Mile 53 - South of Elk River mouth, north of Paradise Point SW - November 21, 2007

Report Details

This a very rough surf area of the coast with a sharp drop off. It appears to have very little use by the public. There are small driftwood pieces, some amazing roots of large trees ( stand 7 or 8 feet high ) and few to no shells. No birds running along this shore ! I suggest checking the tide tables before you walk this area and go only at low tide. From Paradise Point( starting point) to Elk River and back is about 3 hours.

Conditions

Temperature: 45 F. Cloud Cover: Sunny. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: W. Tide Level: 0.0 feet.

Human Activities

Number of people: 15. Number of dogs: 3.

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 3. Cars/trucks on beach, allowed: 1. ATVs/OHVs on beach, allowed: 2.

Notable Wildlife

I saw no wildlife on the beach on bluffs. Very few birds over head. Also very few shells .... two broken crab shells

Beached Birds

I saw no dead birds or other wildlife

Stranded Marine Mammals

none

Dead Fish or Invertebrates

none

Driftline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Animal casings (e.g., crab, shrimp molt), Land-based debris (picnics, etc.), Small rocks, Styrofoam, Wood pieces. the for ever plastic bottles

Man-made Modifications

none

Natural Changes

Erosion of vegetated foredune, Newly exposed roots/trees falling. very high tides lap at the bluffs and erode them

Actions & Comments

No action. At very high tides one should not walk this mile as there is not safe passge as you proceed north to the mouth of the Elk River. Once you get past the bluffs the sand dunes separate you from the river. If you go to the top of the dunes you will see water fowl in and around the river and the valley the river has created. I was there at 4 PM and the moon was at about 30 degrees in the east and the sun about the same in the west. Quite a sight. Sunset was around 4:50 PM.