Frederick Sound and exploring East Baranof Island
Cannery Cove in Pybus Bay
We left Petersburg at 5:55 am on 6/20. Don said everything changes when you leave Petersburg. We cruised out of the harbor and into Frederick Sound. I looked out and we were surrounded by mountains all with snow capped peaks. What a breathtaking sight. Suddenly, it seemed we were in a totally different place and time. I felt the cold breeze coming off the water which sent chills down my entire body. Our destination was Cannery Cove in Pybus Bay on Admiralty Island (towards the southeast end) and on Frederick Sound. This is a very scenic anchorage. We passed a thriving fishing lodge located in the bay and arrived at our destination at 12:15 (6 hrs 20 min).
As we transited Frederick Sound we saw this mountain and a glacier.
View from our anchorage in Cannery Cove.
Another angle of the view from our anchorage in Cannery Cove. This one is in the middle. Stunning!
Red Bluff Bay
At 6:00 am we left Cannery Cove the next morning, 6/21. Our destination was Red Bluff Cove on Baranof Island. First we transited west in Frederick Sound and crossed Chatham Strait then entered the hidden entrance to Red Bluff Cove. This is the furthest south we would go on Baranof. Chatham Strait is open to the open ocean on the south side. Our day was partly sunny and pretty smooth with light northerly winds until later in the morning. I noticed when we crossed Chatham Strait the waves and wind had picked up. I was at the helm while Don took a nap. I was happy he awoke before we were at the entrance because I could not see how we were going to get it. It seemed narrow and rocky to me.
The trip into Red Bluff was breathtaking. The waterway up to the head of the bay is surrounded by high cliffs and snow capped mountains 3000 to 4000 feet high. There are waterfalls along the way. We anchored at the head of the bay in a small bight across from the drying flat in 50 feet of water. It was 11:15 am (4 hrs 15 min). Getting up early certainly has it benefits by giving us the afternoon to relax or play.
We had a lazy afternoon sitting in the sun watching a sea otter float around the small bay enjoying the warm sun shimmering on the water. He kept getting a little closer. In the pictures he looks like he has long ears like Bosun but those are his front paws which are stretched back behind his head. Bosun still young (8 months old) was not sure what to think about him. This is what retirement is all about!
Baranof Island on our way to Red Bluff Bay
One of Bosun’s safe places while cruising. It’s right next to the helm station by the entrance door.
Where is the channel to get into the bay?
The sea otter drifting around the bay.
Closeup of the sea otter. Those are not long ears. His front paws are behind his head. Just relaxing on the water on a gorgeous sunny day.
Warm Spring Bay
We left at 9:25 am on 6/22 to go to Warm Spring Bay which is just north of Red Bluff Bay on Baranof Island arriving here at 12:15 pm (2 hrs 50 min). There is an awesome waterfall here. The velocity of water tumbling down the falls is amazing. We had waited in the bay for a spot on the dock which looks over to the falls. It is so relaxing to hear the roar of the water crashing down the mountain. The small community here takes care of the bathhouse (they ask for a donation to help with the repairs and servicing of the rooms) that has three tub rooms where 105 degree spring water is piped in with an additional spout of cold water to mix in if necessary. We enjoyed soaking in one of the bathhouse rooms shortly after we arrived and again the next afternoon. Imagine soaking in the tub looking out the window at the waterfall roaring as it cascades down the mountain side. After your soak you are asked to scrub the tub for the next guests.
All the homes in the community are connected by a boardwalk for the community and to the main path that goes up to the outdoor pools overlooking the waterfall. Don skipped the path that branched off of the boardwalk leading to the pools due to only having partial feeling of his right leg. The trail went up and down a rocky pathway which was a little treacherous for someone that doesn’t have total control of one leg. Bosun and I ventured out to the pools to take a look. It is a popular place with lots of bathers enjoying the two pools overlooking the roaring waterfall right next to them. If you continue on the main path it leads you to the lake above the falls. It is a beautiful lake much more serene than the raging falls. The local community have their dinghies stored up there I assume to fish or just enjoy the serenity of the lake.
Trail from the dock up to the outdoor hot springs and to the lake. Lots of tree roots!
Here is the dock at Warm Springs. By the end of the day it was packed! The float on the right is for float planes flying in.
The board walk from the dock ramp this little house in front on stilts is the bathhouse with 3 private rooms each with a metal tub with piped in hot springs water. The temp is about 105 degrees so at least the bathhouse rooms also have cold water plumbed in that you can add to the hot water. I had to add a lot of cold water.
The boardwalk continues around the bay in front of the houses. Nice walkway.
This is the raging waterfall at the head of Warm Spring Bay.