Seven ninth-grade students from Plumas Charter School’s Indian Valley Academy conquered the rugged terrain of the Lost Coast Trail during their backpacking trip in October. 

Led by Courtney Gomola, outdoor education coordinator and instructional aide, Sydney Pastore, the group trekked through windy and rainy conditions, hiking six miles over craggy cliffs on the first day.

“This was a hard and very rugged trip over a particularly wrinkly landscape in the more remote and less visited southern section of the Lost Coast Trail,” said Gomola. The southern section of the trail stretches nine miles from Usal Beach, CA to Needle Rock in Sinkyone Wilderness State Park. 

The group celebrated Pastore’s birthday during the four-day trip by collecting unique rocks and hand-picked bouquets around their backcountry campsite and playing a raucous game of cards in the moonlight. 

Gomola reported that the hike out was warmer and clearer as the day progressed and students were able to take in sweeping views of the jagged coastline they had traversed. “Major kudos to these kiddos for their positive spirits and grit that they demonstrated on a very tough trip,” she said. 

The Lost Coast adventure is one of the experiences funded by the Outdoor Equity Grants Program, created through AB 209 and administered by California State Parks Office of Grants and Local Services. PCS was awarded $447,000 in 2022 and the program’s goal is to increase the ability of residents in underserved communities to participate in outdoor experiences at state parks and other public lands.

By Rachel Goings, Public Relations Specialist  [email protected]
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In the photo: Hikers trekked through windy and rainy conditions on the first day of the hike. Photo by Sydney Pastore.