Mile 116
Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove
Coos County
Longitude: -124.395189847880
- Motor vehicle travel is prohibited from south jetty at Coos Bay, (43° 21.1158', Mile 123) southerly to Fivemile Point (43° 13.2228', Mile 109), except as follows: (A) Motor vehicles are allowed at any time on the ocean shore at the south jetty of Coos Bay (43° 21.0990', Mile 123), southerly to (43° 21.0036', 124° 20.4822', Mile 123); (B) Motor vehicles are allowed at any time on the ocean shore at the north end of the Sunset Bay State Park (43° 20.0880', Mile 120) for the purpose of boat launching.
Motor vehicle travel is prohibited from south jetty at Coos Bay, (43° 21.1158', Mile 123) southerly to Fivemile Point (43° 13.2228', Mile 109), except as follows:
(A) Motor vehicles are allowed at any time on the ocean shore at the south jetty of Coos Bay (43° 21.0990', Mile 123), southerly to (43° 21.0036', 124° 20.4822', Mile 123);
(B) Motor vehicles are allowed at any time on the ocean shore at the north end of the Sunset Bay State Park (43° 20.0880', Mile 120) for the purpose of boat launching.
2022
I came for the minus tide since the weather would be dry. Very light human use. Very healthy seeming population of Pisaster ochraceus, and a possibly corresponding healthy seeming population of urchins, compared to overgrowth in seasons past. Noticed a bit more kelp in wrack than usual. Spring time has arrived...read more
After a week of heavy rain, it was a lovely sunny January day at the South Cove. The rains softened the trail up enough to form foot "steps" down to the beach. A couple saw some land slide, said "it wasn't bad", but they did decide to relocate their picnic....read more
2021
A pleasant day at South Cove, not many visitors. A stranded California Sea Lion, a call went out to the Stranded Marine Mammal Network. Saw a Mottled Sea Star, Evasterias troschelii, and may do a Sea Star Survey, even though I saw no Sea Stars suffering Wasting Disease. I aslo...read more
A pleasant weekend day out at the Cape brought several groups to the South Cove, despite it not being a minus tide (when I typically do my reports). Three people fishing reported catch 3 fish each. A new water source at the base of the access trail will be monitored....read more
A lovely day during a minus tide event had many visiting the tidepools. I found my first Sea Cucumber! Also got several views of a lemon dorid. Did a Sea Star survey and did not find any wasted Sea Stars. A gorgeous day and minus tide exposing beautiful boa kelp...read more
I did walk my complete mile (as much as can be walked) this time. I paid special attention to the tidepools on the Northern edge of South Cove and around the point. Many people came to enjoy the pleasant weather and the minus tide. I found one ochre sea star...read more
I didn't do a complete survey today. But wanted to say more than I could in a dispatch. I was at the Southern tidepools 3 days ago for Sea Star Observation Survey Training and we found 24 stars, one Mottled Star and one Ochre Star that seemed to have a...read more
I didn't do a complete survey today. But wanted to say more than I could in a dispatch. I was at the Southern tidepools 3 days ago for Sea Star Observation Survey Training and we found 24 stars, one Mottled Star and one Ochre Star that seemed to have a...read more
I'd heard about some significant tree blow downs on the pack trail, but found the usual situation in the cove. There's always small trees and dirt sloughing off the steep cliffs. Really pleasant afternoon. Some people found the terrain more challenging than others. I did a quick survey, but walked...read more
2020
The weather cleared during my visit. The sea was very calm. I decided to spend more time in the high tide zone and so noticed evidence of a land slide that happened earlier this year. The extra attention could account for my impression of more trash than usual. I found...read more
Pleased to see so many families exploring South Cove's tidepools respectfully. I saw a racoon out there. I do depend on other visitors to cue me in on interesting finds, but in all my years of coming here, this is the first time I've seen one. I brought my binoculars...read more
Many people enjoying the tidepools and beach as the weather began to get better in general. Wasn't able to get to S. Cove during the parks shutdown. This was the second low tide happening on the weekend in reasonable daylight hours since the reopening. I must have a very low...read more
Fairly low tide during daylight hours on a dry day brought only a few visitors. Muddy trail access inspired creative entry points. Seasonal waterfalls flowing heavily. Observed a breeding pair of Harlequins out in the surf. I believe I saw an emerged nudibranch.read more
Though Cape Arago was receiving possibly record number of visitors, no one was trying to surf or otherwise visit South Cove. The tidepools were completely submerged, numerous driftwood were tossed by the waves.read more
2019
I have always been curious what is happening at my mile during high tide. I generally go at low tide to access the most sand and tide pools I can. Since Christmas day had a king tide, I did a brief survey. I was surprised to see the number of...read more
Nice day at the beach. Not many vistors despite the fair weather. Saw lots of crab shells in the wrack line. Not sure if it's a molt. See pix. Tide higher than when I normally visit.read more
A beautiful 4th of July at the South Cove. Many people accepting the invitation by the Park to explore the tidepools. Most people on their best behavior, though I did see some kids climbing a crumbly cliff. read more
I came armed with two fully charged camers and didn't see anything unusual. Beach was cleaner than last time.read more
A very nice day. Went to try and get better photos of the Harlequin group I saw last time, but if they were there, they were out of range for photos. My battery ran dead fairly soon anyway. I observed a strange tidepool creature, but had no camera! This report...read more
Very quiet day, despite the fine weather. Saw a boat closer in than I've ever observed. 3 Cormorants and a flock of Harlequin ducks. Two Sea Stars. 3 Chiton, one a gumboot I'll swear I photographed years ago when it was a baby. Found an unusual net. Wasn't prepared to...read more
2018
A beautiful day out, great low tide. People were respectful of the intertidal habitat. Having the watchful eyes of several OIMB graduate students on hand was no doubt a helpful factor.read more
2017
One of the first nice weekend days of the season, and the most humans visiting the mile that I personally have ever seen.read more
Just a cursuray visit. Saw four people and 1 dog in total. 3 vehicles in car park. Noticed lots of small plastic fragments in wrack line. Found a boat bumper (?) from Cape Sebastian. Wonder if more land fallling into cove. Plenty of trash in cove, perhaps more than usual.read more
Not much evidence of the recent high tides. Found unusual to me things in the low drift line. An abundance of small snails on rocks. I myself murdered quite a few by walking out on the rocks. Doesn't seem to be any shortage of adult snails in the cove, by...read more
2016
Walked on beach southward along boulder field to furthest extent practical and returned. Mostly found refuse and very little/no marine bird or mammal remains.read more
