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Olympic Peninsula - Murdock Beach - Joyce, WA

2/1/2016

6 Comments

 
Murdock Beach aka. "fossil beach" or "round rock beach" is a DNR maintained beach 9.2 miles beyond the Camp Hayden Rd. turn right off on hwy 112.   
They require a discovery pass for day use of the park. It is a short walk down to the beach from the parking area which includes a bathroom facility and information kiosk. The beach is known for it’s plenteous round rocks and wide variety of fossilized round rocks. These variably sized round formations are called "concretions" by geologists and have formed around plant life or various objects over the ages. You will notice many of these concretions protruding out of the exposed bank as you make your way west on the beach. Agatized fossils may also be found here. Craig Thomas found the agatized clam fossil illustrated below on 1.12.16. The beach is almost covered at high tide and should be most enjoyed at lowered tides when more of the beach is exposed. 
The youtube video below provides directions to Murdock Beach and hunting tips for agates, fossils and agatized fossil sea shells that can be found in the gravel beds on Murdock Beach. 
Picture
Murdock beach with exposed rock beds
Picture
concretion fossil formations

​Directions:
 Follow hwy 101 to Port Angeles and then 4 miles west take hwy 112 to the west toward Clallam Bay. The turn off to Murdock Beach is exactly 9.2 miles beyond the Camp Hayden Rd. turn off that leads down to the Salt Creek Campground. Follow hwy 112 past Cannon Ball Rd. going .7 of a mile to PA-S-2510 and turn right. There will be a “Murdock Beach” sign about 100 feet in on the road. Follow this road .5 of a mile and then take the right fork, which will lead down hill toward the beach parking area. Drive slowly because there are a few new culverts and one depression that will certainly bottom out your vehicle if driving too fast.
There is a bathroom structure and information kiosk at the parking area. The beach is about a 100 yard walk through the trees to the water’s edge.
Picture
Murdock Beach parking area bathroom
Picture
short walk to the beach with kiosk
Rocks: If tides are right, you will find a wide expansive beach with many round rocks. The beach immediately off the trail and to the east offers more gravel beds where rocks and agates may be found. Most of the rocks are granite, basalt, quartz and jasper related. There are also a few specimens of orbicular jasper. If you sift through the gravels smaller agates along with agatized sea shells may be found. The round concretion fossils are quite diverse and amazing in their formations. ​

Sea Glass: the sea glass found here is not plenteous and mostly at a lower craft grade quality. ​
Picture
agatized fossil clam found at Murdock Beach
Picture
sea glass, agates and an agatized sea shell fossil
6 Comments

Puget Sound - Southworth beach - Port Orchard, WA

2/1/2016

1 Comment

 
Southworth Ferry Dock Beach
 
Access: SE Sebring Dr., Port Orchard, WA
From Hwy 16 follow Sedgwick Rd. east toward the Southworth ferry dock. Enter Sebring immediate north or adjacent to the loading and unloading lanes for the Southworth ferry. There is limited parking along Sebring on the south side of the road before it drops down toward the end of the street. There is no parking further down the road closer to the beach.  No parking is allowed on the left side or north side of the road, which borders several private residences.  Depending on the tide there is limited beach to the left and right. The beach to the right flows under the Southworth ferry dock and beyond. 
Picture
access at the beach off Sebring Dr.
Picture
entry to Sebring Dr. off Southworth Dr.
​Beachcombing:
Intermixed rock beds with sand may be found on both sides of the elevated ferry dock.

Rocks- granite, basalt, quartz and jasper may be found. Agates are available but difficult to locate.

Glass- Much glass is available with minimal quality of frosting due to the limited wave action in this portion of the Puget Sound. Some moderate quality sea glass may be found depending on the amount of surf action it has experienced. Larger pieces will be found but show less frosting.
​
Shells- limited shells at various stages of brokenness. 
Picture
rocky beach south of the ferry dock
Picture
sea glass found at Southworth beach
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    Author

    Tim Blair
    - Port Orchard, WA

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    OP= Olympic Peninsula
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    - Rialto Beach
      (LaPush, WA - OP)
    -
    Murdock Beach
      (Joyce, WA - OP)
    - Old Dump Beach
      (Port Angeles, WA - OP)
    - Ediz Hook Beach
      (Port Angeles, WA - OP)
    - Glass Beach
      (Port Townsend, WA - OP)
    - North Beach
      (Port Townsend, WA - OP)
    - Harper Beach
    ​  (Port Orchard, WA - PS)
    - Olympiad Dr. Beach
      (Port Orchard, WA - PS)
    - Point No Point Beach
     (Hansville, WA - PS)

    - Southworth Beach
      (Port Orchard, WA - PS)
    - Anderson Pt. Beach
      (Olalla, WA - PS)
    - Damon Point Beach
      (Ocean Shores, WA - SW)
    Videos By Tim Blair
    - Beach Combing
    - Agate Hunting
    - Sea Glass Hunting
    - Hike to Glass Beach
    ​- Sea Glass Types
    - Murdock Beach  
        agates and fossils
    - Rialto Beach agates
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