09/03 - 09/18 - Desolation Sound 2005

Taking the Coho Ferry across from Port Angeles to Victoria will cost $2.60 per lineal foot or fraction thereof. That's pretty close to $130 bucks (one way) for me.
Jon
 
I boated this area in 97 with my folk in a 47 ft krogen that they rented for a month. I meet them in naniamo after driving with two small boys, my son and nephew, from sacramento in a honda civic. Don't try that again. some of the best stops were chatter box falls, the sachelt inlet rapids and the bay at cortes island.
the falls and the lodge at the entrance are just breath taking. the lodge is now a church camp, that to tell you the truth was a little weird. we pulled up to their dock to go look at what we thought was a lodge and were told at first that we could not step off the boat. it was only after they ran the numbers on the boat and called the rental outfit in friday harbor that they let us walk around but only with a three man escort. Now i have been a marine for 8 years and know the difference between a tour and a guard. It kind of gave me the creeps. But with the stories you hear about divorced parents snatching their kids I can see were they are coming from but it was still weird.
The island of cortes has the coolest harbor. you go thru a small passage only a couple hundred ft wide with high stone walls like a valley only to open in to a large oval shaped bay of two miles or so in length. We stayed a a dock that had the best gourmet food i have every had. the cheese cake was not worth dieing for, but i would consider murder for it. After diner and, a week on a boat with my dad, i went back to the restaurant after it closed. I could hear music coming from the kitchen so i walked in and hung out with the staff and drank beer while i helped them clean up for the night. all in all it was a great time.
the the sachelt inlet rapids ,if i have the right ones, are a must stop and see. we tie up at egmont (i think) and walked the trail over to the inlet. At the tide change ,both in coming and out going, forms a standing set of waves like rapids on a river form close to the bank. kayakers from around the world come here to ride the waves. we watched for two hours as kayak after kayak surfed the front of these large waves, doing tricks and them wiping out. we also got a kick out of the seals that would ride the waves just to see what the humans were up too.
I have pictures of all this some were that i will try to post later. it was a wonderful trip even though it rained for most of the trip.
 
Hi future Desolation Sounders,

We stopped at Lund on our way north in 2003. Here's what I remember.

We crossed the Strait of Georgia leaving from Silva Bay on Gabriola Island at 2:40pm and arrived at Lund at 7:30pm. My log says it was a 71NM run. Lund, being at the end of Hwy 101 is a supply and jump off point for many summer residents and tourists. There is a marina with overnight moorage & showers, a two lane launch ramp, and a fuel dock. There was a long term parking lot which had cars and trailers parked. I didn't get the rates, the attendant was somewhere else. The harbor area also has a Hotel with pub and a small bakery. The docks are somewhat noisy, with the crab fleet running generators all night.

The central area of Desolation Sound is about 10 miles north of Lund, an easy run.
 
I think that I am beginning to favor trailering to Lund or Campbell River.

Ron, (official Canadian greeter :D ) Do you have any thoughts about Lund vs Campbell River as starting points? Also, do you have any idea what marina fuel is selling for now in BC? I am trying to figure the ferry cost vs running the boat 320 n. miles round trip. I realize that gas prices may change a great deal between now and Sept, as will the US Canadian exchange rate. If the trend of the last year keeps up, heck, in Sept we may be able to trade dollars and not have to do any math!

Thanks Robbi
 
Roberta,

I was in Campbell River this summer looking for a usable launch ramp. There is a ramp out on the spit, it is concrete with no floats, no parking, and the current runs strongly. We found another ramp which was useable but there was no parking.

Campbell River claims to be "The Salmon Fishing Capitol of BC" but it is not friendly to trailer boaters.

If someone knows Campbell River better, please let us know.
 
Larry, Thanks for the information. That is surprising. I would think that Campbell River, the fishing mecca, would have good launch facilities.

I quess if you are going to trailer to a place that you want to dedicate as much time as possible to exploring, you might as well get as close as you can. That would be Lund. But.....the boat trip north keeps reaching out and tugging at my bow line. Oh well, still plenty of time to sit by the fire and read my boat travel books. Robbi
 
Echo Bay, now you are speaking my language... I have turned down a group of friends that makes an annual pilgrimage each year in July to Echo Bay Resort to load up on Halibut, Salmon, Bottom fish, Shrimp and crab.

This might be the year that the planets align and I am able to finally go.

