Destination Desolation Cruise August 3-19, 2012 Over the past years, we ve discovered that as a group, we really enjoy cruising together. We truly hope that you will be able to come out and join us for all or part of these trips. We all know that some of you prefer anchoring, some prefer docking, so in a few cases, you can do either, your choice. Then there s the destinations in general, while the group heads to one place, you may want to veer off for a day or so to get away on your own, maybe do some fishing, or maybe experience a bay or marina nearby. Catch up anywhere, we are always just a radio call away! Marinas booked are really the only set-in-stone stops, if we are anchored in a spot that is too good to leave, then hey, let s stay longer! Easy is as easy does. It s our vacation, let s make the most of it!
Leg 1: First Narrows to Garden Bay Marina, Pender Harbour (www.gardenbaypub.com) Distance = 44.6 nm (+ 10 nm from Reed Point Marina) Garden Bay Marina & Pub Contact Info: Telephone: (604)883-2674 VHF: Ch 66A Garden Bay is always a fun stop! Book yourself in, or if you prefer, you can anchor in the bay and dinghy in. Ron is looking forward to welcoming our group back to his wonderful marina. Secret Cove Friday Option Plumper Cove Anchorage Friday Option Union Steamship Marina (604) 947-0707 Friday Option Gibsons Marina (604)886-8686 Horseshoe Bay Fisherman s Marina (604)883-2336 Garden Bay Marina & Pub Pender Harbour, known as "Venice of the North" is a scattered community of settlements - Madeira Park, Beaver Island, Garden Bay, Irvines Landing - centred around the waters of Pender Harbour itself. Local amenities include golf course, restaurants, health clinic, grocery shopping, liquor, fuel, propane, hardware store, art gallery, pubs and coffee shops. Painted Boat Resort & Marina 1-866-902-3955 Garden Bay Anchorage
Leg 2: Pender Harbour to Grace Harbour (Anchorage) Distance = 46.9 nm Lund Marina Last Fuel before Desolation Sound Powell River & Westview Beautiful anchorage One possible anchorage spot is found on the outer portion of Grace Harbour, particularly north of Jean Island. The inner part of Grace Harbour completely protected from all winds and seas and also provides safe anchorage spots. Several trails and old logging roads can be found in the area for hiking. Several beaver dams are in this area. Dinghies can be beached at the site of a park information board, which illustrates the surroundings. A trail to a lake where swimming is possible.
Desolation Sound Area Optional Marina & Anchorage Destinations Walsh Cove *Pendrell Sound Teakerne Arm & Cassel Lake *Prideaux Haven Roscoe Bay Refuge Cove Laura Cove *Von Donop Inlet Melanie Cove *Gorge Harbour *Squirrel Cove Cortes Bay Tenedos Bay & Unwin Lake Galley Bay Manson s Landing & Hague Lake * Denotes this destination is part of the primary cruise itinerary *Grace Harbour Fuel Store Potable Water Garbage Disposal Once you arrive in Desolation Sound there are a myriad of destinations to explore, all within short distances and safe sheltered waters. You do not have to stick to the primary cruise itinerary. Instead, you can select some different destinations and meet up with the balance of the flotilla at any time. Details on the primary (*) destinations are included in the itinerary. The following notes describing some of the alternate destinations are provided for you to customize your Desolation Sound cruise.
1. Galley Bay Good anchorage is available here in the western most nook, or behind the island in the eastern part of the bay. Caution must be exercised in the central part of the bay, because there are two dangerously drying rocks. The one near the centre dries three feet and the one farther in dries 12 feet. It's also exposed to northeasterly winds. A stern tie to shore is recommended. 2. Tenedos Bay & Unwin Lake Caution must be exercised in setting anchor in this bay for it is known as the "Deep Bay" and can reach depths over 300 feet in the central parts. There are however, many small coves and crannies shallow enough for small craft to find anchorage. The largest, most protected anchorage area is in the extreme northern end of the bay. Despite its partial exposure to westerly winds, the eastern-most cove in Tenedos Bay is usually the busiest. Here you can anchor and take a trail which leads up to Unwin Lake. The lake is only five minutes by trail from the sea and halfway along the trail it is possible to cut through the woods to a stream where gentle rapids and deep pools provide an ideal secluded place to swim. When a westerly wind arises, it whistles through this area. Unmarked rocks extend from this island in several places. 3. Melanie Cove Melanie Cove Melanie Cove must be approached from around the north side of Eveleigh Island, then through a narrow passage around the east end of the island. YOU CANNOT ACCESS THE COVE VIA THE SHALLOW PASS ALONG THE SOUTH SIDE OF EVELEIGH ISLAND. There is a scenic, but challenging hiking trail from Melanie Cove to Laura Cove (or vice versa).
