Mile 208 Report
Ona Beach, south of Beaver Creek
March 29, 2026
Due to a travel schedule glitch, I happened to visit at the highest tide I've seen on the mile so far. All along the wrackline were thousands of velella velella in clusters. Approaching the very southern end of the mile, I spotted bright pops of yellow by the stream and and my stomach sunk, thinking this must be garbage of some kind. Turning back north, I saw the beautifully strange landmarks starting to reveal themselves as the tide began to recede -- features we'd affectionately named "The Chasm" and "The Runway.
Report Details
Due to a travel schedule glitch, I happened to visit at the highest tide I've seen on the mile so far. But the lack of tidepooling activity options (which normally soak up a lot of interest and attention) meant that I spent more time observing details along the bluffs. About midmile, I clocked some cracks in the bluff face with patches of powdery sand freshly eroded underneath. Further down, there were large reddish rocks that looked recently detached from the south-end bluffs. All along the wrackline were thousands of velella velella in clusters. I recognized them instantly, which reminded me that it had been nearly a whole year since I first learned what these were from "The Squad" of CoastWatchers when I met up with them to walk their Mile 242. It startled me to think of a whole year passing, but made me appreciate the value of this shared, hands-on learning and the opportunity to reflect on changes, big and small, through these regular mile visits. Approaching the very southern end of the mile, I spotted bright pops of yellow by the stream and and my stomach sunk, thinking this must be garbage of some kind. However once I moved closer, I saw these were a handful of roses strewn along the beach. I didn't see anyone nearby and couldn't help wondering who had left them there, and why. Turning back north, I saw the beautifully strange landmarks starting to reveal themselves as the tide began to recede -- features we'd affectionately named "The Chasm" and "The Runway." I felt the familiar gratitude to be back on Ona Beach, and the familiar ache when it was time to leave.
Conditions
Temperature: 48 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Tide Level: 7.72 feet.
Activities
Types of Activities: Walking/Running, Fishing/Clamming/Harvesting.
Number of people: 6. Number of dogs: 1.
Concerns
Litter
Notable Wildlife
Approx 50 gull, 2 crows
Wrackline Content
Small rocks, Shells, Animal casings or molts, Wood pieces. Lots of velella velella clusters
Natural Changes
Major cracks appearing in bluffs. Midmile cracks in the bluff with piles of powdery sand underneath, plus larger chunks of reddish rock/hard sand clusters at south end
View to the north - north end of mile at creek edge
View to the south - north end of mile
"Help Me Tree" still hanging on mid-north bluff
"Vacancy" Bluff
Close-up mid-mile bluff cracks
South-end fresh bluff erosion
View to the north - south end of mile
"The Chasm" accessible on the walk back after tide started receding
Fresh critters on "The Chasm" rock
Only half of "The Runway" was visible at high tide
Velella velella clusters all along wrackline
Yellow roses strewn around the stream at the south end of mile
Report Images
Emily Eisele
CoastWatcher
All Mile 208 Reports
Mile 208
Ona Beach, south of Beaver Creek
Due to a travel schedule glitch, I happened to visit at the highest tide I've seen on the mile so far. All along the wrackline were thousands of velella velella in clusters. Approaching the very southern end of the mile, I spotted bright pops of yellow by the stream and and my stomach sunk, thinking this must be garbage of some kind. Turning back north, I saw the beautifully strange landmarks starting to reveal themselves as the tide began to recede -- features we'd affectionately named "The Chasm" and "The Runway.
Emily Eisele
Mile 208
Ona Beach, south of Beaver Creek
It was an unseasonably sunny and warm winter's visit - the first time we've had clear skies for the duration of our mile walk.
Bedrock Theatre
Mile 208
Ona Beach, south of Beaver Creek
Another exciting day getting to know our mile. We are continually fascinated by the amount of anemones, barnacles, and other sea life concentrated around the largest of the rock formations. As we explore, we are trying to identify which spots we want to regularly photograph and are giving them names to help us remember!
Bedrock Theatre
Mile 208
Ona Beach, south of Beaver Creek
This is Bedrock Theatre's first mile report as official CoastWatchers! It was a beautiful day with patches of blue sky peeking out between clouds. We're excited to continue getting to know this mile more intimately over the coming months and hopefully years!
Bedrock Theatre
Mile 208
Ona Beach, south of Beaver Creek
(This is part two of my report as I divided up the mile into two trips.
Batthecat
Mile 208
Ona Beach, south of Beaver Creek
The cliff erosion is significant.
Batthecat
Mile 208
Ona Beach, south of Beaver Creek
Photos show how high the surf got.
Batthecat
