Chilkat Valley Scenic Drive
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Port
Haines (Skagway), Alaska, US
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Activity Level
Easy
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$99.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
2¼ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Haines, Alaska is where two important rivers, the Chilkat and Chilkoot, meet the sea. This small town (2,500 residents) is located on a peninsula flanked by mountain ranges and these two glacial-fed rivers. This 2.25 hour small-group tour (14 guests maximum) provides a chance to get to know both of these important rivers.
Start with a short drive through Historic Ft. Seward and make our way to the Pyramid Island Lookout. This wide delta is where the braided Chilkat River drops tons of glacial silt every day into the ocean. We’ll continue along the edge of the salt water to the Letnikof Cove Cannery Lookout. Here, the Rainbow Glacier and Chilkat Mountains provide a stunning backdrop to the red buildings of this historic salmon cannery.
Retrace your steps back towards downtown Haines and travel in the opposite direction to the mouth of the Chilkoot River. The road winds along the salt water. We’ll keep our eyes open for birds like surf scoters and marine mammals like harbor seals. Our next stop is where the Chilkoot River flows into the sea. This is a peaceful location where “all things Alaskan” come together- the river, the ocean, the mountains and the forest. Bald eagles are often spotted here soaring and calling to each other above the spruce trees.
Return to Haines with a final stop at Picture Point, where you can photograph your ship with the iconic white buildings of Historic Ft. Seward in the foreground and the gleaming Chilkat Mountain as their backdrop.