Mile 226 Report
Otter Crest, State Wayside
June 20, 2018
Tourist season is in full swing on the Oregon Coast!
Report Details
Tourist season is in full swing on the Oregon Coast! The Lookout parking lot was full, the gift shop was crowded, observation sites were busy, most people were seeing the two whales right below, and enthusiasm reigned. The wildlife was more abundant than usual, with lots of gulls and cormorants being present. And, let's not forget the whales. Physical changes to the shoreline appeared non-existent. The shoreline is based on basalt which is very resistant to wave erosion. The is a large rockfall below and to the northwest of the Lookout, which has appeared unchanged for the past several years. I am photographing it each time I visit to document any changes, which would be most likely in association with winter storms.
Conditions
Temperature: 60 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Tide Level: 1.6 feet.
Human Activities
The parking lot was full at the Lookout at the State Wayside at Cape Foulweather, the gift shop was full of people, and there were a number of people at both exterior observation sites. At a possible access site just beyond the north end of the mile, there was a vehicle parked, but nobody was observed on the rocks at the only (difficult) access site on the extreme north end of the mile.
Concerns
Apparent violations: None.
Notable Wildlife
Numerous gulls and cormorants were observed throughout the mile. A number of cormorants appeared to be sitting on nests on cliff faces. Two grey whales were observed - probably feeding - below and a little to the south of the Lookout.
Driftline Content
Small rocks.
New Development
None
Man-made Modifications
N/A
Natural Changes
No changes to shoreline features have been observed in the past three months.
Actions & Comments
There was nothing of particular interest to comment on take any action on.
gsmeyer
CoastWatcher
All Mile 226 Reports
Mile 226
Otter Crest, State Wayside
No human activity was noted on or near the shoreline, the only activity noted being people driving along Otter Crest Loop, with a few parking for short periods of time at the Lookout at Otter Crest Wayside for the views.
George Meyer
Mile 226
Otter Crest, State Wayside
On a nice, fairly calm and partly cloudy day on the central Oregon coast, there were only a few people driving along Otter Crest Loop and even fewer stopping to enjoy the view from the the Lookout at Otter Crest State Scenic Wayside.
George Meyer
Mile 226
Otter Crest, State Wayside
It was a very pleasant sunny day and the ocean was calm, so visibility at and slightly below the surface of the ocean was excellent.
gsmeyer
Mile 226
Otter Crest, State Wayside
There was nobody observed along the shoreline of mile 226, however there were a number of people driving and stopping along Otter Crest Loop, the roadway that provides excellent overviews of the mile.
gsmeyer
Mile 226
Otter Crest, State Wayside
There were no human activities noted near the shoreline, which is usual for this mile, but there was activity at the Lookout, where there were a moderate number of people parking and going to the viewpoints and into the Lookout building gift shop.
gsmeyer
Mile 226
Otter Crest, State Wayside
It was a nice day to be observing the coast, what with the moderate temperature, light wind, and clouds that covered the sky thinly.
gsmeyer
Mile 226
Otter Crest, State Wayside
Humans were only noted well above the shoreline, specifically at the Lookout, where people parked their vehicles to get out for a few minutes to observe the seascapes.
gsmeyer
Mile 226
Otter Crest, State Wayside
Human activities were essentially confined to those stopping their vehicles on Otter Crest Loop or at the Lookout to observe the views.
gsmeyer