The beauty and variety of the King Range National Conservation Area lures many backpackers and hikers to its nearly 53,000 acres, starting at the mouth of the Mattole River and meandering south for 35 miles to Whale Gulch.

The area also takes in the fishing community of Shelter Cove and its surrounding Humboldt County Resort Improvement District, including the 4,087-foot King. Within those 53,000 acres, the habitat goes from the ocean to prairie, pine woodlands,scrub oak and manzanita thicket. Its 70 miles of hiking trails and four campgrounds beckon to the adventurous, but the Bureau of Land Management, which oversees use ofthe Range, advises everyone that most of the upland trails are strenuous, going from the beach to the highest peaks. In other words, hiking here is not for amateurs.

The BLM maintains the backcountry as a wilderness setting, and so it reminds hikers to expect no facilities and minimal signing on the trail.

There are a number of connector trails that allow for loop hikes, including Saddle Mountain, Rattlesnake Ridge, and Buck Creek, that take in King Crest and Lost Coast Beach.

BLM officials also warn that a serious bear problem has developed all along the beach where the bears have been

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coming into camps and taking food. All hikers and campers are required to use a bear resistant canister.

Several precautions are recommended for hikers.

While dogs are allowed in the King Range, the trails can strain an animal’s strength, so owners should be certain that their pets are in above-average condition. In developed campgrounds, dogs should be kept on a leash no longer than six feet. Outside the campgrounds, they do not need to be leashed, but should be under voice control at all times.

Hikers will encounter poison oak and may encounter rattlesnakes, so caution is advised.

Water is available all year from coastal streams, but should be purified before drinking. On uplandtrails, water is scarce, so hikers should carry an ample supply on the trails.

Campfire permits are required for open fires and stoves. The use of fires may be suspended during highfire danger. Also, some of the King Range areas were damaged in the September fires three years ago and may not be open to hikers. Hikers are encouraged to check for fire restrictions and for information on any areas that may be closed by contacting the BLM field office in Arcata,707-825-2300, before departing.

Surfing is another activity available to the hardy on the Lost Coast. The most avid surfers prefer an area about eight miles north of ShelterCove called Big Flat where surfing is reported to be ‘exceptional.’ This area juts out into the ocean and is the last land that can be seen to the north from the southern end of Black Sand Beach.