Aug 23-25- Thurs to Sat-Killinary to Covered Portage Anchorage to Baie Fine (the Pool)
With help off the dock due to the NE winds, we pulled out and made the short trip to Covered Portage anchorage. We made our way in- between the anchored boats, mostly sailboats and found a spot to drop anchor. Looking up at the white quartz wall dotted with evergreens, we knew our fate was to climb atop and check out the view. We got to shore, past the guard goose, picked out a walking stick leaning against a tree and started out on the trail marked by orange ties. The climb was enjoyable, well shaded, easier that the lighthouse hike, well marked and we reached our destination with satisfaction. The view of the bay was lovely with 16 boats anchored in the blue-green water. The only error we made was we forgot the cold beer (a mistake we will not make twice.) The other highlight of this bay is at the entrance, at precisely the correct angle, the profile of an Indian's head can be seen. It is tricky to see, as it disappears quickly as the boat keeps moving. We took the dinghy back and forth three times in our attempt to catch the correct angle. Drifting and relaxing at anchor is wonderful. Watching the birds soar with the wind currents, napping with a comfortable breeze, watching the boats swing and shift at anchor all make for a favorite spot.
After a peaceful night, we head out into a SW wind with the destination of The Pool at the eastern end of Baie Fine. This passage is a prime attraction in the North Channel. It has white quartz mountains that stretch down the bay, similar to a fjord. The Pool is nine miles from the entrance and a long, slow ride looking for random rocks as well as staying in the middle of the deep, turquoise water. After twisting our way around using eyeball navigation, we anchor in the Pool which has a grassy, mud bottom. Tom is cautious about anchoring in these conditions so he will mind the wind and anchor chain. Others arrive and there are 11 boats here for the night. We enjoy dinner with Pam and John and rousing game of Catch Phrase ( the girls won).
The skies are cloudy this morning and boats start to pull out. By evening there are only 3 of us left. We head into shore with lunch packed, to hike to a lookout and the find Lake Topaz. The trail is rocky, like a dry riverbed until it turned to go into the forest. Up and down we walked, meeting 4 other sets of hikers who all direct us to the lake. Lake Topaz is beautiful blue-green in color, deep with some steep granite sides. Even on this overcast day, the lake looks like a picture. The lookout was high above the anchorage and the boats were well off in the distance. On our rainy walk back down, there were sections where we were completely canopied by the large trees and very dry and other sections that were open and we walked in heavy rain. The mist floated amongst the trees at times even hiding the granite mountain tops. Once back on board and out of our wet clothes, after hot soup for a late lunch, it rained the remainder of the day and we stayed secluded and comfy aboard Greeks Folly.
Covered Portage anchorage
The Indian head outlined in the stone cliff....
can you find it?
The cliffs over looking the anchorage
The guard goose at the dinghy landing area
Pick your walking stick for your climb
Just return it when you are done
The trail was nicely marked with ribbons on the
trees
Covered Portage anchorage from the top of the cliff
Greek's Folly a long way down
Selfie at the top
A rock cairn. The original explorers of
this area used these stone markers as
a way to tell people following after
them the direction to head. The original
street signs.
Someone had build a tree stand
One of the few industrial operations in the area
a silica mine on Badgeley Island on the way to
Baie Fine ( pronounced Bay Fin)
Entrance to Baie Fine
Looking up into the hills from the Poole anchorage
The Poole is at the far end of the fjord about 9 miles
Hiking to the top
Up we go
Lake Topaz, it was so blue but the overcast sky really
didn't do it justice
We had been told the lake was dead of any fish life
because of some form of pollution. Sure was a lot
of dead trees
Lake Topaz
Taking a break on our climb, we got lost
a couple of times luckily we bumped into
other hikers who gave us directions
Looking down into the Poole from on top. (our boat
is to the right)
Surveying all her realm
The park had installed this out house in the forest.
Here I ponder the lack of privacy. Oh well.
The bottom of the Poole is muddy and veery
weedy. Here Colletta prepares her weapons
to combat the weeds on the chain and anchor.
A boat hook and a bean weed hook we got
from her farming brother Mike. The bean hook
worked like a charm on the weeds. Wished we
had it on the Rideau last season.
the rocks surrounding the Poole
The Evinrude cottage as in outboard motor fame
Departing the Poole following Ragtime and Short Vacation
