The Perfect Billboard



Java enjoying her Dinghy Ride

We departed Alert Bay at 2pm and headed east, bypassing tiny picturesque Telegraph Cove.  This picture perfect postcard cove is lined with boardwalks on pilings with colorful shops and eateries and is also the site of a fascinating whale museum.  We were glad we had stopped here on a previous trip since space at the docks were currently full. 

We motored along the north shore of Johnstone Strait near the Plumper Islands and turned north up Blackney Passage, then eastward through narrow Whitebeach Passage.  After rounding the northwest tip of Habbledown Island, we anchored behind Mound Island, a popular anchorage sheltered from most winds.  With numerous small islands and islets, the area is conducive for exploration by dinghy or kayak.  We in fact saw a group of kayakers camping on the west end of Mound Island as we passed by in our dinghy; we were on our way to Berry Island to find the reported pictograph. 

Choice spot for a Pictograph, Berry Island

Pictographs are typically found on large rock faces with a ledge below on which to stand, the Native version of a good billboard!  Leonard wondered if some important Native had owned the space and charged rent J  I wondered if only men had created pictographs, or did the women also participate?  No initials or signature on the artwork so perhaps we will never know.  

Pictograph at Berry Island

As we motored along the shore, we quickly spotted the pictograph on a large rock face, a good choice location with work completed by a talented artist.  We departed our anchorage the following morning and headed east through Indian Channel, passing the Native village of New Vancouver before heading southeast through Beware Passage.  

Native Village of New Vancouver, Habbledown Is. 

As a side note, we had visited New Vancouver on a previous trip and had also visited the nearby abandoned Native village of Mamalilaculla on Village Island.  This is where I had a face-to-face encounter with the hind-end of a bear while walking through the brush.  We have since read that a fee is now required to walk through the abandoned village, fees go towards the cleanup of the village site. 

Beware Passage

 As we entered Beware Passage, we were mindful of the charted rocks hiding beneath the surface; it required careful navigation to safely get through the passage, including a 90 degree turn to avoid the rock hazards. 

Beware Passage

Many islets and rocks throughout Beware Passage

Beware Passage

Aptly named, Beware Passage is littered with islets, rocks, and shoals but is quite scenic.  

Abandoned Village, Karlukwees on Turnour Island 

On the east end of Beware Passage is the abandoned Native village of Karlukwees with a white shell beach and three buildings still visible in the brush.  Not far from the abandoned village near Nicholas Point we found another pictograph; 

Pictograph at Nicholas Point, Turnour Island

there appeared to be four small objects: a fish, a person, a bird, and perhaps a deer.  Having reached the end of Beware Passage, we were now in Clio Channel on our way to Lagoon Cove Marina.  We took a small detour off Clio Channel to investigate Potts Lagoon, currently being used for a logging operation.  Continuing northeast on Clio Channel, we reached Lagoon Cove around 2:30pm, and once again met up with our friends Roger and Chris.

Clio Channel