Report Details

I was able to walk as far south as I have ever been. There were no seals, but plenty of body drag marks, so I assume that some of the far coves are regular hangouts for them.I met 3 men in Cove 1 who had hiked around the point to reach the area, and we all hiked south together. One of them has a website, www.seaturtlesforever.??? -- he lives in Seaside and has done some environmental work in Central America. Another was from Arch Cape. Nice guys, packed lightly and carried out all their own litter.At the top of the north cliff, someone has built a fire ring, and it appears to be in regular use -- there is even spare firewood with a tarp over it. I think it is within Oswald West boundaries, and I will contact the ranger and see if he wants to look at it. I am sure there are illegal fire areas all over, but at least this one appears carefully tended -- no trash, firewood under cover -- but the ranger may want to remove it and post a NO FIRES sign -- if a coast wind caught a fire at that point, it could grow quite a bit out there on the cliffs and bluffs.

Conditions

Cloud Cover: Rain. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: W.

Human Activities

Number of people: 3. Walking or running: 3. Sitting: 3. Photography: 3. Tidepooling: 3. Same 3 people involved in all activities

Concerns

Fire, Litter

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Surprisingly, no -- almost none, compared to other years and visits, this was remarkable.

Driftline Content

Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Styrofoam. 2 small crab pots, 3 small tires

Man-made Modifications

Storms moved a lot of rock and wood -- Coves 1 and 4 have very different surfaces.

Natural Changes

Evidence of wave overtopping, Landslides/major boulder falls. All natural, and probably results of severe storms.

Actions & Comments

Most of the refuse found was very light -- styrofoam, golf balls, Aerobies, and plastic bottles -- stuff pushed in by the winds. Nothing particularly heavy. As usual, no glass no paper, almost no metal -- 90% or more of all refuse was plastic and very light -- bags will be easy to haul up cliff, except there is some natural erosion, and haul-out project will have to proceed with extreme caution.This was my first visit since last November -- since then, the tides and weather have not cooperated. ('til now!)I was able to walk as far south as I have ever been. There were no seals, but plenty of body drag marks, so I assume that some of the far coves are regular hangouts for them.Cove by cove:#1 -- picked up 2 or 3 bags of garbage and a few larger items.#2 -- picked up 1 bag of garbage#3 -- no garbage, but oddly enough, 3 small tires, all with Styrofoam inside them. Not attached in any way, and found within 2 or 3 feet of each other. Amazing!#4 -- 2 or 3 bags of garbage.#5-#10: Almost no garbage, but seldom is there any -- the tide, current, and wind sweeps these areas very clean.Changes since last visit:Almost no dead sea life of any kind. Previously, lots of dead mussels and barnacles in clumps -- also, a few dead birds, and occasionally lots of finely chopped seaweed, almost salad-like. Water seemed clearer and possibly cleaner.My next visit is scheduled for the July 4th weekend. I hope to pull together all trash, crab pots, and tires, etc., in Cove 1, and then return before the rainy season to do a trash liftout.I met 3 men in Cove 1 who had hiked around the point to reach the area, and we all hiked south together. One of them has a website, www.seaturtlesforever.??? -- he lives in Seaside and has done some environmental work in Central America. Another was from Arch Cape. Nice guys, packed lightly and carried out all their own litter.Two items of concern:The winter storm has made the trash liftout area hazardous, and there was a lot of eroded rock at sea level. Care will be needed in lifting out the trash. I will e-mail my Mazama friends for advice and assistance.At the top of the north cliff, someone has built a fire ring, and it appears to be in regular use -- there is even spare firewood with a tarp over it. I think it is within Oswald West boundaries, and I will contact the ranger and see if he wants to look at it. I am sure there are illegal fire areas all over, but at least this one appears carefully tended -- no trash, firewood under cover -- but the ranger may want to remove it and post a NO FIRES sign -- if a coast wind caught a fire at that point, it could grow quite a bit out there on the cliffs and bluffs.

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All Mile 305 Reports

Showing 8 of 32 reports

Mile 305

July 21, 2017

In 50 plus years of visiting this small cove, this is the only time I've ever seen it this calm.

Frankie

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 305

July 6, 2015

First and probably only time I will see my mile in 2015.

skyhar8000

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 305

May 16, 2014

An unremarkable day.

skyhar8000

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 305

May 26, 2013

A great day for a hike during one of the year's lowest tides.

skyhar8000

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 305

February 8, 2013

Virtually nothing to be seen!

skyhar8000

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 305

July 2, 2012

Uneventful hike.

skyhar8000

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 305

May 7, 2012

Great hike to very end of possible area to walk in due to extremely low tide.

skyhar8000

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 305

April 7, 2012

Four of us arrived 0600 hours and left about 0900 hours.

skyhar8000