King Tides and Crystal Cove
The weather in Southern California is usually quite consistent in the Summer and Fall seasons-mostly just beautiful! But Winter is another story. Last Fall, experts were predicting a cool, dry “La Nina” Winter. Well, we all know now that was way off! A succession of rain-laden winter storms, snow levels at usually unheard of lower elevations, howling winds-it has been quite a season.
But one thing that can be depended upon during the Winter months is a phenomenon commonly known as “King Tides”. King Tides occur during the new and full moon when the moon is closest to the Earth. In this part of the world, that means Winter! Coastal flooding often occurs during this period, especially if the tides coincide with moisture-heavy winter storms. The upside to these annual events is the wonderful opportunity to view sea creatures in tide pools along rocky shorelines. One can stand on a beach during the minus tides in the winter and see exposed reefs that are usually only viewable if one straps on a mask and snorkels. That same spot where the reef can be viewed at low tide can very well be under six-plus feet of water just hours later!
Crystal Cove State Park, located in south Orange County, is one of the very best places to witness these yearly low tides, poke around the tide pools to see aquatic invertebrates, and just spend some time appreciating our exquisite California coast. And every year that is exactly what our hard-working, dedicated volunteer naturalists do. Winter is a busy time for field trips, with thousands of students participating in our programs at Ballona and the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook. Volunteers need field trips too!
This annual trip to Crystal Cove is always one of the best of the year. It’s a chance for our team to share some sunshine, nature, fun, and food. We start out hiking the bluffs above the beach, admiring the Spring Wildflowers of the Coastal Sage Scrub habitat, and scouting for birds like the California Thrasher. After dropping to the beach, we pass through the tunnel under Pacific Coast Highway (flooded this year with waters from El Moro Creek) and head inland for a short hike in El Moro Canyon. A picnic lunch is then shared by all amid the Riparian habitat of El Moro Creek. After lunch, it’s time to head back out to the beach, and meander amongst the rocks. This year was extra special due to the saturation of the ground from all this rain, there was a small waterfall running down the bluffs to the sand! We also saw thousands of amphipods in the tidepools-an aquatic invertebrate that we are constantly hoping to find in the waterways of Ballona to be viewed at our Microscope Station. I believe that some docents had amphipod envy!
After logging seven miles, we all returned to our starting point along Los Trancos Creek, which was also full of water from the recent rains. As we passed, Pacific Chorus Frogs could be heard, singing their hearts out! Sounds like a great day, right? If this is intriguing, you have another chance to experience all of this wonder on the weekend of March 18th and 19th-the last official King Tide of the Winter season. It is well worth the journey south!
