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Bald Eagle Watch Season ...On Now! Verde Canyon RR - Clarkdale AZ

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Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Realty NRDS # 146013739

Bald Eagle - Clarkdale

Bald Eagle Watch In Verde Canyon

Nesting Season in Full Swing

Courtesy of

Sheri Sperry Sedona Top Realtor

We have been on this Verde Canyon Railroad a couple of times. Each time the highlight of the trip was seeing the nest of a pair of bald eagles who make the Verde Canyon their home all year long.  Many of the eagles make this area home during the winter months.  

The only way to see this magnificent raptors is to take a train ride through the Verde Canyon. It is a great treat to watch the bald eagles in the Verde Canyon.

Nesting Season in Full Swing

We have been on this Verde Canyon Railroad a couple of times. Each time the highlight of the trip was seeing the nest of a pair of Bald Eagles who make the Verde Canyon their home all year long.  Many of the eagles make this area home during the winter months.  Verde Canyon

The only way to see these magnificent raptors up close is to take a train ride through the Verde Canyon. It is a a lot of fun and very entertaining.  On one side of the train, there is the Verde River within the canyon. On the other side are the walls of the canyon.  Baby bald eagles do not have that signature white head. It takes years in their development to gather that signature look.                                                         

Verde Canyon Railroad

Nesting Season

 During mating and nesting season, All the roads on the top of the mesa are blocked off during those 5 - 6 months. You cannot get near the next from that mesa. They even have a caretaker trailer near the trail that leads to the nest. The train has been traveling through the canyon for over 100 years and has never bothered the mating habits of the bald eagles. 

 

History of the Verde Valley Railroad

The railroad was built in 1911 to carry copper ore from Jerome, which was the richest copper mine in Arizona. The ore was brought down the hill to the smelters in Clarkdale where the train off loaded near Drake AZ.  for transportation out of the area.  It took 250 men using 200 mules and lots of black powder to lay the ties and rails. Verde Valley Railroad Cost to build today would be $38 million. Clarkdale was named after Senator Clark and the town was built around that smelter which closed it's doors in 1952.

The railroad itself is a 4 hour journey (both ways) through a beautiful canyon with trestle bridges and a man-made 680 foot tunnel.  There are open viewing cars that add to the enjoyment of the train experience.

 

Verde Canyon Railroad - Bald Eagles 

More Information For Verde Canyon Railroad

Brochure

Brochure Information includes: General - Pricing - Directions - Special Events - Seasons - Train Departure Times and much more.  

 

NOTE: All information presented including, event scheduling, directions and pricing is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. You should check with the organizers, event and attraction website, or management, and organizing team for more or current information. SellSedona.com is not responsible for inaccuracies or changes to information provided. Information is provided as a convenience and deemed reliable but not guaranteed.  


 

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Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

Very motivating Sheri, thanks for sharing your excellent photos.

Jan 23, 2017 08:11 PM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®

Thanks for stopping by Noah Seidenberg ! It's a great trip for families with children, especially those who have never been on a train.

Jan 24, 2017 04:48 AM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Good morning Sheri.  They have made it to my area.  Magnificent animals.

Jan 24, 2017 04:21 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®

Hi James Dray - We don't see them here in Sedona. The bald eagles stay close to there nesting area in Clarkdale - Verde Canyon.

Jan 24, 2017 04:50 AM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Hi Sheri.  This looks like a very entertaining and educational train ride to take.

Jan 24, 2017 04:40 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®

Hi Gabe Sanders - It is! They have nature guides and bring a bald eagle onto the train on occasion.

Jan 24, 2017 04:51 AM
Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Wow what a view !  Says she who has a little issue with height !

Jan 24, 2017 05:04 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®

Hi Sally, the vantage point from the train would not make you think of heights!

Jan 24, 2017 08:07 AM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Sheri. What an incredible story and complimented by great pictures. I would love to ride that train.

Jan 24, 2017 05:11 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®

Hi Sheila Anderson -  There is a rich amount of Western history in this area and this train is FUN!

Jan 24, 2017 08:08 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I have lived in Arizona pretty much my whole life and have not been on this railroad ride, I think that needs to change!

Jan 24, 2017 06:52 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®

Hi Brian England - this time of year is good to go because of the bald eagle activity. 

Jan 24, 2017 08:09 AM
Ginny Gorman
RI Real Estate Services ~ 401-529-7849~ RI Waterfront Real Estate - North Kingstown, RI
Homes for Sale in Southern RI and beyond

Sherry, such beautiful country to highlight and what a ride!

