Mile 262 Report
Cape Kiwanda State Park
October 3, 2018
The ocean continues to move inland, undercutting the bank.
Report Details
The ocean continues to move inland, undercutting the bank. "Dune stabilization" efforts don't seem to be working, mostly because of natural erosion apparently. Vehicle tracks show lots of vehicles have been driving on beach in allowable areas. Sand and rocks have filled in between Cape Kiwanda and offshore rocks where there used to be ocean water. Beach pretty clean of human trash. Wrack lines with lots of purple snail shells, seaweed, crab shells. A few Heerman's Gulls with other usual gulls at water's edge. Only excitement was opening the locked door of a stranded vehicle that the people had locked themselves into by mistake, only openable from outside. They were able to stick a hand out the small opening in window to wave at me. The keys were in the outside of the door. Someone had called to get a tow truck to get them out. The vehicle had been stuck in sand at the foot of the dune for a day and a half but they had been at their campsite across the road, apparently, and came back when they remembered they might have left their keys in the door. I have no idea why they went inside with the keys still dangling from the keyhole outside.
Conditions
Temperature: 59 F. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: N. Tide Level: 3.0 feet.
Human Activities
Number of people: 8. Number of dogs: 1. Walking or running: 6. Fishing: 2. One vehicle stuck in sand; owners said since 7 a.m. previous day. Said someone else was calling to get them pulled out; that vehicle had not arrived by the time I left. The COASST beached bird surveyor arrived at access point as I was leaving and I told him about the stranded vehicle. He knew who always comes to pull people out and said that guy would show up. I hoped if that guy did not show up, the COASST surveyor would know who to call.
Vehicles
Notable Wildlife
Heerman's Gulls
Driftline Content
Small rocks, Seaweeds and seagrass, Shells, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Wood pieces. lots of purple snails, some alive, some dead
Natural Changes
Landslides/major boulder falls, Major cracks appearing in bluffs, Newly exposed roots/trees falling, Erosion of vegetated foredune, Evidence of wave overtopping. the ocean has filled in the area at the base of Cape Kiwanda, north side, with sand and rocks where it used to be deep water
Report Images
All Mile 262 Reports
Mile 262
Cape Kiwanda State Park
Lovely day on the beach with only two cars stuck in the sand, one of which was able to drive out unaided after a bit of effort.
Linda Fink
Mile 262
Cape Kiwanda State Park
Tar balls have been reported from Lincoln City northward so beachgoers are asked to watch for them and report if found.
Linda Fink
Mile 262
Cape Kiwanda State Park
People enjoying the beach with their dogs mostly.
Linda Fink
Mile 262
Cape Kiwanda State Park
Sunny day with paragliders and people walking dogs
Linda Fink
Mile 262
Cape Kiwanda State Park
The ocean continues to eat away at cliff. At least today, vehicles were staying where they belong
Linda Fink
Mile 262
Cape Kiwanda State Park
One pickup stuck in sand being towed out by commercial towing company when I arrived.
Linda Fink
Mile 262
Cape Kiwanda State Park
A beautiful, wind-free, mostly sunny day with a very clear view north to Cape Lookout.
Linda Fink