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09/03 - 09/18 - Desolation Sound 2005
- Thread starter Catman
- Start date
Work Release
New member
Hi All,
Well here is my two bits worth. I have been going up to Nooka Sound the last four years and have taken the tsawwassen ferry. It generally takes me about 11 to 11.5 hours to make the run to the Gold river ( turning off at the Campell River ) if you hit the ferry right. It's really worth the 15 dollar reservation fee to get a spot since the ferry has 2.5 hours between launches. My total length is 49 feet and last year it cost $146 one way. The price seems to go up a little every year but with my limited vacation time it is worth it. Some day I when I have the time ( weather dependant )I would like to launch at Neah Bay and run up the west coast to Nooka. I have been to lund and Telegraph Cove and the tides can really ripe through that area, but the scenery, fishing, and oysters are well worth it.
Jim, Work Release
Well here is my two bits worth. I have been going up to Nooka Sound the last four years and have taken the tsawwassen ferry. It generally takes me about 11 to 11.5 hours to make the run to the Gold river ( turning off at the Campell River ) if you hit the ferry right. It's really worth the 15 dollar reservation fee to get a spot since the ferry has 2.5 hours between launches. My total length is 49 feet and last year it cost $146 one way. The price seems to go up a little every year but with my limited vacation time it is worth it. Some day I when I have the time ( weather dependant )I would like to launch at Neah Bay and run up the west coast to Nooka. I have been to lund and Telegraph Cove and the tides can really ripe through that area, but the scenery, fishing, and oysters are well worth it.
Jim, Work Release
Ron, I too missed your reply. Hard to believe for all of the time that I spend reading and looking at this great site. Thanks for the good information. I am still working on my route decision-by land or by sea. The info on gas prices helps out. With all of the good information from all who have contributed, plus my starting point, if I go by land I am leaning towards a Vancouver Island route, crossing over from PA. Having never cruised in Canada, I have lots to learn. So, as that process goes along, I will come to the "by land or by sea" part of it. I need to go buy some charts, that will help!
Thanks again. Robbi
Catman, I have no preference on the dates. What ever works for folks. R
Thanks again. Robbi
Catman, I have no preference on the dates. What ever works for folks. R
Hi Robbie,
You mentioned charts. The best chart shop on the west coast is in Nanaimo. Nanaimo Maps & Charts (800-665-2513) has every B.C. chart I've ever looked for. They're very helpful. They even made sure that the charts that I needed last year were delivered to my motel room when I got to Nanaimo.
Lyle
You mentioned charts. The best chart shop on the west coast is in Nanaimo. Nanaimo Maps & Charts (800-665-2513) has every B.C. chart I've ever looked for. They're very helpful. They even made sure that the charts that I needed last year were delivered to my motel room when I got to Nanaimo.
Lyle
Alyssa Jean
New member
I have my new BlueChart Chip of the Inland Passage all lined up. Need to find a paper chart also for back-up. I am going to leave it up to Kate as to whether we drive to Lund or cruise up from Guemes.
Lyle, Thanks for the chart shop information. Good to know.
I have wondered why no one has talked about taking the Washington State Ferry from Anacortes to Sidney. I just looked up the fare. For a rig over 7.5 feet high and between 40 and 50 feet in length a round trip will cost you $495! If you are between 50 and 60 feet, $588. :shock: I could buy enough fuel to run my boat over 1200 miles for that kind of cash. Would that get me to Hawaii? :rainbow
Robbi
I have wondered why no one has talked about taking the Washington State Ferry from Anacortes to Sidney. I just looked up the fare. For a rig over 7.5 feet high and between 40 and 50 feet in length a round trip will cost you $495! If you are between 50 and 60 feet, $588. :shock: I could buy enough fuel to run my boat over 1200 miles for that kind of cash. Would that get me to Hawaii? :rainbow
Robbi
Pat Anderson
New member
Hmmm...nobody challenged me on this..I just re-did it on Garmin MapSource, and it turns out from Blaine, which is a good launch with ample parking, it is more like 86 miles to Jervis Inlet, which leads up to Princess Louisa, 140 to Desolation Sound, rather than "200 miles to Princess Louisa"...not sure what my original mistake was...still probably doesn't change our plans.
Blaine to Princess Louisa is just south of 200 statute miles by my Garmin Blue Chart route (this is NOT running between the Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island, but just rounding Point Roberts and going directly up the coast to Vancouver and from there directly up the Sunshine Coast)
Pat Anderson
New member
Chips / charts: Garmin Inside Passage covers Everett to Southeast Alaska. We also have the use of an Evergreen Pacific Crusing Atlas Queen Charlotte Sound to Olympia, which covers all of this territory (it is however merely on loan... may have to buy this puppy).
Bess-C":1rn58ax6 said:Hi Robbie,
You mentioned charts. The best chart shop on the west coast is in Nanaimo. Nanaimo Maps & Charts (800-665-2513) has every B.C. chart I've ever looked for. They're very helpful. They even made sure that the charts that I needed last year were delivered to my motel room when I got to Nanaimo.
