Mile 188 Report
Neptune SP, Strawberry Hill Picnic Area
January 16, 2023
There were two mudslides on the north beach, 20-40 yards north of the parking area, that appeared to be recent.
Report Details
There were two mudslides on the north beach, 20-40 yards north of the parking area, that appeared to be recent. And some trees seem to have fallen down from the top of the bluffs overlooking the north beach. So bluff erosion is continuing to occur. There did not seem to be as much erosion on the south beach bluffs. However, the bluff erosion on the south side of the parking area may have increased, with thew bluff edge now only 7-8 feet from wooden fence and maybe 10 feet from the parking area curb. 35-40 ducks were paddling in the surf. I have not seen ducks here before, so they were probably seasonal migrants. I could not get close enough to identify what type they were. 30-35 harbor seals were resting on the rocky islands just offshore, as is common here. The water level was so high that, despite low tide, very few tidepools were accessible. Those that were had the usual quantities of green anemones, small crabs, barnacles, mussels, and limpets. Sea stars are common here but usually at depths not visible with high water levels.
Conditions
Temperature: 48 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 2.6 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 15. Number of dogs: 1. Tidepooling: 2. Fishing: 1.
Concerns
Vehicles
Notable Wildlife
35-40 ducks were paddling in the surf. I have not seen ducks here before, so they were probably seasonal migrants. I could not get close enough to identify what type they were. 30-35 harbor seals were resting on the rocky islands just offshore, as is common here. The water level was so high that, despite low tide, very few tidepools were accessible. Those that were had the usual quantities of green anemones, small crabs, barnacles, mussels, and limpets. Sea stars are common here but usually at depths not visible with high water levels.
Driftline Content
Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Wood pieces, Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Styrofoam. Recent storms have brought considerable driftwood and a small amount of plastic debris onto shore.
Natural Changes
Landslides/major boulder falls, Newly exposed roots/trees falling, Visible retreat of solid bluff. There were two mudslides on the north beach, 20-40 yards north of the parking area, that appeared to be recent. And some trees seem to have fallen down from the top of the bluffs overlooking the north beach. So bluff erosion is continuing to occur. There did not seem to be as much erosion on the south beach bluffs. However, the bluff erosion on the south side of the parking area may have increased, with thew bluff edge now only 7-8 feet from wooden fence and maybe 10 feet from the parking area curb.
Report Images
All Mile 188 Reports
Mile 188
Neptune SP, Strawberry Hill Picnic Area
Mile 188 is a beautiful, diverse stretch of the Oregon coast.
Mark Gasiorowski
Mile 188
Neptune SP, Strawberry Hill Picnic Area
It was a beautiful day at Strawberry Hill.
Mark Gasiorowski
Mile 188
Neptune SP, Strawberry Hill Picnic Area
It was a beautiful day at Strawberry Hill, with many visitors -- and the resident harbor seals -- enjoying the balmy weather.
Mark Gasiorowski
Mile 188
Neptune SP, Strawberry Hill Picnic Area
The high surf (even at low tide) made for dramatic conditions during this visit.
Mark Gasiorowski
Mile 188
Neptune SP, Strawberry Hill Picnic Area
Mile 188 has no notable changes since my last visit two months ago.
GasiorowskiM
Mile 188
Neptune SP, Strawberry Hill Picnic Area
It was another beautiful day at Mile 188.
GasiorowskiM
Mile 188
Neptune SP, Strawberry Hill Picnic Area
It was a beautiful day at Mile 188, with the resident harbor seals dozing on the rocks just offshore and many gulls flying around.
GasiorowskiM
Mile 188
Neptune SP, Strawberry Hill Picnic Area
There were two mudslides on the north beach, 20-40 yards north of the parking area, that appeared to be recent.
GasiorowskiM