Happy 4th of July everyone, this year leave the BBQ to your neighbors and do the most patriotic thing you can – explore and treasure your protected lands. (Or just combine it all and break out the Dutch Oven BBQ ribs over the campfire).

Lost Coast 4th of July – Black Sands Beach to Mattole River

South to North – 24.4 miles

Day 1 – 8 miles – Black Sands Beach to Big Flat

Day 2 – 6 miles – Big Flat to Oat Creek

Day 3 – 7.2 miles – Oat Creek to Punta Gorda

Day 4 – 3.2 miles – Punta Gorda to Mattole River

More photos after the jump of last years 4th of July backpacking adventure along the northern half of California’s Lost Coast.