Powell River to Princess Louisa Sound to Gibsons (158NM)

Our luck is standing with the weather and we have smooth cruising to Princess Louisa Sound (named after the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria) from Powell River. We make the 65 NM run in a little over two hours stopping only to remove a flat piece of milled wood (about 10” x 6”) that had become lodged between the transom and the port engine. I had looked back to check if any boats were creeping up on us (unlikely!) and was shocked to see a huge fountain of water gushing up and over the engine. There were no alarms from the Merc system and when Larry stopped the boat and raised the engines the piece of wood came floating out. The props looked perfect and when we turned the engines back on all was fine. Phew!

Larry’s timing to Malibu Rapids is perfect for running it at slack. He makes our securite call over the VHF to announce our entry into the rapids alerting oncoming traffic to hold until we are through. It was a bit more of a struggle to find room at the dock but some boaters are friendly and help wedge us in. We hike up the Trappers Cabin Trail for two hours and then come back for a swim at the base of Chatterbox Falls. A super day at this remarkable spot.

Rounding the corner up Princess Louisa Inlet to Malibu Falls

Chatterbox Falls at Princess Louisa Marine Provincial Park

Independence II tucked in on the shore side of the dock…lucky to get a spot!

Up we go to Trapper’s Cabin. An unmaintained trail with downed trees every few steps…thank goodness for walking sticks. The Cabin is not there anymore, just the old foundation.

Going down. At least this tree was not in the way like the last 30!

Time for a swim near the Chatterbox Falls

The dock can fit a great deal more boats than you think it would…especially, if people are courteous and tighten the spacing between their boats.

A second dinner out of Larry’s Chinook salmon…so tasty.

Departing Princess Louisa Inlet for Gibsons

Gibsons Marina on a fine and sunny afternoon

The charming town viewed from the Public Docks

Music in the town park this eveging

‘Ancestral Spirit’ carved by artist Jody Broomfield of the Squamish Nation. Features traditional Coast Salish designs.

The Beachcombers was a hit CBC comedy-drama series set and filmed in Gibsons, B.C. from 1972 to 1990. It put Gibsons ‘on the map’ as a quintessential symbol of West Coast life (Info from Google).

Molly’s Reach was made famous, as this is where the characters of The Beachcombers gathered for coffee…their pastries and muffins are great!