Mile 116 Report
Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove
December 13, 2014
The big news is the landslide, which threatens the access trail to the south cove.
Report Details
The big news is the landslide, which threatens the access trail to the south cove. The slide began last winter and continues to move. (I have been remiss in visiting my mile and wish I would have done a report when the slide actually started. Visit your miles regularly, people!) The bottom portion of the trail is extremely treacherous and the slide is beginning to undercut certain portions of the trail.Due to the high level of the low tide, I did not examine the tidepools this trip. One person was leaving as we were coming in. A very quiet, yet perfectly beautiful winter day.
Conditions
Temperature: 50 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: S. Tide Level: 2.5 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 3. Number of dogs: 1. Walking or running: 2. Photography: 1. Other Activities: 1 person carrying out drift wood. I don't think the person carrying the branches is a cause for concern. Given the condition of the trail, it seems the few visitors are proceeding with care.
Concerns
Driftwood removal
Apparent violations: Just one individual bringing less than 10 medium branches out by hand..Vehicles
New Development
Steps down bluff.
Natural Changes
Newly exposed roots/trees falling, Visible retreat of solid bluff, Landslides/major boulder falls.
Actions & Comments
I spoke with Preson Phillips, 541-888-3778 ext. 223 about the landslide. It happened in the winter of 2013, and it continues to move. He said there were no plans in place as of yet to do any modifications, but come May he expects crews to come out and spruce up the trail to allow access for the many school and other organizations who come to look in the tidepools. There are no plans to put in any culverts or riprap. It seems the State's approach is necessarily low impact, due to budget constraints.
Report Images
All Mile 116 Reports
Mile 116
Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove
A minus tide brought many visitors to South Cove, one group being led by Larry, a Oregon Shores board member.
Elaine Cramer
Mile 116
Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove
Two separate study groups were present, one measuring Gumboot Chitons and the surrounding algae and one studying sea urchins, ones living in pits versus ones not. I saw a couple families bringing their small children to South Cove, and a flock of pelicans.
alaingamerica
Mile 116
Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove
There was a beach hazard statement issued and I wanted to see what impact that would have as we were experiencing the first fine weather after so many weeks of cold rain. I was charmed by a family of six playing on the beach, the children even playing in the water.
Elaine Cramer
Mile 116
Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove
I was the only person fool enough to the visit South Cove today.
Elaine Cramer
Mile 116
Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove
A pleasantly mild day made for a good tidepool walk.
alaingamerica
Mile 116
Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove
There was one dead California Sea Lion low on the beach.
alaingamerica
Mile 116
Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove
I returned to Mile 116 for a Sea Star Observation Survey.
alaingamerica
Mile 116
Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove
The weather had very light cloud cover, but I logged it as Sunny.
alaingamerica