Mile 180 Report
South Carl G. Washburne SP, Hobbit Trail, Heceta Head
March 8, 2025
When I arrived at 10:30 am,there were 5 cars, 8 people and one dog south, 3 people and 5 dogs north. **As a side note,on November 28, 2024, there was a dead sea lion south of the entrance about 300 yards.
Report Details
When I arrived at 10:30 am,there were 5 cars, 8 people and one dog south, 3 people and 5 dogs north. No flying birds except for one crow, and the smaller wrens in the bushes. Lots of large driftwood and scattering of smooth rocks along the beach, the wrackline had microplastics in it. There was some trash left by the entrance to the beach among a driftwood structure built by a visitor. By11:30 there were 15 cars and 3 more dogs. **As a side note,on November 28, 2024, there was a dead sea lion south of the entrance about 300 yards. I reported it to the Marine Mammal Stranding number, NOAA. I apologize for not submitting that report more timely.
Conditions
Temperature: 53 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 3.6 feet.
Activities
Number of dogs: 9.
Other Activities: Some people continue to leave their trash on our beach..
Concerns
Litter
Apparent violations: It is spring break. Lots of people come and build driftwood structures, and then, unfortunately, they leave their trash. Straws, plastic cups, plastic bottles. Also, there is quite a bit of micro plastic pieces scattered mostly along the wrack line..Notable Wildlife
Crows, Pacific Wrens, Golden Crowned Kinglets.
Wrackline Content
Small rocks, Animal casings or molts, Wood pieces. Microplastics.
Natural Changes
Erosion of vegetated foredune.
Crystal Roy
CoastWatcher
All Mile 180 Reports
Mile 180
South Carl G. Washburne SP, Hobbit Trail, Heceta Head
The new $10 parking fee at neighboring Carl Washburne State Park might be encouraging more people to use Hobbit Beach where there are no parking fees.
Gordon Pollock
Mile 180
South Carl G. Washburne SP, Hobbit Trail, Heceta Head
Continuing sliding of earth and sand at north side of Heceta headland.
Gordon Pollock
Mile 180
South Carl G. Washburne SP, Hobbit Trail, Heceta Head
The bluff continues to fracture and slide. King tides have brought logs in and flattened the beach.
Gordon Pollock
Mile 180
South Carl G. Washburne SP, Hobbit Trail, Heceta Head
Slumping of sand away from the steep bluffs
lyndell
Mile 180
South Carl G. Washburne SP, Hobbit Trail, Heceta Head
Natural changes to the dune bluff continue to show cracks and slides.
Gordon Pollock
Mile 180
South Carl G. Washburne SP, Hobbit Trail, Heceta Head
The sand cliffs continue to erode.
Gordon Pollock
Mile 180
South Carl G. Washburne SP, Hobbit Trail, Heceta Head
When I arrived at 10:30 am,there were 5 cars, 8 people and one dog south, 3 people and 5 dogs north. **As a side note,on November 28, 2024, there was a dead sea lion south of the entrance about 300 yards.
Crystal Roy
Mile 180
South Carl G. Washburne SP, Hobbit Trail, Heceta Head
I'm always happy to see healthy looking eagles on the beach. A few people and I took pictures from about 100 feet away without scaring them. There were new places along the dune where small sections were sliding down to the beach located 300 feet north of the Hobbit Trail and one slide 200 feet north of Heceta Headland. The waves were about 3-6 feet high. One person picked up a rock.
Gordon Pollock