4. Laura Cove Laura Cove Laura Cove requires anchoring with a stern line (too narrow to swing), it has excellent holding. DO NOT ANCHOR AT THE WEST END, it is riddled with rocks. The remains of Old Phil the Frenchman's cabin, as mentioned in The Curve of Time, is at the east end of the cove. For the brave and daring there is a rope swing on the south shore opposite the entrance and to your right. 5. Roscoe Bay Roscoe Bay Provincial Park is a small fjord located on the east side of West Redonda Island, near the southern entrance to Waddington Channel in Desolation Sound. There are a few wilderness tent sites and hikers can follow the short trail to nearby Black Lake, a popular summer spot for those attracted to the lake's warm water. Recreational activities in the 247-hectare park include fishing and freshwater swimming. Facilities are restricted to pit toilets. MARINERS SHOULD NOTE THE DRYING SHOAL at the entrance to Roscoe Bay, and CONSULT THE LOCAL TIDE TABLES before entering or departing the sheltered bay.
6. Walsh Cove The small 85-hectare Walsh Cove Provincial Park is situated on the east side of West Redonda Island, off Waddington Channel. The park comprises 39 hectares of upland and 46 hectares of foreshore. The sheltered anchorage is a favourite among Desolation Sound yachtsmen. The Gorges Islands are incorporated in the park, providing protection in the bay from the wakes of passing marine traffic plying Waddington Channel. After anchoring in the secure and compact little cove, boaters can take their dinghy and explore the undeveloped shoreline, hike the trails and look for ancient Indian pictographs on the rock cliffs at Doctor Bay. No facilities are provided in the park. 7. Teakerne Arm & Cassel Lake Cassel Falls Dinghy Dock & Trail Good Sex Cove Good Anchorage This park protects a spectacular waterfall that cascades from Cassel Lake directly into the ocean. Teakerne Arm offers a protected anchorage and access to a warm, fresh water lake for swimming or fishing. Cassel Falls cascade into the ocean and provides a beautiful viewing area from the trail near the top of the falls. Cassel Lake is excellent for swimming. It can be accessed via a dinghy dock near the falls that connects to a short trail to the lake. Best anchorages are at the head of the arm, near the falls or in Good Sex Cove.
8. Refuge Cove Refuge Cove, B.C., is a year-round community in the heart of the Desolation Sound area of the Inside Passage. It serves as a centrally located supply stop for boaters travelling in or near Desolation Sound, offering a wide range of services including moorage, fuel, groceries, ice, showers, laundry, espresso, and other supplies. Government docks provide plenty of moorage, and there are plenty of sheltered anchorage sites throughout the bay. 9. Manson s Landing This beautiful park fronts the water on both Hague Lake and Manson Bay. Recreational opportunities include fresh water swimming in Hague Lake, and marine wildlife viewing in Mansons Lagoon. Camping is not permitted at this park, however camping is available at nearby Smelt Bay Provincial Park This park offers a few informal hiking or walking trails, as well as beach walks. A short trail extends from the sand spit at Mansons Lagoon to the local school (approximately 1 km). Another short trail with steep sections runs from Hague Lake around the perimeter of the lagoon to the sand spit (approximately 1 km). You can spend an afternoon exploring the lagoon by dinghy or enjoy either a freshwater or ocean swim along the magnificent sand beaches. Hague Lake can be visited by a fifteen-minute walk south from the government float at Mansons Landing. Amenities are available at Manson's Landing. The government float provides temporary moorage space for visiting boats and floatplanes. Manson Bay provides good anchorage in sheltered weather, with fair protection available behind Cat and Sheep Islands. Boaters approaching Mansons Landing from the south or rounding Sutil Point should take care to avoid the reef which extends out from the west side of the point.
10. Cortes Bay Cortes Bay is a protected anchorage on Cortes Island. This bay contains outstations for both the Seattle and Royal Vancouver Yacht Clubs. If you visit Cortes Bay, be sure to use a chart. There is good anchorage in Cortes Bay, but you must avoid the rocks at the entrance. The bottom is a mix of sand and mud.
