Mile 35 Report

December 23, 2019
by [email protected]

Location:

Curry

Nesika Beach, south of Ophir Safety Rest Area

Conditions:

Monday 2:45 AM

Party cloudy

50° F

Wind:

Moderate from the SW

Tide Level:

0.0 ft

Humans / Pets:

People:

Dogs:

Activities:

Walking / Running:

3 local people gathering mussels at furthest south part of the mile. Many good beds there. Presumably took no more than their limit, but 2 women shared the tote bag on their way back north.

Concerns:

Disturbances:

Vehicles:

Activity Comments:

Expected to see tire tracks as this is often the case, but there were none.

Notable Wildlife:

Otter prints, but fewer than last visit. 1 adult.

Dead Birds:

Total:

Stranded:

Total:

Fish & Invertebrates:

Driftline:

Minimal natural drift line content. Minor normal seaweeds, crab bits etc. Minor sea trash. Picked up 10-12 plastic items.

New Development:

Will have to watch for changes. Lots of old drain pipes, rip-rap attempts, failed staircases, some electric wiring from bluff top, and one area where bluff (30 feet high) was covered down to the beach with fresh pine trees, root balls and all, perhaps 60 feet wide. Probably clearing for a new building.

Modifications:

None that are obviously new, I think.

Natural Changes:

Landslides/major boulder falls·Major cracks appearing in bluffs·Newly exposed roots/trees falling·Erosion of vegetated foredune

Comments:

Summary:

The beach was relatively clean of natural and organic material, driftwood included. Sand was piled fairly high. One area of uprooted pines pushed over the edge of the bluff was concerning. There is much piping, old cement structures (septic tanks and paving), primitive attempts at erosion control. These are not new concerns, we have seen them for years, but they need to be watched. I will send an inquiry to Calum Stevenson regarding the small house which is beginning to hang over the bluff edge, as well as the use of the beach as an apparent builder's dump. There are at least a half dozen homes within spitting distance of the bluff edge.
On a happy note, the Powdery Dudleya seems to be making a comeback on our single stack at the south end, and in a few spots on shore in the conglomerate cliffs.

Near the mile north end.
December 23, 2019

Septic tank

.5 mile approx
December 23, 2019
Pines over the bluff for development

.3 from the southern end of the mile
December 23, 2019

Other Mile 35 Reports (15)

2020

July 18, 2020 - [email protected]

2019

November 18, 2019 - lordfamily

2014

July 4, 2014 - Oceanhippie2

Dead Stellar Sea Lion at the water edge with 3 GSW ..... Located south west of Ophir Rest Area. I did notify Mr Rice.

May 16, 2014 - Oceanhippie2

Debris found at the end of my mile 35 next to the Ophir Rest Area. They seem to have been moved to be put on display, to let anyone visiting the Ophir Rest Area that Japan debris has reached us.

May 12, 2014 - Oceanhippie2

2013

September 9, 2013 - Oceanhippie2

Blue Whale spotted from first small view point just north of Nesika Beach about 200 ft off the shore. Appeared to be heading north along the coast possibly with a smaller whale. Sorry no photo this...

July 27, 2013 - Oceanhippie2

A very large sea lion is decomposing right in front of the the rest area on the beach. Sadly a family with some boys felt it was ok to play in the sand next to the sea lion. The wind was blowing from...

May 8, 2013 - Oceanhippie2

A gray whale stopped by this late morning and popped its head out to look at the group of travelers that pulled off on the small view point to take pictures, then it swam along the beach and back out...

May 7, 2013 - Oceanhippie2

Its been a bit busy today. I have seen about 8 Gray Whales swim by today and a few travelers pulled off to take pictures, One gentleman asked me if the whales swim in this close was normal. I said,...

May 6, 2013 - Oceanhippie2

Just one whale swam by and did stay in the area for a little while then back out to sea. So far I have not seen any of the whales jump out the water. Later that day a small group of 3 swam by and the...

May 5, 2013 - Oceanhippie2

Another small group of just 2 swam by the beach for a short distance then out away from the shore.

May 4, 2013 - Oceanhippie2

a few Gray Whales this morning than an hour later a very large sea lion checking out the crab pods. Around 12noon and then again close to 4pm just 3 gray whales same as the day before. This must be a...

May 3, 2013 - Oceanhippie2

Today has been pretty busy with the small groups of whales swimming by I watched another 4 swim past but not together. 1 at 3:00 pm then another at 4:20pm and 2 later around 6pm

May 2, 2013 - Oceanhippie2

A Gray Whale swam close to the shore about 2-300 ft off the beach and then in the distance there was a large pod of whales swimming by to many to count.

2012

October 23, 2012 - Oceanhippie2

I do see the whales come through this area a lot during migration north and south directions. There are a few small groups that come in close and swim over the shelf which if I'm fast I can take a...