Active Pursuits

Eagle Viewing

Haines is probably the best place on Earth to see bald eagles. The Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve protects 48,000 acres of river bottom along the Chilkat River. From October to mid-December, peaking around Thanksgiving, up to 3,000 eagles gather in the cottonwood trees (also known as western poplar) on a small section of the river, a phenomenon known as the Fall Congregation. (A healthy 200-400 are resident the rest of the year.) The eagles come for easy winter food: A very late salmon run spawns here into December in a 5-mile stretch of open water known as the Council Grounds. During the Congregation, dozens of eagles stand in each of the gnarled, leafless cottonwoods on the riverbanks, occasionally diving for a fish. The best places to see them are pull-outs, paths, and viewing areas along the Haines Highway from miles 18 to 21. Don't walk on the flats, as that disturbs the eagles. The preserve is managed by Alaska State Parks (www.alaskastateparks.org, click on "Individual Parks"). Contact the local ranger at tel. 907/766-2292; the headquarters is at 400 Willoughby, 3rd Floor, Juneau, AK 99801.

Cruise passengers often see the river on noisy, high-powered jet boats, which environmentalists maintain are damaging the preserve; if you want a more sensitive way of visiting the eagles, many options are available. Local guides offer trips by raft, bicycle, or bus. Most tours happen in the summer, when the eagles are fewer but visitors more numerous. Chilkat Guides, based at 1 Mile Haines Hwy. along Sawmill Road (tel. 888/292-7789 or 907/766-2491; www.raftalaska.com), does a rafting trip several times a day during the summer down the Chilkat to watch the eagles. The water is gentle -- if it's too low, there's a chance you'll be asked to get out and push -- and you'll see lots of eagles, mostly at a distance. The 3 1/2-hour trip, with a snack, costs $89 for adults, $62 for children ages 7 to 12. Serious bird-watchers and others who want an in-depth tour should join Alaska Nature Tours (tel. 907/766-2876; www.alaskanaturetours.net), whose naturalists lead 3-hour wildlife-viewing tours by bus for $65 year-round. The company also offers longer tours, including all-day guided hikes, for $115, and cross-country skiing in and around the preserve. Sockeye Cycle, directly below, visits the eagle preserve on tours, too.

Biking

Sockeye Cycle, at 24 Portage St., near the dock (tel. 907/766-2869; www.cyclealaska.com), leads a variety of guided trips -- a couple of hours, half or full day, or even a 10-day trek along gold-rush routes. A 3-hour ride costs $75 and could include various sites around town. Or you can rent your own bicycle for $35 a day. The area is quite conducive to biking.

Fishing

There are several charter operators in Haines for halibut and salmon fishing, and guided freshwater fishing for silver or sockeye salmon, Dolly Varden, and cutthroat trout. The Haines Convention and Visitors Bureau, 2nd Street near Willard (P.O. Box 530), Haines, AK 99827 (tel. 800/458-3579 or 907/766-2234; www.haines.ak.us), can help you find a guide or fishing lodge through the links on their website or the list of operators they keep at the office. For self-guided fishing advice and weekly updates of what's running, contact the local office of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (tel. 907/766-2625; www.alaska.gov/adfg, click on "Sport Fish," then the Southeast region on the state map).

Flightseeing

This is one of Alaska's best places to go flightseeing. The Inside Passage is beautiful, and one mountain away is Glacier Bay National Park; the ice field and the glaciers spilling through to the sea are a sight you won't forget. It's possible to land on an immense glacial ice field and see the sun slicing between the craggy peaks. Alaska Mountain Flying and Travel, 132 2nd Ave. (tel. 800/954-8747 or 907/766-3007; www.flyglacierbay.com), offers these flights -- or, as owner Paul Swanstrom says, adventures. He is known for his glacier and beach landings and offers commentary to make flights fully guided experiences. Prices range from $149 to $499 per person, and reservations are recommended. Other flight services offer these tours, too; ask at the visitor center.

Hiking

There are several good trails near Haines, ranging from an easy beach walk to a 10-mile, 3,650-foot climb of Mount Ripinsky, north of town. (It starts at the top of Young St.) Get the Haines Is for Hikers trail guide from the visitors' bureau. The easiest for families is the 2-mile Battery Point Trail, which goes along a beach decorated with wild iris. The trail starts at the end of Beach Road, which leads southeast from the Port Chilkoot cruise ship dock. Mount Riley is south of town, with three trail routes to a 1,760-foot summit that features great views and feels much higher than it is; get the trail guide or ask directions to one of the trail heads. Seduction Point Trail is 7 miles long, starting at Chilkat State Park at the end of Mud Bay Road south of town and leading to the end of the Chilkat Peninsula. It's a beach walk, so check the tides; they'll give you a tide table at the visitors bureau. For a guided hike, rock climbing, or even a multiday glacier trek, check with Alaska Mountain Guides, directly below. Their mountaineering programs cost $180 per day.

Sea Kayaking

Alaska Mountain Guides (tel. 800/766-3396 or 907/766-2100; www.alaskamountainguides.com) offers instruction, short guided trips, longer expeditions, and rentals ($50 a day for a single). A half-day guided paddle is $85, including a snack; a full day, including lunch, is $125.