Connecting the Dots

Lovely Okisollo Channel

Departing Kanish Bay, we circled around the north end of Quadra Island through Okisollo Channel.  The Okisollo waterway is a lovely passage despite several fish farm operations.  Timing the two rapids along the way, Lower Rapids and Upper Rapids, is the biggest challenge but easily done.  As we approached Lower Rapids, the current was running at 4 knots; however, Lower Rapids and its charted rocks, can be bypassed by motoring between Okis Island and Barnes Bay on the Sonora Island side of the channel. 

Owen Bay is a pretty place to hold-up before transiting Lower and Upper Rapids

Once beyond Lower Rapids, we pulled into Owen Bay to await better timing for transiting Upper Rapids to the south.  Owen Bay is very scenic, backed by granite cliffs and tree-lined shores, dotted with summer cabins and homes.  Like Quadra Island, we were surprised by the number of houses on Sonora Island in remote Owen Bay. 

There are several coves in Owen Bay for anchorage

Large Owen Bay has several coves and bites in which to anchor and it's a nice place to wait for the rapids.  Both Lower and Upper Rapids can run to 9 knots on spring tides; at full boil in Upper Rapids, white-foaming waves stretch across the entire channel.  We departed Owen Bay an hour before slack to see if Upper Rapids could be challenged just ahead of slack.  Other boats had the same idea and were transiting through the rapids; we observed a 4-knot current running along the shorelines; in this case it worked well to keep towards the center of the channel where the water was reasonably calm; transiting an hour to a half-hour early turned out to be very doable this time of year.

A View of Okisollo Channel south of Upper Rapids

Next stop, the beautiful Octopus Islands and Waiatt Bay; boats arrive here from the north through Upper Rapids, from the south through Surge Narrows, and from the northeast through Hole In The Wall, all converging at this popular marine park.  

Waiatt Bay is a popular anchorage with room for many boats

Waiatt Bay is part of the Octopus Islands Marine Park with a trail that leads to Small Inlet in Kanish Bay on the other side of Quadra Island. 

Boaters arrive by dinghy and kayak at the head of Waiatt Bay to hike the Trail to Small Inlet

We took the kayaks ashore at the west end of Waiatt Bay and hiked the half-mile trail to the head of Small Inlet; where we had stayed the previous night. 

The Trail between Waiatt Bay and Small Inlet

The trail is mostly flat and easy to hike.  There is signage along the way, but the first sign you come to is somewhat misleading as the old trail pointing to Small Inlet is overgrown; instead, turn left as if going to Newton Lake, which will also take you to Small Inlet.  From Small Inlet, you can continue another mile along the trail to Newton Lake.  The first third of the trail to Newton Lake is flat and parallels the Small Inlet cove shoreline; the remaining portion of the trail is quite steep and is for the more adventurous hiker. 

Beautiful Newton Lake is a nice place for a swim

The hike is worth the effort, however, as Newton Lake is scenic with clear, clean water that serves well as a swimming hole.  Before reaching this beautiful large lake, hikers will come to a smaller, lake or pond, which shouldn’t be confused with Newton; keep going, you’re almost there!  For boaters who love to hike, Waiatt Bay is a nice option; to reduce the distance to Newton Lake and the trail that continues to Granite Bay, you can anchor in Small Inlet to access these trails.