I have drooled over this trip for years...

Jon, are you listening?
 
Starcraft Tom, The place to which you refer on Cortes Island I believe is Gorge Harbor, a popular, must-see destination. Too, Cortes offers at its north end lovely Von Donop Inlet. Gotta see that one as well.

We might consider an initial rendezvous at Roscoe Bay or Preudex [sic?] Haven. Or perhaps Lund. You guys are going to really love those places.
I think we need to set our date. I'd like to ask for the time off sometime this month. What do we think? Personally I like either September 3-18 or 10-25. Maybe the first one.
 
I prefer the 3rd to the 18th September as well.
 
I would vote for not traveling on Labor Day weekend, crowds on the ferry, etc. How about just after, say the 6th on or the weekend of the 10th to the 25th, just a thought.

Fred
 
Did some checking regarding launching and overnight moorage in the Campbell River area. You can launch at the Spit as Nancy H has suggested. I spoke to the people at Discovery Harbour Marina, which is right downtown Campbell River and they are presently building a new ramp which may be ready for the 2005 season ( http://www.discoveryharbourmarina.com ) and they have parking and moorage.

Just south of Campbell River is Salmon Point Resort (http://www.salmonpoint.com). They have RV sites, cabins, launch and lots of parking. This might be your best bet.

The run from Campbell River to Desolation is not long or difficult and a lot of people from here go over for the weekend. The Strait of Georgia can get rough, but most days are pretty good in the summer.

Some commercial charters to Desolation Sound take off from the Comox Marina. There is a good boat launch run by the Town, and moorage is available through the Black Fin Marina.

If you decide to come to Vancouver Island and leave from here.... give me a shout and I will be happy to run down more details.
Del
 
We're interested in this trip too. Our usual vacation time on Vancouver Island is the from the last week of August until the middle of September. It's been our experience that the first two weeks of September feel like the end of summer, and later than the 15th can start to feel like the start of fall. This is based on time on the west coast of Vancouver Island, I don't have any experience on the east side during September. On the west coast and in the Queen Charlottes both the weather and the locals seemed to be getting ready for wind and rain going into the third week of September. The salmon fishing also slows considerably after the first 10 days of September.

I like the idea of taking the ferry to Nanaimo and then putting in at someplace like Comox or Campbell River. I believe it cost us about $125 U.S. to take our Expedition and 25' from Tsawassan to Nanaimo in September of this year. It's based on the foot after a certain length. You can look up B.C. Ferries on the web and you can figure out the exact charge ahead of time.

Sounds like fun, and might get us out of our "rut" of always going to the beautiful west coast.
Lyle
 
catman that the place. I had a great time there. the whole trip was just beautiful. Oh the funny thing about the cook that did the cheese cake I loved so much is that hes about 6'6" 250 and haas tattoo.s up and down both arms. he cooks in the summer and saves money for his tattoos and harley so he can ride down south in the winter. go thing he is a great cook becouse i would not want to tell him hes not.
 
Yes, if we tow instead of coming up by water from Blaine, your info sounds enticing - we catch the ferry at Tsawwassen (sp?), right? Pretty close to Blaine for the jump off point. Driving either through or around Vancouver (the city, not the island) does NOT sound fun. How is the driving on Vancouver Island from wherever the ferry lands to Salmon Point Resort? That might just be the ticket, no? No problem with either launch or parking?


trudell":wtd2eyu1 said:
Did some checking regarding launching and overnight moorage in the Campbell River area. You can launch at the Spit as Nancy H has suggested. I spoke to the people at Discovery Harbour Marina, which is right downtown Campbell River and they are presently building a new ramp which may be ready for the 2005 season ( http://www.discoveryharbourmarina.com ) and they have parking and moorage.

Just south of Campbell River is Salmon Point Resort (http://www.salmonpoint.com). They have RV sites, cabins, launch and lots of parking. This might be your best bet.

The run from Campbell River to Desolation is not long or difficult and a lot of people from here go over for the weekend. The Strait of Georgia can get rough, but most days are pretty good in the summer.

Some commercial charters to Desolation Sound take off from the Comox Marina. There is a good boat launch run by the Town, and moorage is available through the Black Fin Marina.

If you decide to come to Vancouver Island and leave from here.... give me a shout and I will be happy to run down more details.
Del
Click to expand...
 
Pat,

I took that route from Tsawwassen to Nanaimo and up the Island Highway this past summer.

