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Skagit Eagle Watch (I)

Description: During the winter months, migrating Eagles from Alaska, Canada, and the San Juan Islands come south to the Skagit River to feed on the spawning salmon. These salmon are the primary source of food for the migrating Eagles. Each year, from mid-December to early February the Skagit River has the largest concentration of Bald Eagles. From your raft you be able to watch and photograph these magnificent birds in their natural surroundings.

The Skagit River between the Marblemount bridge and Rockport's Howard Miller Steelhead Park covers 10 miles of Class I (flat) water. The river level is regulated by dams (Seattle City Light's Ross, Diablo, and Gorge). Water level generally drops on the weekends when the power demand drops.

Because this is a winter trip, participants should come equipped for all possible weather conditions - wind, rain, and snow, and hope for sunshine. Wetsuits are not needed. Just dress warmly.

Directions: Allow 2 1/4 hours from Seattle. Take I-5 north of Mount Vernon. Take exit for North Cascades Highway 20 East to Marblemount. Alternatively, take WA-530 thru Darrington, which ties into WA-20 at Rockport (the take-out).

Want to know more about Eagles? Try DownStream River Runners or American Bald Eagle Information

Last Update 6-Feb-04