Green Inlet Marine Park and Butedale, B.C.
A beautiful sunrise greeted us this morning as we made our way northwards. Large rafts of surf scoters were on the water gathering for their migration to Alaska’s inland lakes. Just after breakfast, Pete Pederson gave a great lecture about the geology of the Pacific Northwest; showing us how past events affect what we see today. Mid-morning we arrived in Green Inlet Marine Park under blue skies and warm temperatures. It was our first opportunity to get out in the Zodiacs and kayaks, and, after all the necessary briefings, we headed out to explore Green Inlet. As the kayakers paddled quietly along the shoreline, bald eagles flew overhead and a few kayakers were lucky enough to watch a river otter as it caught fish. The Zodiacs explored further up the inlet, making it up to a waterfall and the entrance to a lake. When we arrived back on the ship we found a wonderful BBQ lunch served on the top deck.
After lunch we continued up Graham Reach headed for the abandoned cannery at Butedale. The sunny skies stayed with us and we were out on deck looking for wildlife. Soon a call over the PA announced that there was a bear visible…not just any bear… a Kermode’s bear! Kermode’s bears are an all white morph of the black bear that are only found in this area of British Columbia and even here they are very rare. The ship had to turn around so we could spot the bear, but when we got back to the spot all we could see was the bear walking into the trees. To our great relief, about a half hour later, another call came over the PA, and this time everyone had great looks at a female Kermode’s bear with two black cubs. We watched as they walked along the shoreline Our 2nd Mate Adam did a fantastic job holding the ship in position while we watched this incredible scene.
After our experience with the bear we headed to Butedale, which is the site of an old cannery. The caretaker, Andre, invited us ashore where we heard about the history of salmon canneries, and this cannery in particular, from our historian, Junius, and Andre. With our feet on dry land we took the opportunity to hike up to a lake that was just up the hill behind the cannery. On the way to the lake we made our way through an impressive rainforest displaying nurse logs, salmon berries, and, of course, boot-sucking mud! We emerged from the forest into a bog gleaming with the late afternoon sunlight. Just at the point when we began to wonder if we would ever reach the mystic lake rumored to be at the end of the trail, the mud ended, and the lake loomed large. The still water reflected the patches of blue sky. A huge log jam began in the middle of the lake, the giant logs lining up to create a floating side walk. We slowly moved out over the logs, then, as our confidence grew, moved further and further out into the lake. Following the maze of logs, we made our way over to the edge of the waterfall, looking out over the cascading water far below. What a novel way to take in the impressive scenery. It was a great way to end a long and exciting day.
A beautiful sunrise greeted us this morning as we made our way northwards. Large rafts of surf scoters were on the water gathering for their migration to Alaska’s inland lakes. Just after breakfast, Pete Pederson gave a great lecture about the geology of the Pacific Northwest; showing us how past events affect what we see today. Mid-morning we arrived in Green Inlet Marine Park under blue skies and warm temperatures. It was our first opportunity to get out in the Zodiacs and kayaks, and, after all the necessary briefings, we headed out to explore Green Inlet. As the kayakers paddled quietly along the shoreline, bald eagles flew overhead and a few kayakers were lucky enough to watch a river otter as it caught fish. The Zodiacs explored further up the inlet, making it up to a waterfall and the entrance to a lake. When we arrived back on the ship we found a wonderful BBQ lunch served on the top deck.
After lunch we continued up Graham Reach headed for the abandoned cannery at Butedale. The sunny skies stayed with us and we were out on deck looking for wildlife. Soon a call over the PA announced that there was a bear visible…not just any bear… a Kermode’s bear! Kermode’s bears are an all white morph of the black bear that are only found in this area of British Columbia and even here they are very rare. The ship had to turn around so we could spot the bear, but when we got back to the spot all we could see was the bear walking into the trees. To our great relief, about a half hour later, another call came over the PA, and this time everyone had great looks at a female Kermode’s bear with two black cubs. We watched as they walked along the shoreline Our 2nd Mate Adam did a fantastic job holding the ship in position while we watched this incredible scene.
After our experience with the bear we headed to Butedale, which is the site of an old cannery. The caretaker, Andre, invited us ashore where we heard about the history of salmon canneries, and this cannery in particular, from our historian, Junius, and Andre. With our feet on dry land we took the opportunity to hike up to a lake that was just up the hill behind the cannery. On the way to the lake we made our way through an impressive rainforest displaying nurse logs, salmon berries, and, of course, boot-sucking mud! We emerged from the forest into a bog gleaming with the late afternoon sunlight. Just at the point when we began to wonder if we would ever reach the mystic lake rumored to be at the end of the trail, the mud ended, and the lake loomed large. The still water reflected the patches of blue sky. A huge log jam began in the middle of the lake, the giant logs lining up to create a floating side walk. We slowly moved out over the logs, then, as our confidence grew, moved further and further out into the lake. Following the maze of logs, we made our way over to the edge of the waterfall, looking out over the cascading water far below. What a novel way to take in the impressive scenery. It was a great way to end a long and exciting day.
