Great Bear Rainforest

[coolchange]

Hi all...has anyone cruised the Great Bear Rainforest (British Columbia)? Or, have you been in the process of planning a trip up there? I am planning to plan a maybe trip next summer..vague enough?? Anyway, I am asking to see if anyone can recommend books, charts, stops on the way etc.
I have been as far North as Sullivan Bay and likely would launch in Bellingham and make a pretty direct run to Sullivan Bay area..or maybe similar run to north Vancouver island and then dial in some slow cruising.

the other option is taking a ferry to Vancouver Island and driving/towing as far North as possible...saving lots of boat time to have more in the area.

So, suggestions, resources and etc all greatly appreciated.

[dkirsop]

Port McNeill has an excellent boat ramp if you decide to trailer to the top of Vancouver Island. Port McNeill Marina can refer you to secure long term parking.

[DesertAlbin736]

We're planning on a Desolation Sound Cruise this summer ourselves, probably launch from Blaine since the 60 day free truck/trailer parking option at Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham is no longer available. Apparently the overflow lot behind Redden's is being developed. But Great Bear Rainforest? Wow, that's way up there! dkirsop's suggestion seems like your best bet. You can take a Washington State ferry from Anacortes over to Sidney or from Port Angeles to Victoria. There are BC ferries that run from Port Hardy all the way up to Prince Rupert, but I don't know if there's any place you could launch a boat from up there or even if those ferries would take a boat & trailer as big & wide as an A27. In any case, once you crossed that bit of open water between Port Hardy & Calvert Island you could follow the ferry route in mostly sheltered channels.

[coolchange]

Dolce...you'll want to keep your dinghy attached

[DesertAlbin736]

Not a problem now that we have lift davits!

[joreyn]

Tim, when we had the PNW rendezvous in Port Townsend, there was a Canadian couple who launched their boat in Bella Coola, and cruisded down to join us. They had a FC like you. Makes me think, why not tow Metanoia up there and launch right in the middle of the Inside Passage. No need to cross the Straits.