Punta Gorda south 9/16

My wife & I hiked a portion of the Lost Coast last week. We beach camped, beach combed,  and I did some shorefishing south of the Punta Gorda lighthouse. I thought the fish was a rainbow surfperch, but I guess it was actually a Striped surfperch (it had electric blue stripes and spots on its head & sides).
It was a nice protein shot over couscous and dehydrated veggies. And I couldn't complain about cooking with a kitchen view like that

Awesome!

No green tamale sauce?

Awesome!

X2!! Just a beautiful spot.

Z

Right on, Sean.  Glad you had a good trip.  We've camped in the driftwood structures there quite a few times but not in years.  Good Times.   

Awesome!

No green tamale sauce?

I should have brought some! No, instead I made do with olive oil, seasoned pepper, and a little garlic for zest!

We actually went in to Sea Lion Gulch, but the storm that hit Sunday night (3" of rain in Shelter Cove) pretty much soaked us. Thank goodness for Marmot tents, otherwise we'd have been in real trouble. Anyway, we changed plans and spent our time near Punta Gorda and a day down in Shelter Cove to walk Black Sands beach.

Right on, Sean.  Glad you had a good trip.  We've camped in the driftwood structures there quite a few times but not in years.  Good Times.   

Yep, we had a blast! On the drive back we stopped for lunch & beer tasting at Mendocino Brewing Co's pub in Hopland, which was dangerously good. I could have stayed there all afternoon....
My fav was the "Eyego", an 8.0 Eye of the Hawk ale topped with Black Hawk stout.

Beautiful up there... Nothin like camping in the driftwood pyrates shacks and eating fresh muscles cooked over a driftwood fire!. Haven't been up there in a few years but have hiked that section of coast a few times.. Early rain this year.. I bet it got everyone in cahoots up in that part of Cali!..

Beautiful up there... Nothin like camping in the driftwood pyrates shacks and eating fresh muscles cooked over a driftwood fire!. Haven't been up there in a few years but have hiked that section of coast a few times.. Early rain this year.. I bet it got everyone in cahoots up in that part of Cali!..

Yeah, I sorely wanted to cook up some mussels, but they are still quarantined until the end of October. I considered some limpets as mini-abs, but in the end I just took the fish. Also, no beach fires allowed since July 1st due to to the fire danger. The whisperlite worked great though. Not quite as free as it used to be I guess, but still a wonderful bunch of coastline, just magical.
Seemed to me everyone was stoked for the rain, but most traces were gone in a couple days. Don't know if that's good or bad this time o year

Killer report Sean, looks like an awesome time.  I didn't think any beaches on the entire ca coastline let you camp on em.......looks like mucho potential for another backapack/spear trip!

Sounds like you guys had a great time!  We were thinking about you when we read the forecast for rain in No. Cal. on the first days of your trip.  Camping, beach combing, and fishing in such a beautiful area must have been incredible without the crowds of people we are used to around here.  Nice!

Awesome trip Sean.I too was wondering if you guys were ok with that heavy rain that came through up there.Glad you weathered it out and got some beautiful weather and bonus perch too.I know how much you love the wild coast.

How are you going to cook a 20#+ flatty on that little stove?
One piece at a time I guess.

Awesome trip Sean.I too was wondering if you guys were ok with that heavy rain that came through up there.Glad you weathered it out and got some beautiful weather and bonus perch too.I know how much you love the wild coast.

How are you going to cook a 20#+ flatty on that little stove?
One piece at a time I guess.

I'd have had to pull a Les Stroud/MacGuyver move and build a grill in that case!
Yeah, it's a really special place that chunk of coastline.

& Art-dude, if I packed a rod & reel in there a spear & suit wouldn't be too bad. It just comes down to how much weight you wanna pack!
 I guess there are some folks who basically live in the central section all summer, surfing & surviving on donated food. When I go back I'm bringing 2 pounds of coffee for the "natives".

I thought the fish was a rainbow surfperch, but I guess it was actually a Striped surfperch (it had electric blue stripes and spots on its head & sides).

It's actually a "striped seaperch" lol. But I knew what you were talking about.
Just giving ya crap--that sounds like a great packtrip in a beautiful spot. I'm jealous!

Yeah, an early rain can definitely be a blessing and a curse... helps wet the ground for and moisten the plants for fire prevention but can cause a lot mold and early work up there when its not expected...