Collecting At Calvert Cliffs

[Guest Smilodon]

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/access/tide_finder.html

There have been some new forum members wanting to collect along the Calvert Cliffs on the western side of the Chesapeake Bay. The above link will give you very valuable information as to when to go. It includes times of high and low tides as well as the "normal" amount of the tide every day. Ideally you want to arrive about 2 1/2 hours before low tide when one occurs at a convenient time and date for you. That way you can plan when the conditions are most productive. Of course wind from the right or wrong direction either enhances the effect or blows it all to he*#

Or, you can just go whenever - that can be fun too.

Hints:

-The lowest, weather unaided, tides of the year are in February

-Rose Haven is the closest location for Brownies Beach. Give the beach itself a cursory check, but don't waste time - go south along the cliffs to find the good stuff.

-Be aware that the reason there is good stuff on the ground below the cliffs is that the cliffs slump, sometimes in a very big way.

[Flagponds Pirate]

Im gonna chime in here. Winter is the best season to collect along the calvert cliffs formation. On reason is the tide is a good bit lower this time of year, and the cliffs freeze, so they are more stable. This just means you don't have to worry as much about a landslide coming on top of you while walking, it is in no way justification for digging into the cliffs, which is just stupid and dangerous any time of year. Keep in mind that parts of the cliff still break off, just not as often as summer. Also, as Smilodon said, you have to walk a ways to get to the cliffs from Brownies, no public park has direct access to the cliffs anymore, due to safety reasons. So unless you have a friend with private property along the cliff, have a boat, or walk from brownies, you cant get to the cliffs. Brownies is also the only public beach you can use to walk to the cliffs, unless Im forgetting one. And if your coming down to the Calvert Cliffs, I would also suggest Purse State Park in Charles County, its about an hour drive at most from Calvert County.

[Metopocetus]

and the cliffs freeze, so they are more stable. This just means you don't have to worry as much about a landslide coming on top of you while walking

This is not completely accurate. You have freeze and thaw at this time of year. The water penetrates the cliffs and when it freezes it expands furthering existing cracks or creating new ones and when the sun comes out it begins to melt and slump off.

[Phoenixflood]

This is not completely accurate. You have freeze and thaw at this time of year. The water penetrates the cliffs and when it freezes it expands furthering existing cracks or creating new ones and when the sun comes out it begins to melt and slump off.

Just another reminder that you have to always be on the lookout for what's in your environment.

Well if it's too cold you have the water to worry about and not the cliff or maybe both

[nickanap]

I was there in 2008. I found a couple of rocks with shell formations. My sister found a sharks tooth.