Mile 226 Report
Otter Crest, State Wayside
September 21, 2018
As is usual, no people were observed directly along the shoreline of this mile where access is very difficult and dangerous.
Report Details
As is usual, no people were observed directly along the shoreline of this mile where access is very difficult and dangerous. But, there were a number of vehicles parked at the Lookout at Otter Crest Wayside where a number of people were observing the grey whales. And, cars were stopping along Otter Crest Loop where people were also observing whales. Nothing notable was observed along the shoreline and no physical changes are apparent in the past three months. The number of tourists that I observed visiting the Lookout area late in the afternoon might justify considering extending the hours of operation of the Lookout building, which currently closes at 4PM.
Conditions
Temperature: 63 F. Cloud Cover: Partly Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 3.0 feet.
Human Activities
Other Activities: Note that great difficulty and hazards of access to the shoreline on mile 226 greatly limit activity. This was underscored by the loss of a couple who were swept away by a wave while attempting to harvest mussels from the rocky shoreline just beyond the north end of the mile.. Nothing noted.
Concerns
Apparent violations: Nothing noted on the mile, but just beyond the north end of the mile I observed some black plastic tarps or bags held down by rocks covering the site of an old campfire ring. This is visible from the old highway (Otter Crest Loop) from the south end of the parking area for the trail that provides access to the cliff-top area..
Notable Wildlife
A fairly typical number of gulls and cormorants were observed, but the real standout was the number of gray whales observed, especially near the north end of the mile. There probably were at least half a dozen, with as many as four spouting at one time.
Beached Birds
Nothing noted.
Stranded Marine Mammals
Nothing noted.
Dead Fish or Invertebrates
Noting noted.
Driftline Content
Small rocks. Note: Driftline is very limited as cliffed shoreline typically drops off directly into water.
New Development
Nothing noted.
Man-made Modifications
Nothing noted.
Natural Changes
No change noted since the last report. This is most often the case as nearly all of the shoreline is composed of hard basalt.
Actions & Comments
No actions need to be taken as no changes have been noted.
Report Images
gsmeyer
CoastWatcher
All Mile 226 Reports
Mile 226
Otter Crest, State Wayside
There were no people observed on or near the shoreline due primarily to its inaccessibility.
George Meyer
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