Walk 1/3 Skagit River Eagles Boat Tour
Saturday, January 3, 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM
minimal mileage and elevation gain.
Meet at Everett Station Park & Ride Lot --
A
Join us for the unforgettable experience of drifting down the Skagit River during the peak of the winter eagle migration season. We will float down a 9-mile stretch of the river from Marblemount to Rockport in special drift boats with an experienced and knowledgeable guide from Skagit Eagle Tours. Tours spend about 2 hours or so on the river and usually see at least 50 eagles, and sometimes over 100. The boats are equipped with space heaters to take the chill off, and the guide does all the paddling and steering. You just have to dress warmly, sit back, and enjoy the sights of one of the most scenic places in the country. Our tour will run from about 9:45 to 12:45, after which we'll head to Concrete to warm up with lunch at the 5B's Bakery. Deadline for registering will be December 20. Any cancellations before January 1 will receive an 80% refund.
Expected Conditions:
It appears that Highway 20 leading to Rockport and Marblemount HAS survived the flooding, so the access to this trip will be open. There's very little walking on this trip, but you will be getting in and out of the boat on a rocky/gravelly shoreline, and may have to step in a little water. The tour company will drive us all (in their vans) from Howard Miller Park in Rockport (the end of the float trip) upriver to the Marblemount Boat Launch near the Cascade River Road Bridge (the beginning of the float trip). We'll cover about 9 miles on the river, which is rated as mostly class 1 with occasional class 2. This is NOT whitewater rafting, it's a gentle float. You don't paddle. The guide has oars and does all the steering. They'll have PFD's for everybody to wear in the boat.
Other Considerations:
You will be sitting in an open boat for two hours or more on this trip. There are propane space heaters near your feet, but don't expect them to keep more than your legs and feet warm (if they work). The trip runs rain or shine, so dress for comfort out in the weather. You're not going to be exerting yourself, so dress VERY WARMLY. No umbrellas allowed-- it interferes with other people's viewing of the birds. Rain jacket and pants are needed for wet weather. Do not use a poncho or wear anything real loose-- it can be a hazard with the space heaters. When I did it a couple years ago, I do remeber getting a little bit of splashing water in the boat, but nothing really bad. Binoculars may be good to have for spotting the birds. Be extra careful with your phones on the boat.
It's not necessary to take a pack on the boat. Eat a snack before we go, and stick a small water bottle in your pocket if you think you'll need it. When we unload at Rockport at the end of the tour, we'll drive (back in my van) about 15 minutes to Concrete to the 5B's Bakery.
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