Spring time in Haines has finally gotten a grasp and pushed old man winter out of the way.  The record breaking snows are finally over and it's time to open the River Adventures Dock for the 22nd summer season. 

Duck and Karen Hess decided to give up their day jobs 22 years ago and do what they love best, take guests on an adventure up the mighty Chilkat River.  The first three years into the business they took small groups of independent travelers upriver on the tour from a dock just down river from where they are now.  In their fourth season a cruise line picked them up as a tour for the ship's guests, shortly thereafter they purchased 3.2 acres of land at twenty four mile on the Haines Highway where the docks are presently located. They harbor three thirty two foot jet boats that can carry twenty four people each and a smaller boat that carries up to sixteen.  Guests are picked up at the cruise ship dock in Haines and taken by bus to the docks to begin their journey.

Moose calf along the river

The Chilkat River runs through part of the 48,000 acres set aside for the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve in 1982 by the State of Alaska.  In late fall Bald Eagle's begin gathering in the preserve by the hundreds to feast on the late salmon runs and the spawned out salmon that are scattered along the river's banks.  An alluvial fan along the river's west shore near the village of Klukwan releases warmer water into the Chilkat which keeps it from freezing, allowing for a longer feeding season for the eagles.  The area's habitat is also home to many different species of animals including; bears, moose, wolves, mountain goat, river otters, and trumpeter swans.