Log Entry: Thursday, July 29th, 1999

Hutton Inlet to Ikeda Cove (via Bag Harbour/Burnaby Narrows): 36.9 nm

We went to Ikeda Cove via Burnaby Narrows.  We anchored in Bag Harbour, near the narrows, and took the dinghy back up the narrows.  We had been trying to time the dinghy ride so that the current would float us through, but the current was against us.  It was still great: we rowed against the current, and saw sea stars, anemones (?), giant mussels and clams, rock crabs ...  We landed and walked around on shore a bit: another enchanted forest.  We saw some CMTs (culturally modified trees), and while the ladies were off in another part of the forest, I heard two ravens fly low overhead, with that wonderful whooshing noise they make with their wings, which to me symbolizes the magic of Haida Gwai ... 

When we got to Ikeda Bay, we went ashore and visited the old mining camp, and saw the remains of a tramway which used to go all the way to the top of the mountain.  Nathalie and Jane say they saw the sternwheeler which was used as a bunkhouse ...  We took Ching ashore this time: she really enjoyed it, but went AWOL for about 10 minutes at one point: a little scary.

Nathalie tried casting with the fishing equipment on board: didn't work out too well ...

Sea asparagus along with Thai curry for dinner.

One of the things that we enjoyed while in the Queen Charlottes, and continued to enjoy for long afterwards, was the automated weather report.  We had come to anticipate the part where the lady told us that the Scudder Point report was not available.  We would hear this 5 or 6 times a day.  So it was with affection that we looked at the little automated weather station at Scudder Point as we rounded it, and wondered what could be wrong with it ...

Jane's log:

"Spotted a large Haida Gwai bear with two cubs coming around Scudder Point and lots of deer onshore along the way

"Anchored in Bag Harbour so we could take a look at the inter-tidal activity in Burnaby Narrows: lots of sea stars, moon snails, rock crabs, and anemones.

"Motored over to Ikeda later, where we anchored for the night and took Ching ashore for a walk in the woods to see the old mining town.

"Came by Bolchus islands where Nathalie told us the story of Xagi (Foam Woman) the original human who came out of the flood."

 

the abandoned mining operation at Ikeda Cove