Skagway -Taiya River Rafting

We found ourselves back at the Taiya River at the end of our hike.  Drake, our tour guide, now became our raft pilot.  We floated down the river to where we started.

Again, we were outfitted with rubber boots and life jackets.  After Drake checked that our life jackets were fitted properly, we got into the raft and started our float.

We were promised “No White Water” and I was encouraged to keep my camera out for photos along the way.  Although most times the trip is uneventful, we were given directions on how to help keep the raft right-side-up.  When told “Hold On” we were to grab the ropes behind us an lean toward the center of the raft.  Should the raft get stuck on something and have one side rise up out of the water, we were told “High Side” and we were all supposed to move to the high side of the raft.  Fortunately we didn’t need that one.

This eagle’s nest was unoccupied as we floated by.

The next few photos are just views of the mountains and clouds along the river.

The mountain in this photo is supposed to be a reclined woman.  Her face is somewhat obscured by the clouds, but you can just make out her nose and chin.

The float went much quicker than the hike and was over before we knew it.  It was such beautiful rugged scenery.

Here we are at the water’s edge with the raft.

Several of us were asked to help get the raft out of the water and onto the trailer.

There was a beautiful Steller’s Jay that flew from tree to tree on shore.  Its plumage was a beautiful shade of blue, especially when it flew.

Fireweed is a plant that among the first to grow in areas of freshly cleared or burned forest areas, hence the name, fireweed.  Fireweed grows as long as there is open space and plenty of light, but is eventually crowded out as trees and brush grow.

One last look at the mountains from the river.

So, this concludes our time in Skagway.  Next stop, Glacier Bay.

Mark