Many sea glass hunters have attempted to explore the beaches below the Port Angeles bluff west of town. This area has a rich history of civic dumping and would tempt most sea glass hunters. This area, however, is very difficult to access and not advised as a sea glass hunting site today. There are no easy access points and the bluff rises over 100 feet in most places. I would not recommend this beach to any family seeking a leisurely outing and a hunt for sea glass! A little history might help at this point.
History- In the early and middle part of the 20th century many coastal communities would typically dump their garbage into the sea assuming the vast ocean could handle a "little" debris. This was the community dumping policy in Port Angeles, Wa for many years. As was true with the Port Townsend community, several bluff locations west of Port Angeles became known as the town dump. According to an article in a Port Angeles newspaper in the 1970s, “Prior to July 1944, all refuse was collected by a private agency or individually hauled and dumped at the northerly end of McDonald Street,” according to the 1970 city report." “In July 1944, the city assumed responsibility for collection and disposal,” the report stated.
“They immediately began dumping at the westerly end of 10th Street and continued this operation until late 1947." “At this time, the property at the westerly end of 18th Street [the current landfill site] was acquired. Changes at the facility escalated in the late 1960s and early ’70s, Puntenney said."
"In 1967 the city purchased a D977 Caterpillar bulldozer and began landfill operations at the 18th Street site, compacting and covering the garbage with dirt rather than allowing it to be burned and pushed over the side. It’s unclear when private individuals were stopped from dumping at the 18th Street site, Puntenney said. Beginning in 1970, car bodies were not allowed to be landfilled or dumped, and the city removed the auto hulks that were on the beach. In 1971, City and county residents could no longer dump their garbage for free."
History- In the early and middle part of the 20th century many coastal communities would typically dump their garbage into the sea assuming the vast ocean could handle a "little" debris. This was the community dumping policy in Port Angeles, Wa for many years. As was true with the Port Townsend community, several bluff locations west of Port Angeles became known as the town dump. According to an article in a Port Angeles newspaper in the 1970s, “Prior to July 1944, all refuse was collected by a private agency or individually hauled and dumped at the northerly end of McDonald Street,” according to the 1970 city report." “In July 1944, the city assumed responsibility for collection and disposal,” the report stated.
“They immediately began dumping at the westerly end of 10th Street and continued this operation until late 1947." “At this time, the property at the westerly end of 18th Street [the current landfill site] was acquired. Changes at the facility escalated in the late 1960s and early ’70s, Puntenney said."
"In 1967 the city purchased a D977 Caterpillar bulldozer and began landfill operations at the 18th Street site, compacting and covering the garbage with dirt rather than allowing it to be burned and pushed over the side. It’s unclear when private individuals were stopped from dumping at the 18th Street site, Puntenney said. Beginning in 1970, car bodies were not allowed to be landfilled or dumped, and the city removed the auto hulks that were on the beach. In 1971, City and county residents could no longer dump their garbage for free."
Old dump site at Port Angeles, WA- 1960- bull dozer pushing debris toward the bluff
Beach combing- So, it would seem that the beach below the old dump site would be loaded with beach glass! Many visitors over the years have attempted to hunt for glass but very little has been discovered in recent years.
I made an attempt to access the beach below the old dump a few weeks ago. The descent down was difficult to locate and not recommended. Upon arrival down at the beach I noticed the intentional placement of large boulders to the west and east to help stabilize the beach erosion. I climbed down over the boulders and made my way onto the original sandy portion of the beach. There was no sea glass to be found at this point but if one hunted at a lower tide there is always hope.
I made an attempt to access the beach below the old dump a few weeks ago. The descent down was difficult to locate and not recommended. Upon arrival down at the beach I noticed the intentional placement of large boulders to the west and east to help stabilize the beach erosion. I climbed down over the boulders and made my way onto the original sandy portion of the beach. There was no sea glass to be found at this point but if one hunted at a lower tide there is always hope.
 rusted axel found on Old Dump beach |  rusting car parts embedded on beach |
What I found fascinating was the debris left from the old dumping days. The rock crevasses were loaded with rusting old car parts, i.e. axels, brake drums, parts etc.. There were no whole vehicles but just misc. rusting parts of frames. It was sad but a reflection of it's history as the local town dump.
After a while I made my way along the upper portion of the beach above the large rocks and found a few pieces of sea glass. In the picture below you will notice the collection of sea glass, a piece of old pottery and a sea tumbled aluminum ingot!
Sea glass found on Old Dump beach, Port Angeles, WA- along with a smoothed aluminum ingot
the rock beds below the old dump site
Conclusion: This beach is no longer a recommended spot to hunt for sea glass and should not be attempted due to the difficulty in access.
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