Sea Lions, Trails, and Maps: Check it Out

These past few weeks have brought to light three issues that I would like to share with you today:

1. There are an unusual number of stranded sea lions on the Lost Coast. This appears to be the situation throughout California this year. We have noted several--about one every other mile of beach--dead or dying sea lions on each patrol this year. This week, we have begun officially documenting these strandings and providing the information to biologists at Humboldt State University. The word we are getting from the scientists is that there has been a recent, rapid decline in the populations of fish such as sardines which the sea lions rely on for food. This may be related to a change in ocean temperature believed to be connected with a developing strong El Nino in the Pacific. That means more dead sea lions and probably a lot of nasty storms this coming winter for the Lost Coast. Meanwhile, we're all checking in on the sea lions.

2. The Student Conservation Association (SCA) trail crew working at King Range this summer is making good progress at opening up the trail system. In the past two weeks, they have removed downed trees from the Miller Loop, the northern half of the King Crest Trail, and a majority of the Rattlesnake Trail. These were the areas with the greatest concentration of winter storm damage. This week, they are clearing trail south of Nicks Camp on Chemise Mountain. Many thanks to all the hard work, SCA!

3. Visitors are coming to the Lost Coast with inadequate maps! We spoke with two groups in the backcountry this week who were having trouble navigating with the maps they brought. One group was carrying a 1970 map of the King Range and another carried the Wilderness Press Lost Coast map, available from REI and other sporting goods stores. I will freely state that I do not believe this Wilderness Press map to be adequate. Some creeks do not appear on the map, the countour interval is 500', and it has very little detail. The creek commonly known as "Big Creek" is labled on the Wilderness Press map as "Hadley Creek," which was is an old name which is no longer used on USGS maps. If you are looking for a map of the Lost Coast, give our office a call. The BLM publishes an excellent map of the King Range with a scale similar to that of the Wilderness Press map. BLM's map is on waterproof paper, has excellent detail, a 100' contour interval, and is scaled at 1:5280. The map is available from BLM for $5--a little more than half what the Wilderness Press map retails for. Stop by the BLM office, call, or email them to get a copy. BLM will mail you a copy if you telephone to purchase with a credit card. Call them up at 707-986-5400 or 707-825-2300. Send email to ca338@ca.blm.gov.