Klaskino Inlet

Both Klaskish Basin and Klaskino Inlet are popular staging areas before going around Brooks Peninsula. As we have visited and enjoyed Klaskish twice, we decided to check out Klaskino. We were not disappointed. We tucked in behind Anchorage Island. On the charts, it looked very small, but it was actually cozy and not cramped. It's one of those places where you don't feel hemmed in because of the 360-degree views. You remain well-protected from the weather that can plague the north side of Brooks.

Klaskino InleT looking out to the pacific ocean

Our trip here was unremarkable as we made our way down Quatsino Inlet to the Pacific. About 2 miles before we exited the Inlet, we did start to notice a hint of ocean swell. Like most of the West Coast of Vancouver Island, the transition from deep ocean to the shallower inlets results in a rugged bottom and outcroppings of reefs and islets. The charting is excellent, so finding your way through and/or around the obstructions is easy. But the side effect is that the seas can be "disturbed" even on a calm day. Whenever possible, we try to move offshore tracing the 20 to 30 fathom line to reduce the effect. Not only is the confused sea from the ragged uplift sea bottom reduced, but the echo waves that "bounce" off the land and return to the seas are greatly mitigated.

impossible to capture the grandeur from going from the ocean, past the guardian islwts into the Quatsino Inlet with mountian in the distance. the view extends left and right as far as the eye can see.

Our plan is to stay for two days, waiting for a calm weather pattern to round Brooks. During this time, we will relax, take care of boat chores, and explore. We did take the dinghy and went through Scoular Pass to investigate anchorages on the "inside." The inside seemed like it would offer even more protection from harsh weather. However, the water is deeper and shoals quickly, so finding a good place to drop anchor takes some time. I suggest referring to Dreamspeaker for suggestions on anchoring in this location. We did not find it as attractive as our anchorage in the “basin.”

We also took the dinghy a ways up the inlet, just to see what we could see. Mostly sea otters with pups, but they were quite shy and were not interested in us.

sea otters checing us out in our dinghy

Back at the boat, in our totally isolated anchorage, Karen thought she heard a “go fast boat” approaching. Sure enough, an 18’ skiff came around the corner. A dad, his daughter and their dog stopped by to say hello – they were anchored in Klashkish but wanted to take a look at Klaskino.

our spot behind anchourage island

good view to see the rocks that guard both entrances

another view of the anchorage

behind a peak at the drying flats east of our anchorage in klaskino

Mother NAture Puts on a show for us.

The next day, a large dinghy came through the anchorage but did not stop to chat. They looked like they turned up the inlet and then departed out Scouler Pass later that afternoon. Scouting for a good anchorage, perhaps? Maybe the folks we met on the skiff the day before had encouraged another boater to take a look?

On our last morning in Klaskino, we saw an AIS target approaching from Klaskish, a very large yacht called Rushmore. She came in and anchored in the published spot, leaving us plenty of room in our basin. Sure looked like she carried that dinghy we saw checking things out yesterday!

M/V Rushmore