Mile 200 Report
Big Stump Beach, south Patterson SP
May 8, 2026
I parked at Governor Patterson Memorial State Recreation Site like I usually do.
Report Details
I parked at Governor Patterson Memorial State Recreation Site like I usually do. A day-use parking permit is now required. There were 3 cars in the parking lot when I arrived. The creek was easy to cross this morning. The large logs and trees that washed up in January are now covered with sand and piles of decomposing velella velella. The wrack line contained small rocks, seaweed and some crab backs. Enjoyed watching the pelicans diving in the ocean and whimbrels feeding near the ocean and in the sand. The sand is still built up near the cottages on Big Stump beach and also near the path to 101 (across from SW Sea Way Loop) and the surrounding dunes. I didn’t see any new graffiti on the sandstone cliffs. In the area where the fire was in 2023, the top of the sandstone cliff is continuing to erode and the dead tree roots are hanging of the cliff. Various trash found included a plastic water bottle, multiple pieces of construction wood with nails, ziploc bag, fishing line and plastic pieces.
Conditions
Temperature: 54 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 3.7 feet.
Activities
Types of Activities: Walking/Running.
Number of people: 8. Number of dogs: 3.
Notable Wildlife
Pelicans (4) Whimbrels (10) Swallows
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
decomposing velella velella
Wrackline Content
Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings or molts.
Natural Changes
Visible retreat of solid bluff. In the area where the fire was in 2023, the top of the sandstone cliff is continuing to erode.
Whimbrels
Wrack line looking south
Looking south from Patterson Creek
Looking north from path to 101 (near SW Sea Way Loop)
Erosion at top of cliff in the burnt area (from the fire in 2023)
Erosion at top of cliff in the burnt area (from the fire in 2023)
Pelicans
Pelican
No new graffiti on sandstone cliffs
Fire pit near the Inn at Sandcastle Beach vacation rental
Sand built up on Big Stump beach – looking south
Various trash. Many more pieces of construction wood (not in photo)
Report Images
Karen Funk
CoastWatcher
All Mile 200 Reports
Mile 200
Big Stump Beach, south Patterson SP
I parked at Governor Patterson Memorial State Recreation Site like I usually do.
Karen Funk
Mile 200
Big Stump Beach, south Patterson SP
Walked the mile early this morning at low tide so that it was easier to cross Patterson Creek.
Karen Funk
Mile 200
Big Stump Beach, south Patterson SP
A little misty on this morning’s walk, but fairly warm (59 degrees).
Karen Funk
Mile 200
Big Stump Beach, south Patterson SP
Crossing Patterson Creek was easy this morning.
Karen Funk
Mile 200
Big Stump Beach, south Patterson SP
The mile walk I did today was during a light rain and a fairly low tide.
Karen Funk
Mile 200
Big Stump Beach, south Patterson SP
What a beautiful sunny November morning to do the mile walk.
Karen Funk
Mile 200
Big Stump Beach, south Patterson SP
It was a minus tide this cloudy morning and I could see a large group of pelicans off in the distance at Alsea Bay.
Karen Funk
Mile 200
Big Stump Beach, south Patterson SP
I was anxious to visit Mile 200 this week to see if there were tar deposits or any struggling birds due to the reported tar substance washing up on Oregon beaches.
Karen Funk