Mile 280 - North of Happy Camp, south of Oceanside - April 14, 2012

Report Details

A busy spring day at the beach. Lots of people enjoying the resource in appropriate ways. It is interesting that there seems to be very little overlap between the groups that come in from Happy Camp and those that come from Oceanside. The north end of mine 280 is almost exactly midway between the two and that is where we see the fewest people.The driftline has fragments of shells, a few crab shells and lots of broken sand dollars. We are surprised by the lack of birds and evidence of other sea life.Winter storms seem to have brought back the sand that was missing in December. The high tide line clearly comes up to the base of the cliff. We are surprised and a little sad at the removal of the Sunset Shack. The dates inside went back 8-10 years with comments about good times, philosophic discussions and romantic evenings. We will keep watch to see if it is rebuilt this summer.

Conditions

Temperature: 55 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: NW.

Human Activities

Number of people: 74. Number of dogs: 9. Walking or running: 41. Playing in surf: 11. Playing in sand: 16. Sitting: 5. Fishing: 1. Busy day in the spring sun. Clearly two different groups, one accessing the beach from Happy Camp and another accessing the beach from Oceanside. Very few people seem to make it the whole 2 mile distance from one to the other.

Concerns

Climbing bluffs/seastacks

Apparent violations: sand chute still used a path from the top of the bluff.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 14.

Notable Wildlife

Only one lonely crow. No other gulls or shorebirds.

Driftline Content

Shells, Small rocks, Wood pieces.

Man-made Modifications

Beachgrass planting or removal. beach grass shoots have been planted at the base of the cliff under the housing development

Natural Changes

sand has risen several feet since December

Actions & Comments

drop in sand observed in December is completely filled in. The Sunset Shack photographed in December is completely gone. It is hard to tell whether it was removed or washed away by winter storms.