Before we left, Katie drew us a map to a secret beach on the northern tip of California's coast. The directions seemed somewhat confusing, but were indeed dead on! They talked up this elusive beach they claimed had bouldering, whales, seals, and desolation. Turns out, it was much more than I ever expected! Lost Rocks, as it is called is by far the most beautiful place we've been. I will come back to this place again someday and hopefully it will be everything it was to me then and more.
We arrived just as the sun was setting. This was the view from the van as we searched for our free camping spot- a small pull out off the road on a high bluff overlooking the Pacific coast.
Our first day, we hiked down a steep trail from where we camped to this vast spread of the most beautiful beach I have seen in the states. We had it completely to ourselves, until later in the afternoon when some other climbers showed up (Brady was stoked!)
I spent the entire day watching Gray Whales whipping their tails in and out of the surface of the sea on their migratory path to the Baja Peninsula, and seals playing in the waves of the surf! We also saw dolphins, and Bald Eagles! Brady spent the day bouldering on the rocks. There is no guide book for this climbing area, and no real designated routes on the rocks due to the always changing tides. Some days a route can be a V5, another day a V8.
Literally, no one here besides us!
The beach we camped at also happens to be in the Redwood National Park, home to the tallest, and some of the oldest, living species on the planet! The Redwood behind me is over 1,500 years old and over 300 ft. tall!
We hiked through the Lady Bird Johnson grove one day.
I could live in there!
A picture could never express the impact of standing under these trees!
He just can't help himself..
This was our view all week where the van was parked. Every morning people driving through would stop to do some whale-watching, then drive on. Few people had any idea that a short hike down unfolded into such a beautiful beach! We met several interesting characters of all different walks of life each morning, even some funny Canadians! We chose who we told to hike down carefully, not wanting to spoil the isolation of this spot.
Another day in the Redwoods, we got a permit to hike to another grove with more giant trees. They named this grove "Tall Trees Grove" fittingly...
Last day in the Redwoods. We are sad to leave, but Brady made plans to meet another climber we met along the way in Trinity Aretes, east of the coast. See you there!
