Mile 313 Report
Tolovana Park north, Haystack Rock
February 12, 2026
A sunny day on mile 313.
Report Details
A sunny day on mile 313. The tide was on it's way out and the beach was big! Folks were enjoying the February sunshine, walking, hanging out on the sand, playing games and walking to and from Haystack Rock. There were folks trampling across the marine garden to get closer to the rock, there is no way for them to know it's damaging without the HRAP team on the beach to educate. On the whole, folks were being mostly respectful though, which is great!
Conditions
Temperature: 49 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Moderate. Tide Level: 2.0 feet.
Activities
Number of people: 130. Number of dogs: 18.
Other Activities: There was a person sitting in a "weather pod" - a small room with walls and a ceiling, to protect herself from the wind and weather. Another person was using a metal detector, looking for treasure! A group playing soccer on the sand.. It was one day before the start of the Haystack Rock Awareness Program being on the beach during low tides. There were a few people past the "do not enter" and "area closed" signs, but I did not call PD because there are no nesting birds yet. It is difficult to gain compliance with signs without a human to back up the request!.
Concerns
Climbing bluffs/seastacks
Notable Wildlife
The only birds out today were WEGU, crows and BAEA. There was one BAEA sitting at the very top of the rock, it's partner flew in and out a couple of times.
Wrackline Content
The wrack line was mostly cellophane tube worm casings! There were some rocks, empty mussel shells and several clusters of mussels with barnacles attached. Thatched barnacles and some gooseneck, too. Small amounts of seagrass and seaweed.
at the north end of mile 313 looking south
a weather pod on the beach
cellophane worm casings in the wrack line
mussels and barnacles in the wrack line
south end of mile 313 looking north
large pools south of the rock where sand has scoured out
bald eagle flying in to sit with their partner at the top of the rock
two eagles atop the rock
people trampling on rocks and exploring past do not enter signs
Report Images
Michelle M Schwegmann
CoastWatcher
All Mile 313 Reports
Mile 313
Tolovana Park north, Haystack Rock
Many curious beach visitors were in town for spring break, with approximately 100 people exploring Haystack Rock this morning.
sultanym
Mile 313
Tolovana Park north, Haystack Rock
It was a rainy day at Haystack Rock, but that did not deter visitors.
Michelle Schwegmann
Mile 313
Tolovana Park north, Haystack Rock
We went to mile 313 at high tide on a sunny, cold and windless day in the winter!
Alex Engelhardt
Mile 313
Tolovana Park north, Haystack Rock
A sunny day on mile 313.
Michelle M Schwegmann
Mile 313
Tolovana Park north, Haystack Rock
A deceased WEFU Western Fulmar found high in the wrack line after recent storms. Tons of marine debris, driftwood logs, fishing gear, etc.
Michelle Schwegmann
Mile 313
Tolovana Park north, Haystack Rock
A Cassin's Auklet was in the wrack line at Haystack Rock. There was a beach hazards warning for high surf and sneaker waves, which were definitely happening!
Michelle Schwegmann
Mile 313
Tolovana Park north, Haystack Rock
An early morning walk to Haystack Rock was mostly foggy and overcast, with a brief clearing in the weather mid-morning.
sultanym
Mile 313
Tolovana Park north, Haystack Rock
Overall, Haystack Rock is a treasure trove of marine biological diversity, from invertebrates and pelagic birds to marine mammals, with an active education program for curious beach visitors. The best tidepool invertebrate diversity today was observed at the south end of Haystack Rock in the area often referred to as "The Needles. As I was tidepooling, I heard multiple beach visitors asking about sea slugs and how to locate nudibranchs.
sultanym