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FREDERICK SOUND ITINERARY: FROM JUNEAU TO PETERSBURG VIA ENDICOTT ARM

This cruise offers a diverse experience of Southeast Alaska, from fishing town to wilderness solitude, from islands to glacial fjords. Our goal is to the most remote wilderness experience possible slightly depending upon the time of the tidal currents, the weather conditions, wildlife viewing opportunities, and the wishes of our clients while enjoying the amenities of our wandering home. While we have a planned itinerary, each trip differs slightly depending upon the time of the tidal currents, the weather conditions, wildlife viewing opportunities, and the wishes of our clients. This glacial wilderness supports a diversity of wildlife as varied as the landscape. On water there is the probability of sighting humpback whales, Orca, porpoise, and stellar sea lion as well as numerous sea birds. On terra firma we may see black bear, brown bear, and mountain goats. There are some great halibut holes along the way, and during the right time of year there is the possibility for salmon. We average three to four hours of running per day, allowing plenty of opportunity for exploring by foot and by kayak.

Day 1: Docked near downtown Juneau. Passengers are welcome to come on board at 11:30am, stow. WE WILL BE UNDERWAY AT 12:30PM, headed south down Gastineau Channel and out into Stephens Passage. We will then enjoy a buffet lunch and have an orientation and safety meeting. About a five hour run, our first night will be spent anchored at Wood Spit near the entrance to Endicott Arm. The evening will be spent introducing everyone to kayaking. We carry five doubles and three single kayaks. Don't worry if you have never been in a kayak before, the crew are trained instructors. The doubles are very stable for the beginner and the singles allow the expert to exercise his or her skills. We will also take a hike and be introduced to the fascinating geology of this glacial area, its Tlingit culture and gold rush history. The spit is frequented by deer, wolf, nesting bald eagles, and an array of water birds.

Day 2: Underway in the early morning hours to make the slack tide across the spit and into Endicott Arm. Passengers awake to the heart beat rhythm of the Washington Diesel as we dodge icebergs and wind our way into the fjord. It is twenty seven miles up the Arm to the face of Dawes Glacier where we will linger for awhile to witness the calving and booming of the burgs. Then we will make our way to a seldom visited anchorage called Fords' Terror, comparable to a flooded Yosemite Valley.

Day 3: At Ford's Terror we will become intrepid adventurers. There are places to explore by foot and by kayak. Surrounded by 5,000 foot granite faces, the mist hanging to the precipices, the vessel suspended in crystal clear water, suspended in time... Today we will kayak through the tidal rapids (at slack water of course) and paddle into the majestic inner fjord.

Day 4: We make our way out of Endicott Arm and back to Stephens Passage and into Frederick Sound. We'll head for Gambier Bay, keeping a sharp lookout for whales along the route. This is prime salmon spawning habitat, along with the brown bears that come down to the rivers this time of year to feed on them.

Day 5: By midday we will be underway, bound for The Brothers, a group of small islands positioned in the middle of Frederick Sound. Along the way we will be alert for Humpback or Orca whale sightings. This is one of the prime summer feeding grounds for the migratory Humpback and it is a rare transit if we do not encounter a pod. We may shut down the engine and just drift, watching them feeding or breaching and listening to their songs with the hydrophone. We will drop the hook in an idyllic anchorage where the sounds of breathing whales, Stellar Sea Lions hauled out close by, or the screech of an eagle, comes drifting across the evening calm. We will enjoy a campfire and dinner on the beach.

Day 6: A day for kayaking around the islands, hiking through the open under story of the rain forest, or fishing for halibut for our evenings' meal. There is a Stellar Sea Lion haul-out close by where hundreds of the vocal fellows and felines spend their days. If the Humpbacks are out our front door, we may get underway and spend some time shadowing their movements. In the afternoon we head south down the sound for Thomas Bay and an anchorage called Scenery Cove. Tides permitting, we will hike on the extensive glacial moraine that lies at the foot of Baird Glacier. Tonight is our last evening together as a group, the night of the Captains' Ball.

Day 7: A relaxing morning, time for one more kayak paddle before the boats get stowed. Underway by late morning, we will be tied up at the dock in Petersburg about noon, time enough to catch the afternoon flight to Seattle or get settled into your room in town.

