Just rocks and water flowing down hill...

We think the rivers of the North Cascades are pretty interesting places, and we are continually trying to learn as much as we can about them. Whether its human history, wildlife or geology, we are always looking for good sources of information about our environment. We each have our favorite topics, and for me, it is geology. From glaciers to volcanoes, there is quite a lot going on around here. In order to learn more about the geology of the Nooksack river and Mt. Baker, I invited volcano researcher and Mt. Baker expert Dave Tucker to join us for a float. Dave has a very interesting and helpful website http://nwgeology.wordpress.com/ that has been great resource for me.

Dave Tucker talks about the geology along the Nooksack River - Credit John Scurlock

Dave brought along his friends Scott, Russ and John and we all had a great trip floating down the section of the Nooksack where we do our scenic float trips. We learned about a Lahars that came off of Mt. Baker and flowed down the Middle Fork of the Nooksack, glacial deposits exposed in the high banks along the river and fossil rich outcrops of Chuckanut Formation rocks.

A beautiful view along the Nooksack - Credit John Scurlock

Dave's friend John Scurlock is a well known photographer and pilot who has recently published a book called Snow & Spire: Flights to Winter in the North Cascade Range. While John is more known for his aerial photographs, we were lucky he brought his camera along for some great river level photos. More of John's photos can be seen at http://www.pbase.com/nolock

Thanks Dave, Russ, Scott and John for sharing your knowledge and joining us for a scenic float trip on the Nooksack River.  

from the left: John, Dave, me, Russ and Scott

If you would like to learn more about the Geology along the Nooksack river you should read Dave's blog. If you would like to see some really neat geology and have a great, relaxing time doing it, come float the river with us. www.adventurecascades.com

Thanks for reading,

Brian

Bald Eagle Days

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

“Uncommon. Usually seen near lakes, rivers, and coasts where prey is abundant and prominent trees afford nest sites and unobstructed view of surroundings. Usually solitary, but may gather in groups at prime locations such as salmon runs or waterfowl staging areas.” –David Allen Sibley

Walking down to the river, on the last day of 2012, we slid the boats into the edge of the Nooksack and glanced to the sky. Eagles already soaring high and watching us from trees above, they were all but uncommon on our sunny New Years Eve float. The snow slowed and the clouds were breaking as sunshine poured through the openings.  Before we pushed off it had become a blue-sky day, the kind that allows for perfect Bald Eagle sightings. Winter boating at it's best.

Bend after bend in the river we saw more and more majestic creatures soaring past us while we floated.  Solitary they were not, not today. Never have I seen more Bald Eagles then when floating down the river in January (well technically Dec. 31^st)! I can attest, watching those broad winged birds never loses it’s excitement.

Soaring over the river a team of Baldies tease a seagull whose catch is a mighty fine looking trout. The seagull holds his own for a while but alas, the Bald Eagle, who would rather not do his own fishing, teases the fish from the gull. Unfortunately, both come up empty handed and the Eagles will have to wait patiently for the next fisher to come along and harass.

Mergansers float by, Mallards and Teals flap fiercely through the crisp air.  All the worries of 2012, roll down river with our big green boat, and you can feel the contentment and genuine happiness from boat to boat. Cheers 2012, here’s to another great year on the water! 

-Kristi

Sauk River Volunteer Adventure

Early Saturday morning we loaded our gear bags, dogs and mugs full of coffee into the car and headed off to the Sauk river for some volunteering and rafting.  Before we left Bellingham we had to fuel up with delicious breakfast sandwiches.  "You all headed up to the mountain?" Inquired the cook. "Nope off to the river!" We exclaimed with grins hanging from our sleepy faces and off we went.  

Pulling into Whitechuck boat ramp the clouds started to lift and the rain kept to a quite drizzle.  We went right to work shoveling and racking out clogged drainage systems.  Dogs at our heals eager to help out where needed and greet new visitors to the area. We filled bags of trash, trimmed overgrowth that had flowed into parking spaces, racked leaves, and devoured a delicious bowl of hot chowder and corn bread.  Spirits high from our hard work and bellies full from a warm meal we knew there was only one thing left to get done, go rafting!

Dedicating the day to new friends and new adventures, we decided to float a new section of the river to keep with flow. At the 530 bridge we launched our boat and boom! Right away we saw two giant Salmon dancing across the water.  Breathing in the cool crisp air we couldn’t have been a happier group of boaters.  Especially being that we were able to take two people on their first ever river rafting trip. Throughout the float I found myself trying to keep track of how many bald eagles we encountered but I lost track after 13 or so. I never felt any less amazed as they continued gracing us with their enormous wingspan and intelligent gaze. The color of the water against fall colors and painted snow capped mountains made the extra layers we were wearing well worth the gorgeous float.  Best of all, I didn’t even get my feet wet.

 

Thank you new friends for a great day. And, thank you Martha from Darrington Friends for Public Use for providing us with tools to clean the Whitechuck boat ramp.  We’ll be back again soon!

Catch you on our next adventure!
-Kristi