the state. Volunteer and Coastwalk Board member Mel Savage from Orange County will be…
We’re Off
The Coastal Trail Expedition 2003 is moving south! Our first Del Norte morning was glorious with only a gentle breeze off the Pacific to cool us from the warm sun. Our morning chores completed and our camping gear stowed away on the vans roof rack, we drove the two miles from camp at Clifford Klamph…
Reached Crescent City with no blisters yet!
Del Norte We met our guides for the day, Jim Barrett and Aaron Jacobs, at the shoreline of Lake Earl. With them was Tim Williamson from California Fish and Game, a grizzled bear of a man, and the pilot/captain of our ferry across the lake via an air boat. Taking us 3-5 at a time…
From Crescent City to the Damnation Trail Trailhead: 12 miles
After meeting our guide for the morning, Beverly Noll, we first walked the 2 miles or so along the waterfront in Crescent City. Inland and across a street was a large park; a gift it seems to the City from the tsunami of 1964. Looking several blocks inland we could see the Surf Hotel, a…
On! to the Mouth of the Klamath River
June 6: Del Norte County – On! to the mouth of the KIamath River. 12 Miles. Our day’s hike begins in a magnificent redwood forest shrouded in fog. We descend and ascend through steep drainages. The redwoods above are seining the fog, extracting its moisture for their own use. Some of that moisture is…
Leaving Del Norte on the Way South
June 7: Humboldt – Leaving Del Norte on the Way South Before getting up, it sounds like rain on the tent but it is only heavy dew from the fog being shaken from the trees by the first winds of morning. While most of us worked on striking camp, J Nichols barbequed a salmon and…
Gold Bluff Beach to Redwood Visitor's Center. 11.5 miles
June 8: Humboldt CountyGold Bluff Beach to RedwoodVisitor’s Center. 11.5 miles This morning we got to meet Bert Taylor, Coastwalk’s Humboldt County coordinator, who has done so much to insure that our walk through this county will be pleasant and successful. With Bert was Rob Amerman, our hike leader for the day. Soon we met Gene Logan…