Roscoe Inlet to Jackson Narrows

Today was one of those days when the destination mattered less than simply making miles north.

We slipped the anchor early and enjoyed one final run down Roscoe Inlet beneath brilliant blue skies. It was hard to leave. Around every bend, another wall of granite rose from the water, another waterfall spilled from the mountains above, and another reminder appeared of why British Columbia remains one of our favorite cruising grounds.

Some places deserve to be savored rather than hurried through.

The sunshine, however, came with a tradeoff.

A strong offshore high-pressure system had settled over the coast, bringing beautiful weather—and the brisk northwest winds that so often accompany it. The forecast, along with the latest observations from Ivory Island Lighthouse, suggested there was little to gain by taking the outside route around Ivory Island.

Sometimes the best navigation decision is the one that avoids proving a point.

Instead, we chose the protected inside route through Reid Passage.

As we approached the entrance, the conditions confirmed the wisdom of that decision. Three- to four-foot seas met us squarely on the bow. Nothing OceanFlyer couldn't comfortably handle, but enough to remind us that there was no prize for unnecessary pounding.

Within minutes of entering Reid Passage, the transformation was complete.

The seas settled, the mountains closed in once again, and the scenery reclaimed our attention. Reid Passage is one of those stretches of water that quietly rewards anyone willing to slow down and look around.

Our course eventually brought us to Perceval Narrows, another reminder that successful cruising in British Columbia is often less about distance than timing. Properly planned, the narrows are wide, straightforward, and uneventful. Arrive at the wrong time with opposing currents, and the experience can be considerably different.

A little planning goes a long way.

After transiting Perceval Narrows, we continued past Rescue Bay, a longtime favorite among cruisers, before making our way through Johnston Narrows.

Rather than continue farther, we tucked into the first small bay on the north shore, an anchorage many cruisers affectionately refer to as "Jackson Hole."

“Jackson Hole” looking west down Meyers Passage

It's not a destination in the traditional sense.

Plenty of room in “Jackson Hole” for our overnight stay

It's a staging area—a comfortable place to spend the night while positioning yourself for tomorrow's tides and currents. By making it through Johnston Narrows today, tomorrow's departure becomes our decision instead of the current's.

Cruising has a way of rewarding those who think one day ahead.

Sometimes the most satisfying miles are the ones that quietly set you up for an even better tomorrow.