Lost Coast / Dusy-Ershim Trip Report & Pics

[Skillet]

Took two weeks off and, after helping my Mom move in Grants Pass, I worked my way back down California's lost coast via Shelter Cove / Chamise Mountain Road / Usal Road and highway 1.

Between October 20 through October 27th on these pics.

Did some ab diving, general camping, hiking, etc. (drank much cervesa)

After a brief 24 hour respite at home I headed up to Courtright Res. about 2 miles in to the Dusy Ershim for some camping and unsuccessful fishing.

Nice to see the very large herds of Roosevelt elk on the north coast in some remote places.

Usal and Chamise Mtn were very interesting roads that take you through the heart of the Lost Coast. Where Usal and Chamise meet in the middle of nowhereville, you can go down to Needle Rock and Bear Harbor state park and camp / dive / kayak. Very beautiful and not to miss.

Usal was on the verge of being impassable. One more rain and she will be way too sloppy as there were already some very deep, very wet mud holes. Made the 21+ mile trip south to Usal Creek in 3.5 hours.

As usual, Usal Creek and the beach there were absolutely beautiful. I hit perfect weather for the entire Lost Coast portion of the trip. 80+ degrees on the coast. Crystal clear and hardly any wind.

Here are a few pics to start with...

 

[Skillet]

Few more pics...

 

[Skillet]

Courtright Res & Dusy Ershim.

Very cool geological area. No hard wheeling just mellow into the campsites.

I already vented about the garbage people left behind in another thread so I won't go there. Still, very much worth the trip.

Reservoir was extremely low and we got rained on the second night there.

Ended up getting a cabin for the last night and roughing it.

More pics...

 

[AZCPP]

Great pics!

Thank You for sharing!

 

[Tucson T4R]

Great shots, thanks. So if you started at Courtright Res and went up the Dusy a couple miles, you got to start out by climbing chicken rock. Had you been there before or was that the first time up chicken? Did you go all the way Thompson ridge or stop before getting that far? I love that trail. :wings:

 

[HMR]

Thanks for sharing the pics!

Gotta love hitting the Lost Coast when the weather is perfect. Looks like you had the Shelter Cove camping area to yourself. Last time I was there it was standing room only due to fishermen. Definately one of the most beautiful areas I've ever experienced.

:drool:

 

[Skillet]

Great shots, thanks. So if you started at Courtright Res and went up the Dusy a couple miles, you got to start out by climbing chicken rock. Had you been there before or was that the first time up chicken? Did you go all the way Thompson ridge or stop before getting that far? I love that trail. :wings:

I just stopped at Courtright, camped and hiked around the lake.

We were alone and from what I understand, you should have more than one vehicle for that trail. It was my first time in that area. The first two miles of the trail were enought for that weekend. Loved it. I want to go back with a pack of vehicles for 4 or 5 days and do the whole thing.

 

[Skillet]

Thanks for sharing the pics!

Gotta love hitting the Lost Coast when the weather is perfect. Looks like you had the Shelter Cove camping area to yourself. Last time I was there it was standing room only due to fishermen. Definately one of the most beautiful areas I've ever experienced.

:drool:

I was one of three vehicles in the Shelter Cove campground. It was beautiful and peaceful.

Fishing season was over and there were just a couple of surfers hanging around.

That was my second time there and I will be back. :beer:

 

[Tucson T4R]

I just stopped at Courtright, camped and hiked around the lake.

We were alone and from what I understand, you should have more than one vehicle for that trail. It was my first time in that area. The first two miles of the trail were enought for that weekend. Loved it. I want to go back with a pack of vehicles for 4 or 5 days and do the whole thing.

I ran the lenght of Dusy with a friend back in the late 80's. We went from North to South and came out at Courtright res. Your right though, on that trail it's good to buddie up and be there to support each other. Each night we camped at high mountain lakes so if you like trout fishing, it's a perfect combo of driving challenges and beautiful campsites by lakes each night. If you ever get a chance, go for it. :jumping:

We took 3 days to run it. As I remember it, was about 30 miles and we drove about 8-10 hours a day for 3 days to complete the trip. Whenever we shifted into 2nd gear low range we thought...oh man, we are moving now!:shakin:

 

[Desertoutpost]

Cool!

 

[BogusBlake]

Nice! That looks like an awesome trip. I've been wanting to take a wheeling camping trip to NorCal for a while. Just need to earn the time off!

 

[ujoint]

Great pics. I just found out I have a nice 16 day vacation around the new year, and I'm thinking of heading that direction.

 

[Skillet]

Great pics. I just found out I have a nice 16 day vacation around the new year, and I'm thinking of heading that direction.

Let me know if you want some hints on finding some of these places.

Little things like the entrance to Usal road are kinda tricky.

 

[Super Doody]

Thanks for sharing. I've hiked the entire length of the lost coast trail but I didn't know about usual campground.