Mile 174 - Baker Beach west of Alder Dunes CG, north of Sutton Creek - November 14, 2022

Report Details

Mile 174 is largely deserted, mainly because it is easily accessible only from the northern part of Mile 175. There was some litter on the beach, together with various shells and seaweed. A few shore birds were scurrying about at the southern end of Mile 174.

Conditions

Temperature: 48 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: E. Tide Level: 3.5 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 2. Walking or running: 2. Other Activities: Footprints indicated a third person had been on the beach recently. There were also hoofprints on Mile 175 and the northern part of Mile 174, presumably from nearby C&M Stables.. The car and Rs were at the Baker Beach trailhead and campground. Baker Beach Trail provides access to the northern part of Mile 175, at green-florescent navigation marker 95A. (See photo.) The only easy way to access Mile 174 is via Baker Beach Trail and Mile 175, since Sutton Creek blocks access from Mile 173.

Concerns

Litter

Apparent violations: There was a limited amount of litter on the beach. Most seemed to be seaborne..

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 1. RVs/Buses parking: 2.

Notable Wildlife

The only wildlife I saw were a few shore birds at the southern end of Mile 174. They seemed to be snowy plovers.

Beached Birds

Apparent snowy plovers.

Driftline Content

Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces, Styrofoam, Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.). Most shells on the beach were from razor clams, but there were also many crab shell remnants and a few round clams and cockles.

Man-made Modifications

There were no signs or barriers delineating snowy plover nesting sites on Mile 174 or Mile 175. A previous posting indicated there were such signs on Mile 174 in 2014. They may have been covered by sand, or perhaps this is no longer a restricted area.