A few months ago I posted photos of the bluff trail at Dungeness Recreation Area here under the title “There goes the neighborhood” because it was, quite literally, sliding into the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It’s an ongoing challenge to keep access to the bluff trails open because the sandy cliffs are so battered by natural erosion. This is a view of the newly-revised trail at the bluff after it was recently shifted further inland. Although it looks – and is – tidy and clear, this shift required removing at least four or five feet of thick shrubbery that previously edged the trail to allow it to tiptoe back from the ever-creeping ledge. The fence you see in this view is not so far from the previous inland side of the trail.
This view shows some of the erosion that has eaten into what once was the trail.
Trail crews did a beautiful job on this and other parts of the bluff trail. I wish I could applaud and say “Your work is finished!” But I think it’s just another chapter in an ongoing saga. They’ll be back.
At the moment there is a fantastic view along this trail overlooking the water. Nothing in nature remains the same. It’s always in constance change.
I wonder if the constant removal of shrubbery (to make room for the new trails) increases the erosion rate. Fewer roots equals more erosion I think.
but what do you think of the fence? a necessary evil?
Your first photo is gorgeous, Kay. It doesn’t hint at the work that had to be done to carve out a revised trail from the hillside. I worry that work like this is going to be among the work cut as budgets get ever tighter.
Pretty trail. You’re right…their work isn’t over. We’re constantly having to rebuild the beaches here due to storm damage (it costs millions and millions each time). I’m so glad they’re being attentive to that trail. I bet it gets a lot of use.
What a gorgeous shot of the newly established portion of the trail – composition of it all is excellent, Kay!
Hi Kay,
We have just started a new Facebook group which is specifically about and involving the communities of Sequim, Port Angeles and Port Townsend. It’s called Building Community Connections and I would like to extend an invitation to you to join. Your insights and photos about the trail, for example, would be great information to share with local residents. Feel free to visit the link and I would be happy to Friend you into the group if you are interested. http://www.facebook.com/suegmacedo You can read more about the group on the About page.
We have the same problem on our coastline. I would love to walk this path.