I finally found a hidden creek crossing on the Lost Coast Trail that cuts 2 miles off the usual route.

It's about a quarter mile north of the Mattole River camp, marked by three stacked rocks on the south bank.

3 comments

3 Comments

Oh man, that "cuts 2 miles off" part is so tempting. A buddy of mine tried a shortcut like that last year, got all turned around in the fog and missed the tide window completely. He ended up having to scramble up a cliff to wait it out, totally soaked. Craig.grace is totally right about checking the charts, it's no joke. My friend still gets teased about his "quick detour" that added like five hours.

craig.grace2mo ago

Check the tide charts first, that crossing gets deep fast.

umamoore1mo ago

But what if you're a strong swimmer with a waterproof pack? Sometimes the risk is worth the reward for that kind of time save. I've seen people make that crossing way faster than going all the way around, just by knowing their own speed. Maybe @craig.grace is being a little too careful for everyone.