Mile 287 - Bayocean Peninsula north of Bayocean site 2 - August 31, 2013

Report Details

Conditions largely unchanged from last visit. No evidence of recent deposition of Japanese tsunami debris, although noted at least 8 timbers that appeared to be of Japanese origin, several of which had been moved above high tide line and incorporated into campsites for seating. Sand had been sculpted by windy conditions; little evidence of litter or other human or marine debris. Lots of folks taking advantage of dry (albeit foggy) conditions to camp for the Labor Day weekend.

Conditions

Temperature: 67 F. Cloud Cover: Foggy. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Wind Direction: NW. Tide Level: 5.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 38. Number of dogs: 6. Walking or running: 12. Other Activities: 17 camping (3 groups of 11, 4, & 2); 9 horseback riders. Busy start to the labor day weekend - parking lot completely full with 45 vehicles and an additional 7 trucks pulling large horse trailers. Large number of horses/riders noted in parking lot and on beach - trails evidenced heavy horse usage. Many folks walking/bicycling on road to northern end of spit packing camping equipment, a couple campsites had already been set up on Mile 287 and saw a couple other groups arrive and begin campsite set up. Very foggy day with limited visibility, but folks did not seem deterred by weather conditions.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 45.

Beached Birds

Total dead birds: 1. probably immature gull, no leg bands

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Shells, Small rocks, Wood pieces.

C Nelson

CoastWatcher

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Mile 287

Bayocean Peninsula north of Bayocean site 2

March 17, 2024

The cloudy marine layer that was present when we first arrived eventually burned off, providing us with a pleasant but breezy sunny afternoon for our visit. 1) We encountered an intact hull of a fiberglass boat on the mid-section of the mile; photos and location information was provided to the State Park Ranger so it could be retrieved from the beach. 2) There had been a massive influx of velella velella (by-the-wind sailors) washed ashore several days before our visit. 3) Given the number of folks in the parking area when we arrived, we had expected to see more folks on mile 287 but encountered just a typical number of visitors. 4) There was more detritus on the beach than we've seen in recent previous visits.

C NELSON