World Tour 004-Juneau to Calgary - Alaska-Western Canada
Stage 4 of our trip takes us through parts of Alaska's Alexander Archipelago and Inside Passage, before heading into British Columbia and the stunning beauty of western Canada
Total Legs: 25 Total Distance: 1425 Total Time(125kts): 11 hours 24 minutes
Leg 1
Flying from PAJN
Leg Distance: 30.8 Approximate time at 125kts: 15 minutes.
PAJN(PAJN) to Admiralty Island(POI1)
Distance: 11.82NM Bearing: 219° 6 minutes
Fly southwest after takeoff and head across the channel and across Admiralty Island beyond it. Fly between the two peaks and you will be over a bay at the opposite side of the island
Admiralty Island(POI1) to Icy Strait(POI2)
Distance: 15.05NM Bearing: 219° 7 minutes
Continue southwest across the waters of Lynn Canal and Icy Strait. Aim to overfly the tip of Point Couverden which juts out into the water ahead, and then towards the flat area of land to the left of the headland across the strait
Icy Strait(POI2) to PAOH(PAOH)
Distance: 3.93NM Bearing: 239° 2 minutes
Turning slightly to the right as you approach the land you should see Hoonah airport ahead at the base of the mountain
Leg 2
Flying from PAOH
Leg Distance: 73.23 Approximate time at 125kts: 35 minutes.
PAOH(PAOH) to Port Frederick(POI3)
Distance: 4.33NM Bearing: 233° 2 minutes
Head southwest into the channel of Port Frederick, then turn left and follow it to the south
Port Frederick(POI3) to The Narrows(POI4)
Distance: 6.48NM Bearing: 196° 3 minutes
Just after the point where the channel narrows, turn left to the southeast and along the land valley ahead
The Narrows(POI4) to Tenakee Inlet(POI5)
Distance: 5.59NM Bearing: 133° 3 minutes
Fly southeast along the valley until it reaches the waters of Tenakee Inlet at the other end
Tenakee Inlet(POI5) to Moore Mountains(POI6)
Distance: 14.61NM Bearing: 163° 7 minutes
Once over water, head directly south and gain enough altitude to pass over the Moore Mountains ahead
Moore Mountains(POI6) to Peril Strait(POI7)
Distance: 11.99NM Bearing: 157° 6 minutes
Once over the mountains, you will be flying over Hoonah Sound. Continue ahead to the south, there should be a large bay which narrows into a channel at its south end
Peril Strait(POI7) to Kakul Narrows(POI8)
Distance: 7.76NM Bearing: 202° 4 minutes
Keep following the channel as it widens out to the southwest. We will continue past a large inlet to the left before the channel narrows again. As the channel opens out into the open waters of Salisbury Sound, there will be another channel to the left. Fly southeast along this channel
Kakul Narrows(POI8) to Neva Strait(POI9)
Distance: 4.34NM Bearing: 126° 2 minutes
Continue southeast along Neva Strait as it passes to the left of the large island in the center, Partofshikof Island
Neva Strait(POI9) to Neva Point(POI10)
Distance: 4.68NM Bearing: 132° 2 minutes
Keep following Neva Strait as it curves slightly to the right around the island before entering open waters at the other end
Neva Point(POI10) to Olga Strait(POI11)
Distance: 4.94NM Bearing: 117° 2 minutes
Ahead and slightly to the left you will see another channel cutting through the mountains. Fly southeast along this channel
Olga Strait(POI11) to Kasiana Islands(POI12)
Distance: 6.4NM Bearing: 152° 3 minutes
Once you pass through the channel, turn south over the open waters of Sitka Sound. Fly over the low lying islands, keeping the larger, hillier Middle Island to your right
Kasiana Islands(POI12) to PASI(PASI)
Distance: 2.11NM Bearing: 117° 1 minutes
Once you pass most of the smaller islands, you should see Sitka Airport sitting on a flat island to your left
Leg 3
Flying from PASI
Leg Distance: 50.19 Approximate time at 125kts: 24 minutes.
