Destination: ​Deep Bay – Denman Island – Chrome Island – Hornby Island

Date: ​​Sunday, August 11, 2024

Time: ​​Meet at 12 Noon

Launch at 1 PM = Paddles in the Water time

Meeting Place: ​Shoreline Drive, Deep Bay – on the side of the road 

https://www.google.ca/maps/dir//49.4563453,-124.7095063/@49.4549203,-124.7105556,16.88z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e0?entry=ttu

Description: 

Paddle across Baynes Sound to the south side of Denman Island. Paddle past Chrome Island with its picturesque light house then paddle across Lambert Channel to Hornby Island. Stop for lunch – probably at either Fords Cove or Heron Rocks (a beautiful camping co-operative). 

Depending on the group and the weather, this paddle may continue on a bit further (along the coast of Hornby Island). Return home by the same route, arriving at Deep Bay around 4:30 – 5 pm.

Launch: from the shoreline, navigate through a channel in the rocks. Limited parking spaces available. Can unload here then park at the pay parking at the nearby Deep Bay Marina and walk back (~5 minutes away).

Length of Trip: ​~ 4 hours (8-10 nm)

(each direction consists of 2 short crossings + time spent on Hornby)

Rating:  #2 – Day Paddle – Intermediate (SISKA’s “Energized Paddle”)https://www.comoxvalleypaddlers.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Trip-Ratings.pdf

Coordinators:

Dave LaPointe ​(250) 898-7048 ​davel@island.net

Mary Maclean ​(250) 218-1215 ​marymaclean07@gmail.com

Max. People: 12 Participants (register with Dave ahead of time)

Other Conditions: Potential for moderate SE winds around the south end of Denman, Chrome Island and when crossing Lambert Channel. There is a weather station on Chrome Island to check the wind.

1. Trip could be cancelled if high winds are expected.

2. Proper immersion clothing required.

3. Paddle Canada Level 2 ability – familiar with rescue techniques.

4. Currents and recreational boat traffic expected on the two crossings. 

Tides: Tide will be gently ebbing throughout the paddle.

High tide of 3.4 m @ 12:06. Low tide of 2.9 m @ 16:17.

Notes: Pack a lunch. Ford’s Cove Store on Hornby sells food and drinks.

The Chrome Island Light House has been operating continuously since 1891 and is one of the few remaining manned lighthouses along the BC coast. The first Keepers were the Piercy’s who raised 10 children on the rock – an area of less than 2 acres.

Consider reading the history of Chrome Island Lighthouse and the tragic shipwreck of the “Alpha” on December 16, 1900:

https://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=1187

Suggestion: Supper at the Deep Bay Marina