Walker Cove, the Misty Fiords and Manzanita Bay 08.05.2013

Truly a day of exploration! 

We started the morning by heading south down Behm Canal and dropping the prawn pot in Saks Cove in 250’ of water, then while it soaked ran north to Burroughs Bay which is located northeast on Behm Canal, 2.4 miles west of Fitzgibbons Cove. 

3 hours later we came back and found 1 crab hanging on the outside of the pot and 40 “popcorn” shrimp. 

 

After that we went south to Walker Cove, a 7 mile journey one way back in but this spectacular fiord and it was well worth it! 

 

The sun was deep in the west and highlighted the granite walls perfectly.  At the head lies a classic glacier carved valley.  Countless waterfalls plunging down from the high summits to the saltwater below!

 

There is a US Forest Service buoy in the inner bay which the crew was hoping to use but no luck – when we arrived there were already 5 boats anchored plus the boat hooked onto the buoy!  Having been spoiled the last few anchorages by being the only boat in the bay, we decided to move on and take our luck with our original anchorage plans.    

 

Plan “A” anchorage was too windy (Snip Islands) so we traveled 6 miles south to Manzanita Bay and set the hook in the bight just west of Wart Point.  Our Douglas guide book told us there was a US Forest Service buoy here and our charts noted a buoy but we never found it.  So we set in a record anchoring depth for us – 100’!  The extra line has sure come in handy. 

 

 

 

We wanted to tie a stern tie but the shoreline was so steep there really was no way to climb up to tie off.  Fortunately we were the only boat anchored in the bay and the slight wind kept us facing north away from shore.    

A lot of motoring today and it was sure wonderful to have such a peaceful anchorage for the evening.

Fitzgibbon Cove 08.04.2013

After breakfast we rowed into shore to go for a hike on an old logging road.  Lots of “fresh evidence” of bear on the road but we did not actually see one while on our hike (thank goodness!).

 

We have been experimenting using the tripods we have for our cameras.  We received a tripod as a Christmas gift from my brother John & his girlfriend Teresa so we could both be in the pictures.  We also have a larger tripod from the camera gear on loan from our oldest daughter Shelly and her husband Nick. 

 

LOL!!

 

At the waterfall we saw fish on the fish-finder so Bruce spent 15 minutes fishing and did keep a rock fish to use as bait for our prawn trap we plan on setting tomorrow in Saks Cove.

 

 

Next we ventured north into Hassler Pass at the head of Behm Narrows to what we thought would be the Bell Island Hot Springs Resort to hopefully take in a soak and some lunch at the resort.  When we arrived there we found it was not an active business anymore; instead looking more like an episode of the Twilight Zone!  All the buildings were abandoned, one actually had collapsed!  The dock was too dilapidated to step onto so we didn’t even go ashore!

Next we moved southeast continuing through Behm Narrows around Point Whaley heading south to our anchorage for the night at Fitzgibbon Cove. 

 

Once again, a beautiful spot and we are the only boat! 

 

 

 

Go figure. 

 

Looking forward to more exploring tomorrow.

Bear at breakfast in Klu Bay! 08.04.2013

In the morning while eating breakfast looking out towards the shore we actually saw a black bear walking down the beach! 

We watched it travel along the cove and head up the creek bed looking for salmon.  

 

In reflecting on that event this was something we expected to see more of in the bays and inlets we have been in; I guess it’s just “timing”.  

What a way to start the day!

Klu Bay, Shrimp Bay, Revillagigedo Island, Behm Canal 08.03.2013

It was a day of exploring bays before we settled for the night. 

There is so much we want to see while in this area! 

We started by crossing the Behm Canal and going into Spacious Bay.  It was interesting the amount of lumber on the beaches the logs were bleached almost pure white. 

Next we ventured into Yes Bay with the intension of stopping at the fishing lodge for lunch – but they turned us away!  They did not want us to tie up to their dock & suggested we anchor in the bay about a quarter of a mile away and row back in on our dinghy.  When we told them we wanted to come in for lunch their response was that it was late for lunch – it was only 12:50pm AK time!  Not a very friendly place – so we decided to move on.

Next we ventured down Gedney Pass into Shrimp and then Klu Bays.  From what was said in the Douglas book we had expected to be among several boats and were we shocked to be the only vessel here!  Talk about a quiet anchorage – wow!  We set the hook in 80’ – our deepest anchorage yet.  Glad we changed and added more rode. 

 

Bruce tried his hand at fishing but caught nothing to keep.   

We spent a nice and quiet evening.

Neets Bay 08.02.2013

We moved north and explored Marguerite Bay in Traitors Cove navigating around the reef at the entrance and worked our way back into the bay.  It appears that a local yacht club has set up an out station in the bay and they were having a rendezvous for the weekend.  This looks like a lovely spot to return to at a later date.

 

We continued north into Neets Bay for the evening scouting several possible anchorages choosing to set the hook in Fire Cove which is the last cove on the southeast shore. 

 

 

 

 

Anchored next to us was a small 25’ sailboat with a couple from Sequim WA.  As luck would have it we were both having crab salad for dinner so we invited Bruce and LuAnn over to enjoy their dinner and sun on our back deck.  They shared some of their homemade apple cider and we all shared stories of our journeys so far and enjoyed the evening.  We will probably see them again along the way as they are traveling south back to Washington also.

 

Roosevelt Lagoon, Naha Bay 08.02.2013

After having  another fabulous crab scramble for breakfast, we rowed over the tiderace/bar

 

 

to Roosevelt Lagoon where there is a state maintained dock at the trail head.  There we met Scott and Gail who are retired Park Service Rangers from the State of Utah.  Scott was a federal ranger while Gail worked for the state.  They now split their time between Ketchikan and Utah.

We hiked along the north side of Roosevelt Lagoon.  The trail is made up of short runs of boardwalk, gravel paths and a mud trail.  We were unable to see any trumpeter swans which are noted to be here.  They are now endangered, with their numbers dwindling because they are very sensitive to any disruption in the environment.

 

 

We did see evidence of bear and a wolf footprint in the mud – but nothing up close.

After visiting some more with Scott and Gail we rowed back to Second Chance and got underway.

Naha Bay, Revillagigedo Island, Behm Canal 08.01.2013

We begin our final week of exploring SE Alaska by heading into Behm Canal and the Misty Fiords.  There are several bays we wish to visit while working our way north up the west side of Revillagigedo Island and then south continuing down Behm Canal along the east side of the island and down into the Misty Fiords National Monument Wilderness.  We will end up in the SE corner of Alaska and cross into Canada about seven days from now. 

It was a nice visit in Ketchikan, got a lot of work done, learned the bus routes extensively, and found some time to relax. 

Today we journeyed to Naha Bay which is where the village of Loring is located.  Loring is an early fish cannery site which now just has the remains and the ruins of an old wharf out from the shore of the village.  There are a few private residences now located here but no real dock for stopping in the village.  The journey to this anchorage was beautiful and uneventful giving us time to drift and have lunch on the back deck. 

 

We’ve anchored in 50’ of water in a very small bay north behind Dogfish Island.  It’s rather a small one boat bay and should be a nice spot for the evening, we’ll see.