Watts Narrow Entrance from Greenville Channel 

Southbound in Watts Narrow

"Securite, securite, securite. Forty foot sail southbound Watts Narrow". Watts Narrow is just that - narrow.  Only 200 feet across and twisty, it can be doubly exciting when it's misty. Depths are 100 to 200 feet with steep sides. Use of the VHF radio alert on CH16 as well as one blast from the horn are considered good form when transiting these narrows. The slack lasts five minutes and the currents can exceed 5 knots with rips. But Baker Inlet is well worth the effort.

Baker Inlet 5AM

Head of Baker Inlet

Spring Runoff Can Change Tidal Flows

Spring runoff from snow melt can impact tidal flows in some cases producing a "continuous ebb" current during a flood. Athough not certain from our limited research it appears that the runoff could be a surface water effect.  The surface layer adopting the directional flow from the runoff.  In any case, planning based on tide and current tables can go awry as we found ploughing into an apposing current up Greenville Channel.

Winging It up Greenville Channel

Stratocumulus

Cumulus congestus

Clouds continued to provide a varied display throughout the day as we made for Greenville Channel. By the end of our trek up "The Ditch", so nicknamed by the locals, we would slide through Watts Narrows into Baker Inlet and anchor in an amphitheater surrounded by snow covered mountains.

Stratocumulus over Hecate Strait

Early morning clouds over Hecate Strait portend the coming storm.  Unsettled conditions would persist for the next 48 hours. We would continue to make our way to Prince Rupert in an attempt to beat the storm. Winds would exceed 50 mph.