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CoastWatch Mile 40 County Curry Description North of Sisters Rocks, cliffs south of Arizona Beach Boundaries N 42° 36.669', W 124° 24.03' to N 42° 35.675', W 124° 24.182' Google Maps Nearby Roads, Directions to/from, Google photos, Satellite image, Terrain overlay OPRD Map Humbug Mountain, Arizona Beach, Devilīs Backbone (1) Vehicles • Motor vehicles are prohibited from the south end of Arizona Beach (42° 36.7056', Mile 41), southerly to the Ophir Rest Area (Oregon State Highway Division) (42° 32.1948', Mile 36). Weather Current Weather Conditions at nearby stations (may take a minute or two on a dialup connection) Tides The NOAA Tide Predictions site may be found here. Click on the station nearest to your location to see predicted tides in graphical and tabular formats. Photo Mussel Creek at Arizona Beach access   4/18/10 Swollen creek about 25' across, flowing north to ocean. Water about 2' deep. Brrrrr! azbeach

14 REPORTS FOR MILE 40: azbeach Apr 28, 2013 12:00 AM   Correction to previous reports, inadvertently identifying the grazing roamers on our mile as domestic goats. I've been informed, and confirmed, that these are actually sheep. I'm posting this in hopes that the 3 remaining renegades will be recognized by their owner.   MORE    sheep,actually    Description: split upper lip, tails down -- a couple clues I just discovered azbeach Apr 4, 2013 12:00 AM   Starting in dense fog, and returning with the skies lifting. Mussel Creek, requiring crossing in SOLV bags, is full and flows due north into mile 41. Another intriguing trek, especially since the usually impassable-by-shore area on the south end of the mile, close the Frankport site area, presented a wide, flat expanse of beach -- at least 100' to water two hours past low tide -- a much easier way to go! The previously reported domestic goat foursome has been reduced to three. One remains collared with a brass tag. They appeared scruffy, curious, but cautious; munching seaweed on the rocks. There was what appeared to be a grave -- missing goat? -- in the area we first spotted them.   MORE    Humbug Mtn. emerging    Date: Apr 3, 2013 12:00 AM Bluff erosion    Location: south of Pigeon Pt. area Domestic goats    Location: toward south end of mile Who's the stranger . . . ?    Memorial to the missing?    Broad band of sand    Date: Apr 3, 2013 12:00 AM azbeach Oct 25, 2012 1:00 PM   Domestic goats again roaming, grazing at the south end of Mile 40, Frankport site area.   MORE    Domestic goats, again    Location: Frankport site - south end of Mile 40 azbeach Aug 12, 2012 1:30 PM   A mile of discovery and intrigue -- this time, domestic goats! Despite dog-days of summer being enjoyed by humans engaged in pleasurable activities, no dogs! Minimal debris, both marine and land-based.   MORE    We thought they were wild . . .    Description: 4 female domestic goats, two with collar and tag. Imagine our excitement in thinking they were wild! Location: south end of mile, past Pigeon Pt. Open range?    Description: Grazing goats . . . Open range?    Description: Grazing goats . . . Mussel Creek     Description: Not a challenge to cross. The south-headed creek ends in the sand, before reaching the sea. Location: north end of mile What's not to like?    Description: Another beautiful day at Mile 40 azbeach May 10, 2012 10:00 AM   Very low tide permitted access to most of this mile, north to south (except for "the point" which was observed from above and from the south). Gorgeous day -- windy beach protected by Humbug Mtn. Minimal marine and land debris. The stairs at Pigeon Pt. access were removed.   MORE    Erosion    Erosion    Pigeon Guillemot (dead)    Machinery exposed    Description: When visible, this piece of machinery (from old Frankport operation) is usually embedded in sand azbeach Apr 15, 2012 12:30 PM   An abandoned fire took our time and attention on the south end of the mile (north from Sisters Rocks). Due to winter storms, we were unable to cross the hugely expanded Mussel Creek at the Arizona Beach end of the mile. Mussel Creek now travels a long distance north before making an abrupt turn to the sea. This report will be augmented by a further report when we are able to return and cross Mussel Creek to complete the mile, north to south.   MORE    In the beginning . . .    Description: What we thought would be an uneventful day Location: Sisters Rocks from Coast Trail access Suspicious activity    Description: Boys shouldn't play with fire! Unusual behavior, and ultimately abandoning a sizable driftwood fire. No plates on front of vehicle, and Oregon plate on back was obscured. Location: At the base of trail down to Sisters Rocks, in the rocky foredune area Abandoned logs burning    something old revealed    Roiling Mussel Creek    Description: Huge and uncrossable, Mussel Creek now runs a long way north before cutting west to the sea. Much deeper than it looks! Location: Mussel Creek at Arizona Beach entrance to mile azbeach Nov 27, 2011 1:10 PM   Mussel Creek now opens directly west -- wading to cross required. Seasonal sand removal makes this a "bouldering" mile -- difficult to walk it. Very little evidence of marine or human debris except for broken bottles on rocky beach below Frankport site entrance. Contrary to "What happens on the Mile stays on the Mile," if you bring bottles in, pack them out! Another lovely day at the beach . . .   MORE    Mussel Creek opening    Frankport site relic?    Description: This wheel is exposed seasonally azbeach Jul 28, 2011 11:15 AM   The outlet of Mussel Creek has significantly moved to the south. The portion of Mussel Ck. that traverses the sand has created a dividing line between the west side wave-swept beach where there is no vegetation, and the higher elevation east side beach which now has plentiful vegetation. Of note are beach morning glory, searocket, yellow sand verbena, lupine, seaside plaintain, beach silverweed, cat's ear, angelica, coyote bush, and bird's-foot trefoil.   