Along the Greenville Channel, Northern BC coast

The Greenville Channel is a 50 mile straight shot to Prince Rupert - straight like a west Texas highway. Snow capped mountains feed waterfalls on both sides. I think it was created by a glacier, and hanging U-shaped valleys are along both sides. On the east side of the Greenville Channel there are 5 cuts into inlets that create fantastic anchorages. We stopped at Khutze Inlet to watch bears - a surreal and spectacular place. Anchored 500 feet from shore, Jay spotted and announced the first grizzly.  Later I took the dinghy over and took pictures from a safe distance. Up on the drying flats, a sow grizzly was schooling a cub on the art of finding food at low tide. They were very leary of me in the dinghy. I didn't get any closer for pictures, and left so she would not be concerned. It's a sanctuary area for the bears, so we made sure Jay did not bark at them. Visitors are not allowed to go ashore. An area a few miles away on the north shore was safe for Jay.

On our way out the next day, a black bear was beach-combing. Half the size of the brown bears, the black bear seemed smaller than the Idaho black bears. Competition between the two species changes things. Since there are no grizzlies in Donnelly Idaho, the black bears have grown larger over generations. They fill a different role in the two different ecosystems. It's all evolution. 

Another 10 miles down the Greenville Channel we snuck through Watts Passage into Baker Inlet. Watts Passage is about 50 feet wide, but deep. Lined with old growth trees that hang over the water, there is also a blind corner in the passage. We placed a security call on the radio before we entered, and stayed right in the middle, kind of white-knuckled. Once in the narrow passage, there is no where to go but forward. It would be a disaster if you had to stop or turn Iolair around. The other side opens up and we anchored at the head of the inlet near a stream. Periods of rain and fog ever day, but that's why it's called the Great Bear Rainforest. Don't come here unless you can handle rain and mist. We are slowly adapting.

Jay loves his warm stove. It's called the "Grizz." We love the Grizz too, but have to challenge him for the best spot.