All In a Day’s Work



Piehle Passage off Chichagof Island 

We left our anchorage off Slocum Arm departing at 8:50am and

Our Route through Piehle Passage

spotted a Grizzly bear along the shore in Falcon Arm, finally a bear in the wild.  We watched through the binoculars as he turned over rocks looking for his seafood breakfast.  Wary of our approaching boat, he quickly scampered off into the bushes.  We had two choices heading out to the open ocean before turning south, but which one should we choose?  We could go through Piehle Passage, a four-mile rock strewn area along the coast, or head six miles north around Piehle Passage and back south again adding an additional six miles in the open ocean.  After reading the description in Don Douglass’ guidebook and studying the charts, we decided we were up for the challenge.  Don Douglass warns boaters that Piehle Passage requires careful navigation in good visibility and fair weather only and is not recommended for larger boats with limited maneuverability.  

Piehle Passage

On the other-hand, if you have sufficient experience and confidence in your abilities, this passage is both fun and beautiful.  He further recommends going through at low tide when rocks or hazards are easier to spot and to post a lookout on the bow.  We had all the right ingredients:  good visibility, fair weather, experience, an approaching low tide; and of course Lorena to hang over the bow. 

Rock Strewn Piehle Passage

Motoring slowly through the intricate passage of twists, turns, and right-angles, we watched for rocks hiding under the kelp and other signs of a missed approach through this incredible mine field.  I kept a hand-held radio by my side for quick communication from the bow while Leonard followed the route previously laid out in the charts.  

Heading out to Sea from Piehle Passage

The passage was perfectly executed; and as Douglass had promised, beautiful and inspiring.  Heading through the rocks out to sea and meeting the ocean swell brought a feeling of awe and respect.  The gentle 4-foot swell accompanied us as we motored along the coast, through Fortuna Strait, and into Salisbury Sound.  

Strong Current in Sergius Narrows, part of Peril Strait

From Salisbury Sound we turned east into Peril Strait, a series of Narrows that divides Chichagof Island from Baranof Island.  At Sergius Narrows the current was running at 5 knots but it was all in a day’s work.  

Point Moses Anchorage, northeast side of Baranof Island

After transiting Piehle Passage and the four-hour plus journey through Peril Strait, we arrived at Point Moses anchorage on the northeast side of Baranof Island and reflected on the day’s accomplishments.