PASI(PASI) to Sugarloaf Mountain(POI13)
Distance: 4.09NM Bearing: 97° 2 minutes
After clearing the islands to the south of Sitka Airport, turn east you should see the volcano shaped Sugarloaf Mountain poking out of the water ahead. Pass to the right (south) side of the mountain
Sugarloaf Mountain(POI13) to Bear Cove(POI14)
Distance: 3.15NM Bearing: 77° 2 minutes
Continuing east, you'll enter another small channel with some imposing mountains on the other side. Start climbing as you head for the gap in the mountains and then turn northeast into the narrow valley
Bear Cove(POI14) to Mount Bassie(POI15)
Distance: 3.15NM Bearing: 48° 2 minutes
Continue climbing as you fly towards the mountain pass ahead, and between the two peaks
Mount Bassie(POI15) to Baranof Lake(POI16)
Distance: 8.49NM Bearing: 50° 4 minutes
After the mountain pass, descend as you fly northeast along the valley towards the large lake at its end, Baranof Lake
Baranof Lake(POI16) to Chatham Strait(POI17)
Distance: 11.03NM Bearing: 91° 5 minutes
Once you pass Baranof Lake and emerge from the valley into open water, turn to the right and across to the thin slivers of land that form the southern end of Admiralty Island
Chatham Strait(POI17) to Frederick Sound(POI18)
Distance: 17.18NM Bearing: 79° 8 minutes
Once you pass the series of inlets and islands, continue east across the waters of Frederick Sound towards the western shore of Kupreanof Island
Frederick Sound(POI18) to PAFE(PAFE)
Distance: 3.1NM Bearing: 113° 1 minutes
Turn right upon reaching the shore and the town of Kake with its airport should be ahead, just near the shore
Leg 4
Flying from PAFE
Leg Distance: 35.28 Approximate time at 125kts: 17 minutes.
PAFE(PAFE) to Hamilton Bay(POI19)
Distance: 5.76NM Bearing: 117° 3 minutes
Head southeast along the coast from Kake and you will shortly come to a bay narrowing to a river at its east end
Hamilton Bay(POI19) to Duncan Canal(POI20)
Distance: 13.13NM Bearing: 83° 6 minutes
Following the bay and the river to the east, fly across the lowlands between the hills towards the small lake. From here, turn to the southeast and head for the bay which leads to Duncan Canal
Duncan Canal(POI20) to Duncan Creek(POI21)
Distance: 6.86NM Bearing: 112° 3 minutes
Once you start along the bay, a valley on its left shore will quickly open up to the east. Head down the valley
Duncan Creek(POI21) to PAPG(PAPG)
Distance: 9.53NM Bearing: 64° 5 minutes
Once you pass through the valley, the town of Petersburg and the airport should be visible straight ahead
Leg 5
Flying from PAPG
Leg Distance: 31.44 Approximate time at 125kts: 15 minutes.
PAPG(PAPG) to Horn Cliffs(POI22)
Distance: 8.37NM Bearing: 74° 4 minutes
After takeoff, head east across Frederick Sound to the opposite shore
Horn Cliffs(POI22) to Mallard Slough(POI23)
Distance: 7NM Bearing: 113° 3 minutes
Turn to the southeast and follow the shore. Continue over the small island and then over the marshlands of Mallard Slough
Mallard Slough(POI23) to Dry Island(POI24)
Distance: 4.84NM Bearing: 131° 2 minutes
Turn slightly more south and continue on over the river entrance and then some more river wetlands between the two mountain islands of Dry Island and Farm Island
Dry Island(POI24) to Kadin Island(POI25)
Distance: 8.67NM Bearing: 157° 4 minutes
After you pass between the mountains, turn south and head for the left side of the island that sits in the middle of the bay ahead
Kadin Island(POI25) to PAWG(PAWG)
Distance: 2.56NM Bearing: 104° 1 minutes
As you pass the island, the town of Wrangell will be just to your left, with the airport running along the shoreline
Leg 6
Flying from PAWG
Leg Distance: 68.77 Approximate time at 125kts: 33 minutes.
PAWG(PAWG) to Woronkofski Island(POI26)
Distance: 7.76NM Bearing: 221° 4 minutes
Head southwest from Wrangell across the bay and past the northern end of the large island ahead
Woronkofski Island(POI26) to Stikine Strait(POI27)
Distance: 9.54NM Bearing: 174° 5 minutes
Head south as you round the island and follow Stikine Strait to its southern coast. You should be heading towards a large "W" shaped valley entrance due to the hill at its center. Continue south into the valley
Stikine Strait(POI27) to Mosman Inlet(POI28)
Distance: 10.8NM Bearing: 148° 5 minutes
As the mountains steepen on the sides of the valley, the waters of Mosman Inlet will appear - continue following until the inlet opens out into the bay
Mosman Inlet(POI28) to Luck Lake(POI29)
Distance: 10.67NM Bearing: 203° 5 minutes
Once you enter the bay, turn southwest over the group of small islands and across the bay. You will see another valley ahead with a lake at its center
Luck Lake(POI29) to Luck Creek(POI30)
Distance: 4.38NM Bearing: 180° 2 minutes
Enter the valley and follow the lake as it makes a dog-leg turn to the left. At the end of the lake the valley will fork, take the right fork
Luck Creek(POI30) to Prince of Wales Island(POI31)
Distance: 8.13NM Bearing: 132° 4 minutes
After the fork, there will be another choice of valleys. Ignore the one heading west and fly southeast down the narrower valley
Prince of Wales Island(POI31) to Big Salt Lake(POI32)
Distance: 12.28NM Bearing: 214° 6 minutes
Once you clear the valley, turn to the southwest and across the lowlands to meet the small highway ahead which will lead you to another inlet called Big Salt Lake
Big Salt Lake(POI32) to PAKW(PAKW)
Distance: 5.21NM Bearing: 209° 3 minutes
Just ahead and to the left you should see the airport, just to the other side of a group of hills
Leg 7
Flying from PAKW
Leg Distance: 51.49 Approximate time at 125kts: 25 minutes.
