View from our campsite at Feather Cove on north end of Malaspina Peninsula |
We exited Okeover and found a pleasant campsite. The makeshift toilet was set back in the deep, dark woods and looked like it would be more at home on the set of Deliverance. I didn't linger long enough to take a photo.
The next morning the wind and current continued at our backs as we paddled toward Prideaux Haven. We bypassed the Curme Islands which are the most popular kayak camping area in Desolation Sound as they aren't suitable for yacht anchorage.
Lunch near Bold Head after rock ledge landing. Easy landings are scarce in Desolation Sound. Typical is rock ledge, gravel and rock and oyster beds if desperate. Ouch! |
Melville Island, campsite at edge of trees. |
View from Melville Island |
Prideaux Haven |
Bay at Copplestone Island |
On our return the next day we headed over to Curme Islands to see what we had missed by not camping there. We circumnavigated the islands at low tide and checked out the sea stars. There were several friendly kayak parties camped on the scenic islands. From the vertical topography, it didn't appear the groups on one of the islands would be leaving until high tide.
Looking back at Desolation Sound before entering Okeover Inlet. |
Government Wharf in Okeover Inlet - our boatpacking trip was over. |
View that almost caused us to miss the ferry. |
Gazing out at the calm waters of the Strait of Georgia the next morning left us in a quandary. The water was soooo inviting but the forecast was for rough seas and wind in the afternoon. After a local commented that the crossing to Thormanby wasn't that far, we launched our kayak from Halfmoon Bay and headed for South Thormanby Island. We landed in a bay just north of Dennis Head which, on this day, was absolutely idyllic.
Small bay north of Dennis Head, South Thormanby Island |
Back at the bay it was so nice we lamented the fact that we hadn't loaded our camping gear. So we paddled on, enjoying seals, ducks, eagles, turkey vultures, and South Thormanby's coastline. It was late afternoon when we had to cross back over Welcome Passage to Halfmoon Bay and, our good fortune continuing, the forecasted wind had never materialized. We headed back with slack tide, "seas calm".
Surprisingly calm waters of Welcome Passage |
Our first day hike, brutal but beautiful, was Joffre Lakes.The trail to the first lake is short and easy but after that the trail climbs relentlessly up roots and boulders. The pay-off is worth it.
Third Joffrey Lake |
Second Joffrey Lake |
Garibaldi Lake |
Garibaldi Lake |
Black Tusk from Whistler Peak |
Birkenhead Lake |
We listened to the next day's forecast for Seattle which called for clouds in the morning and clearing in the afternoon so we figured the weather at Mt. Baker would be pretty iffy. We awoke in the morning to pretty heavy cloud cover so we selected the Cougar Divide trail. It is relatively easy, culminating in a flowery ridge walk with good views of Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan. Even if we didn't get the views we could enjoy the flowers. We got out of our car at the trailhead and were attacked by a horde of Zombie mosquitoes. It was still cloudy. Had our good fortune deserted us on our last vacation day? We lathered on mosquito lotion and headed out. By the time we broke out onto the ridge meadow the mosquitoes and clouds were gone! What a fabulous way to end a perfect journey.
Mt. Shuksan from Cougar Divide |
Mt. Baker |