Traveling northbound on the IP you exit Fitz
Hugh Sound by hanging a left into Lama Passage and following the shoreline of
Denny Island to Bella Bella. Most folks stop at Bella Bella / Shearwater
to pick up a resupply, do laundry, take a shower, sleep in a real bed and/or to
eat a real dinner of pizza and beer. “Blue Highway-Hakai” recommends that
you cross Fitz Hugh Sound after visiting the Addenbroke Light Station and work
your way up Calvert Island’s steep eastern shoreline to Kwakshua Channel or
Hakai Passage. Both will take you west into the heart of Hakai Luxvbalis
Conservancy Area which is an unspoiled region of magnificent beaches and
stunning beauty. Kwakshua is more protected from winds and its currents
are light where Hakai Passage is magnificent but may display both in spades.
The Northwestern corner of Calvert Island is
comprised of the Choked Passage complex with famous Wolf Beach, No-Name Beach
and enormous North Beach. Wolf Beach is well-named for its wolf
population, You may not see them but they will be all through your camp
at night so don’t leave anything important out for them to steal. No-Name
Beach seems to have no name so that’s what I call it. It is the least
visited and most intimate but can be awkward if your comings and goings are at
low tide levels. If bigger is better then North Beach is the place to be.
At a little over ½ mile long it is the second largest beach on an island
renowned for its deserted beaches. It is also right on the corner of
Choked Passage and the open ocean.
Choked Passage
If you have
generous sea conditions you can round that corner at Surf Islets and have your
choice of more beaches, large and small, protected and exposed. If you
choose to round that corner and head south pay attention and be clear on the
weather and sea condition’s forecast. Many paddlers who stop to camp for
just the night fall in love and end up staying a while.
Wolf Beach
Heading north from
Calvert Island you cross Hakai Passage which deserves respect and
consideration. Plan your crossing to avoid winds opposing current.
Once across Hakai Passage you can wind your way in behind Stirling Island
if seeking cover or stay out in Kildidt Sound and make good time to the Serpent
Group, Triquet and Cultus Sound.
North Beach
With good weather
and tides you can make it from Cultus Sound to Bella Bella in a day, however,
many paddlers choose to break that up and spend a night at Shell Beach south of
Soulsby Point.
Sunrise on Triquet
This
Blue Highway will add a day to the standard IP route unless you decide to stay
longer on Calvert, Serpent Group, Triquet, Cultus, etc. Most folks stay
longer and I believe that it is time well spent with sights worth seeing.
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