March 16, 2024

Temperature: 63 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Tide Level: 0.24 feet.

Number of people: 25. Number of dogs: 3. Walking or running: 16. Sitting: 5. Other Activities: Had a gal repeatedly para-sailing off the bluff by the visitor's center. Saw one surfer headed back to the parking lot with her board, and a bag for a surfboard near a makeshift driftwood shelter down by Hubbard creek, but did not see anyone actively surfing on the way out. There was a surfer by Battle Rock when we returned. There were also many more people on the beach when we returned, but I only counted on the way out. If I were to guess, I'd say an additional 20 more people, and maybe 5 more dogs--but I chose to only count on the way out since it's so hard to know who was already counted.. A 4th vehicle was on its way down as we were leaving the beach. One vehicle appeared to have come down via Hubbard Creek, but I'm not sure. Never saw them north of the rock formations at the center of the mile. The para-sailer was floating down from the bluff just below the parking lot, and then rather than lose the wind, she kept the sail inflated and walked back up the bluff, not on the trail. No sign of the gold miner's return to the same spot, just below the parking lot. Creek flow was only impeded by what looked like a natural accumulation of driftwood. Not technically on Mile 48, but there was a trio of guys on the south side of Hubbard Creek who appeared to be panning for gold, but they were using buckets and pans, and did not appear to be doing more than digging in the rocks and sand. See photo.

Just saw the usual compliment of sea birds--mostly common seagulls. Didn't note any other avians. All were flying. Seems odd that I didn't see any on the beach. No mammals visible.

Didn't see any dead birds, which seems unusual. Didn't search for them in the high-tide driftwood piles, though.

None noted.

None noted.

Small rocks, Shells, Wood pieces, Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Marine debris (plastic, styrofoam, etc. washing in from the sea), Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.). Lots of driftwood at high tide mark, many quite large. Made me wonder how much has washed down after the inland ice storm in January. Some rope and micro-plastics.

None noted.

None noted.

Hubbard Creek exits almost straight into the sea this time of year. Winter beach has been scoured of sand, leaving it almost flat, especially compared to summer when the sand piles up. Took pix of some of the older landslides and erosion. Nothing looked substantially different from previous visits.