Haida Gwaii: Rustic, Tough Alaska

Got d' Fever at Point Baker

We said goodbye to all our friends at Thorne Bay and headed out in the morning around 9:20 for the day-long trip to Point Baker located at the northern tip of Prince of Wales Island.

Fishing Boats at Point Baker

Winds were blowing at 20 knots with 4 foot seas as we traveled north in Clarence Strait but later subsided to 18 knot winds with 2 foot swell after we turned west along Sumner Strait, reaching Point Baker at 3:15pm. If you are looking for that rustic, tiny fishing village portrayed in the movies with a tough style of living in Alaska, we found it at Point Baker.

Got d' Fever along side the Saloon at Point Baker

The village is accessible only by boat or floatplane, there are no roads or vehicles here. Point Baker has a year-round population of 15 people and we saw two of them in the bar while the others were out fishing. The community was established in the early 1900’s as a fishing port for gillnetters and trollers. During the summer months, sport fishermen arrive at the two lodges in the harbor to enjoy the excellent fishing and see the whales that are often present just off the Point; indeed, we saw numerous humpback whales just before entering the harbor.

The Saloon at Point Baker

It’s all about the fishing at Point Baker, you won’t find any cute shops, a plaza, or any other source of entertainment here except card games and darts at the saloon along with food and drink. There is no charge to tie-up at the village but space is limited so the custom is to raft together when needed.

Eats at the Rustic but Cute Saloon, Point Baker

We found space directly in front of the saloon and had a burger and drink before the saloon closed. The "barkeep" was friendly and we were invited to add a personalized dollar bill to the "money wall." You never know, we may be back and use that money later. The saloon and café are open only during certain days of the week along with other basic necessities like laundry, showers, a convenience store, and fuel sales.

Money Wall at the Saloon, Point Baker

The community has electrical power via a generator but the water should be boiled before consumption. Most all the buildings are on floats including the Post Office established in 1941, a community hall, the saloon, café, restroom facilities, and a volunteer fire-department.

Got d' Fever Money added to the Collection

My mind was having a hard time wrapping around the idea of living in such a remote location with only the basic necessities for existence, what? No shops! No roads! No entertainment except for a satellite dish TV in the saloon? At least the fishing lodges have satellite-based internet connection.