FREDERICK SOUND ITINERARY: FROM PETERSBURG TO JUNEAU VIA ENDICOTT ARM

This cruise offers a diverse experience of Southeast Alaska, from fishing towns to wilderness solitude, from islands to glacial fjords. Our goal is to provide the most remote wilderness experience possible while enjoying the amenities of our wandering home. While we have a planned itinerary, each trip differs slightly depending upon the time of the tidal currents, the weather conditions, wildlife viewing opportunities, and the wishes of our clients. This glacial wilderness supports a diversity of wildlife as varied as the landscape. On water there is the probability of sighting humpback whales, Orca, porpoise, and stellar sea lion as well as numerous sea birds. On terra firma we may see black bear, brown bear, and mountain goats. There are some great halibut holes along the way, and during the right time of year there is the possibility for salmon. We average three to four hours of running per day, allowing plenty of opportunity for exploring by foot and by kayak.

Day 1: Docked in the South Harbor near downtown Petersburg. Passengers are welcome to come on board at 12 noon, stow your gear and get familiar with the vessel. AT 12:30PM WE WILL BE UNDERWAY, headed north out Wrangell Narrows and into Frederick Sound. We will enjoy a buffet lunch and have an orientation and safety meeting. About a two and a half hour run, our first night will be spent anchored at Scenery Cove in Thomas Bay. Tides permitting, a boat ride and hike will provide a unique opportunity to explore Baird Glacier's cobbled outwash plain and touch the glacier's icy foot. The evening will be spent introducing everyone to kayaking. We carry five doubles and three single kayaks. Don't worry if you have never been in a kayak before, the crew are trained instructors. The doubles are very stable for the beginner and the singles allow the expert to exercise his or her skills.

Day 2: Underway in the early morning hours to make the slack tide across the spit and back into Frederick Sound, awakened by the smell of fresh baked scones we are bound for The Brothers, a group of small islands positioned in the middle of Frederick Sound. Along the way we will be alert for Humpback or Orca whale sightings. This is one of the prime summer feeding grounds for the migratory Humpback and it is a rare transit if we do not encounter a pod. We may shut down the engine and just drift, watching them feeding or breaching and listening to their songs with the hydrophone. We will drop the hook in an idyllic anchorage where the sounds of breathing whales, Stellar Sea Lions hauled out close by, or the screech of an eagle comes drifting across the evening calm. We'll explore a temperate rainforest, test our kayak skills and enjoy a sunset BBQ dinner and campfire.

Day 3: This is a day for kayaking around the islands, hiking through the open under story of the rain forest, or fishing for halibut for our evenings' meal. There is a Stellar Sea Lion haul-out close by where hundreds of the vocal fellows and felines spend their days. If the Humpbacks are out our front door, we may get underway and spend some time shadowing their movements. By midday we will head for Pybus Bay on Admiralty Island and the Kootznoowoo Wilderness. Nearly 100 miles long, Admiralty is one of North America's largest protected old growth rainforests, and is home to one of the world's densest populations of brown bears and bald eagles. Here we will explore the estuarine river and it's spawning salmon runs.

Day 4: Underway in the early morning hours we travel up Stephens Passage to make the slack tide across Wood Spit and into Endicott Arm. Passengers awake to the heart beat rhythm of the Washington Diesel as we dodge icebergs and wind our way into the fjord. It is twenty seven miles up the Arm to the face of Dawes Glacier where we will linger for awhile to witness the calving and booming of the burgs. Then we will make our way to a seldom visited anchorage called Ford's Terror to enjoy the late light of Alaska's summer, from the perspective of a kayak.

Day 5: At Ford's Terror we will be adventures by foot and kayak. Surrounded by 5,000 foot granite faces, the mist hanging to the precipices, the vessel is suspended in crystal clear water, suspended in time... Today we will kayak through the tidal rapids (at slack water of course) and paddle into the majestic inner fjord.

Day 6: After a morning or hike ashore, we will sail North out of Endicott Arm and into Holkolm Bay to drop the anchor near Wood Spit. A wonderful place to explore the beach or fish for halibut, this anchorage provides a spectacular panorama of glaciers and sunsets and fascinating geology, Tlingit culture, and gold rush history. Tonight we celebrate our experiences together at the Captain's Ball.

Day 7: A relaxing morning, time for one more kayak before the boats get stowed. Underway we enjoy a delicious brunch as we head north through Stephens Passage. We reach Alaska's state capital, Juneau, around noon, time enough to catch the afternoon flight to Seattle or get settled into your room in town.

Trip Offered 2008 and 2009 ( see updated schedule [2008, 2009] for availability or call )
Trip Rates:
2008: $3400 to $4000 per person (DO, special rates for own cabin, single berths available in some cabins)
Whole Boat Charter: $34,340.

2009: $3860 to $4410 per person (DO, special rates for own cabin, single berths available in some cabins)
Whole Boat Charter: $37,961

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