MAY 23, 2022 – PORT PROTECTION TO RED BLUFF BAY (Afternoon Update)

As we exited Keku Strait into Frederick Sound, we were treated to the most incredible vista across Chatham Strait of the east side of Baranof Island, a cathedral of endless dramatic snow-covered peaks as far as the eye could see either direction. The water was glassy smooth at first, but as we approached the northwest corner of Kuiu Island where it meets Chatham Strait, we found ourselves in a washing machine of waves, seemingly confused water not know which was it was going. Waves coming from every direction. Once we were fully into Chatham Strait, the water calmed down as we approached Red Bluff Bay. The name comes from a concentration of red rock hills surrounding the entrance, when the rest of the landscape is not red. Sometime I would like the geographic explanation for that deposit. Red Bluff Bay is a somewhat narrow fjord about 3 miles long with sheer cliffs on either side and waterfalls everywhere you look, and even some remaining snow down to the waterline! As we approached the very end where we arrived to anchor, we found ourselves dwarfed in a pristine bay surrounded by enormous peaks covered in snowfields and even more waterfalls trickling down the hillside. At the very end of the bay there is a large half-moon shaped beach/mud flat, and much to our delight it came complete with brown bears galore gorging themselves on the sedge grasses! We were scolded heavily by a resident sea otter as we anchored too close to its den on shore. Again, we were sad to see that there were otters here too, just can’t escape them. Shannon and I so enjoy our shellfish harvesting adventures, but there’s no point if there are otters present. After settling the boats we immediately jumped in the tender to see the bears at the head of the bay, all of whom seemed to be very young bears with no Mama Bear in sight. We have no idea if this is correct or not but we pontificated that the Mama Bear was probably at the treeline somewhere guarding against any predators that might come out of the woods to harm the young ones, figuring they were safe between her and the water’s edge. Either that, or these were all recently weened young bears just grabbing food when they could, fending for themselves. We dropped the boys back at the boat then Shannon and I did a slow drive around the inlet taking waterfall pictures, but with the intermittent misty rain, it interfered with good photos. The bears remained near the water’s edge for the rest of the evening, which was such a special treat. Showers, cards, dinner and bed. The usual.