Princes Louisa and Chatterbox Falls

[Wandering Sagebrush]

I suspect that there is a bit of local knowledge in the CBrat community regarding PL and Chatterbox, so.... a question.

I am planning on going to the Broughtons again this year, but would like to take a side trip into PL inlet. I am looking for a recommendation for a launch point. Any of you salts have a favorite spot? I don't know whether it would be best to take the ferry from Taswsassen over to Vancouver Island, then run back from an island port, or to run up from Bellingham. I am not sure that I want to tow the boat into Vancouver (city) and catch the ferry up to Sechelt. The traffic there makes me crazy. Going through Seattle is akin to a nervous breakdown, and I think Vancouver is worse.

Regards,

Steve

[JamesTXSD]

Hi Steve,

We left our truck and trailer in Bellingham (Squalicum Harbor has free long term parking, you just have to sign in at the marina office), and headed out from there. It's an easy trip through the San Juans, the Gulf Islands, then across the Straight and north to Princess Louisa.

You can stay on the dock at the head of the inlet for three days... relaxing and refreshing, before moving on.

Have fun!

Best wishes,
Jim B.

[blackfish]

you could also catch the Coho ferry from port Angeles to Victoria and make your way up the Island from there.
will you be staying at alder bay for the broughtons part of your trip?

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Blackfish,

If we are camping on the boat before we launch or after we come back, we will probably stay at Alder Bay. It seemed like a nice place, with nice folks. Not sure if we will leave the truck there or at Telegraph Cove, or possibly Port McNeil.

Steve

[Wandering Sagebrush]

I just re-read your question and don't think I answered what you were asking. Places I would like to visit/stay after we get the boat in the water include Shawl Bay, Jennis Bay, Lagoon Cove, Potts Lagoon, Greenway, etc... As I would like to spend a few days in each area, I may have to limit the number of places on the list.

Steve

[blackfish]

when we go into the broughtons in Aug we'll need some where to leave the truck, Alder bay has always been nice when we camped there but I was also thinking about just leaving it in town do you know of anywhere that has secure parking?

[Wandering Sagebrush]

There is a secure lot (or I believe it is) in Port McNeil. Several of the group kept their vehicles there last trip. I would start with a call or email to the harbor master. Hold off until Sept if you can. Fewer folks to compete with.

[thataway]

I would think that Port McNeil is great for the Broughtons. We think it is one of the best places for "jumping off" --and if we launch on Vancouver Island (vs Sequim) this summer, it will be at Port McNeil. If we do this, we will ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria on the Coho.

I assume that you will launch some place further South and then run up to Princes Louisa Inlet, then come back and trailer up further? It would depend on the amount of time you have and the weather. We enjoyed going slightly different ways each year--but we could only go 6.5 to 8 knots and much of our planning was round currents in the passes.

If it is cold and depending on my health issues we may be taking a similar path, rather than going to AK.

[CAVU]

Steve,
It has been a few years, but last time I stayed at Alder Bay they would not allow you to overnight on your boat at the dock. I don't know the reason for that rule and it may have changed. If your plans include a boat stay there it wouldn't hurt to call and check. Port McNeil has good docks and great services within easy walking distance. I parked in a fenced, secure lot about a quarter mile from the marina. I can't remember the name but the harbormaster could give you the contact info.

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Hi Ken,

That was still the case when we were up there with you two years ago. The blow that kept us tied up to a fish farm pen was bad enough to rip out the Alder Bay log boom, so there is a good reason for not leaving the boat in the water there. I do like it for the camping, but the boat is on the trailer when we do.

You up for another Broughton's trip? Tell Lyndon that we won't even harass him for being from Texas.

[Pat Anderson]

Probably what we would do if we wanted to do both Princess Louisa and the Broughtons, and wanted to avoid the long run up on the water from Washington, would be to take the Tswwassen ferry to Nanaimo, up the Island Freeway to say, Salmon Bay Resort (or somewhere around Campbell River) to launch. It is a short run south to PL, then back up through Desolation, pop out onto Johnstone Strait at Blind Channel and on up to the first stop in the Broughtons. The Tswwassen ferry is just a short distance past the Blaine border crossing.

[CAVU]

Steve,
Depends on when. I really enjoyed the Broughtons and could be up for another cruise depending on when you had in mind. As a general rule I like to trailer close to where I am cruising and them spend more time in the target area. When I cruised Desolation Sound, I launched at Lund and within minutes I was there. For the Broughtons I launched at Port McNeil and again within minutes you are there. Princess Louisa and the Broughtons are pretty far apart for a short cruise unless you have plenty of time to explore all the areas between.

[hardee]

We are looking at going up to Princes Louisa Inlet this summer. Don't have a date yet, but will probably go up out of Horse Shoe Bay. It is about 100 miles by water to the entrence from there, and 60 miles up to Egmont. Thought it looked closer that way that going across from Vancouver Island. Looked like a long stretch from the Broughtons down to PLI. Hope to see some C-Dories up there.

Harvey
SleepyC