Mile 271 Report

June 24, 2018
by yakinsea

Location:
Tillamook
Cape Lookout
Conditions:
Sunday
Party cloudy
65° F
Wind:
Moderate from the NW
Humans / Pets:
People:
2
Dogs:
0
Activities:
Kayaking:
2
One hiker spotted above cliffs on the south side, though few opportunities to see hikers from the water.
Concerns:
Apparent Violations:
0
Disturbances:
Vehicles:
Cars/Trucks parking:
0
ATVs/OHVs parking:
0
RVs/Buses parking:
RVs/Buses parking: 0
Cars/Trucks on beach, allowed:
0
ATVs/OHVs on beach, allowed:
0
Cars/Trucks on beach, prohibited:
0
ATVs/OHVs on beach, prohibited:
0
Activity Comments:
No access other than by boat. We were the only boat, a double kayak with two.
Notable Wildlife:
One California sea lion in the water, one harbor porpoise circled us as close as 10 feet from the kayak, two seals, usual gulls, but fewer cormorants and common murres than usual. I saw no pelicans or stellar sea lions on the usual spot at the tip of the cape, mostly north side of the large cave, which I remember many as the normal spot to see them. My first time there, nearly 20 years ago, there were waves of cormorants in the sky, just a handful on this day. Pigeon guillemots seem at normal numbers. I saw two red-throated loons, which is a new sighting for me. We saw a hand full of lion's mane jellyfish but many small clear jellyfish. Sea stars are back, though we didn't paddle close to the rocks because of conditions and to avoid disturbing birds.
Dead Birds:
Total:
0
Stranded:
Total:
0
Fish & Invertebrates:
None
Driftline:
Wood pieces·Land-based debris (picnics, etc.)·Styrofoam·Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.)
We landed on the cape's only beach, which is on the north side and sits on the mouth of a wide cave that is perhaps 50 ft. deep. We hauled out numerous water bottles, floats, styrofoam chunks, dust mask, mylar balloon (very common to find).
New Development:
Nothing new spotted.
Modifications:
Natural Changes:
Comments:

As mentioned above, we picked up quite a lot of trash from the one beach.

Summary:

The cape looked good, no pollution, or cliff erosion noted.  The wildlife seemed less common than in the past, most notably sea lions, but also no pelicans spotted and fewer cormorants than in the past. We saw one hiker, though I am sure there were many, and no other boats.  I had a new sighting for me, a pair of red-throated loons and also had a close encounter with a harbor porpoise.

Other Mile 271 Reports (6)

2020

September 19, 2020 - yakinsea
The main observation was a ladder that was placed perhaps 100 ft. above the water at a tricky spot for someone to gain access to the southern part of the cape's end, which goes through sensitive bird...
read more

2019

November 5, 2019 - yakinsea
Many gulls, and a few miscillaneous birds, most notably a pair of peregrine falcons (one dive-bombing a smaller one until the small one dropped the bird it had). Others included western grebes,...
read more

2018

September 14, 2018 - yakinsea
This stretch seemed in good shape.  I saw a large mora, aka ocean sunfish, lots of gulls, cormorants, and pelicans, as well as a smattering of various diving birds.  I spotted a lone seal on one side...
read more

2017

December 31, 2017 - yakinsea
Paddled solo on a beautiful calm day with small surf and a light off-shore breeze.  I paddled around the entire cape and into three or four caves with the notable blow-hole that is in the back of the...
read more
October 4, 2017 - yakinsea
This report covers the entire cape, since it can only be done by boat, and the other miles are not currently being covered.What a beautiful day!  What a beautiful area!  Just got back from the last...
read more

2007

May 24, 2007 - yakinsea
The area looks good. I think I spotted a falcon. I noted a couple minor slides/rock collapses.
read more