I want to go rafting...

[Hoffmaster]

...or kayaking!

As most of you know, the Upper Salt River rafting season is upon us! However, the prices that the outfitters charge are outrageous, especially for a one day trip. Does anyone know if it is possible to do a private trip down the Upper Salt? I'm sure you would have to get permits out the wahzoo! Ideally, I would like to do a weekend trip starting at the 60 and ending at 288. This is a class III to IV trip. Or...
I would like to do a one day trip down the Gila River, starting at the Old Safford Bridge, south of Clifton, and ending at Bonita Creek (Riverview campground/Serna Cabin). This is a class III trip. I don't know about permits for this one. The land is all BLM. The BLM seems to be pretty liberal as far as permits go...then again, I should consider Aravaipa. Definitely not liberal there!

[PaleoRob]

Sounds like fun. I've got some permit info for the Salt...I'll have to post it when I can get the link off my desktop's bookmarks.

[azbackpackr]

I've paid the $105 charged by Salt River Rafting (used to be Blue Sky Whitewater) (google raftthesalt) and have to say it was way more fun than the private trip I did. I am planning to go again in March, same deal. It's a one day trip. For the private trip it was only $15 for the one-day permit. The problem is that I have heard that the store near the put-in on Hwy 60 near the bridge is closed, so you have to get your permit somewhere else. The one day trip with the outfitter is hassle-free, and worth it, in my opinion. On the private trip we had to first set up the shuttle, which was a real pain in the neck and took a couple of hours. On the commercial trip for $105 they also feed you a really good lunch, and the guides are just awesome. They also offer wetsuits (I never use--too hot) and neoprene booties (I ALWAYS use--your feet really can get cold.) I am partial to Salt River Rafting also because several of the guides are people I know personally from my town, who have repeatedly invited me to come on down and learn to be a guide. I really wish I had the time. Guide school is offered by Canyon Rio, but it has gotten very expensive--now over $700 for about 5 days.

Multi-day trip permits are limited, of course. But day trips are not severely limited at all. You just walk in and buy the permit. But you had better be ready for a serious four-wheel-drive shuttle and all the other hassles. If Cibicue Creek is running high you can't even get across it.

[PaleoRob]

PRIVATE BOATERS' PERMIT
A mandatory Reserved Date/Visitor Permit program is in effect for noncommercial boaters utilizing the Salt River within the Salt River Canyon Wilderness Area. The permit season runs from March 1 through May 15 annually.

A Visitor Permit authorizing a specific entry date is required for all groups that boat from the Wilderness boundary (located at the lower end of Gleason Flat) for approx. 30 miles downstream to the Highway 288 Bridge River Access Point. Gleason Flat is approximately 20 miles downstream from a put-in area near the Highway 60 Bridge (which is located approximately 40 miles N.E. of the city of Globe, AZ).

Visitor Permits are available ONLY to noncommercial boaters. The Trip Leader must ensure that the river-runners do not participate in commercial use or activity defined "any use of activity (a) where an entry or participation fee is charged, or (b) where the primary purpose is the sale of a good or service, and in either case, regardless of whether the use or activity is intended to produce a profit" (36 CFR 251.51). Normally a trip is not considered commercial if ALL participants share costs.

For further information on the Reserved Date/Visitor Permit program, contact the GLOBE RANGER STATION.

PERMIT APPLICATIONS

Salt-River-Application-2008.pdf

Salt River Application 2008

(44.35 KiB) Downloaded 114 times

Sketch Map

Hydrograph

The dates to remember if you are interested in obtaining a reserved date are as follows:
Nov. 15 - Jan 15 Visitor Permit Applications Accepted
Jan. 16 - Jan. 31 Random Drawing Conducted and Trip Leaders Notified.
Feb. 1 - Feb. 15 Waiting List Requests Taken (Unsuccessful Applicants Only)
Feb. 16 - May 15 Waiting List Requests Taken (General Public)
March 1 - May 15 Visitor Permit Required in Salt River Wilderness
May 16 - Feb. 28 No visitor permit required by the Forest Service.



TRIBAL PERMITS
Recreation Permits are required to utilize the Tribal lands and waters of those portions of the Salt River Canyon which are within the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. These permits are required 365 days a year. Permits may be obtained at the Salt River Trading Post near the Highway 60 Bridge.

Boating is strictly prohibited by the Tribe through the portion of the Salt River Canyon upstream of Apache Falls (located 1/4 mile upstream of the Highway 60 Bridge). In addition, all overland visitation (both on foot or by vehicle) is prohibited in the Salt Banks area (located 10.5 miles downstream of the Highway 60 Bridge). This area is a sensitive cultural and religious site.