PAKW(PAKW) to Klawock Lake(POI33)
Distance: 11.25NM Bearing: 115° 5 minutes
Head southeast from the airport and fly along the length of Klawock Lake, then follow the road from the lake's end
Klawock Lake(POI33) to Harris River(POI34)
Distance: 6.29NM Bearing: 63° 3 minutes
Turn east where the road forks and follow it as it leads through the small valley alongside the Harris River
Harris River(POI34) to Grindall Island(POI35)
Distance: 17.26NM Bearing: 76° 8 minutes
Where the river empties into the waters of Twelvemile Arm, continue east over the mountain and the lower terrain beyond. Once you're over the water again, head for the outcrop of land ahead, and the small island at its south end
Grindall Island(POI35) to Tongass Narrows(POI36)
Distance: 10.16NM Bearing: 78° 5 minutes
Keep heading east across Clarence Strait, then once you get closer to the coast on the other side you will see the waters of Tongass Narrows to the right. Turn southeast and fly along the right edge of the water
Tongass Narrows(POI36) to PAKT(PAKT)
Distance: 6.53NM Bearing: 118° 3 minutes
Ketchikan Airport is ahead on the right side of the bay, with the town across the water on the left
Leg 8
Flying from PAKT
Leg Distance: 80.87 Approximate time at 125kts: 39 minutes.
PAKT(PAKT) to Mountain Point(POI37)
Distance: 6.81NM Bearing: 108° 3 minutes
After Takeoff, head southeast along the island at the centre of the narrows.
Mountain Point(POI37) to Bold Island(POI38)
Distance: 13.35NM Bearing: 100° 6 minutes
Continue southeast, past the small town of Mountain Point to your left and over the lake filled island of Bold Island. Then continue southeast towards the outcrop of flat land ahead and slightly to the left
Bold Island(POI38) to Revillagigedo Channel(POI39)
Distance: 8.99NM Bearing: 122° 4 minutes
Continue southeast across the water to towards the coastline ahead
Revillagigedo Channel(POI39) to Cape Fox(POI40)
Distance: 19.09NM Bearing: 146° 9 minutes
Follow the flat coastal area south to its southern most point of Cape Fox
Cape Fox(POI40) to Dundas Island(POI41)
Distance: 9.89NM Bearing: 138° 5 minutes
From Cape Fox, turn slight south and head across the water to the tip of Dundas Island, the large island to the south
Dundas Island(POI41) to CYPR(CYPR)
Distance: 22.74NM Bearing: 133° 11 minutes
After reaching Dundas Island, turn slightly back to the left and head across the bay where you should soon make out the town of Prince Rupert ahead, with the airport sitting on the outer edge of the large island to it's west
Leg 9
Flying from CYPR
Leg Distance: 74.97 Approximate time at 125kts: 36 minutes.
CYPR(CYPR) to Lelu Island(POI42)
Distance: 7.76NM Bearing: 117° 4 minutes
Head southeast from Prince Rupert and you will shortly pass the industrial area and shipping terminal of Port Edward. Just after there, still continuing southeast, you will see the Inverness Passage cutting its way between the mountains
Lelu Island(POI42) to Skeena River(POI43)
Distance: 8.34NM Bearing: 101° 4 minutes
Once you pass through Inverness Passage you will enter a larger bay which is the head of the Skeena River. Turn left and follow it northeast
Skeena River(POI43) to Skeena River(POI44)
Distance: 10.08NM Bearing: 37° 5 minutes
Follow the wide river valley northeast
Skeena River(POI44) to Skeena River(POI45)
Distance: 8.37NM Bearing: 91° 4 minutes
Continue along the river as it turns to the east
Skeena River(POI45) to Skeena River(POI46)
Distance: 14.95NM Bearing: 38° 7 minutes
The river will turn to the northeast as it narrows
Skeena River(POI46) to CYXT(CYXT)
Distance: 25.47NM Bearing: 53° 12 minutes
The river will continue winding its way through the valley northeast, eventually opening out before the town of Terrace. The airport is just to the south of the town
Leg 10
Flying from CYXT
Leg Distance: 64.02 Approximate time at 125kts: 31 minutes.