Leg 3: Grace Harbour to Squirrel Cove (Anchorage) Distance = 9.5 nm Refuge Cove While anchored here, the plans are to take a dinghy brigade over to Cassel Lake for a nice hike and swim in the freshwater lake. Galley Bay Cortes Bay Squirrel Cove Anchorage Gov t Dock & Store There is no fuel or water but there is a sizable store with food, alcohol, ice, propane and some hardware. This is also one the the few places your can drop your garbage. Enter the cove by the WEST ENTRANCE ONLY. Good anchorage can be found anywhere in the bay expect the very northern corner. There are logs and cables on the bottom that could snag an anchor. For fun, take your dinghy into the tidewater lagoon at the end of the cove. The Reversing Rapids are formed when salt water flows in on a rising tide, then out again on a falling tide at a fast rate.
Leg 4: Squirrel Cove to Prideaux Haven (Anchorage) Distance = 11.0 nm This might be Prideaux, Laura Cove or Melanie, we ll see what works out best once we get there. Refuge Cove Tenedos Bay Laura Cove Melanie Cove This area is known as one of the most scenically outstanding anchorages anywhere. This well protected Harbour has enough arms and interconnecting coves and passageways to safely accommodate hundreds of boats. Entrance to Prideaux Haven is from Homfray Channel to the east of Eveleigh Island. Caution should be exercised when entering the area and the reef in the center of the channel should be kept to the port. From July to August, Prideaux Haven has the reputation of being one for the most crowded anchorages on the BC coast. The warm waters of this area make it a perfect spot for swimming and water skiing.
Leg 5: Prideaux Haven to Pendrell Sound (Anchorage) Distance = 10.8 nm Can you say fresh OYSTERS anyone?!!!! Roscoe Bay Best Oysters Pendrell Sound is well worth exploring. It has the warmest waters of the Sound with temperatures reaching as high as 25 C (80 F) all summer and is ripe with oysters and mussels. (Never go ashore anywhere in the Sound with bare feet, and be VERY careful with inflatables). In settled weather, anchorage can be found stern-to at the very head of the Sound.
Leg 6: Pendrell Sound to Von Donop Inlet (Anchorage) Distance = 29.4 nm Great prawning. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ENTER OR LEAVE VON DONOP INLET AT A LOWER TIDE, and take very special care negotiating around the rock about a quarter way into the inlet. You will want to leave it to port when entering, starboard going out. Walsh Cove CAUTION: Kelp-Covered Rock The park encompasses lakes (Robertson and Wiley), Von Donop saltwater lagoon, and oldgrowth forest. It features a number of secure anchorages. There are no designated hiking trails in the park, but a rough route exists from the bay to Squirrel Cove (approx 5 km). Farther down the inlet there are picnic tables ashore. Bring your own drinking water, as potable water is not available. There are excellent shellfish, including butter and littleneck clams. Check with the Dept of Fisheries for Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) regulations.
Local Tide Tables Closest Station
Leg 7: Von Donop Inlet to Gorge Harbour Marina (www.gorgeharbour.com) Distance = 13.0 nm Gorge Harbour Marina Contact Info: Telephone: (250)935-6433 reserve@gorgeharbour.com VHF: 66A DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ENTER OR LEAVE VON DONOP INLET AT A LOWER TIDE, and take very special care negotiating around the rock about a quarter way into the inlet. You will want to leave it to port when entering, With the trip drawing to an end, it s time for one of our great pot-luck dinners! I ve reserved the BBQ pit gazebo area and please note - There WILL be a theme for this party, I ll let you know in the near future exactly what it is. Please make sure you mention the Port Moody Power Squadron when you book in and they will try to keep us together on the docks. At this time of year you can speak to reservations in the store (local 3). Gorge Harbour Marina has moorage, fuel, water, showers, a well stocked store and an excellent restaurant CAUTION: Kelp-Covered Rock
Leg 8: Gorge Harbour to Garden Bay Marina, Pender Harbour (www.gardenbaypub.com) Distance = 50.9 nm Garden Bay Marina & Pub Contact Info: Telephone: (604)883-2674 VHF: Ch 66A Heading back into Pender for a final night and some final laughs with all. Fisherman s Marina (604)883-2336 Garden Bay Marina & Pub Painted Boat Resort & Marina 1-866-902-3955 Garden Bay Anchorage
Leg 9: Garden Bay Marina, Pender Harbour to First Narrows Distance = 44.6 nm (+ 10 nm to Reed Pt. Marina) Secret Cove Gibsons Landing Horseshoe Bay