Mile 228 Report
Rocky Creek State Wayside, Whale Cove
August 8, 2020
Excluding by sea, the entry to Whale Cove beach requires passage on private property and an easement provided by USFW, so it was unusual to find such a collection of beachgoers.
Report Details
Excluding by sea, the entry to Whale Cove beach requires passage on private property and an easement provided by USFW, so it was unusual to find such a collection of beachgoers. The beach is normally quite clean as it was this time, but with two unusual findings: the door of a small refrigerator with Japanese (?) writing (probably from a boat, and pieces of a fiberglass boat hull.Also noted was damage at the bottom of the ladder leading down to the beach. This likely occurred during a king tide storm. A king tide storm in the winter of 2019 took the entire ladder down when it launched large driftwood against the bluff. This replacement ladder is bent at the bottom and a step is missing.
Conditions
Temperature: 66 F. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: N. Tide Level: 4.0 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 17. Number of dogs: 1. Playing in surf: 2. Sitting: 4. Photography: 2. Other Activities: Frisbee, volleyball. Fire 0n beach was out and from a previous day. Beach is surrounded by private property and USFW Wildlife Reserve, so all vehicles were parked on private property. The beach was occupied primarily by people renting one of the larger houses overlooking Whale Cove. They and their friends were celebrating a birthday. (very unusual to see so many people on this beach).
Concerns
Fire, Litter
Notable Wildlife
Many harbor seals lurking in the cove. Seal population in the Cove is about 175+. Surprisingly few birds. Several gulls noted.
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Wood pieces, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Styrofoam, Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.).
Natural Changes
The bottom of the ladder leading down to the beach was bent and a step is missing. This likely occurred during a king tide storm. A king tide storm in the winter of 2019 took the entire ladder down when it launched large driftwood against the bluff. The replacement ladder experienced this new damage.
Actions & Comments
All debris seen was removed, including a door to a small refrigerator with Japanese (?) text, apparently from a boat. Other sections of a fiberglass boat hull were found and removed.
Report Images
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Although not king tide level, high waves at high tide on Jan 18, 2018 reached all the way into the inner reaches of Whale Cove's sandy cliffs.
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There was a notable increase in driftwood and debris that had washed up onto the Whale Cove beach.
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