MORE    Mussel Creek changes direction    Location: Arizona Beach end of mile Mussel Creek east and west banks    Date: Jul 28, 2011 12:00 AM they're baaaaaaaack!    Description: Concrete/cement bag steps at Pigeon Pt. access to beach. A Houdini-whodunit ???    Description: "Steps" to beach below houses at Pigeon Pt. Date: Jul 29, 2011 11:15 AM azbeach May 24, 2011 11:03 AM   Although this stretch of coastline is remarkable in itself, nothing of moment to report this time. Mussel Creek has again altered southward, where it now opens. Must be waded for beach access. Waiting for warm weather to encourage the plentiful vegetation to bloom!   MORE    Mussel Creek at Arizona Beach access    Description: direction change Stairway to Heaven-ly Beach    Description: re-built staircase There goes my face    Description: Erosion - bluff deterioration Serious stuff    Description: More erosion azbeach Jan 2, 2011 12:05 PM   Again, a great way to start a New Year, new decade. Most notable, the cliff erosion below established dwellings. On a positive note, marine and land debris minimal - less than a full SOLV bag. The concept of "pay it forward" is beneficial to us all, and especially the environment. Another fab day on our beautiful Oregon coast!   MORE    Sea foam    Location: Mile 40 south Wooden steps gone, bags remain    Location: Pigeon Pt. access to beach Erosion    Description: Drainage pipe, rutted soil Location: cliff below Pigeon Pt. dwellings azbeach Sep 30, 2010 10:15 AM   Like having our own private beach . . . not another footprint. Another beautiful day on the mile. Most pleasantly, the marine/beach debris was significantly not present. Time of season? Awareness and action? Whatever the cause, it's a good thing.   MORE    Family Affair    Description: Photogenic BLOY group Location: offshore island (Pigeon Pt. access) Algaes    Description: Drift line content - amazing amounts of Sea Palms and algaes what's wrong with this picture?    Description: Concrete mix bags placed to form steps below wooden stair structure Location: access to beach from Pigeon Pt. residences Date: Sep 30, 2010 12:00 AM azbeach Jul 15, 2010 9:20 AM   Beach to ourselves until the return trip. Mussel Creek shallower, easier to cross. Less marine and human/land debris this time. Lots of "bouldering" on this mile; had to complete the most southerly portion by access from Frankport area. What a beautiful, exhilarating coastal walkway.   MORE    erosion    Description: Bank above foredune flowing to the sea . . . Date: Jul 15, 2010 12:00 AM The Joy of BLOY    Description: One of adult pair that had been sitting in the sand more to come?    Description: Concrete bags Location: access to beach from Pigeon Pt. residences Mussel Creek at Arizona Beach access    azbeach Apr 18, 2010 9:15 AM   Another terrific adventure along this wild mile. Spring flowers including iris, strawberry, aster, wild cucumber. We had to complete the mile from two access points because low tide still did not permit access around one point. Marine debris abounds. Challenge other mile tenders to always carry a bag or 2 or 4; so when beach strolling folks offer their thanks for what you're doing, you can produce a bag and . . . We're delivering our bags of marine debris (NO household garbage) to Art 101 just south of Bandon for the traveling Washed Ashore project. Angela Pozzi welcomes these deliveries. (She cannot take debris scaled with decaying animal shells, carcasses, etc.) Let's clean these Pacific Coast beaches, and engage others globally!   MORE    Mussel Creek at Arizona Beach access    Description: Swollen creek about 25' across, flowing north to ocean. Water about 2' deep. Brrrrr! Location: Mussel Creek from AZ Beach parking area Rock outcropping not passable (not up for "bouldering" today)    Description: Looking north from impassable point. (We then returned to AZ beach access and completed the mile north to south -- to this point) Location: North of Frankport Site entry Date: Apr 18, 2010 10:00 AM Ice Plant!    Description: Invasive species - Ice Plant quite abundant Location: off-shore island north of Frankport Site entry Date: Apr 18, 2010 10:20 AM Vehicle tracks    Description: Evidence of non-permitted vehicles entering from Frankport Site gate (opening at edge of gate large enough for vehicle access) Location: near Sea Caves west of Frankport Site entry Date: Apr 18, 2010 9:30 AM Lunch with a view!    Description: Arches and slots Location: somewhere in-between Date: Apr 18, 2010 12:05 PM azbeach Dec 28, 2009 12:00 AM   Bicycle, road sign, tires, glass, plastic, styrofoam, tin - the only sign of humans was what they left behind. Garbage and debris, both discarded and drifted in from offshore activities, is very damaging and offensive to this beautifully wild and pristine area. However, where the beach travel was difficult, and humans did not further venture, the wildlife is natural and rewarding. Erosion in the area, above and down into the foredune, is very evident and somewhat extreme. Perhaps significant, the anchored staircase was not there -- removed for the season, or just gone? But wait. There is great news! The Brown Pelican juvenile, rehabbed at Free Flight Bird Rehabilitation for several months, and released by us at Arizona Beach in August '09, apparently went south with the flock!! Happy New Year!   MORE    Wild Mile    Description: overview, from whence we came - starting above Frankport site Date: Dec 28, 2009 12:00 PM along the way    Description: rock fields for foot paths; more erosion Date: Dec 28, 2009 12:00 PM erosion    Date: Dec 28, 2009 12:00 PM from 101    Description: looking north above homes on Pigeon Point Date: Dec 28, 2009 12:00 PM