A Jaunt Up The Beach: Trail Conditions Continued

Tuesday and Wednesday (March 22 and 23) I went up the beach to Shipman Creek from Black Sands Beach. Tuesday brought me surprisingly good weather and I was able to reach my camping area and set up my tent before the rain hit. Just as predicted it dumped on me all night and the wind nearly blew my tent away (or so it seemed).

You can see in the picture that Shipman Creek is running pretty high and swift (taken Wednesday morning). It is hard to tell but this is at least mid thigh in most sections and finding a safe place to cross will be increasingly difficult as the rains continue the next several days. Also, consider this:

This Afternoon: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce small hail. High near 53. South southwest wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Wind waves 7 to 9 ft...subsiding to 3 to 5 ft in the afternoon. W swell 8 to 10 ft at 12 seconds

Tonight: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce small hail and heavy rain. Low around 45. South southwest wind between 9 and 17 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Wind waves 2 to 4 ft. W swell 15 to 17 ft at 14 seconds.

Friday: Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. Southwest wind between 8 and 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 14 to 16 ft at 14 seconds

Friday Night: Rain. The rain could be heavy at times. Low around 47. South wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Wind waves 3 to 5 ft. W swell 11 f

Saturday: Rain. High near 56. Southwest wind around 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 12 to 14 ft.

As mentioned in the previous post, you may want to reconsider any plans you made to visit the lost coast this week. Unless, or course, you enjoy being wet and cold for multiple days at a time in hazardous weather. In which case, read my last few posts about saftey considerations when hiking the LCT during winter. Hopefully Conditions will improve in the next week or two.

Your Wilderness Ranger,

Paul