June 1 & 2, 2023 - Punchbowl Cove

June 02, 2023

With the wind conditions blowing up Clarence Strait, generating sizable wind waves, we decided to go around the backside of Revillagigedo Island and investigate Punchbowl Cove in Misty Fiords, which would be protected from the 20kt winds and wind waves. With the marginal weather we might find ourselves as the only boat destined for the area and possibly snag the single USFS buoy in the cove. We departed under rainy conditions and wind gusts up to 37kts in the Narrows! This was more than expected, however, we understood the wind funneled through the Tongass Narrows and that it would decrease as we made our way to an open area. Based on Windy, we expected sea conditions to be around 1’ in the Revillagigedo Channel and the winds did ease to the 20 kt range with sea condition maintaining 1’ waves with increasing period. Tide and wind were in concert helping to make this a smooth transit. As we turned up Behm Channel the wind waves continued to diminish – but – there was a 60’ vessel ahead of us decreasing our chance to snag the USFS buoy at Punchbowl Cove. Much to our surprise, as we approached New Eddystone Rock, the vessel ahead of us, Tangelwood, continued onward! As we passed New Eddystone Rock, we were quite impressed with its striking appearance. And we we turned into Rudyerd Bay towards Punchbowl Cove – it was WOW, WOW, WOW. The sheer granite mountainside is quite stunning and worth the visit. As we turned into the cove, we found a catamaran sailboat, O2, already in the cove dashing our hopes at the buoy. As we approached the head of the cove, we soon realized he was at anchor and the buoy, which does look very stout, was available. As low tide approached that afternoon, we were treated to a black bear, and then a brown bear, wandering the shoreline. Lois also spotted an eagle swooping down and taking a waterfowl.

The next day we woke to mist and low overcast skies with light drizzle. As it cleared in the mid-morning, we took turns rowing about the cove before another shower passed through giving way to sunbreaks for most of the afternoon. In the late afternoon, the winds picked up with heavy rain coming in – a squall was blowing through as the front passed. We could hear thunder and had wind gusts up to 36kts. But quickly the wind eased, and we were left with showers. During this time, a ~ 42’ Nordic Tug, Maxine, came in to anchor in the cove. Bad timing but they got their anchor set during the squall. As the conditions settled, we could now see numerous waterfalls along the face of Punchbowl. The next morning, we woke to broken clouds and calm conditions. As we left Punchbowl, we could see more waterfalls than when we had entered as a gift from the prior nights squall.

Note: weather conditions may have prevented the float planes from dropping in and we only noticed one tour boat, each day, do a drive by at the mouth of the cove.