Mile 228 Report
Rocky Creek State Wayside, Whale Cove
July 18, 2023
Clear, warm, calm day with no adverse human behavior.
Report Details
Clear, warm, calm day with no adverse human behavior. The Aluminum ladder that was affixed to the sandstone cliff at Whale Cove beach has been removed and replaced by an extension ladder. There are some beach structures built out of drift wood, including a ladder into the refuge border from Whale Cove suggesting that some people are climbing over the ridge to get to little whale cove or from little whale cove to whale cove.
Conditions
Temperature: 71 F. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: N. Tide Level: 6.0 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 10. Number of dogs: 2. Walking or running: 10. Other Activities: No one was on Whale Cove beach, only Rocky Creek park. Rocky Creek only. people walking, whale watching, using restroom.
Concerns
Litter
Apparent violations: Litter on Whale Cove beach appears to have been washed ashore..Vehicles
Cars/trucks parking: 5.
Notable Wildlife
5 Canada geese on whale cove beach
Beached Birds
Total dead birds: 1. one talon found on whale cove beach, big enough to be a vulture.
Driftline Content
Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Wood pieces, Styrofoam, Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.).
New Development
Steps down bluff. Aluminum stair down to whale cove beach has been removed and replaced by an extension ladder. A wooden ladder has been constructed leading from Whale Cove to Little Whale Cove, suggesting that humans are crossing over through the USFWS refuge.
Man-made Modifications
Some new rough structures using drift wood
Natural Changes
Newly exposed roots/trees falling.
Actions & Comments
No actions taken other than picking up and hauling out debris
dwhite
CoastWatcher
All Mile 228 Reports
Mile 228
Rocky Creek State Wayside, Whale Cove
Clear, warm, calm day with no adverse human behavior.
dwhite
Mile 228
Rocky Creek State Wayside, Whale Cove
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.
dwhite
Mile 228
Rocky Creek State Wayside, Whale Cove
All human activity was at the Rocky Creek wayside, not Whale Cove.
dwhite
Mile 228
Rocky Creek State Wayside, Whale Cove
Both the Whale Cove beach and Rocky Creek wayside were in good condition as usual, however there were rubber surf boards and a downspout that were found both on the beach below the houses on the bluff and hung up among small vegetation on the cliff in between the houses and the beach.
dwhite
Mile 228
Rocky Creek State Wayside, Whale Cove
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.
dwhite
Mile 228
Rocky Creek State Wayside, Whale Cove
Coast Guard and Depoe Bay fire crews rescued a 19-year-old male hiker in the vicinity of Whale Cove, after he reportedly suffered seizures and became immobilized Tuesday evening.
dwhite
Mile 228
Rocky Creek State Wayside, Whale Cove
Both Whale Cove and Rocky Creek were in good shape and quite free of debris.
dwhite
Mile 228
Rocky Creek State Wayside, Whale Cove
There was a notable increase in driftwood and debris that had washed up onto the Whale Cove beach.
dwhite