Draney Inlet to Millbrook Cove

Today we are going to position ourselves to round Cape Caution tomorrow morning. The high-pressure ridge is still with us, making for clear but hazy skies.

So far Predict Wind has done an uncanny job of forecasting. I can only think of one day in the last two months where they missed the prediction. They continue to level up their game. And they are telling us that tomorrow is the day to make the crossing.

We calculated our departure from our anchorage based on published slack, adjusted a bit later based on what we experienced on the way in. We enjoyed our 12 mile run back to the narrows. Draney Inlet is characterized by tall and steep granite mountains on both sides. The result is a large number of slides. I suspect you would see lots of mini waterfalls in the rainy season, but now, in early July, the only consistent waterfall is the charted one at the last bend before you reach the head. That one is serviced by Caroline Lake.  Apparently there is a hike up to the lake by the waterfall, but we cannot confirm it. At this time of year, the waterfall was just OK, not spectacular, so we spent our time exploring the creek instead.

On the way back, we took another look at the narrow, rocky entrance to Allard Bay (supposedly an anchorage just inside, then dinghy to the head to a waterfall at high tide) and down Robert Arm. Both look worth exploring next time.

As we approached the narrows, things looked a lot better than they did when we entered. At these tidal exchanges (11’), low slack appears to be as much as 30 minutes after what is published. We left about 15 minutes after published slack. It looked good to the eye, no turbulence, but we still had about 2 kts of current on the stern.

Because we entered and exited Draney Inlet at low slack, we have no information about whether high slack is closer to published times. Low slack was fine, as Draney Narrows are deep enough at any tide.

We started to see more recreational fishing boats as we headed down Rivers Inlet toward the mouth and made our way past Open Bight (great beaches if the wind and weather are right!) and Cranstown Point, Head, Kelp Head and False Egg Island into Smith Inlet. We actually retraced part of our journey from the beginning of the cruise, when we rounded the same area from Smith to Rivers northbound.

Another new destination for us: Millbrook Cove. We’ve read about it for years and it is described as an excellent anchorage whether you are preparing to cross Cape Caution southbound or have just crossed and are looking for a resting spot before continuing your journey north.

As we approached the cove, we saw another target on AIS was also headed there. This was a large Outer Reef motor yacht, so we hoped there would be room for us.

looking into Millbrook cove from smith inlet

looking out to smith inlet from millbrook cove

The entrance is flanked by small islets and some rocky shoals with kelp clearly showing the no-go areas. These entry islets and shoals are well marked on the charts. However, there is shallow water in the north of the cove where the shoaling extends out much further than charted. There were several boats at anchor when we entered, but we found room near one of the islets near the entry and had a beautiful view. The cove has at least one dwelling, and some old pilings that may have once been docks. Definitely well protected and a great place to stop before we head further south.

at high tide the obstruction are just below the surface. shelf extends further than charted

another look at the “surprise” shallows

low tide reveals all