CYXT(CYXT) to Zymoetz River(POI47)
Distance: 5.64NM Bearing: 19° 3 minutes
After takeoff, meet up with the river north of the airport and follow it northeast where it will head back into a valley. As you pass the first mountain to your right, a smaller river valley will lead to the east. Turn right into this valley and follow the smaller Zymoetz River
Zymoetz River(POI47) to Zymoetz River(POI48)
Distance: 16.16NM Bearing: 91° 8 minutes
Keep following the river as it twists southeast through the valley. There should also be a power line clearing following the valley
Zymoetz River(POI48) to Zymoetz River(POI49)
Distance: 4.06NM Bearing: 54° 2 minutes
Continue along the river as it turns to the northeast and heads towards the larger mountains
Zymoetz River(POI49) to Limonite Creek(POI50)
Distance: 3.49NM Bearing: 10° 2 minutes
The river will turn sharply north. Follow it briefly until you see a smaller creek (and the powerlines) heading through a steep valley to the east. Turn right through the valley
Limonite Creek(POI50) to Telkwa River(POI51)
Distance: 14.31NM Bearing: 52° 7 minutes
Follow the creek through the valley where it will pass through a couple of lakes before the valley opens out and follows the Telkwa River, heading northeast
Telkwa River(POI51) to Telkwa River(POI52)
Distance: 6.92NM Bearing: 67° 3 minutes
Keep following the river (or the powerlines) until they cross paths where the land flattens out more
Telkwa River(POI52) to Smithers(POI53)
Distance: 10.46NM Bearing: 10° 5 minutes
From the intersection of the river and the powerlines, you can now turn northeast directly towards the town of Smithers, as the land between has lowered in elevation
Smithers(POI53) to CYYD(CYYD)
Distance: 2.98NM Bearing: 333° 1 minutes
Head north from the town and the airport is just a couple of miles ahead
Leg 11
Flying from CYYD
Leg Distance: 59.14 Approximate time at 125kts: 28 minutes.
CYYD(CYYD) to Babine Mountains(POI54)
Distance: 13.74NM Bearing: 73° 7 minutes
Heading east from Smithers Airport, you will be heading towards the southern peaks of the Babine Mountains. Gain enough altitude to negotiate your way through these, after which you can descend to meet and then follow the highway heading northeast
Babine Mountains(POI54) to Babine Lake(POI55)
Distance: 21.61NM Bearing: 41° 10 minutes
The highway will take you past the south edge of Chapman lake before heading towards some hills in the distance. As the road turns away, continue over the hills and towards the large quarry at the other side of the much larger Babine Lake.
Babine Lake(POI55) to Takla Lake(POI56)
Distance: 19.34NM Bearing: 47° 9 minutes
From the quarry you should see a smaller L-shaped lake ahead. Follow the lake as it points the way east to the larger Takla Lake
Takla Lake(POI56) to CAH5(CAH5)
Distance: 4.45NM Bearing: 91° 2 minutes
Once you reach the Y-shaped Takla lake, you may see a small airstrip ahead at the join in the Y, but turn southeast and head across to the lake's far shore where it will shortly lead us to the larger Leo Creek airstrip
Leg 12
Flying from CAH5
Leg Distance: 63.87 Approximate time at 125kts: 31 minutes.
CAH5(CAH5) to Trembleur Lake(POI57)
Distance: 24.34NM Bearing: 114° 12 minutes
Head southeast along the length of the lake, where it will soon narrow into a river. Follow the river southeast until it reaches the large Trembleur Lake
Trembleur Lake(POI57) to Stuart Lake(POI58)
Distance: 18.17NM Bearing: 119° 9 minutes
Looking southeast across the lake's opposite shore, you will see another river continuing the journey in the same direction towards the next large lake, Stuart Lake
Stuart Lake(POI58) to CYJM(CYJM)
Distance: 21.36NM Bearing: 114° 10 minutes
Continue southeast along the length of Stuart Lake where it will end at the town of Fort St James. Another river will lead south from the town and towards the airport, a couple of miles from the lake's southern shore