Little Jackass Creek Beach, Lost Coast Trail - Central California
Posted by: 
Hikenutty
N 39° 51.605 W 123° 54.113
10S E 422858 N 4412616
Little Jackass Beach lies along the remote Lost Coast Trail within the Sinkyone Wilderness State Park of California. Although this long distance trail is extremely difficult, the beauty is unbelievable.
Waymark Code: WM2VHD
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 12/25/2007
Views: 117
This was likely our all time favorite backpacking trip and I cannot speak highly enough about it. Even driving to the trailhead is not for the faint of heart. Although the distance doesn't seem like much, the constant up and down of the trail over the headlands will slow you waaaaaaaay down, your thighs will be screaming and you'll be cursing yourself for ever starting out on the crazy adventure. But then you will crest a headland and look down at a tiny black sand beach squeezed between two mountainous headlands that will take your breath away.
Little Jackass Creek's beach is one of those beaches. We camped here alongside the creek among the driftwood while deer gazed down from the mountains on either side of us. While on the beach sea otters would pop up beyond the surf and watch us curiously. Beautiful purple butterfly jelly fish would flap on the dark sand when the tide was low. During our five days on the trail we didn't see a single person after the first mile of the hiking.
If you decide to visit the beach, I recommend doing research on California's lost coast and buying a map of the Sinkyone Wilderness and the Kings Canyon Conservation Area. The trailhead that you'll start at to access Little Jackass is a few miles down the road from the Sinkyone Wilderness's Needle Rock Ranger Station. Register for a wilderness permit at the station (free) and then continue on to the trailhead.
Type of beach: Natural
Location of beach: Seashore
Beach surface type: Fine sand
Web Address: [Web Link]
Ratings (1-5): 
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