Pierless Blog - 2026-05-26 - Von Donop to Blind Channel

May 26th - Tuesday - Departure Time 8:00 a.m.

Von Donop Inlet to Blind Channel / Charles Bay Anchorage

We departed Von Donop at 8 a.m. on our way to Blind Channel.  This leg of our journey will take us through four areas with hazardous rapids, three of which are within a 4 nautical mile section.  Timing our arrival at each of the first three rapids will be important as well as getting through all three in a minimum amount of time.  

The Three Rapids

Slack tide at Gillard Pass was to happen just before 3 p.m.  We wanted to hedge our timing by arriving early for the passage through Yuculta, then Gillard and finally through Dent.  We arrived fairly early and attempted Yuculta, but the current was too strong against us to continue.  We dropped back and waited at a small indentation on the west shoreline for about 45 minutes.  Our next attempt got us through Yuculta (though slowly...) and then on to Gillard.  We were early on both passes, but this helped us as we worked west down the channel by providing a tail current all the way to Blind.  Dent rapids was passed with no problem.  There was a tug and log boom going the other way near dent.  It had two helper boats to control the boom through the three narrows!

Heading To The Rapids
Waiting For Current Change

The ride down Cordero Channel was quite scenic.  This area is more mountainous with deep fyords and quite a few fancy looking lodges.  Most lodges are just getting geared up for the fishing/summer vacation season, so many did not appear open yet.  Our next rapid was Blind Channel.  The currents would not be too fast, so we did not expect and problems for our passage.

Going With The Flow

Fellow Travelers

From Blind Channel Resort Web Site

We needed fuel and water, so headed to Blind Channel Resort.  This is a small family run resort that has been here for some time.  They have a marina, store, fuel and water, so stop there made sense.  We arrived at 5:30 just before the resort closed for the night at 6:00.  While I fueled up, Dave hurried to the store for groceries.  The staff were friendly and the marina and grounds in nice shape.  Once topped up, we motored across Blind Channel to Charles Bay and dropped the hook for the night.


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