Report Details

Saw four doing the six-mile loop hike originating at the Tahkenitch Campground. It includes a mile of beach walking. In addition to those hikers I had three companions with me. Even though the beach was relatively clean we picked up five or six grocery bags of trash, most of it crab pot line which the two ATV riders we met hauled out for us. We left some line and floats because we couldn't carry it all. Saw more evidence of erosion along Tahkenitch Creek to the north of my mile. Very little driftwood. One large hunk of styrofoam hauled off on the ATVs. Most exciting wildlife observation was an osprey flying along the beach and the seal peeking out from the waves. No tracks of ATVs in closure areas. Numerous dead drab near north end of mile. Perhaps from sanded-in crab pots? ATV riders were gathering small amount of driftwood for artwork. Unsure if they had or needed a permit. Just glad to have them haul out the trash!

Conditions

Temperature: 65 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: N. Tide Level: 5.5 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 6. Walking or running: 4. Other Activities: ATV riders. Met couple from Newport who had accessed beach from Sparrow Park Road to the south. One ATV pulled a small trailer, and they had gathered a couple of pieces of driftwood to be used in some artwork. They were pleasant and agreed to haul out a large amount of crabpot line we had collected on the beach. So no sign of ATV tracks in closure area.

Concerns

Driftwood removal

Apparent violations: ATV riders taking couple small pieces driftwood. Unsure if had permit or if in violation..

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 2. ATVs/OHVs on beach, allowed: 2.

Notable Wildlife

saw seal in surf, a few seagulls, and one osprey. Very little seaweed. Mostly small "palm tree" kind separated from rocks by wave action.

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

Unusual concentration. At north end of beach still an inordinate number of dead adult crabs and crab parts. Also saw some large tangles of crab pot lines and floats. Wonder if crab came from sanded-in pots?

Driftline Content

Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Shells, Small rocks, Styrofoam, Wood pieces. Crab pot line and floats.

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All Mile 154 Reports

Showing 8 of 26 reports

Mile 154

Oregon Dunes NRA, west of Butterfly Lake

June 8, 2023

Eugene Hikers parked at Tahkenitch Campground parking lot, noting 2 other cars.

Eugene Hikers

Mile 154

Oregon Dunes NRA, west of Butterfly Lake

April 7, 2022

Six Eugene Hikers parked at Tahkenitch Campground parking lot, hiked Dunes Trail, and entered beach at Emergency Sign #115.

Eugene Hikers

Mile 154

Oregon Dunes NRA, west of Butterfly Lake

February 10, 2022

Four Eugene Hikers parked in Tahkenitch Campground parking lot (4 other cars present), hiked Dunes Trail, and accessed beach at Emergency Sign #115.

Eugene Hikers

decorative elemnt for a coastwatch report.

Mile 154

Oregon Dunes NRA, west of Butterfly Lake

July 8, 2021

9 Eugene Hikers parked (2 cars) at Tahkenitch Campground parking lot - 3 other cars were there.

Eugene Hikers

Mile 154

Oregon Dunes NRA, west of Butterfly Lake

February 8, 2021

Hikers parked at Tahkenitch CG lot, where there were 2 other cars, and accessed beach on Dunes Trail at Emergency Sign #115.

Eugene Hikers

Mile 154

Oregon Dunes NRA, west of Butterfly Lake

January 15, 2021

I hiked the 3-Mile Lake - Tahkenitch Dune Loop Trail today, starting and ending in the Tahkenitch Dune Campground trailhead parking lot.

oldMGguy

Mile 154

Oregon Dunes NRA, west of Butterfly Lake

August 27, 2020

8 Eugene Hikers ("Hikers") parked at Tahkenitch Campground day area and accessed the beach on Tahkenitch Dunes trail.

Eugene Hikers

Mile 154

Oregon Dunes NRA, west of Butterfly Lake

October 10, 2019

Four Eugene Hikers parked in Tahkenitch Campground parking lot, hiked Dunes Trail, and entered beach at Emergency Sign #115.

Eugene Hikers