Mattole Road

Mattole Road is a 61.4-mile-long (98.8 km) county road in Humboldt County, California.[2] It originates at Ferndale, passes through Capetown and crosses the Bear River, then reaches the Pacific coastline at Cape Mendocino and follows the beach for seven miles (11 km),[3] passes through Petrolia and Honeydew, crosses Panther Gap at 2,744 feet (836 m) elevation,[4] and terminates near U.S. Route 101 (US 101) and Avenue of the Giants inside Humboldt Redwoods State Park. It is the only public access to the Pacific Ocean coastline of the Lost Coast.

Mattole Road
The Wildcat[1]
Mattole Road and the Pacific Ocean
Length61.4 mi (98.8 km)
LocationHumboldt County, California
North endFerndale
South endHumboldt Redwoods State Park
Construction
Established1860s as a wagon road

It was built as a wagon road in the 1860s.[5]

The road is popular among bicyclists,[6] motorcyclists,[7] and automobile enthusiasts. It has been called "one of America's finest scenic routes",[8] "one of the best adventure drives",[9] and "a must-do road for many motorcyclists".[3] One writer said the view when the final ridge of the coastal hills between Ferndale and the Pacific Ocean is crossed is "[o]ne of the most glorious sights anywhere".[10] The road is included in a National Geographic Society book titled Drives of a Lifetime.[11]

See also

References
  1. "Discovering the Lost Coast of California". Visit Ferndale. Ferndale Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
  2. Humboldt County Department of Public Works (2022). Road Log Alpha. Eureka, California: Humboldt County, California. p. 11.
  3. Mayhew, Tim (n.d.). "Mattole Road, the Lost Coast". Pashnit. Retrieved April 17, 2023. Remote, long, poor pavement for the duration, endless curves and stunning ocean views, Not for everyone but a must-do road for many motorcyclists. 66 Miles LENGTH; Poor, bumpy, potholes, ever-changing PAVEMENT; Smooth, hairpins, endless CURVES; Ferndale to Avenue of the Giants
  4. Doerper, John (2005). Coastal California. Fodor's Travel Publications. p. 148. ISBN 1400015383.
  5. Griggs, Gary B.; Patsch, Kiki; Savoy, Lauret E. (2005). Living with the Changing California Coast. University of California Press. p. 187. OCLC 57392670.
  6. Bland, Alastair (September 4, 2012). "The Best Backroad Bike Rides of the California North Coast". Smithsonian. 75 miles, 9,000 ft elevation gain
  7. Pacheco, Beau Allen (February 18, 2018). "Finding The Lost Coast Highway". Cycle World.
  8. Haslam, Chris (November 23, 2008). "All-new classic drives". Sunday Times. London. p. 6.
  9. Glusac, Elaine (August 26, 2019). "On California's Lost Coast: Sea Lions, Surf and Squiggly Roads". The New York Times.
  10. Willoughby, Deborah (April 9, 1996). "Gingerbread rivals redwoods". The Columbian. Vancouver, Washington. p. 1. One of the most glorious sights anywhere is from the Mattole Road out of Ferndale. After winding through fields full of sheep, motorists reach the top of a ridge overlooking the Pacific...
  11. National Geographic Society (2010). "Lost Coast and Redwoods". Drives of a Lifetime: 500 of the World's Most Spectacular Trips. National Geographic. pp. 127–128. OCLC 503042321.

Further reading
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mattole Road.
  • "Meandering along California's 'Lost Coast'". Sunset. Vol. 181, no. 4. October 1988. p. 14.
  • Salvadori, Clement (2007). "Lost Coast". Motorcycle Journeys Through California and Baja (2nd ed.). Whitehorse. pp. 144–149. OCLC 985767561.
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