Mile 10 - Rainbow Island, Lone Ranch Beach, Boardman SP - September 20, 2010

Report Details

A warm day saw partly cloudy skies turn into sunny skies. Lots of people were on the beach after the five days of rain here. Sand formations near the water's edge have changed considerably with lots of sand being washed out to sea. Lone Ranch Beach is not one continuous strand. It has separate zones. I walked to the southernmost part where access is blocked by a rocky outcrop preventing viewing of Rainbow Rock. Driftlines change from thin, patchy kelp/seaweed to solid kelp/seaweed the further south one goes. This is true of driftwood lines, too. There are 3 creeks on this beach: Duley to the north, Ram Creek about midway, and another unidentified one south of Ram. There is planned construction across the Highway that will include condos, homes, etc.

Human Activities

Number of people: 21. Number of dogs: 11. Walking or running: 11. Sitting: 2. Photography: 6. Tidepooling: 2.

Concerns

Fire

Apparent violations: Burned driftwood on the beach from campfires.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 20. RVs/Buses parking: 2.

Notable Wildlife

Harbor seals and sea lions swimming Oystercatchers on the rocks offshoreLots of bull kelp on the beach and floating

Stranded Marine Mammals

Total stranded mammals: 1. California Sea Lion (tagged by OSU)Carcass has been preyed upon - poor conditionJust south of Ram Creek

Driftline Content