Bald Eagle

Once driven to near extinction due to DDT poisoning, the bald eagle has become a common sight on our river trips. Watch for the distinctive white head and tail feathers as it roosts above the river in old-growth trees.

Great Blue Heron

This large blue-grey wading bird is the largest of the herons. It can be seen standing perfectly still in shallow water hunting its preferred meal: small fish, or flying gracefully on its broad wings to its tree-top nest.

Canyon Wren

Found throughout the dry mountain country and canyons of western North America, the Canyon Wren lives near rivers where it can feed on insects and spiders. It has a distinctive song made up of loud, musical whistles.

Belted Kingfisher

The Belted Kingfisher is easily identifiable by its ruffled blue crest feathers and long beak. Look for the kingfisher sitting atop ‘watchposts’ hunting for fish, insects and amphibians. The birds nest in tunnels along the river bank.

Osprey

Smaller than the bald eagle, the osprey (or fish eagle) is an accomplished fisher and will dive from great heights to catch its prey. Listen for its distinctive, loud, repetitive chirp as it guards its tree-top nest.

Common Merganser

A large diving duck, the Common Merganser is often found along rivers in Western North America. Adept swimmers, Common Mergansers are one of the few birds to swim
through rapids.

In the heart of canyon country, you’ll find Moab, a no-frills town that caters to adrenaline junkies and adventure seekers. Only have a day? Here’s the ultimate one-day itinerary:

7am Fuel up with homemade fare and healthy portions from the funky Eklecticafe (352 N Main St.). Then hit the trails.

8am Moab is known as the mountain biking Mecca. There are trails for all skill levels, but seasoned riders will want to ride the famous Slickrock Trail, a challenging 10.6-mile loop (located off of Sand Flats Road). Rent a bike or sign up for a guided bike tour through Dreamride.

12pm After breaking a sweat, grab some lunch . Not much has changed since this classic diner’s opening in 1954, but Milt’s Stop & Eat (356 Millcreek Dr.) is where to go for the best burger in town. What to order if your stomach can handle it: The Chili Cheeseburger and a banana malt.

2pm Walk off your lunch at Arches National Park Depending upon how much energy you have left, consider taking an O.A.R.S. 4×4 backcountry tour of Arches for just $99/person. You will have the option of a couple of hikes to the iconic Delicate Arch and your guide will take you to the perfect spot to catch the sunset. Set among spectacular rock formations, the dramatic sky show will be a wonderful ending to an action-packed day.

8pm Go where the guides go: If you’re looking for a light dinner or something other than cheeseburgers and milkshakes try the White Rim Roll at Sabaku Sushi (90 E Center St.). This hip spot will blow you away with its fresh fish creations in the middle of the desert.

10pm Still going? Grab a stool at Woody ’s Tavern (221 S Main St.). Live music on Friday and Saturday nights.

Lodge at Chilko Lake: An upscale private residence in British Columbia’s historic ranch country at the head of the Chilko River. Overlooking the river valley and picturesque mountaintops, the main lodge is a formidable log structure manufactured from local timber and is the focal point for meals, cocktails and socializing. It has wireless Internet, a big screen television (if you must), and comfortable lounge chairs in the main dining room.  The upper level is a luxurious suite with an impressive king bedroom, sitting area and grand bathroom complete with double headed showers. The ground floor has a bar and lounge, game room and access to the popular fire pit area. The cabins feature fine craftsmanship, comfortable furnishings and a magnificent collection of antiques and collectibles. The ranch is perched closely to Ts’yl-os Provincial Park, the prize jewel of the British Columbia park system. This slice of paradise is also our home base for our 5-day Lodge at Chilko Lake Multi-Sport. Other than rafting, this tour includes: kayaking, hiking, bike riding and fishing, with additional options to go horseback riding or heli-hiking at 7,000 – 9,000 feet above sea level.

Lillaskog Lodge:  A classic mountain house that makes you feel happily stranded in the woods. Located thirty minutes outside of Yosemite National Park in northern California, Lillaskog Lodge offers complimentary breakfast each morning for their guests, fresh eggs from their chickens and homemade bread. This rustic lodge is minutes away from where O.A.R.S. meets for their Tuolumne River trips, and rests on top of a hill above a prime fishing spot accessible only by a covert trail. In 1980, a wildfire crawled across the hillside; subsequently, sapling trees sprouted in its wake the day owner Bill Charlson purchased the property. He built the rustic lodge and appropriately named it Lillaskog, which is German for, ‘small forest.’ Today it’s a two-story log cabin with wood-burning natural heat ventilation, and a common room complete with a fireplace, TV & book collection, and even a grand piano. The deck looks out over the Sierra backcountry just east of the town of Groveland. With over seven rooms uniquely named to match local fames like Tioga, El Capitan or Bridalveil, there’s no denying this place its unique character.