For further information about the rules and regulations on Tribal lands and waters, contact the White Mountain Apache Outdoor Recreation Division at (928) 338-4385.

[Hoffmaster]

For the private trip it was only $15 for the one-day permit.

That's a much better price than $100 or more. However....

The one day trip with the outfitter is hassle-free, and worth it, in my opinion. On the private trip we had to first set up the shuttle, which was a real pain in the neck and took a couple of hours.

This is a good point. I suppose till I set up a shuttle and deal with all the other details, I will have invested $100 or more anyway.

The problem is that I have heard that the store near the put-in on Hwy 60 near the bridge is closed, so you have to get your permit somewhere else.

This store has been closed for a few years now. I suppose if you were coming from the North of East, this would be inconvenient. But if you are coming from the Valley, you could get a permit at a few different places in Globe.

But you had better be ready for a serious four-wheel-drive shuttle and all the other hassles. If Cibicue Creek is running high you can't even get across it.

I have been to Cibecue just hours after a flash flood. That crossing was only doable in a nuclear-powered submarine! It made for an interesting trip. There are a few places to park on the side of the road just before the creek crossing.

[PaleoRob]

As another sidebar, I don't have a 4x4. My Explorer is sadly only 2x4.

[azbackpackr]

To find "Salt River Rafting" google raftthesalt

Canyon Rio is another outfitter that is good, but is usually about $10 more.

The Blue Sky people also run rubber ducky (inflatable) trips later in the season when the water drops below 1,000. I have been talking to a couple of their guides who live in my town, they tell me I can even try the single ducky if I want to. I definitely want to! I'm a total wannabe when it comes to river running.

I have this Perception Dancer hardshell kayak, but have not been able to afford to outfit it. Maybe this year. Once I get the necessary items: skirt, PFD, flotation bags, possibly wetsuit, booties and helmet, I will be searching for some lessons--in Flag, Tucson or the Valley. I got the kayak for free. Sometimes you have a little serendipity, but then you have to work for the follow-up.

I have tried ebay for this equipment, but the prices are ridiculous. For example, for a nylon skirt that would fit my kayak, NRS catalog wants $44. There was a similar one on ebay recently that started out at about $5, said some of the waterproofing had rubbed off, etc. So I put a "watch" on it, intending to bid at the last minute. I never did bid, but that thing sold for $39 plus shipping! Might as well buy a new one, right? Same thing when I was watching a couple different PFDs.

In previous posts here and on other boards, I have asked for names of kayaking instructors. People tried to help, but the email addresses they sent me had been cancelled, etc. And Canyons and Coastlines (Nancy Kanu) is out of business, although I have talked to her. She would still give lessons if I provide a rented swimming pool! Very expensive way to go.

Any up-to-date info on this would be appreciated. Remember, I can go to Flag, Valley or Tucson. Flag is closer, and I actually go there sometimes. I have heard they have roll sessions in the jr. high pool on Tuesday nights, but I can't go there on a Tuesday!

[PaleoRob]

I have tried ebay for this equipment, but the prices are ridiculous. For example, for a nylon skirt that would fit my kayak, NRS catalog wants $44. There was a similar one on ebay recently that started out at about $5, said some of the waterproofing had rubbed off, etc. So I put a "watch" on it, intending to bid at the last minute. I never did bid, but that thing sold for $39 plus shipping! Might as well buy a new one, right? Same thing when I was watching a couple different PFDs.

Amen! But at least you can find the bits. I've tried looking on eBay for gear for our raft (oars, straps, frame bits) and the only thing I found was a strap pack. This has become more vital as of yesterday when our San Juan permit came in the mail!

[azbackpackr]

One more thing came up during a private message conversation. That is, if you do decide to go on a commercial trip, please do tip the guide! They are doing the job mostly for the tips, although they do also get paid. One time I went with a hiking group (best left un-named). At the end of the trip I was ready with my $20 tip. Those cheapskates were all going to give her a dollar or two! Of course this does add considerably to the $105 or so cost, but you have probably paid that up front when you made reservations, so it shouldn't be hard to come up with another $10 or $20 on the day of the trip. That is PER PERSON, not per group in the boat!

[lholub]

You may consider floating the Verde instead of the Upper Salt. From Beasley Flat to Childs provides about 18 miles of solid Class III and sometimes IV rapids, and the stretch below to Sheep Bridge is a great place to relax or get your bearings for a couple days if you're a novice. Plus, no permits are required.

[azbackpackr]

I'm going March 22 on the full-day commercial trip, Upper Salt, just in case anyone else wants to show up that day. PM me if interested. Turns out to be $132 with the tribal fees added in. Wetsuits, PFDs, booties, shuttle and lunch provided.