Mile 154 - Oregon Dunes NRA, west of Butterfly Lake - March 2, 2017

Report Details

Six Eugene Hikers participated along with Fawn Custer, Volunteer Coordinator. Parked and accessed Mile 154 at Tahkenitch CG lot and used beach access around blocked off area. There had been a recent storm and earthquake near Japan. Particularly at north end, there was evidence of new bluff erosion, retreat of solid bluff, major cracks in bluff, newly fallen trees. Observed a few people walking on beach and vehicle tracks outside allowed area. There were large logs, a lot of driftwood, and a lot of debris including plastic pellets and pieces with Asian writing, netting and styrofoam. We also noticed debris re: human use of beach. On driftline, we observed beached pyrosomes, crab molts, kelp, seaweeds. We collected 2 large yard sacks of litter and left them for ranger at south end of mile (access up to 3 Mile Lake). We returned walking north on Mile 154 to initial access point due to south trail flooding.

Conditions

Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light.

Human Activities

Number of people: 3. Walking or running: 3. Tire tracks on sand in prohibited area (beyond sign on beach).

Concerns

Litter

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 4.

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Wood pieces, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Styrofoam, Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.). Nets from boats. Observed quite a few beached pyrosomes.

Man-made Modifications

None, except informal trail access to small cliff blocked off.

Natural Changes

Major cracks appearing in bluffs, Newly exposed roots/trees falling, Visible retreat of solid bluff.