Mile 179 Report

December 27, 2022
by ThomasK

Location:
Lane
Heceta Head Lighthouse, Devils Elbow SP, Cape Creek
Conditions:
Tuesday 2:45 PM
Rain
58° F
Wind:
Storm from the SW
Tide Level:
7.8 ft
Humans / Pets:
People:
20
Dogs:
1
Activities:
Walking / Running:
20
Parking lot was closed due to high surf but many cars drove by to watch the King Tide. A few stopped and people ventured out into the gusty strong wind but not onto the beach.
Concerns:
People/dogs in closure areas
Disturbances:
Vehicles:
Activity Comments:
Notable Wildlife:
Dead Birds:
Stranded:
Fish & Invertebrates:
Driftline:
Wood pieces
King Tide moving lots of debris around. Some debris washed up into the parking lot.
New Development:
Modifications:
Natural Changes:
Comments:
Summary:

The parking lot was closed due to King Tide debris washing up onto the parking lot and possbility of sneaker waves. Strong gusty wind kept most visitors off the parking lot area. A few ventured out to feel the power of the wind. The beach was completely covered by the high 7.8ft tide. One person with a tripod did his best to take some photos of the pounding surf. I am sure the salt spray clouded his lens. There was a stream of cars that drove by to see if the parking lot was open. A few parked in the overflow lot under the bridge. With the King Tide and strong winds, I expected to see a lot of debris in the parking lot. 

  • Heceta Lighthouse State Scenic Viewpoint sign on highway 101. North entrance to parking lot below.
    December 27, 2022
  • Dec 27, 2022, 2:50pm 7.8feet - Mouth of the Siuslaw River which would be the same as mile 179.
    Entrance to parking lot.
    December 27, 2022
  • Parking lot closed due to high tide and debris in parking lot.
    Entrance to beach parking lot closed due to possible debris as a result of 7.8 King Tide.
    December 27, 2022
  • A few people ventured out to get close to the incoming tide but did not stay long due to the heavy wind gusts.
    Parking lot entrance. Some debris on road.
    December 27, 2022
  • Persistent photographer trying to capture the incoming and outgoing high surf. Lighthouse visible in the distance.
    December 27, 2022
  • Some debris washed up by incoming wave.
    December 27, 2022
Other Mile 179 Reports (9)

2022

November 29, 2022 - ThomasK
It was a cold, windy, day with chance of rain at any moment. Not many people ventured out to watch the ocean or walk up the trail past the Heceta Assistant Keepers dueplex (now a B&B and...
read more
November 9, 2022 - ThomasK
A quick trip to check the Heceta Lighthouse Beach.  2 dead gulls oberved.  What looked to be the remains of a seal or sea lion with a large ball of wire inside.  Strange rocks were all over the beach...
read more
  • Heceta Lighthouse Beach

2009

June 29, 2009 - oystercatcher
It was a beautiful clear morning. The tide was the lowest I have observed with exposed sand almost out the rocks where the nesting birds were. The Elder Hostel tour was busy photographing...
read more
  • Low tide looking out to the rocks off Heceta Head.
  • Gulls, cormorants and murres on the rocks.
  • A pair of oyster catchers were observed off the point on the right side of the photo.
  • View of the sand to the rocks from Cape Creek
April 10, 2009 - FriendofStrawberry
Immature Gray Whale reported dead on Carl G. Washburne State Park beach just north of Heceta Head Lighthouse Thursday night. Scientists took samples at that time. When we were there Friday morning...
read more
March 9, 2009 - oystercatcher
The 40 foot long juvenile male fin whale which was washed up on Sunday the 8th was being buried in an 11 foot deep trench by a local Florence excavating company. Emanating from the carcass was an...
read more
  • Dead Fin Whale on Heceta Lighthouse beach
  • Closer look at dead Fin Whale from Cape Creek Bridge
  • Showing whale's blood left after it was moved to the burial site located further to the south end of beach below parking lot.
  • Park ranger throwing lime on the fin whale while it is being buried.
  • Covering the fin whale body with sand
  • Observers of the whale burial.
March 8, 2009 - FriendofStrawberry
Juvenile, 40-foot-long male Fin Whale washed up on beach at Heceta Head.A deep water juvenile male Fin Whale washed up on the beach at Heceta Head Lighthouse. On Friday it was seen at the mouth of...
read more
  • Open mouth - Top baleen visible and tongue on lower jaw.
  • Open mouth. Visible where mammal research samples were taken earlier in the day.

2008

August 28, 2008 - oystercatcher
It was a sunny calm morning with no one in the parking lot when I arrived. A fog bank sat just off shore beyond the breakers. The beach sand appears to have started moving off shore revealing loads...
read more
  • fog bank off shore on a sunny calm day
  • Cobbles being revealed as the sand has started washing out to sea.
  • Pelican resting with seagulls on Heceta Head rocks.
  • Footprints in the early morning sand may be those of a coyote making an early morning visit to the beach.
  • Postelsia
  • unidentified dead bird showing head and beak
  • unidentified dead bird foot
August 3, 2008 - oystercatcher
It was a beautiful calm morning with only one car from Montana with a couple photographing tide pools which they had never seen before. Most of the rocky beach found in spring was now covered with...
read more
  • green anemone in tide pool
  • large rocks at North end of beach at low tide
  • snails on rock
  • Cormorants and Gulls on rocks off Heceta Head
April 13, 2008 - oystercatcher
It was a pleasant day for beach goers, alternating sun and overcast with moderate wind. Lots of cars coming and going from the parking lot. People tide pooling, climbing on the rocks, beachcombing...
read more
  • View of Heceta Head, the lighthouse, lighthouse keepers residence (bed and breakfast), beach and Devils Elbow.
  • Juvenile mussels with noticeable patches of missing barnacles.
  • Rocks at low tide with seaweed or algae growth.
  • sea stars and anemones
  • beach at low tide near water line looking north to caves which are below the bluff