Farewell Harbour Resort: Features six private coastal cabins with an outdoor hot tub and fantastic views. Spanning the waterfront over half-mile in diameter, Farewell Harbour is situated on 50 acres in a prime orca viewing location. Similar to the Lodge at Chilko Lake, Farewell is also a private “invite only” retreat. Fishing can be organized at either location by request. The accommodations are situated in the heart of the archipelago and pose as an excellent springboard to amazing scenery and inter-tidal wildlife. The outpost features eight concealed cabins with private bathrooms and a seaside dining room and lounge. This lodge is featured in our Johnstone Straight sea kayaking adventure, as well as for a brief duration on our Bears & Whales wildlife-viewing safari.

Mountain Lodges of Peru (Salkantay Lodge & Adventure Resort): Very few are fortunate enough to experience a once in a lifetime enriching journey through the magnificent Salkantay Valley en route to the legendary ruins at Machu Picchu. Staying at Mountain Lodges of Peru not only accommodates a comfortable place to rest along this ancient trail, but it also allows you to follow the Incan’s footsteps as you acclimate to the altitude in this spectacular Andean mountain range. It’s an expedition from lodge-lodge in the Cordillera Vilcabamba, with the crown jewel being the Salkantay Lodge & Adventure Resort, located in the high valley of Soraypampa at 3,800 meters above sea level. Salkantay features exquisite organic cuisine, an outdoor Jacuzzi and cozy reading rooms. As seen in our Mystical Peru itinerary, O.A.R.S. combines an epic 4-day rafting trip on the Apurimac River at the source of the Amazon. This unique setting also offers a chance to view an exotic variety of flora and fauna and experience contemporary manifestations of deep-founded culture.

Sorrel River Ranch: Utah’s most decadent AAA four-diamond resort, Sorrel River Ranch offers several activities on its own property. Nestled in Castle Valley near the town of Moab, Sorrel is a wonderfully civilized escape; you can lounge at their riverside pool, rejuvenate at their health spa, or even break a sweat at the exercise facility and tennis courts. From this 160-acre guest ranch you have opportunities to go on a horseback ride, explore backcountry areas in Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, hike and bike in places that set the stage of John Wayne westerns, and experience the Colorado River by raft, dory, or inflatable kayak. The Ranch’s accommodations include spacious guest rooms with unique handcrafted furnishings, kitchenettes, hydrotherapy tubs, and private fireplaces. Meals are served in western style at the Ranch’s River Grill Restaurant—a stunning, second-floor dining room where you may enjoy expertly prepared cuisine. O.A.R.S. spends two nights at Sorrel River Ranch on our Ultimate Southwest Vacation multi-sport trip.

Additionally, the glorious Red Cliffs Lodge—one of Utah’s most beautiful guest ranches—is where we rest our heads for our Utah Ranch & Raft adventure. It too rests on the banks of the Colorado River, a wide-open panoramic frontier of 2,000-foot red-rock cliffs of desert splendor. Homesteaded in the early Twentieth century by a ranching family, Red Cliffs Lodge has been raising horses and cattle since opening as a resort in 2002. Amid its western charm, the lodge also organizes wine tasting tours, rock climbing and clay pigeon shooting. Numerous Westerns have been filmed on this property, and a visit to Red Cliff’s unique Movie History Museum highlights the history of films such as Rio Grande and Wagon Master, which features actors Rock Hudson, Henry Fonda and James Stewart.

Below are six ideas for September whitewater rafting trips.

• Carrie Aronson, our Private and Charter Trips Manager, suggests a trip on the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon as an ideal September rafting trip. This river trip offers dramatic canyon country and ancient rock formations with fascinating geology through Canyonlands National Park. It is an ideal trip for any outdoor enthusiast. Think of it as a mini-Grand Canyon trip. O.A.R.S. offers a 4-day trip on this Class III river, with departures every Tuesday through October.
• Of course, you can still sign up for rafting trips on the South Fork of the American River, as well as the Middle Fork American River. The Class III South Fork is known as "Everybody’s Favorite River" and is a great introductory river trip. The Class IV Middle Fork steps it up a notch, with the unforgettable ‘Tunnel Chute’ rapid. Both rivers are quick and easy getaways from the SF Bay Area, Sacramento and Lake Tahoe.  But, we can’t all be in Northern California, right?
• O.A.R.S. also offers special September rafting and fishing trips on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho. These trips are offered on September 21 and again on September 28. The whitewater is world-renowned, and the fishing on the Middle Fork Salmon River is superb!  Fish for cutthroat (you might expect to catch upwards of forty fish per day), native rainbow, mountain whitefish as well as bull trout. O.A.R.S. guides are familiar with the best fishing spots the has to river offer.
• Raft the Class II-IV Urubamba River through the Sacred Valley on a unique 10-day Peru multi-sport vacation with O.A.R.S.  Stay in comfy (dare I say luxurious?) lodges and explore archaeological remnants of the Inca civilization including the stone ruins of Kenko, Puca Pucara, Tambomachay, Sacsayhuaman and Ollantaytambo with a stop at the Chinchero Market before taking the train to Machu Picchu.
• Raft the Colorado River through Cataract Canyon and stay in one of West’s most glorious guest ranches, Red Cliffs Lodge. This 6-day Ranch & Raft vacation from O.A.R.S. is the ultimate blend of excitement, fun and relaxation. Throw in a little horseback riding and Moab mountain biking and you’ve got an ideal fall getaway!