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Cruise #5 - Hotham Sound
As you approach either the Reaches for Princess Louisa or Egmont to go into Sechelt Inlet you pass across the bottom of Hotham Sound. It looks impressive from the south vantage point but is even more inspiring if you venture into it. Anchorages are few but the waters are usually very calm in the summer allowing you to be less choosy in where you drop the hook. After adventuring further into the inlets you wish for a quiet time just coasting around a large pretty area. Hotham Sound is the place.
Next to Pendrell in Desolation Sound, Hotham has the warmest water on the coast of the major bays or sounds. This is probably due to the lack of wind and the captured waters at the head. It is an oyster breeding ground.
As you come in from Jarvis Inlet you pass by Culloden Point and while the nothern side may appear suitable it is subject to winds that curl around. Go just a bit further and 3 nice anchorages present themselves at Sykes Island. On either side at the north end are bights that are sheltered and easy. The deep bight on the south end has water about 25 feet deep and is very sheltered from most wind. Watch for the small reef on the eastern side.
As you move north you will see Junction Island. It is difficult to make a choice where to anchor there but around the east side being careful of the rocks is a small bay you can tuck into and relax.If you carry on into the sound to the north on the west side there is really no place to stop until the head. Baker Bay at the top left tends to get some swell although the northwest
As you come in from Jarvis Inlet you pass by Culloden Point and while the nothern side may appear suitable it is subject to winds that curl around. Go just a bit further and 3 nice anchorages present themselves at Sykes Island. On either side at the north end are bights that are sheltered and easy. The deep bight on the south end has water about 25 feet deep and is very sheltered from most wind. Watch for the small reef on the eastern side.
As you move north you will see Junction Island. It is difficult to make a choice where to anchor there but around the east side being careful of the rocks is a small bay you can tuck into and relax.If you carry on into the sound to the north on the west side there is really no place to stop until the head. Baker Bay at the top left tends to get some swell although the northwest
The falls of Faila Lake
corner is acceptable.The bay to the right has a nice anchorage in the shoal on the east side by the hook. The outflow of Lena Lake is nearby along with another nice stream and I have spent a pleasant couple of days puttering around here. There is an old logging road up to the lake about 1/2 a mile for a fresh water swim. If you explore carefully there is a salt water lagoon with steaming hot water hidden just north of the point that seperates the two bays.
Starting south down the west side of the sound you come to the prime anchorage - the Harmony Islands. There are several of these small islands and a sheltered and interesting spot is inside the small cove formed by the three northernmost islands. This is a fun spot for swimming and exploring. Since the cove is small, it is coutesy to run a line to shore freeing up the cove for other boats.
As you continue south and to the end of you voyage in the sound you pass by the spectacular falls which drain Faila Lake high up on the mountain side. The falls almost always have loads of water and the vertical drop is over 1400 feet. One of the prime sights on the coast.
Starting south down the west side of the sound you come to the prime anchorage - the Harmony Islands. There are several of these small islands and a sheltered and interesting spot is inside the small cove formed by the three northernmost islands. This is a fun spot for swimming and exploring. Since the cove is small, it is coutesy to run a line to shore freeing up the cove for other boats.
As you continue south and to the end of you voyage in the sound you pass by the spectacular falls which drain Faila Lake high up on the mountain side. The falls almost always have loads of water and the vertical drop is over 1400 feet. One of the prime sights on the coast.