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ISBN 978-1-877900-17-4, Copyright 2009, 5th Edition. 202 pages. Spiral bound. Dimensions: 8" x 11" x .50". Hundreds of maps, diagrams, photos and charts.
The Cruising Guide to Prince William Sound is the definitive source for everything related to cruising the Sound. Hundreds of anchorages are listed, with detailed descriptions of area hikes, points of interest, geocaches, and historical details that will enrich your experience. The book contains many details concerning the Sound’s unique weather patterns, glaciers, tides, and common hazards and issues boaters should be aware of.
Table of Contents
PART 1: Wilderness Cruising
Chapter 1: Prince William Sound as a Cruising Area
Introduction, The Sound’s Origins, Marine Weather, Winter Cruising, Tide, The Marine Environment, Ashore
Chapter 2: Preparing the Perfect Trip
Pre-Trip Preparation, Emergency Procedures, Staying Out of Trouble, Common Boating Problems, Medical Problems and First Aid, A Safe Harbor
PART 2: Passageways and Anchorages
Anchorage Area Charts, Index to Anchorages by Location, Anchorages, Alphabetical listing of Anchorages
Sample:
PORT NELLIE JUAN
One of the most scenic regions in the Sound, Port Nellie Juan and Kings Bay abound in signs of recent glaciation. The termini of eight of the area’s nine valley glaciers have only recently retreated onto land leaving Nellie Juan Glacier as the only remaining tidewater glacier. In many areas, the vegetation has not yet had a chance to re-establish itself. The actions of glaciers on a granite batholith have left Yosemite-like valleys containing imposing domes and sheer granite cliffs.
The water is deep and relatively hazard-free. A nasty chop and waves higher than normally encountered in western Prince William Sound can build in the mouth of Nellie Juan during strong easterly and southeasterly winds. Such winds commonly reach into the bay as far as Blue Fiord where they usually die out as they meet an opposing wind off Nellie Juan Glacier. In settled weather the fiord is calm during the early part of the day. Toward late afternoon, a land breeze off Nellie Juan Glacier stretches as far as Mink Island before encountering a sea breeze from the mouth. Kings Bay is ordinarily quite calm. Port Nellie Juan and Kings Bay experience fewer strong westerlies than do the fiords to the north, and their anchorages afford better protection from westerlies.
Landowner: CNF. ADF&G classifies all estuaries as crucial habitat.
McClure Bay
#1. West Gable Cove (formerly McClure Bay Anchorage): One mile S of the mouth of McClure Bay, a pretty little cove with a cascade at its head indents the E shore just beyond the ruins of the Port Nellie Juan Cannery.
There are two submerged rocks off the S shore inside the entrance. The outer rock shows on a minus tide, so enter favoring slightly the N side. Anchor in the middle in about 50 feet. Some debris may be left on the bottom from the cannery days; formerly, boaters reported losing anchors. The debris may have been cleaned up or the bottom may just be rocky. If you decide to anchor, we still recommend a trip line on the anchor. It is also reported that the debris can be avoided by anchoring closer in to the spillway and falls at the cove’s head.
History: The cannery was built during World War I. In the pursuing decades declining salmon runs were blamed on fish traps, such as the one located at Mink Island, operated by Seattle-based cannery owners. When Alaska became a state in 1959, one of the first acts of the legislature was to ban the controversial fish traps. As a result, the West Gable operation was closed leaving only a caretaker in charge. All three people living here were killed during the 1964 Earthquake and accompanying tsunami, which also destroyed the pilings supporting the main building. The underwater ruins and clear water make this a popular dive site.
Walk to lakes: Follow the old wooden aqueduct to the artificial lakes or photograph the ruins. Small rolling hummocks and open peat land bogs make this a pleasant place to meander.
Climb: Begin at the S side of the cove just W of the falls, for an easy climb up the ridge to Pk. 1810. The peak gives a 360º vista of lakes, McClure Bay, Culross, to eastern Prince William Sound.
The McClure Bay Oyster Farm has a permitted site on the W side of the bay just N of a prominent point as one approaches the mouth of McClure Bay’s W arm.
#2. Caretaker Cove: The W finger at the head of McClure Bay is a very isolated anchorage with swinging room for only one boat. Southeasterly sea breezes keep bugs down during the day. During northerly gales, strong gusts reach into the anchorage.
Pilotage: Enter midchannel. There are no obstacles. Anchor in 33 ft. with a limited 4:1 swinging room. The S end of the swinging area is abeam the waterfall on the E side. The bottom is flat down the anchorage’s center but rises to 10 ft. or less on the E and W sides.
Points of Interest: Named for the caretakers at the Port Nellie Juan Cannery who died during the 1964 Earthquake.
Hiking: Peaks 1425 and 2560 have all-star views, but the final ascents are steep, tenuous and brushy.
Shore boat trips: Both arms offer good shore boat excursions. A number of waterfalls cascade down the shorelines. A stream on the W shore of the W finger about 1/3rd of the way from the head feeds a small gorge. If you walk in about 100 yards, there is a fine cascade.  |
