May 19, 2007

Temperature: 50 F. Cloud Cover: Rain. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: SW.

Litter

Variety of birds in natural habitats. A dozen or so medium and large seals lounging on seaweed covered rocks, all near the water.

Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.), Styrofoam. Large rusted barrel and large white plastic barrel

Rock shelves in Black Sand Beach (Cove 1) very pushed by ocean and much closer to cliffsides.

Possible that movement of rock shelves is actually erosion related.

This sheet supplements my 5-19-07 CoastWatch report for Mile 305 and presupposes that the reader has read, or at least has access to, my 4-20-07 report.On the above date, I drove past the end of Elk Flat Road and parked beyond the wooden swinging gate, at the turnaround circle at the very end of the vehicle-accessible roadway. The weather was dry, but overcast and threatening, with no wind, perhaps 50 degrees F.I descended the west cliff route using the synthetic ropes already in place, and also my own climbing rope, reaching the boulder field about 8:15 AM: good visibililty, low surf.Cove 1: The rusted barrel is still there. The ocean has resculpted most of the cove floor, and there are major rock terraces running parallel to the shoreline.In Cove 2, I found several plastic and bullet-shaped Styrofoam floats and threw them up above the tide line. The white barrel I saw on April 20 is gone.Cove 3: Easier access due to low tide. A few synthetic floats, threw them up above the tide line. The white drum is in one of the sea nooks nearby. Wind now SW, 5-10 MPH.Cove 4 has lots of debris; most of it was there last time. I tossed it all up high beyond the log wall. A light rain has started, making footing tricky on some of the rocks.Cove 5: Much easier access due to low tide. Ready with camera, but no seals. Birds of varying species up on the rock formations. Many seal "body drag" marks on the ground.Cove 6 had a dozen or so medium and large seals lounging on seaweed covered rocks, all near the water. I took a few pix before being spotted; then they all flopped into the sea.Coves 7 and 8: Small, smooth floors, clean. I found a medium passage I could negotiate and made it into Cove 9 (first time!). Astounding rock formations, including a chimney, a unique cavern, and other features. I rounded the corner into Cove 10 (fairly small) and looked around. Bad idea! Returning to 9, an optical illlusion prevented me from finding the passageway. I decided (wrong!) the tide had turned prematurely, and I decided (also wrong!) I had to swim for my life. I waded and swam past the rock outcropping north of my position. Then I spread my coat with each incoming wave and let the sea push me in. It was the riskiest thing I have ever done. My camera is toast, but I saved my wet notes. If you value your life, then you need to read, understand and heed the following sentence: NEVER (EVER) ACCESS THIS AREA! IT IS DANGEROUS! YOU COULD DIE!!!The rain quit, but the return hike was cold and slow, and I had a terrible time negotiating the boulder garden in my heavy, wet clothing. My climbing rope made all the difference on the hillside but the uphill trip was difficult. The dry clothes in my car were a big help.The optical illusion is this: The passageway runs NW to SE. Once you walk through it, go around the corner, and then return, this passage is invisible! It seems you are trapped. Against intuition, yhou must walk deep into the cavern in an attempt to find the passage.