Salt
River Rafting Arizona Trip Descriptions
We specialize in running ONLY the Salt River of Arizona. Below are detailed descriptions for the following trips:
1) Full Day 10am - 4/5pm
2) Multi-day 8am, 3 - 5 days (Wilderness trip)
3) Camp Out 10am to the following morning
4) Two Day 10am - 4/5pm the next day
5) Half (1/2) Day 10am - 1/2pm
SRR Acknowledgement of Risk Form
White Mountain Apache Tribal Release of Liability Form
By far the most
popular trip in the Upper Salt River Canyon, this
full day adventure plummets through numerous Class III rapids such as Maytag, Overboard, Exhibition and Mescal Falls. Calm stretches such as the Narrows just before
lunch allow everyone to gather and revel in the beauty
of the canyon that towers above, or to enjoy a friendly
"out of boating experience" better known as a swim should you be so inclined.
A delicious and satisfying grilled lunch of burgers and brats is served
at our riverside base camp and then it's off to more whitewater
excitement! This is an excellent trip for first-timers
as well as seasoned rafters and is just over 9 river miles.. The fun, excitement and beauty of the Salt River Canyon has never failed to impress. Sun, Splashes, Scenery and Saguaros are guaranteed!
This Class III-IV whitewater
trip covers over 50 miles of the Upper Salt River
Canyon before it is tamed by the Roosevelt Lake Dam.
We pass through three major geological faults which
radically alter the look and feel of the canyon each
time. You don't have to know a thing about geology
to appreciate the beauty. This is one of the premiere
multi-day whitewater trips in the country. We begin
the trip on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation in
the White Mountains and thunder past red canyon walls
of dripping springs quartzite, limestone and volcanic diabase. Highlights of this trip include the travertine salt banks of the NDEE or Apache creation story and the rivers namesake. Cliff dwelling of the Salado people at Rock Creek. A 1.4 billion year old white granite mini-canyon which constricts the river to nearly a forth of its average width at Canyon Creek. The statewide famous Quartzite Falls rapids which were illegally blown up with dynamite in 1994, yet remain quite formidable.
Once we pass the
take out for the two day trip at Gleason Flats we
enter the Salt River Canyon Wilderness Area protected
by the federal government since 1984. Group size is restricted to 15 people
or less (including guides) allowing us the opportunity to truly be a
part of the wilderness experience. Throughout this
segment of the Salt River we encounter the serenity
and solitude of nature as well as the raw power and
challenge of the wild river. Rapids like the Eye of
the Needle, Black Rock, the Maze, Pinball, Quartzite
Falls and Corkscrew are broken up with calm eddies and incredible
scenery. Side canyon hikes with quiet pools and waterfalls
support over 200 species of birds including the desert
bald eagle. Black bear, coyote, javalina and bobcat
tracks are often spotted. Wilderness Bridge to Bridge
Trips are entirely river supported and are 3 to 5
days in length. All food, dry bags, river
equipment and transportation is provided. We do not rent camping equipment such as tents and sleeping bags because you can buy them at a discount store for the same cost as it would be to rent them from us. Special diets can be accommodated with
prior notice.
Not sure if you like
camping or being committed to a multiple day trip?
This is the trip for you! We run the same itinerary
as the full day trip, except that when everyone else
gets into their cars heading back to the city, you
will come down to our riverside base camp for deluxe
camping and dining. At the end of the trip you can bring your car
loaded with your camping gear and all the conveniences
you can think of and follow us just two miles to second
camp where you had lunch and our staff lives and plays for the season.
Here we will build a huge campfire to relax around,
cook a fantastic dinner as only our highly trained
guides can do, show you where to fish or hike, and
then the stars! We will make a hearty breakfast in
the morning after which you can leave at your leisure.
Come and discover if "roughing it" is for you! We do not rent camping equipment such as tents and sleeping bags because you can buy them at a discount store for the same cost as it would be to rent them from us. Special diets can be accommodated with
prior notice.
