Bald Eagle Float Tours

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As winter settles into the North Cascades, hundreds of Bald Eagles from Canada and Alaska to their winter feeding grounds along the Skagit and Sauk Rivers. This ideal area is a seasonal home for one of the largest concentrations of wintering Bald Eagles within the ‘Lower 48 States’. The upper Skagit Rivershed provides an environment to suit their taste, a place to find plentiful food and clean water. The river offers spawned out salmon for them to eat, gravel bars where they can feed all winter, tall cottonwood, maple and fir trees where they can perch and roost. The best time to see the most eagles is December through February. Every year, since 1976, we have conducted Bald Eagle Float Tours to observe and photograph these magnificent birds in their natural surroundings.

The Skagit Rivershed comprises many tributaries from it’s origins in Manning Provincial Park in British Columbia to it’s estuary in Puget Sound. The Skagit Valley is also home to many other species of flora and fauna that can be seen year around. We follow the seasonal rhythms of plants and wildlife on all the different sections of the Skagit River Basin. Every weekend throughout the year, Chinook Expeditions leads a variety of wildlife viewing and natural history trips and seminars on the Skagit River and it’s main tributaries. We invite you to join us this season and share the excitement of seeing the awe inspiring Bald Eagles up close and drift down one of North America’s great rivers through the magical landscape of the Skagit River Valley.

THE BALD EAGLE FLOAT TOUR is a professionally guided, four to five hour leisurely raft trip down the Skagit River through the Bald Eagle Wildlife Reserve. We’ll drift serenely about 10 river miles, down the clear emerald green water that flows between the historic towns of Marblemount located in the foothills of the North Cascades. These Chinook Expeditions are interpreted by myself along with other select, professional guides. We’ll show you the hidden backwaters and explore places seldom seen by other people. Our long tradition of old fashioned hospitality, along with our knowledge and enthusiasm for the Skagit Valley’s natural history will enhance this unique and memorable experience.

Our custom designed 14-16 foot inflatable river rafts allow you to ride in comfort and safety as we float down the river. You’ll be able to photograph and observe the eagles, hold a steaming cup of your favorite hot beverage and enjoy the quiet sounds and passing scenery. Along the way we stop for our legendary ‘Riverside Chili and Corn Bread Lunch' served with chips and salsa, fruit, dessert, Hot Spiced Cider and Hot Chocolate around a warm campfire. On all of our trips we provide all the necessary safety equipment, waterproof bags and dry boxes for your personal gear ( like extra clothes or camera gear) and do our best to accommodate any special requests or personal needs.

WWW.Chinookexpeditions.com river map provides detail info, water levels, and photo gallery.

What TO WEAR:

Rain Gear is important to bring. Hopefully we won’t need it. Waterproof boots or hiking shoes to keep your feet warm and dry, couple pair of wool socks, long underwear, warm sweater or fleece, thick pants, winter coat, hat, gloves. Bring a change of clothes to leave in your car for after the trip. We won’t get splashed but we might get rained on.

Be prepared for changing weather.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Marblemount is 48 miles east of Burlington on the North Cascades Highway 20. Allow 2.5 hours driving time from the Seattle area and for winter road conditions. DJ’s Shell is at Milepost 106. It is a good idea to bring a Washington State Road Map

BOOKING AND INFORMATION:

To reserve your trip, call us any time, days or evenings, at 1-800-241-3451

Or 360-793-3451.

Reservations require a 50% deposit, and balance is due one week prior to departure unless other arrangements are made. We take Visa and Master Cards.

If you need to cancel your trip, we will ‘rain check’ you for another day or refund all but 20 % of the deposit, however, a notice of less than 24 hours will receive no refund. We reserve the right to change or cancel a trip due to unsafe river conditions and will reschedule you or refund all fees. Please note that although gray clouds may swirl in from the Pacific, rain and forecasts are not a good reason to cancel a tour. In fact we find that rain or snow often adds a certain mystique to the Skagit Valley.

trip Rates :

One Day Float Tour $85.00 Per Person

Custom Two Day Trip $285.00 Per Person

Groups & Senior Citizens $75.00 Per person

Kids under 12 $56.00 Per person

Hit Counter

BALD EAGLE FLOAT TOURS DEPART

at 11:00AM. Guests scheduled for a trip, check in at 10:00AM at our rendezvous site in Marblemount. We meet at DJ’s Shell Gas & Grocery (360-873-2411). There are restrooms and last minute items available at the store. After our check-in and brief orientation, a short walk will take us to our launch point. The trip concludes at Howard Miller Park in Rockport about 3:00PM. From there, we will provide transportation back to your vehicles in Marblemount.

RECOMMENDED ITEMS

TO BRING:

Camera, extra film and batteries, binoculars, video camera, thermos with your favorite hot beverage, hand warmer packets, small bag to put your stuff in.