From 101 as it passes through the town of Weott, take Mattole Rd. that goes to the town of Honeydew through Humboldt Redwoods State Park. You begin along the Eel River and proceed along a narrow bumpy, pot-holed road through the forest. From there you gain elevation on a series of tight switch backs over the mountains with some occasional good glimpses of the rolling coastal hills before descending into Honeydew and the Mattole Valley. You follow along the river through the valley for quite a ways. Be sure to take Light House Rd. to the black sands of Mattole Beach. It is a very rough road, but there is a very nice campground there for $8 a night if you enjoy tent camping.
Once you return from Mattole Beach you continue north on Mattole Rd. until you round a corner to see the road descending before you eyes to right along the beach itself! You will probably want to stop along here and take more pictures. The road follows along the shore for about 7 miles before you look ahead and you see this steep uphill grade that takes you up from sea level which is a sight in itself. It times like this where a torque heavy V-twin motor is a real plus.
The road up over the hills is again twisty, rough, bumpy, narrow and potholed but it makes for a challenging and scenic motorycle ride to the town of Ferndale.
Ferndale has some of the most beautiful architecture I have ever seen of any small town and is a great place to stop for lunch or dinner.
I've decided to arrange an overnight day ride with some of my friends up here in NorCal. I put together an "October Fast" ride back last October that was very successful, and I'm thinking mid-March for the "First Annual Lost Coast Run".
If you ever find yourself in the area, take a day to make this drive. Its a must see.
-Tutt