Its all 4 lane divided highway to Campbell River with a few traffic signals. The ferry arrives at Duke Point now and you exit the ferry directly onto the highway.

If Campbell River gets a real launch ramp that would be great. I didn't find out about Salmon Point until after we had left that area.
 
Thanks, Larry.

A short jump up I-5 to Tsawwassen, a ferry ride over to Duke Point, and a 4 lane divided highway to Salmon Point for a relatively easy crossing over to Desolation? Why are we even talking about driving to Lund? I have driven in / around Vancouver off and on for years and to me it is a real nightmare - there is just no easy way to do it. Lots of city streets, traffic lights...not my cup of tea at all, especially towing a boat. (Dusty - correct me if I am wrong here, if you know an easy way).

So I think it is either come by water from Blaine or drive up Vancouver Island for us...


Nancy H":2ln9l5y8 said:
Pat,

I took that route from Tswassen to Nanaimo and up the Island Highway this past summer.

Its all 4 lane divided highway to Campbell River with a few traffic signals. The ferry arrives at Duke Point now and you exit the ferry directly onto the highway.

If Campbell River gets a real launch ramp that would be great. I didn't find out about Salmon Point until after we had left that area.
Click to expand...
 
Pat , how far is it by water to the campbell river area from blaine? and do i have to go thru customs at some point? we are thinking of making this trip at some point in the future. if its one long day up and one long day back then thats ok becouse it leaves me two days to fish.
 
Another route to the Campbell River area would be to take the ferry from Port Angeles to Victoria. The price is slightly lower than the Tsawwassen-Nanaimo ferry, but you have to go thru Victoria and climb the Malahat grade(6%) on the way to Nanaimo. Even with that, its a good route for those on the Olympic peninsula and you can visit Victoria.

Speaking of ferries, its possible to make a reservation on the Canadian ferry at Tsawwassen, but the Coho ferry from Port Angeles is 'first come, first on'. Remember to bring your passport or birth certificate and leave firearms, mace, and brass knuckles at home. Dogs or cats need an "international rabies certificate". Also, spare gas cans(not outboard tanks) are NOT allowed on the ferries. (Don't worry,if you need one they sell gas cans in Canada).
 
Would it be a good idea to start a poll regarding our Desolation date?
 
Robbie,
Sorry for the delay in my reply. I somehow missed your message. Lund or Campbell River? Its a toss up really. Lund is a tiny community of maybe 150 people, with limited facilities. Campbell River pop. about 15,000 has most anything a boater would need in the way of provisions. Lund is a two ferry ride but totally eliminates any crossing of the Georgia strait and is very close to the Desolation Sound Cruising area. The launch is a good one, and parking is available. We even parked for 5 days along a side road at no charge. You would have to go through Vancouver and Pat is right, there is no easy way. You have to do city streets for a good chunk of it. However it is pretty straight forward and I do it all the time. :lol:
Campbell River is the more relaxed route as far as driving. I5 north to the border, cross, drive another 15 kms or so and turn left. Drive another 10k or so and you are at the ferry. Leave the ferry and head north on the Island Highway. All of it highway driving and most is divided highway. You will have to cross Georgia Strait to get to Desolation Sound but its fairly short crossing and if it was really bad and you were adventurous you can go up through Discovery Passage and around to Desolation. See Pat's map. I can't speak to the availabilility of boat launches or parking as I don't have any direct experience there. I know there are a number of Provincial Parks, and Resorts with launches in the general area, but long term parking I can't say.
I mostly fuel up when the boat is on the trailer. Gas prices currently are running $0.81-$0.91 Can per litre at the pump. Multiply by 3.68 to get US Gals and by .83 to get US dollars. So about $2.50 - $2.80 US. I would expect marina fuel to be somewhat over $3.00 gal especially when you get farther from the major centres.
I'm trying to find out about launching and parking in the Egmont area. It is on the way to Lund and would also save one ferry ride. It is the gateway to Princess Louisa Inlet. And may be an alternative for people who would want to do Princess Louisa and Desolation. I'll see what I can dig up.
Starcraft Tom.
Blaine to Campbell River is much more than a days run. And you would also have to travel a lot of the way in the open strait. I would doubt you could make it in a day unless it was absolutely calm and even then it would be a long day. I think its close to 150 miles. Yes you do need to clear customs as soon as you cross the border.
Cheers
Ron
 
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