Lyle
Unlike a summer evening mosquito, I'm buzzing around this thread not for a wee fix of blood, but a humble poke at this grand trip's date.
I suggest we finalize September 3-18 2005. I realize we'll experience a few crowded days at the outset but as stated by others above, that temporary inconvenience will be offset by more compelling factors working in our favor.
I suggest we finalize September 3-18 2005. I realize we'll experience a few crowded days at the outset but as stated by others above, that temporary inconvenience will be offset by more compelling factors working in our favor.
El and Bill
New member
Whew! "Compelling Factors?" Fill us in, Catman, on those factors - we probably can't make it since we hope to be on the right coast this summer, but later might give us a shot at it. Also, weather should be good through early October (??) and late September will miss the labor day crowd and those buzzing mosquitos. What are those compelling factors? Thanks and hi from Ami and Bryce to you -
True Story
New member
At this early juncture, I'm going to hang on to Fred's branch thinking we'd like to miss most of the Labor Day fooforraw.
Thinking we might leave River City early Labour day and driving to somewhere. Put in Tuesday morning and hopefully, hooking up somewhere with those suffering from similar inflictions that day or the following. Thinking we would come back two weeks later on Monday.
Shouldn't be to bad crossing the border early Labour Day, going against the grain heading north and coming back on a Monday should be relatively painless.
It's been a long time since we've taken two weeks off in a row. Can't wait.
Thinking we might leave River City early Labour day and driving to somewhere. Put in Tuesday morning and hopefully, hooking up somewhere with those suffering from similar inflictions that day or the following. Thinking we would come back two weeks later on Monday.
Shouldn't be to bad crossing the border early Labour Day, going against the grain heading north and coming back on a Monday should be relatively painless.
It's been a long time since we've taken two weeks off in a row. Can't wait.
Pat Anderson
New member
I STILL grin like a Cheshire cat (tip o' the hat to Brock!) every time I watch my DVD with Ami and Bryce and Oscar! it would be superb if you could join us for Desolation, but alas, I think it is looking like the first half of September rather than the latter...In any case, we have to nail the dates down SOON, I have to put in for some vacation time, now that I have it!
El and Bill":3ujkie3d said:Whew! "Compelling Factors?" Fill us in, Catman, on those factors - we probably can't make it since we hope to be on the right coast this summer, but later might give us a shot at it. Also, weather should be good through early October (??) and late September will miss the labor day crowd and those buzzing mosquitos. What are those compelling factors? Thanks and hi from Ami and Bryce to you -
Pat Anderson
New member
Wow! Can it be? True Story giving up fishing alone to come and socialize?? :lol: :lol: Seriously, that would be GREAT, from one River City denizen to another...
True Story":6j6as7wp said:At this early juncture, I'm going to hang on to Fred's branch thinking we'd like to miss most of the Labor Day fooforraw.
Thinking we might leave River City early Labour day and driving to somewhere. Put in Tuesday morning and hopefully, hooking up somewhere with those suffering from similar inflictions that day or the following. Thinking we would come back two weeks later on Monday.
Shouldn't be to bad crossing the border early Labour Day, going against the grain heading north and coming back on a Monday should be relatively painless.
It's been a long time since we've taken two weeks off in a row. Can't wait.
Heavens ta mergatroid! I feel like the kid who was confidently, coyly moving in for a kiss when his parents came home unexpectedly.
(We were only doing our homework. Really.)
And now Professor Halcyon wants me to defend my master's timetable thesis.
I can't. Indeed, "compelling" is smelling. Like that stuff Blue~Sea passes off as derby and door prizes. Bill, I reread all the posts and it sure looks like I went into this with an agenda, though innocently manufactured agreement. (I've never done that before.) Still, I'd keep an eye on me.
Anna Leigh liked September 3-18. (That meant six people agreed.) And another half-dozen agreed with me and my 3-18. In fact, everyone else except Fred said they didn't care, and I'm glad you challenged me on the date. Bess-C's post referred to the west side, but I think might apply to Desolation, too. Here's my revised, egalitarian thinking: Heck, if the Halcyon can join us, December looks perfect! So let's revisit the date.
Do you think you might be out here mid-September?
(We were only doing our homework. Really.)
And now Professor Halcyon wants me to defend my master's timetable thesis.
I can't. Indeed, "compelling" is smelling. Like that stuff Blue~Sea passes off as derby and door prizes. Bill, I reread all the posts and it sure looks like I went into this with an agenda, though innocently manufactured agreement. (I've never done that before.) Still, I'd keep an eye on me.
Anna Leigh liked September 3-18. (That meant six people agreed.) And another half-dozen agreed with me and my 3-18. In fact, everyone else except Fred said they didn't care, and I'm glad you challenged me on the date. Bess-C's post referred to the west side, but I think might apply to Desolation, too. Here's my revised, egalitarian thinking: Heck, if the Halcyon can join us, December looks perfect! So let's revisit the date.
