Last time we were here in 2011 our boat was hit by a seaplane (minor damage, no injuries), so we were hoping for a less "eventful" visit this year, and we got it! Sunny, warm and more spectacular scenery than we remembered.
We passed thru Malibu Rapids, which can run 10 knots at peak flow, at slack tide, very peacefully.
Water is up to 2,000 feet deep in this narrow 4-mile channel, and mountains rise steeply to 3,000+ feet, with snow on the peaks creating gorgeous waterfalls everywhere this time of year. Chatterbox Falls flows at the terminus of the inlet. 
On arrival we discovered the adjacent boat at the dock was "Gray Hawk" with Bob and Marilyn from Saskstchewan aboard their 42' DeFever. We first met them and shared dinner 2 years ago in LaConnor, WA. Happy hour with 13 on the dock followed.
The second day we hiked 1800' of elevation gain up a steep, rocky, heavily rooted trail to the remnants of Trapper's cabin where another waterfall and the view down to the Inlet were spectacular (and yes, sore muscles to show for it today).
That evening two people wandered down the dock and stopped to chat, and we eventually figured out they were Jim and Lisa Favors from Michigan, a couple we first met in 2012 at Rogersville, Alabama shortly before we finished The Great Loop journey. They trailer their 27-foot Ranger Tug all over the country and are spending the whole summer in this area. 
This morning the alarm went off at 5am so we could travel to Malibu Rapids in time to catch the 6am outbound slack tide. Gorgeous views continued and conditions were kind all the way to Lund, the gateway to Desolation Sound (where we'll spend a week in August with Cathryn's sister and brother-in-law aboard.) We're happy and well!
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