Guided Eagle Viewing

 

  • Guided Excursions to the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve, twice daily
  • A Park Ranger is frequently on-site in the Preserve to answer your questions.
Four eagles on Chilkat River
Five eagles fight for position on Chilkat River in the preserve. © William G. McRoberts

Join a naturalist Bus Driver  for a narrated 21-mile journey up the Chilkat River to the "Eagle Council Grounds" in the heart of the Bald Eagle Preserve north of Haines. This is a unique area where a special underground reservoir in an alluvial fan keeps a mile-long stretch of the Chilkat River ice-free providing access to the unique winter run of spawning salmon when food supplies are exhausted elsewhere. Your drivers enjoy sharing their knowledge of the area's rich natural and cultural history. Questions are encouraged

 

 

Six eagles share a tree in the preserve
© William G. McRoberts

                  

      DURATION: 3 hours including bus ride. Participants who are prepared for the weather can arrange with their guide to stay through lunch in the Preserve for a total of 7 hours, and return on the afternoon bus to town. Make sure to arrange this with your guide ahead of time. During the last three festivals the local brown bears were still at large and had not gone to their winter dens yet. Cell phones do not work from the Preserve.

 

ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderate. 2 miles of level trails, viewing areas and boardwalks. Participants should be in good health and able to walk for sustained periods outdoors.

DRESS: Dress for the weather, with warm layered clothing, waterproof shell, warm boots, gloves, or mittens.

BRING: Cameras, extra memory cards, film and batteries, binoculars, and a snack. Heat packs extend battery life on cold days. Will be at the preserve approx 3 or 7 hours,if you chose so please make sure you take something along to eat and drink.

COST: Included in your festival registration.

WEATHER: It's not nearly as cold as you might think! Just 21 miles from the ocean you can expect everything from 40 F, cloudy and rainy, to 20 F with three feet of snow , to 0 F with clear skies. At this latitude and time of year the sun rises at 8:30 AM and sets around 3:00 PM.