The first day of our
trip follows the same routine as the full day, including
a grilled lunch on the river. We spend the
evening at our beautiful riverside base camp where you had lunch. This is where our staff lives and plays for the season. The 2 day trip is usually accessible by the original Apache trail/road built in the late 1800's to connect Phoenix to Fort Apache. If this road is impassable we can access the river from the Haystack Ranch road and Hwy 60/77. The shuttle return to your car in our "Truckasaurous" (a modified 4 wheel drive pick-up with bench seats) is often as exciting as the raft trip. For dinner your guides will show off their culinary skills as you relax by our riverside fire. From camp you can hike,
fish, explore or just laze around the fire. In the evening the stars are phenomenal and in the morning the birding is excellent. If you enjoy moderate side hikes (no real trails) talk to your guides about the possibilities including Cibique canyon, rated by author Jon Krakauer
(Into The Wild) as one of the top ten most beautiful
places on earth. In the morning, after a hot and hearty
breakfast, we break camp and continue down river.
On day two more
wild rapids await! You will launch from camp which means you will revisit 3 of the river miles from the day before (try to get it right this time!) As you enter new terrain the travertine formation of the Salt Banks (sacred to the NDEE or Apache) will come into view. This
leg of our adventure brings us deeper into the Tonto
National Forest where you will witness the transformation
of the massive red rock canyon into a stark white
granite mini-gorge. Over a dozen rapids await, highlighted by the Ledges, Rat Trap, White Rock and Granite rapids. Saguaros, ocotillo and sotol fill
the Sonoran Desert landscape along with a glimpse of
the ancient cliff dwellings of the Salado people who
lived here before the Apache and European. The take out is at Gleason flats, 20 river miles downstream from your starting point. We do not rent camping equipment such as tents and sleeping bags because you can buy them at a discount store for the same cost as it would be to rent them from us. Special diets can be accommodated with
prior notice.
This 1/2 Day option is designed for
the budget minded adventurer or people with time constraints.
This trip covers aproximately half the distance of the full day
trip. You will launch with the full
day trip and when we stop for lunch you will be taken
back to your vehicle. Bring a snack as no food is
included. This trip is offered everyday . Quite often we have had half day guests decide to stay for our grilled lunch of burgers and brats and/or continue with the group for the second half of the day or rafting. Please talk to your guide, or owners James and Wiley at the river should you be so inclined to upgrade.
These inflatable kayaks (Ik's) or "duckies" are generally used at lower flows. Either solo
or with a friend you will navigate the river yourself
along with a guide in his own ducky, kayak or small
raft to show you the way. We consider this a HIGH ADVENTURE trip that requires above average physical condition and a "git 'er done" attitude. Please look at these photos to see what we mean by this. Our experience has shown this trip is not for everyone. Keep in mind that inflatable kayaks are much more physically challenging than rafting. Getting stuck on rocks, falling out of the ducky and rescuing yourself with or without the aid of the guide are typical experiences. Before you head down river you will be required to demonstrate a self resucue in the calm pool at the put in. A self rescue entails exiting your kayak into the water and getting back into the craft with or without the assistance of the guides.
This trip is run separate from the raft trips with Salt River Rafting for your safety (not being run over by a raft), logistics (duckiers generally take longer than rafters to get down the river), and enjoyment. We maintain a high client to guide ratio as has been noted by our permitee the Tonto National Forest Rangers. Our minimum group size of 4 requires 2 guides; one in a small oar powered raft to handle any circumstance such as fatigue, fear, and injury. Another guide will be in a kayak or ducky to show you the way down the river. These quality and safety measures are what account for the higher cost of the inflatable kayak trip.
We maintain the right to alter or cancel your ducky trip at the river based on river conditions and or other safety reasons. Trip cost will be adjusted accordingly or refunded if so desired.
CUSTOM TRIPS
Any of our river trips can be
customized to suit the needs of your group. We have
organized multi-day trips to support kayakers focused
on surfing all the play spots. Youth groups focused
on experiential education. Boy Scout Whitewater Merit Badge trips with our certified whitewater merit badge counselors. Groups who want to get
in as much hiking and birding as possible. Or groups
who just want to relax with a cocktail and a round
of horseshoes on the beach. Talk to us about any of
your ideas and we will arrange the right guides for
your custom trip.
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