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| Lower Salt from Blue Point to PhonD, AZ | |
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| | Lower Salt from Blue Point to PhonD, AZ | | | |
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Lower Salt from Blue Point to PhonD, AZ
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| Kayak | 6.51 Miles |
38 AEG |
| | Kayak | 6.51 Miles | 2 Hrs 17 Mns | | 2.89 mph |
| 38 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | With temperatures in the 50s, partly cloudy skies, a brisk breeze, and highs expected to stay somewhere in the 60s, I somehow found myself embarking on a trip down the Salt River rather than out on a hike.
The release from the dam was over 500cfs overnight, though it was being reduced by the time I arrived at PhonD, with flows dropping to just over 400cfs while on the river. I wasn't sure whether I'd run aground with flows that low, but figured I'd give it a shot. Spoiler alert: I had to get out and walk twice - the first due to a poor line selection where my channel eventually ran out, and the second time because there appeared to be a closure at Coon Bluff due to what appeared to be SAR practice with a helicopter running pick and place drills. Rather than taking the main channel, I went right and ran aground in the smaller channel.
The water was brisk, and I probably should have brought my neoprene socks rather than launching barefoot. The air temps were tolerable, except when the winds kicked up, which was often. While there were other cars and people sighted with paddling gear at PhonD, we didn't see any others on the river.
We saw plenty of birds including kingfishers, cardinals, great blue heron, great egret, mallards, Canada geese, killdeer, a couple bald eagles soaring overhead, and a number of others that I wasn't able to identify. The horses had more sense than I and stayed out of the water - only saw one small group on this early season visit. When the sun broke out from behind the clouds, I was able to catch sight of some big fish darting around amongst the rocks.
While breaking down my gear, was paid a visit by an inquisitive Roadrunner...I suspect the little beggar was hoping for some snacks. S/he seemed especially interested in the cookies I had brought as a post-paddling treat (I did not share...at least not with the roadrunner  ).
It was interesting seeing the river at these lower levels, though I think I'll have to make sure I see releases at a minimum of 600cfs to make sure I don't have to negotiate any walk-arounds next time (I don't trust that I'll remember where I need to be going left v right to stay in the deepest channel). Even with the lower flow rates and cooler than ideal temperatures, it was a great way to spend the morning. |
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| Happier when hiking....I may not move fast (and I'm often distracted by wildflowers), but I'll get there eventually |
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