Report Details

The bluff below the condos north of the ramp, The Headlands resort, shows increases sluffing.  Remnants of stairs are completely missing, a new 3-4' drop off or scarp, along the edge of their property shows the grass area is receding.  The dune from the ramp to the south has receded.  The sink hole is attracting a lot of visitors, most who stay behind the caution ropes.  There were more mussel shells on the beach than I have seen in the past.  Curious if the recent cold and snow may have affected the mussels exposed to the cold during a low tide.

Conditions

Temperature: 42 F. Cloud Cover: Cloudy. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: SW. Tide Level: 4.5 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 35. Number of dogs: 4. Walking or running: 21. Tidepooling: 4. Surfing: 2. Other Activities: 0n Dune 8. Vehicles access the beach at a steep sand area south of the cape. Driving north to cape is prohibited. However vehicles often have difficulty attempting to climb up the access area then will drive on the prohibited area to the cape to use the ramp.

Concerns

Apparent violations: Vehicle driving on beach in restricted area. Drove up ramp on sidewalk to bypass the ramp gate..

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 8. Cars/trucks on beach, allowed: 1. Cars/trucks on beach, prohibited: 1.

Driftline Content

Shells, Wood pieces, Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea). The beach had minimal garbage, 2 soda cans, one dog poop bag, two plastic bottles. One very creative log fort!

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune, Evidence of wave overtopping. Drainage stream at the end of the boat ramp. Sink hole on top of cape showed some recent sluffing, not sure if it is deeper. Fenced area around sink hole and cliffs are still intact. However shifting sand covering the area has effectively lowered the height of the fences and foot tracks frequently cross over. fences

Actions & Comments

A ranger was being filmed by the Tillamook Sentinal paper.  Discussed with ranger about the changes and thanked him for promoting safety when visiting the cape, especially after the most recent death.  

Report Images

Foredune erosion just south of Pelican Pub
Erosion at Headlands Resort
Sink hole on cape Kiwanda
Mussel shells on beach,

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All Mile 261 Reports

Showing 8 of 57 reports

Mile 261

Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda

January 15, 2025

One day after a King Tide Nice sunny day at the beach, 47 degrees and calm winds. Grass that was growing between the dunes and high zone completely gone. Normal human activities at the beach . No beached birds or mammals found.

Eric Matthews

Mile 261

Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda

December 9, 2024

Nice, sunny 48 degrees 5 mph wind from the NE.

Eric Matthews

Mile 261

Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda

October 22, 2024

Nice sunny 55 degree day, calm if any winds.

Eric Matthews

Mile 261

Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda

September 23, 2024

66 degrees, sunny, calm wind. 4 beached birds found.

Eric Matthews

Mile 261

Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda

August 20, 2024

The beach looked great as far as litter, and erosion.

Eric Matthews

Mile 261

Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda

July 10, 2024

Wonderful sunny day 65. degrees. New construction in the State parking lot at the north end of the mile. Found 1 beached (dead) bird; a Brown Pelican in the high bare zone, middle of the Mile.

Eric Matthews

Mile 261

Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda

June 17, 2024

A rather nice day, 55 degrees, clouds and no wind.

Eric Matthews

Mile 261

Haystack Rock, Cape Kiwanda

May 27, 2024

Tide very low at 1.

MatthewsE