Mile 228 Report
Rocky Creek State Wayside, Whale Cove
May 13, 2010
I hiked over the saddle from LWC to Big Whale Cove and strolled along the north-side beach from west to east and back.
Report Details
I hiked over the saddle from LWC to Big Whale Cove and strolled along the north-side beach from west to east and back. In between the beached logs are numerous plastic water bottles and scattered pieces of styrofoam. There was also a dead and decaying sea lion and several live ones swimming in the cove. It was obvious from their tracks that at least two had been sunning on the beach prior to my visit.
Conditions
Temperature: 55 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 6.7 feet.
Human Activities
No human activity on a Thursday afternoon on the North beach of Big Whale Cove
Notable Wildlife
Three to four sea lions? swimming offshore in Big Whale Cove
Stranded Marine Mammals
Total stranded mammals: 1. One dead sea lion on beach.
Driftline Content
Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Styrofoam, Wood pieces. Observed several dozen plastic water bottles in between driftwood
Report Images
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