Do you think you might be out here mid-September?
El and Bill
New member
Catman --
Good defense! A+, buddy. Since it appears that the consensus is for early September, and we will probably not get off the east half of the C-Dory Kingdom until too late even for late September, hang in there for the early timetable for the north.
We are suffering from a severe case of "wish-we-coulds." Sure hard to make choices in such a marvelous world of great alternatives. We're reminded of the poem about "wish Mom had made me twins."
Thanks for the kind thoughts. Brock - but go for the early date. We'll just do a little crying in the Snoqualamie with you at the SBS.
Care to fly back for the Grand Ol' Opry Gathering in early April? We got a spare bunk on Halcyon.
Good defense! A+, buddy. Since it appears that the consensus is for early September, and we will probably not get off the east half of the C-Dory Kingdom until too late even for late September, hang in there for the early timetable for the north.
We are suffering from a severe case of "wish-we-coulds." Sure hard to make choices in such a marvelous world of great alternatives. We're reminded of the poem about "wish Mom had made me twins."
Thanks for the kind thoughts. Brock - but go for the early date. We'll just do a little crying in the Snoqualamie with you at the SBS.
Care to fly back for the Grand Ol' Opry Gathering in early April? We got a spare bunk on Halcyon.
Anita Marie
New member
Hey just wait one second. I really don't care, just hate holiday traffic.
Fred
Fred
Boy Catman, you really got smacked around on that one. Here's my take on the dates. We are forced by our business schedule to take our "summer" vacation in September. Last September we found that in Ucluelet and Bamfield on Barkley Sound the locals shut down the day after Labor Day. Some literally shut down their bars, tackle shops and restaurants. Others just shut down mentally. In either case, it contributed to the feeling that you were late to the party. I assume that Desolation Sound will be different because it is such a famous cruising destination and we're bringing our own party.
We've found the solution to the traveling on the holiday problem is to leave on Wednesday or Thursday before Labor Day weekend. You're through the ferry crush and have your boat launched before the crowds arrive. Whenever you go close to a holiday getting a reservation well in advance is a must. With an overheight load, you're competing with the truckers for reserved slots, and they get priority of course. Based on what I've just said, we'd probably want to be on the island by 8/31 or 9/1.
Lyle
We've found the solution to the traveling on the holiday problem is to leave on Wednesday or Thursday before Labor Day weekend. You're through the ferry crush and have your boat launched before the crowds arrive. Whenever you go close to a holiday getting a reservation well in advance is a must. With an overheight load, you're competing with the truckers for reserved slots, and they get priority of course. Based on what I've just said, we'd probably want to be on the island by 8/31 or 9/1.
Lyle
I think that the people who live in tourist areas consider Labor Day to be 'Freedom Day' when they get 'their' bit of paradise back. They then revert to their normal winter lifestyle.
The stores that stock up for the summer trade will let their stock go back down to the winter level. Operating hours also may be cut back.
The main resupply location in Desolation Sound is Refuge Cove. They have fuel, propane, a grocery store, ice, government liquor store, Post Office, laundry, showers, hamburger stand, book exchange, chart sales, water to fill your tank(taste first!), and a large dock(often full in the summer) where you can stay overnight. They do not have garbage disposal facilities, because they are on an island with no ferry access.
The best plan may be to bring everything you expect to need and resupply your ice, fuel, and water as needed.
What about the garbage? Never fear, Squirrel Cove is across the channel from Refuge and has garbage facilities, store, and a very protected anchorage. At the back of the anchorage is a "reversing falls' into a salt water lagoon. If you go in in your dingy before high tide, you can ride the current in and when the tide turns, ride the current out again.
The stores that stock up for the summer trade will let their stock go back down to the winter level. Operating hours also may be cut back.
The main resupply location in Desolation Sound is Refuge Cove. They have fuel, propane, a grocery store, ice, government liquor store, Post Office, laundry, showers, hamburger stand, book exchange, chart sales, water to fill your tank(taste first!), and a large dock(often full in the summer) where you can stay overnight. They do not have garbage disposal facilities, because they are on an island with no ferry access.
The best plan may be to bring everything you expect to need and resupply your ice, fuel, and water as needed.
What about the garbage? Never fear, Squirrel Cove is across the channel from Refuge and has garbage facilities, store, and a very protected anchorage. At the back of the anchorage is a "reversing falls' into a salt water lagoon. If you go in in your dingy before high tide, you can ride the current in and when the tide turns, ride the current out again.
Hi folks - We did Desolation first three weeks of Sep 04. The weather was not that great. Everyone we met said that it was a wetter more miserable September than past years - we have to agree. We launched from Ladysmith - 5 miles from where I live. I will field questions if anyone is interested in our journey.