Wheeler Beach, Lost Coast Trail - Central California
Posted by: 
Hikenutty
N 39° 52.910 W 123° 54.903
10S E 421756 N 4415042
Wheeler 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: WM2VJW
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 12/26/2007
Views: 105
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.
Wheeler Beach is one of those little beaches. The campsites are back from the beach in a wooded area near the creek and there are sections of the creek that are deep and slow and good for swimming. If you continue out to the beach you will have to work your way around a small lagoon that sandwiches the slice of black sand beach between it and the ocean. While on the beach sea otters would pop up beyond the surf and watch us curiously. Sea lions bellow from distant rocks. It is beautiful and peaceful.
During our five days on the trail we didn't see a single person after the first mile of the hiking. We did however see lots of wildlife, including a bear so be sure to keep all food and toiletries in a bear canister and hang the canister. We nearly lost our food when some critter carried our can down to the creek in the night.
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 Wheeler 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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