Misty Fjords National Monument

Above image “Eddystone Rock in the Misty Fjords National Monument, Alaska, USA.”

Misty Fjords National Monument is among the most breathtaking places on the coast.  Sheer granite walls plunge into the water from thousands of feet above and waterfalls gush from the snowcapped peaks.  It’s like Princess Louise Inlet, only bigger and seldom visited by cruising boats.

Misty Fjords is on the west side of Behm Canal, which winds around Revillagigedo island, and is entered either south or north of Ketchikan.  Boats arriving from British Columbia typically pass the southern entrance, but because they have not yet cleared customs they are not allowed to visit.  Thus, visiting Misty Fjords National Monument requires a bit of backtracking from Ketchikan.

Misty Fjords National Monument, Alaska

Due to this backtracking, many save Misty Fjords for the end of their Southeast Alaska cruise.  Upon exciting Behm Canal, they can overnight in Foggy Bay or clear Canadian customs.

Some cruisers visit Misty Fjords by circumnavigating Revillagigedo Island.  The downside is the relatively boring western section.  An alternative is to head southeast from Ketchikan for about 20 miles.  Then turn north in Behm Canal.

Smeaton Bay is the first bay and is not visited often.  Rudyerd Bay is the next bay, just past New Eddystone Rock.  New Eddystone has a sandy beach and a remarkable tree-covered spire of rock jutting 200 feet in the air.  Rudyerd Bay is probably the most visited area of Misty Fjords National Monument.  Punchbowl Cove, the first anchorage, juts off to the south.  It’s deep and astoundingly beautiful.  Think Yosemite, multiply by 3 or 4, and fill the valley with water.  A steep muddy trail leads to a lake about 1000 feet above sea level.
– Mark Bunzel

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