In Reply to: Re: Fort Ross cove posted by Chris on December 14, 2006 at 21:51:44:

There is actually 2 coves, a north and a south cove. There is a small point jutting out that separates the two coves and the Pamona wreck is laying off a wash rock that is an extension of that point. I'd call it a mini pinnacle actually.
To get to the north cove you park in the regular parking lot as close to the ocean as possible and hike down the road to where you will see an overlook where yo can view the north cove. You will see a trail going down and it's a fairly good climb. People have taken scuba gear down there but it's a chore to get it back up. The north cove is very protected and calm but shallow throughout and vis is not always that good. There is a big seal haul out there and because of this there have been a few GWS sightings and close encounters there.
The south cove is a sandy beach entry and you can actally drive down to the beach to unload your stuff but you can't leave your vehicle down there. You must park it in the lot and walk back down to the beach (through the fort). You use the same road as yopu do the north cove.
The south cove would be the entry you'd want if you wanted to check out the wreck. There are some big ass lings on that wreck and also some trophy abs underneath some of the planking and around the boilers. Vis normally sucks though. The reason those guys had good vis that day was because it was a calm day late in the season when the green water cleared up.