Mile 154 - Oregon Dunes NRA, west of Butterfly Lake - February 10, 2022

Report Details

Four Eugene Hikers parked in Tahkenitch Campground parking lot (4 other cars present), hiked Dunes Trail, and accessed beach at Emergency Sign #115. It was foggy, windy, and desolate on beach - only 3 other people observed walking onto beach as Hikers leaving. No wildlife dead or alive observed - except one small animal skull skeleton. Small and large animal tracks observed near ridge. Largest tracks may have been large cat or small bear based on location. In driftline, there were rocks, shells, some crab molt. There was more debris than seen in the past. There were painted wood pieces (perhaps from dock); wood pallet; thick marine rope; large, thick, rusted metal piece; plastic bottles; other plastic pieces; pair of flip flops. Amount of styrofoam was notable - both in pieces and in tact objects. The Hikers collected as much debris as possible, and enlisted the aid of several other walkers who happened to be starting a beach walk at the end of this Mile 154. They helped carry the HIkers' full and heavy bags of debris up the sand bank to a prearranged pick up point for the State Parks Beach Ranger to take off the beach.

Conditions

Temperature: 50 F. Cloud Cover: Foggy. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: N. Tide Level: 4.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 3. Walking or running: 3. Other Activities: There were 4 Eugene Hikers on the beach, walking and collecting debris. Three other people were observed entering beach as Hikers were leaving. They were walking..

Concerns

Litter

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 4.

Driftline Content

Small rocks, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Styrofoam, Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.).

Actions & Comments

Eugene Hikers called State Parks beach ranger and prearranged for pick up of the bags of litter/debris collected by the Hikers. At the end of the mile, the bags were full and heavy, and about 3 miles from parking/improved area. The Hikers enlisted the aid of several helpful walkers who were just starting a beach walk. They helped carry the bags up the bank and partly up the trail to the pick up point for the ranger.