LightBackpacking.com

I saw on TV last week that the snowpack is only 64 per cent of normal. That means the snow will melt sooner and we can get into the mountains earlier.

My pals Wild Bill, the Duke and I have a trip planning get-together in a couple of weeks.
Some of our possibilities: The Dardenelles, Yolla Bolly Wilderness, the Eastern Sierra, King’s Canyon, Redwood National Park and the Marble Mountains.

Our backpacking season — we don’t go in winter — is March through October. We’ve actually begun earlier and ended -later. In one hiking club I belonged to, they began at Memorial Day and ened on Labor Day. Of course, they missed some of the best times for getting out on the trail.

So, what do you do while waiting for the snow to thaw?

I realize that the Web is worldwide and my own range is pretty much limited since I spend the backpacking season in Northern California. However here are two favorites:

• Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park - this loop takes you up a ridge covered with virgin, old growth redwoods and drops you down onto the a wide sandy beach. Although it’s only six miles from the trailhead, the campsite feels secluded. You return up a prehistoric looking fern canyon that takes you through Elk country and back through another six miles of virgin redwoods along the James Irvine Trail. Both the Fern and James Irvine Trails are closed until May. Not sure if this a water/flooding thing from heavy rains or as a result of the mountain line attack (the victim survived and two mountain lions in the area were killed). But this is a spectacular trip. Permit required. No bear canisters.

• The Lost Coast (230 miles north of San Francisco) – this takes you 24.8 miles from the head of the Mattole River in Humboldt County to the Black Sands Beach in Shelter Cove. The abandoned Punta Gorda Lighthouse at mile three is a great diversion. Driftwood shelter strewn beaches at Miller and Spanish Flats make protected camping spots with plenty of firewood to stay warm. No permit required. Bear canisters required.

Be sure to get a tide book, because several places are impassable at high tide.

-Punta Gorda (2.9mi)
-Sea Lion Gulch to Randall Creek (4.5-8.4mi)
-South end of Miller Flat to 1.5mi North of Gitchell Creek (16.7-20.7mi)

This this is an one-way hike, you will probably want to park at one end and get a shuttle to take you to the trailhead.

The car shuttle takes about 5 hours round trip (45min from Black Sands Beach to 101, 15min on 101, 1 1/2 hrs to Mattole, and back).

Commercial Shuttles (always call in advance!):
Roxanne@saber.net at www.lostcoasttrail.com: (707) 986-9909
Shelter Cove Camp Ground Store & Deli: (707) 986-7474

Be light. Be safe. Be one with the pack.