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Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area - 5 members in 16 triplogs have rated this an average 2.4 ( 1 to 5 best )
16 triplogs
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Dec 11 2022
avatar

 Guides 59
 Routes 1,100
 Photos 1,191
 Triplogs 1,290

male
 Joined Jan 01 2023
 Arizona
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration AreaPhoenix, AZ
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 11 2022
pseudalpine • Triplogs 1,290
Hiking3.46 Miles 88 AEG
Hiking3.46 Miles   1 Hour   4 Mns   3.24 mph
88 ft AEG
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
North Overbank and Terrace Loop.
  1 archive
Feb 21 2020
avatar

 Guides 7
 Routes 72
 Photos 14,456
 Triplogs 627

62 female
 Joined Aug 19 2011
 Scottsdale, AZ
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration AreaPhoenix, AZ
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area
Phoenix, AZ
Volunteer avatar Feb 21 2020
outdoor_lover • Triplogs 627
Volunteer1.70 Miles 20 AEG
Volunteer1.70 Miles
20 ft AEG
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Checking Beaver Dams, getting status of Invasive Plant work and Garbage Pickup.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Light
Chuparosa, Brittlebush and some Invasive Species Blooming.

water 1 out of 5water less than maxwater less than maxwater less than max Salt River Pools to trickle Pools to trickle
At 7th Avenue Bridge
_____________________
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty & well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, totally worn out & proclaiming, "Wow What a Ride!"
 
Feb 01 2020
avatar

 Guides 7
 Routes 72
 Photos 14,456
 Triplogs 627

62 female
 Joined Aug 19 2011
 Scottsdale, AZ
Rio Salado Nature Walk, AZ 
Rio Salado Nature Walk, AZ
 
Walk / Tour avatar Feb 01 2020
outdoor_lover • Triplogs 627
Walk / Tour1.23 Miles 19 AEG
Walk / Tour1.23 Miles
19 ft AEG
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area
Rio Salado Bike Path
Partners none no partners
Liberty Wildlife hosts Nature Walks with a City of Phoenix Park Ranger. Hadn't been to one so I thought I'd check it out. It was ok, but it'll be the last time. 40 People, with about 10 being kids, with about 5 of them being Boy Scouts. My Opinion of the Boy Scout Organization continues to decline every time I see them. The kids were screaming, waving sticks and throwing rocks at whatever they could find. And the accompanying adults and "leaders" just carried on like it was no problem. Maybe it's just me, I don't know, but the Wildlife didn't like it either. The Birds stayed way, way far away and the ones that were coming in, decided that Dodge City wasn't the best place to be and flew on to quieter places. This particular part of the Rio Salado Habitat is right next to the Airport and also I-10 goes right over it. Tons of Trash, with most of it being plastics. Plastic bags, bottles and Circle K cups. Such a shame. But the Riverbed has always been trashy, so I get it. Everything blows off the Roads and gets snagged in the trees and brush down there. Hard to keep it clean and I know the Parks and Volunteers try. I was at Papago Park not too long ago and the trash around the ponds is getting really bad there too. I pick up some of it, but it's a bit overwhelming. There were a few birds, but it was a very long reach even with the Superzoom. It was nice to try it once, but it'll be a one and done for me. I'll walk those areas alone in the future. :lol:

On a positive note, the Park Ranger was very good and I may do a Ride Along with him once the water dries up and he scopes out the Beaver Dams.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Curve-billed Thrasher  Gadwall  Honey Bee  Neotropic Cormorant  Northern Shoveler  Pied-Billed Grebes  Ring-necked Duck  Yellow-rumped Warbler
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Light
Brittlebush going nuts on the Bike Path. A bit of Chuparosa here and there.
_____________________
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty & well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, totally worn out & proclaiming, "Wow What a Ride!"
 
Jul 04 2016
avatar

 Guides 1
 Photos 1,891
 Triplogs 131

47 male
 Joined Feb 13 2006
 Phoenix, AZ
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration AreaPhoenix, AZ
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jul 04 2016
david_allen_3 • Triplogs 131
Hiking1.00 Miles 100 AEG
Hiking1.00 Miles
100 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Most likely the coolest hike in the Phx area due to the large Cottonwood and Willow Trees providing lots of shade. Lots of homeless camping out can make for an interesting experience.
_____________________
Wherever you go there you are.
 
