Lost Coast 55K
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Event overview
The Lost Coast 55K is a January backcountry running event near Whitethorn, CA, with a course length of 55K (about 34.3 miles) and roughly 6,500 feet of elevation gain. The start and finish are at the Horse Creek Mountain trailhead parking area, accessed via Shelter Cove Rd and King Peak Rd. The nearest town with services is Shelter Cove; Garberville is described as about a 3.5-4 hour drive from San Francisco.
Course and logistics
The route follows largely public roads with a mix of gravel and pavement. The first 1 to 8 miles use Saddle Mountain Rd and climb to around 3,000 feet. The course then descends, follows King Peak Rd north, and turns onto Wilder Ridge Rd to a turnaround at the Honeydew store. Honeydew sits near 300 feet elevation and offers a small market and hot food options. Runners return south on the same roads, skipping the Saddle Mountain turnoff. The final 5-10 miles may include small water crossings on roadways depending on rainfall. Vehicle traffic is generally light - the organizer notes about two to three vehicles per hour on King Peak near the start, potentially more on paved sections toward Honeydew, and little to none on Saddle Mountain. The start/finish area serves primarily as a meeting and parking location. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.