Chatham Strait & Lake Eva
Our good fortune continued as we awoke this morning to blue skies. The seas were calm in Chatham Strait and we navigated through a few of the small bays and inlets on Eastern Baranof Island. Our early risers observed Hidden Falls Hatchery, which plays host to one of the largest chum salmon returns in Southeast Alaska. We also watched a purse seiner lowering its net, perhaps in search of the chum, Chinook, or coho salmon that all frequent this particular bay.
Our stop after breakfast was Kasnyku Falls, where we gathered on deck to photograph and admire the amazing cascade. We next headed for Kelp Bay and watched a handful of humpbacks rise and fall in the calm waters of the inlet. Guest lecturer, Scott Pearson, entertained us with a wonderful and informative tale about Alaska’s tumultuous land use conflicts, while the kids colored spawning salmon in the dining room.
After lunch, we decided to make use of the fantastic weather and spend our time ashore at Hanus Bay and Lake Eva. Hikers discovered bits and pieces of an intact old-growth forest, and the creek was beginning to welcome back its annual salmon run. Kayakers plied the waters of Hanus Bay and even spent time paddling the inner lagoon as the tide rose to accommodate them. Our weather held and our evening cruise up Chatham Strait was calm and sunny. The culmination of the day? A showing of “White Fang” in the lounge and a feast of hamburgers for the Stanford Young Explorers had tremendous attendance and interest. What more could anyone ask for the halfway point of a fantastic journey?
Our good fortune continued as we awoke this morning to blue skies. The seas were calm in Chatham Strait and we navigated through a few of the small bays and inlets on Eastern Baranof Island. Our early risers observed Hidden Falls Hatchery, which plays host to one of the largest chum salmon returns in Southeast Alaska. We also watched a purse seiner lowering its net, perhaps in search of the chum, Chinook, or coho salmon that all frequent this particular bay.
Our stop after breakfast was Kasnyku Falls, where we gathered on deck to photograph and admire the amazing cascade. We next headed for Kelp Bay and watched a handful of humpbacks rise and fall in the calm waters of the inlet. Guest lecturer, Scott Pearson, entertained us with a wonderful and informative tale about Alaska’s tumultuous land use conflicts, while the kids colored spawning salmon in the dining room.
After lunch, we decided to make use of the fantastic weather and spend our time ashore at Hanus Bay and Lake Eva. Hikers discovered bits and pieces of an intact old-growth forest, and the creek was beginning to welcome back its annual salmon run. Kayakers plied the waters of Hanus Bay and even spent time paddling the inner lagoon as the tide rose to accommodate them. Our weather held and our evening cruise up Chatham Strait was calm and sunny. The culmination of the day? A showing of “White Fang” in the lounge and a feast of hamburgers for the Stanford Young Explorers had tremendous attendance and interest. What more could anyone ask for the halfway point of a fantastic journey?