Oct 18 2013
avatar

 Guides 9
 Routes 33
 Photos 780
 Triplogs 4,634

44 male
 Joined Nov 25 2008
 Scottsdale, AZ
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration AreaPhoenix, AZ
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area
Phoenix, AZ
Run/Jog avatar Oct 18 2013
Booneman • Triplogs 4,634
Run/Jog9.00 Miles 100 AEG
Run/Jog9.00 Miles   1 Hour   7 Mns   8.06 mph
100 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
 
Feb 10 2013
avatar

 Guides 1
 Photos 1,148
 Triplogs 219

54 male
 Joined Jul 14 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration AreaPhoenix, AZ
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area
Phoenix, AZ
Birding avatar Feb 10 2013
burntlizard • Triplogs 219
Birding2.78 Miles 100 AEG
Birding2.78 Miles   3 Hrs      0.93 mph
100 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Hit the road at 0700 and listened to the Counterparts album ,by the Canadian Trio RUSH, good driving music.

Heard rumors of an Eastern Phoebe and Winter Wren hanging out by Central Ave, So I had to check it out. I did not see the Phoebe, but found another rare treat and a life bird for me, a Black-throated Grey Warbler. Also saw, another Common Yellowthroat, A flock of Northern Rough-Winged Swallows, Common Moorhen, Blue-Grey Gnatcatcher(life bird), Ruby-Crowned Kinglets, numerous Yellow rumps, Black Phoebe, Black Crowned Night Heron and many more local favorites.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Black-Crowned Night-Heron  Black-throated Gray Warbler  Blue-gray Gnatcatcher  Common Gallinule  Common Yellowthroat  Northern Rough-winged Swallow  Wilson Snipe
_____________________
 
Nov 29 2012
avatar

 Photos 5
 Triplogs 1,041

36 female
 Joined Oct 04 2012
 Phoenix, AZ
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration AreaPhoenix, AZ
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 29 2012
WaitingForRain • Triplogs 1,041
Hiking5.00 Miles 100 AEG
Hiking5.00 Miles   1 Hour   30 Mns   3.33 mph
100 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I really really enjoy this place. Of course, I am little biased since I just generally love the Salt River and seeing it restored even a tiny bit is exciting. The trails aren't the best here, and there are quite a few homeless people in the area, but nonetheless, the city did a great job with the park.
_____________________
 
Sep 08 2012
avatar

 Guides 1
 Photos 1,148
 Triplogs 219

54 male
 Joined Jul 14 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration AreaPhoenix, AZ
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area
Phoenix, AZ
Birding avatar Sep 08 2012
burntlizard • Triplogs 219
Birding2.00 Miles 100 AEG
Birding2.00 Miles
100 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Blanked by my Avian friends. Dragonfly's were OK though, it was extremely humid and I forgot my backpack at home. Ended up at Cabelas and bought some new shirts from the bargain barn.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Dragonfly
_____________________
 
Jun 24 2012
avatar

 Routes 29
 Photos 1,548
 Triplogs 1,802

49 male
 Joined Jan 25 2009
 Phoenix, AZ
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration AreaPhoenix, AZ
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 24 2012
Dave1 • Triplogs 1,802
Hiking1.43 Miles 137 AEG
Hiking1.43 Miles
137 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
_____________________
 
May 26 2012
avatar

 Guides 1
 Photos 1,148
 Triplogs 219

54 male
 Joined Jul 14 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration AreaPhoenix, AZ
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar May 26 2012
burntlizard • Triplogs 219
Hiking3.00 Miles 100 AEG
Hiking3.00 Miles   3 Hrs      1.00 mph
100 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Started out early 0615 and headed down I-17. I had Pantera's epic album "Vulgar Display Of Power" in the deck and I was trucking. I know..... that's pretty heavy stuff at 0615, but I am frustrated with the general public and thus, metal soothes my emotions. I kinda validated my frustrations, as I encountered some real wankers driving like it was the Indy 500.

I ended up parking at the Audubon parking lot on the South side of the river. There are 3 demonstration habitat ponds and I was eager to see what water fowl awaited my arrival.....guess what, nada,zip,no soup for you!! Only a few old coots and Muskrats. The area around the Audubon center is actively inhabited with Jack rabbits and road runners.

