Red Bluff Bay, Baranof Island 07.11.2013

Just 15 miles south of Warm Springs heading south down Chatham Strait, is a long inlet marked at the entrance by a treeless red bluff on the north side (hence the name Red Bluff Bay).

 

Once we navigated through the narrow opening and around some small islands in the inlet, we motored past the ruins of an old cannery on the north shore opposite a large waterfall to find anchorage up towards the head of the bay. 

 

 

 

 

We had to search a bit to find a place to set the anchor in 40’ of water but finally did find a nice spot off the port side of Contessa.

 

 

Pace Setter and Sounder came down to the head of the bay but decided to motor on to Security Bay rather than stay in Red Bluff.  We hope to see them again sometime in Alaska before we meet up the third weekend of September in Ganges, Salt Spring Island, Canada for our WWBA rendezvous.

 

 

Once settled into our anchorage, Bruce & I borrowed Ron’s dinghy to motor up a large stream which flows out across a grassy meadow. 

 

 

 

All you could hear was the sound of water cascading down the sides of the mountains!

 

When we came back to the boat while we were talking I was able to spot a large brown bear on the shoreline!  When I turned to let the guys know the bear was there he headed back into the woods.

We met with Ron & Lynn for our “last supper” on Contessa, as they will be moving faster now to return home to attend to some family time back in Nanaimo BC.  While we were getting dinner ready we noticed an eagles nest across the bay from our boats & it looks to have an eaglet in the nest!

 

(not the best quality photos - but you get the idea!)

 

Overall the countless waterfalls, a large grassy meadow and solid anchoring give this spot a “10” in our book.

Though it is sad that Ron & Lynn will no longer be traveling with us : (