Mile 220 - Yaquina Head north, Schooner Creek south - August 15, 2021

Report Details

The continued exposure of pipes shows continued erosion along the shore cliffs/bluffs. Since I went later in the day there were more people (and dogs) present.I have changed my routine--I am no longer going down to the northern rock face of Yaquina Head for the "keyhole photo". The slippery rocks finally caught up with me--a slight fall back in May.An unusal note: I saw an Oregon Coast Trail marker at my usual beach access/egress point. It wasn't there in May (unless I missed it--VERY UNLIKELY). The new (release date of March 15, 2021) OCT trail map has a small map and instructions that would have people leaving the beach and going up the old surfers way on 55th. And in going up, there was no second marker to show which way to go at a triple intersection!!!

Conditions

Temperature: 62 F. Cloud Cover: Foggy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 2.1 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 38. Number of dogs: 8. Other Activities: Most were walking up and down the beach. Many family units. There were 2 on fat wheel bikes.. On the 10 parking. Although the NW 68th Newport parking lot has 5 spaces, there were 6 cars there. On Meander Street near 56th Street were 4 vehicles with surfing attachments--they were heading to the beach as I was finished. So they weren't in above record.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 10.

Notable Wildlife

Although the Marine Layer/Foggy prevented visual sighting of birds near Yaquina Head Lighthouse islands--they could be heard.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass. The beach and wrack line was very clean--virtually no plastic (even micro) to be seen. The amount of kelp and sea grass was larger than normal--so a lot more "sand fleas"

Natural Changes

Visible retreat of solid bluff. The complete separation of one plastic pipe shows the continuation of erosion. ALSO: there was a new water source between the 1st and 2nd pipes. It was a steady flow out of the face wall in a "gravel" layer. With virtually no rain for the last 2 months, it was flowing several gallons per minute in my guesstimate.