Jan 24, 2017 07:37 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®

I was surprised at how pretty this area was back in the canyon Ginny Gorman !

Jan 24, 2017 08:10 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I would love to be able to check that out, ride the train and check out the Eagles. I saw one the other day, swooped down when i was checking out the ice at the lake. We dont have many so they are a sight when you do see one Sheri Sperry - MCNE® 

Jan 24, 2017 08:07 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®

I have a FB friend who has regular visits from bald eagles and posts pics. To me, that would be so special. I saw a lot of bald eagles in Alaska.  It is a very special raptor. 

Jan 25, 2017 07:20 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Sheri - WOW - talk about an "E" ticket kind of adventure.  

Jan 24, 2017 08:40 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®

Hi Michael Jacobs - I am dating myself but I know the reference and yes, I would categorize it that way.

Jan 25, 2017 10:51 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Sheri - Verde Canyon looks like a wonderful place to view bald eagles in the wild. They're magnificent birds and we're always on the lookout for them at home.

Jan 24, 2017 11:08 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®

HI Dick Greenberg - They are very special indeed. You are fortunate to have them nearby.

Jan 25, 2017 10:53 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Hi Sheri. That looks like a fun trip and a must do for tourists especially. The train ride would be an adventure itself. 

Jan 24, 2017 03:29 PM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®

Hi Debbie Reynolds - The times we have been on it was with out-of-town guests. They loved it.

Jan 25, 2017 10:54 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Sheri loved this post I wish my father was alive to read this.... he loved Bald Eagles the symbol of our country. Just for my education when is mating season? or should I say when can you go on this train ride to see them??? Endre

Jan 24, 2017 10:54 PM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®

Hi Endre Barath, Jr. - Mating season is from November thru May. We have a 4-wheel drive jeep and have taken the road on the Mesa to the nesting area and have been turned back. The rest of the year you can get closer. There usually is one or the pair watching the nest while the other hunts. So you can watch at least one flying around.  Bring binoculars for better visual!

Jan 25, 2017 07:04 AM
Patricia Feager, ABR,CRS,GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Sheri Sperry - MCNE® - Thank you for writing this wonderful and most interesting story that made me feel excited to be alive just by reading and seeing your beautiful photos! I think everyone would agree, that the four-hour journey was worth every minute! My guess is, the nesting and mating season are the most popular times to take the train or perhaps one has to make reservations in advance? But then again, there must be people who take the train on a regular basis or year round just to see the canyons, the views, the nest, and to experience a thrill of a lifetime while being able to take amazing photography.

I am grateful to know that there is security in place to protect the bald eagles from people who want to get to the top of the mesa. The history you shared of the Verde Valley was something I appreciated reading about too! I also liked the colors and artwork on the train itself. Thanks again, Sheri for this guided virtual tour.

Jan 25, 2017 06:11 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®

Hi Patricia Feager - Thank you so much! I have been to the rim of the Mesa during non-mating times and the nest is not too far below the rim. So, it is absolutely necessary to have security for these eagles.  

Jan 25, 2017 10:58 AM
Debbie Laity
CinaJones Real Estate - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County

We have bald eagles that next in our area at this time of the year. They will leave in the spring. 

The train trip sounds wonderful and something I'll have to look into the next the time I'm down that way. It's been a few years, and I'm due for a visit. 

Jan 25, 2017 01:58 PM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®

Hi Debbie Laity - The train trip is a lot of fun. There is also another train that goes to the Grand Canyon out of Williams and it is a very relaxing trip.  It has a couple of surprises to make the trip more fun!

Jan 26, 2017 07:52 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks for telling us about the Verde Canyon Railroad. I would love to take this trip.

Jan 26, 2017 07:28 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®

Absolutely Roy Kelley - Have a great day. 

Jan 26, 2017 07:52 AM
Mick Michaud
Distinctly Texas Lifestyle Properties, LLC Office:682/498-3107 - Granbury, TX
Your Texas Lifestyle is Here!

Cool.  I've been on an eagle watching cruise on Lake Buchanan in the Texas Hill country.  Majestic.

Feb 22, 2017 07:02 PM
April Swenson
Coldwell Banker Ocean Shores Brokers - Ocean Shores, WA
CRS and Managing Broker - Ocean Shores Real Estate

This is a great post! I really like how you gave the history of the railroad. It sounds like a pretty ride.

Feb 22, 2017 10:21 PM
Debra Leisek
Bay Realty,Inc Homer Alaska - Homer, AK

Great Post! What a beautiful adventure! Love the Eagles... they do come back year after year to the same nest if possible.

Feb 22, 2017 11:52 PM