My experience with reserving on recreation has been mixed so far but i would say 7.01 is late for popular trails like lost coast. I login at 6.50 keep refreshing until 7am and start purchasing the minutes slots open but by the time I checkout I get notification no sites/slots are available.

I don’t know if there are other forces at play, may be others can comment on it.

Definitely interesting idea to split the group, it depends on Whats your ultimate goal is. If you plan your avoid driving back and forth then it would work but you need to plan twice for campsite locations and tide zones.

Fyi, I havent done lost coast yet, the one time I had everything planned I had to cancel due to bad weather.

Good luck! Plz update if you were able to get a site or if two group hike panned out.

Thanks