Managing authority
Government conservation authorityLOST completion certificate
Lost Coast Trail Completion Certificate
Lost Coast Trail is a recognised Coastal trail in King Range, California, running from Mattole Beach to Black Sands Beach Shelter Cove over approximately 39-41 km.
LOSTRegistry route
Image source and licence
Lost Coast Headlands (29543088760).jpg by blmcalifornia, Public domain; cropped and colour-treated.
Verification application
Sign in before you start
Authentication protects your application, payment status, and private evidence. You will return to this trail after signing in or creating an account.
Trail context
A certificate grounded in the journey.
A considered completion record for Lost Coast Trail, built around private evidence review and a permanent public verification layer.
Completed Lost Coast Trail? Submit route-appropriate GPS tracks, activity links, dated photos, stamps, permits, guide confirmation, club confirmation, or a clear completion narrative. Route variants are assessed from the evidence provided.
Structured trail record
Authority, season and access
Official route status
Official backcountry coastal trail in King Range National Conservation Area
Coastal trailNormal endpoints
Mattole Beach to Black Sands Beach Shelter Cove
Catalogue references: 40.290, -124.355 to 40.045, -124.077Elevation range
0 m to 400 m
Rounded catalogue elevationsRecommended months
May-October
Wildfire, snow, flooding, extreme heat, storm damage and land-management operations can close or reroute sections.Access requirements
A wilderness permit is required. Several impassable-at-high-tide zones must be crossed using official tide guidance.
Permit/booking · Seasonal constraintsCollection and characteristics
Coastal trail
CaliforniaCoastTidalPermitsWilderness
Coordinates and elevations are rounded catalogue references for discovery only. They are not navigation-grade or emergency waypoints. Always use current official route information and an appropriate map.
Reviewed route data
Route, stages and elevation
Interactive map of Lost Coast Trail
39-41 km, depending on route variant
40.51 km
957 m on mapped route
0–88 m
3-4 walking days
StartMattole BeachFinishBlack Sands Beach Shelter Cove
- 1Mattole Beach
- 2Punta Gorda lighthouse
- 3Spanish Flat
- 4Big Flat
- 5Gitchell Creek
- 6Black Sands Beach
Planning summary only. Check current closures, permits, weather, transport, and official navigation sources before travel.
Why get this certificate?
Lost Coast Trail is a recognised Coastal trail in King Range, California, running from Mattole Beach to Black Sands Beach Shelter Cove over approximately 39-41 km.
Your certificate includes a premium PDF, a permanent QR verification page, registry-signed metadata, and privacy-aware public display settings.
Accepted evidence
Route-matched proof examples
- Continuous dated GPX, FIT, TCX, or equivalent activity record covering the recognised route
- Route checkpoints: Mattole Beach; Punta Gorda lighthouse; Spanish Flat; Big Flat; Gitchell Creek; Black Sands Beach
- Dated endpoint and checkpoint photographs plus stage history where track coverage has material gaps
- Evidence of required permits, bookings, guide arrangements, or access compliance where applicable
Before payment
Prepare proof that tells the whole route story.
Best evidence: GPX, FIT, or TCX files, trusted activity links, dated trail photos, stamps, permits, or guide confirmation. Photos alone may need supporting context.
Expected review level: Evidence Reviewed. Most reviews target 2–3 working days after payment and private proof upload.
Trail proof checklist
- Continuous dated GPX, FIT, TCX, or equivalent activity record covering the recognised route
- Route checkpoints: Mattole Beach; Punta Gorda lighthouse; Spanish Flat; Big Flat; Gitchell Creek; Black Sands Beach
- Dated endpoint and checkpoint photographs plus stage history where track coverage has material gaps
- Evidence of required permits, bookings, guide arrangements, or access compliance where applicable
Distance and route variants are reviewed conservatively. Public pages never publish raw GPS points or private proof files.
Private review layer
Your proof is not your public profile.
Reviewers may see
GPS and activity files, uploaded photos, permits, stamps, guide confirmations, completion narrative, and clarification replies.
The public may see
Certificate status, trail, privacy-controlled display name, dates, verification level, issue date, fingerprint, and registry signature state.
Supported route variants
This record covers the northern Mattole–Black Sands section. Tide-zone timing and permit conditions are mandatory; the southern Sinkyone section is separate.
Key route sequence: Mattole Beach - Punta Gorda lighthouse - Spanish Flat - Big Flat - Gitchell Creek - Black Sands Beach.
Prepare your proofVerification levels
Evidence ReviewedPrivate completion evidence was assessed by a Verified Hikes reviewer.
GPS Evidence ReviewedA GPS file or trusted activity record formed part of the evidence review.
Photo + GPS ReviewedPhotographic context and GPS or activity evidence both supported the review.
Partner ConfirmedAn approved partner confirmed completion through a defined workflow.
Authority ConfirmedA trail authority explicitly confirmed the record through an approved workflow.
How the process works
Start verification
Create a paid application for this trail.
Upload proof
Add GPS, activity links, photos, stamps, permits, or confirmation documents privately.
Registry review
A reviewer checks evidence, dates, privacy, and verification level.
Certificate issued
Receive your premium PDF and QR-verifiable public record.
FAQ
What does the QR code prove?
It opens a safe registry page showing certificate metadata, signature status, evidence summary, and PDF fingerprint.
Request correction
See outdated trail facts? Send a correction request so the registry team can review the route record before publication changes.
Request correction/update