Lost Coast 55K

Event overview

The Lost Coast 55K takes place in Whitethorn, California, with the start and finish at the Horse Creek Mountain trailhead parking area. The scheduled date is January 3, 2026. The advertised distance is 55K (about 34.3 miles) with roughly 6,500 feet of elevation gain. The course runs on backcountry gravel and quiet pavement; the organizer notes the entire route follows public roads with a wide range of surface qualities. Light trail shoes or road shoes are recommended.

Course and access

The first 1 to 8 miles follow Saddle Mountain Road and are described as the roughest section, climbing to about 3,000 feet before a descent to King Peak Road. Pavement begins on Wilder Ridge Road and continues to the turnaround at the Honeydew store. Honeydew is the lowest point on the course, around 300 feet above sea level, and has a small market and hot food options. The return heads south along the same corridor, skipping the Saddle Mountain turnoff; a few small water crossings on the road are possible in the last 5-10 miles depending on rainfall. Horse Creek Mountain trailhead is easiest to reach from Shelter Cove Road, a five-mile unpaved stretch on King Range Road that is described as wide and passable for most mid-size cars. Vehicle traffic is reported as low on King Peak and Saddle Mountain, with occasional traffic on paved segments. Backup route options exist if roads are closed. Registration closes December 31. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.