It was an early start this morning. We moved the boat to the fuel dock for fuel and waited for “Gemini” to join us for the 24 NM run to Baie Fine and a visit to The Pool. The weather was great with light northeast winds. We left Killarney on a southern route around Badgeley and Centre Islands then turning north through Frazer Bay and squeezing between Mcgregor Point and Frazer Point into Baie Fine.
Baie Fine is one of the largest freshwater fjords in the world. This tear in the earth’s surface is about 9 nm long and offers breathtaking scenery as you cruise deeper into it. Bair Fine is bounded by high quartz mountains that sparkle in the sunshine. There are numerous anchorages scattered along its length. Once clear of the entrance, you will see on your starboard the former Okeechobee Lodge. It is now private property and, although there are docks there, transient sailors cannot use them. The Channel veers to starboard running along shear rock walls where the water immediately goes to 20 feet deep. We could navigated within 20 feet of the wall through the well marked channel.
We anchored and rafted up with “Gemini, Dawn Watch and Sea Turtle at the western end of Baie Fine in about 15 feet of clear water. After securing and settling in it was time to drop the dinghies and run 1.7 NM to The Pool which is an anchorage area at the eastern end of the fjord. There was a small dock where we tied up all the dinghies just across the cove from the home of the founder of Evinrude Outboard Motors. It was about a half mile hike up the rocky path to Topaz Lake. There were several different color ribbons and paint spots marking the trail but we did not have the map or legend to decipher their meanings. Luckily I had recently watched a video from Scho and Jo (fellow loopers) and I remembered that we had to turn left at the big log. We walked up to the log, turned left and made it to the top where Lake Topaz appeared with great quartz walls, gleaming from the midday sun, surrounding the crystal clear lake. It was a warm enough day to jump into the lake but as we were getting ready to dive in a large water snake swam right by us and climbed into the adjoining bushes. So we moved over a little and took the leap into the COLD water trying to forget about the hopefully non venomous creature. Some of us did not have swim attire but jumped in anyways. The water was beautiful and well worth the trek. We were joined by several other hikers with dogs that fully enjoyed the water.
It was time for the trek back to the dinghies and the 2 mile run back to the boats for a community dinner with fresh fish and side dishes supplied by all. This was truly one of the best stops along the Loop.
