There have been two pullouts at the Dungeness Recreation Area where vehicles can either pull through or park with a view out onto the Strait of Juan de Fuca and, to the north, Vancouver Island, B.C. and Washington’s San Juan Islands. Chunk by chunk these pullouts have eroded as wind and weather have taken their toll on the compacted sandy soil. For the moment this is the only remaining area where people and vehicles can move close to the view.
Three parking spaces are now out of service. I expect that soon, like the other former pullout area, this area will be barricaded by a fence.
When we moved to Sequim ten years ago we walked a path along this edge of the bluffs from the public campground at the north along nearly the full frontage of the park’s western boundary on the bluff. The views were wonderful. The left-hand fence, above, was one of the earliest barriers across the trail as the bluff began to slip. Parts of the path are now entirely gone. Some areas of the trail next to the campgrounds still come close to water views but the waterfront overlook trail is now long gone.
It’s happening here also. Mother Nature is winning.
Nature seems to be reclaiming the land. Or, is climate change to blame? Rising water levels and more fierce winds. Have a very nice New Year’s Eve!
Erosion is a constant, especially along that coastline.
That seems to be happening everywhere! Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Kay.