The morning started in a dense fog so thick the end of the dock was barely visible. As the sun rose higher the tall peaks of the fjord were bathed in an alpenglow of vibrant oranges. It was beautiful as the group gathered outside the boats to start our day hike up to the Trapper’s Cabin.

The ferns and moss grew in abundance within a few paces off the dock. The humidity was high but the air was cool. It felt really good to be hiking through the forest, however, the trail is known to be very strenuous. In fact, it felt more like a puzzle as we negotiated the slick roots, fallen trees, and moss-covered rocks; at times it was imperative to use all four limbs to gain any headway.

Once at the top the view was unforgettable. After 500m of elevation gain, we were standing at the top of the ridge where a fur trapper had once built a modest cabin. A spring mattress and a few support timbers outlining the footprint of the cabin were all that remained nestled next to a pristine waterfall. The trees parted where the stream cascaded down the bare granite face exposing a view of the fjord. The Malibu Young Life Club was visible in the distance by the water’s edge some 1500ft below the canyon walls.

Lunch was simple. A PB&J satisfied my appetite and we began our descent back down the trail after a few photos were taken. The way back always seems faster. For one it was downhill, but also there were landmarks to track our progress. The fallen trees over the trail, a small rappel down a 25ft cliff by rope, the original logs embedded into the trail by the original settler, giving us the motivation to move quickly down the steep hillside back to the boats.

As a celebration of our achievement, Christie from Patos jumped straight into the water after our arduous descent. Hundreds of jellies did nothing to deter her from a quick splash off the side of the boat to cool off. The water was freezing and with so many stinging tentacles in the water, the swim was short but memorable. That’s what this trip is all about. Two weeks cruising with others in a land of beauty and to share it with those we hardly knew at first, but grow to love and appreciate in the end. A toast to the place we have been and to those we have shared it all with. Cheers!