Thursday, November 3, 2016, Black Sand Beach


Our camp hosts strongly recommended a trip to the coast.  It meant a slow drive along a winding, pot-holed road crossing the mountains of the King Range National Conservation area (35 miles, 1 hour).  The mountains isolated the area to the point that development has been limited and the coast was mostly forgotten.  Highlights of the Lost Coast included the Black Sands Beach and Shelter Cove.  Although the road was bordering on miserable the views were beautiful.


When we reached the beach, the fog that threatened to close in and keep us from seeing much just made our picture that much more dramatic.  The beach overlook was getting a make-over by volunteers, so we headed straight for the beach. 


The incoming waves were so fascinating.  There was a steep drop-off just offshore so the incoming waves would pile up reaching between 20 and 30 feet before finally collapsing under their own weight.  Signs cautioned visitors of the danger of severe rip tides and let us know we should stay clear of the waves.


The "sand" was buried beneath pebbles making it really uncomfortable for walking in flip-flops.  I was happy to sit and watch the mesmerizing waves.





As the waves crashed on shore they would drive the small pebbles before them making a rattling sound as the rocks bounced and danced. We were sitting maybe 20 feet above the waterline when I realized the waves must have been huge to have thrown the pebbles up to our height.




In Shelter Bay, we were lucky enough to visit the lighthouse when the caretaker was doing a little clean-up.  He was more than happy to give us some history of the lighthouse and the town and the coast in general.  I cannot imagine living along this coast in such isolation, but I was very happy we got to visit.

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