The combination of stiff Westerly wind and the overhead flight pattern from Sky Harbor, surely was the culprit for lacking bird activity.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Cooper's Hawk  House Finch  Mourning Dove  Snowy Egret  Willow Flycatcher
_____________________
 
May 13 2012
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 25
 Photos 1,890
 Triplogs 604

41 male
 Joined Sep 13 2009
 Mesa, AZ
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration AreaPhoenix, AZ
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area
Phoenix, AZ
Walk / Tour avatar May 13 2012
jochal • Triplogs 604
Walk / Tour4.50 Miles 100 AEG
Walk / Tour4.50 Miles
100 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Showed up at the central trailhead about 2pm, so it was nice and toasty. wandered around, then walked to 7th st., then went back, and walked over to the 7th ave., then back to central. Wandered around some more. I expected it to be hot, but I didn't realize it would be so exposed between the trailheads.

Mainly just wanted to see what the place was like, but also was looking for a coopers hawk and any green herons that might be around, like I'd seen in burntlizard's set. I see green herons around but never even attempt to photograph them since they are small and skittish. Saw a green heron, but only got off a very bad shot before he took off.

Afterwards, I stopped at the momon trailhead to hike up to hidden valley, but I hadn't realized the trailhead was a gated one that might close before I got back. Will have to make different plans to do this one.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Black Phoebe  Greater Roadrunner  Green Heron
_____________________
 
May 12 2012
avatar

 Guides 1
 Photos 1,148
 Triplogs 219

54 male
 Joined Jul 14 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration AreaPhoenix, AZ
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar May 12 2012
burntlizard • Triplogs 219
Hiking2.00 Miles 100 AEG
Hiking2.00 Miles   2 Hrs   15 Mns   0.89 mph
100 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Came back this morning looking for a Western Tanager. Well.....I chased him for some time before finally getting a shot, not a good one, but one none the less. The hawks were out as well, got a few decent shots.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Cooper's Hawk  House Sparrow  Western Tanager
_____________________
 
May 05 2012
avatar

 Guides 1
 Photos 1,148
 Triplogs 219

54 male
 Joined Jul 14 2011
 Phoenix, AZ
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration AreaPhoenix, AZ
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar May 05 2012
burntlizard • Triplogs 219
Hiking5.30 Miles 100 AEG
Hiking5.30 Miles   3 Hrs   20 Mns   1.59 mph
100 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Hat's off to the City, for their conservation work. The Central Ave parking area and trail head are nicely designed and it has an adjoining interpretive trail. There is plenty of trees in this area for mucho bird watching, although I always see the same 5 or 6 species 8)

I did hear an unfamiliar call. So, I looked up a tall tree top and caught a small glimpse of a Western Tanager http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Western_Tanager/id His call is very distinctive. I stalked him for 20 minutes and finally left disappointed, he was too deep in the brush for any clean photo.

I spoke to a couple out birding and they said that some Beavers were working just West of the Central Ave bridge. I saw the trees and dam, but no signs of them. The majority of the paved walkway is elevated and some distance from the riparian zone.

I would like to visit here again.

Here is a link for the area. http://phoenix.gov/recreation/rec/parks/preserves/locations/riosalado/index.html
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Cardinal  Cooper's Hawk  Great-tailed Grackle  Green Heron  Northern Mockingbird
_____________________
 
Oct 10 2011
avatar

 Guides 4
 Photos 542
 Triplogs 573

46 male
 Joined Oct 19 2010
 Mesa, AZ
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration AreaPhoenix, AZ
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 10 2011
Charger55 • Triplogs 573
Hiking3.00 Miles 100 AEG
Hiking3.00 Miles   3 Hrs      1.00 mph
100 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
HAZ - Event
The most recent edition of Sunset magazine has a write-up about all the awesome things to do in South Phoenix. No, really...stop laughing. Anyway, this was mentioned as a good place for birding so I checked it out after doing the overnight shift at my part-time gig.

The homeless guy sleeping on the Central Ave bridge made me feel uneasy from the get-go. Then I started wandering through the secluded cottonwood hollows south of the river and I was convinced I'd either find a dead body or become one. Thankfully neither happened. Once the sun broke I felt more comfortable with my surroundings and started exploring the marshes looking for wildlife. There's a thick concentration of coyotes down here. I counted at least six in a one-mile area. There's also lots of frogs, bunnies, waterfowl and plenty of evidence of beaver activity.
_____________________
"I've driven across deserts, driven by the irony, that only being shackled to the road could ever I be free"
- Frank Turner "The Road"
 
Dec 03 2007
avatar

 Guides 111
 Routes 433
 Photos 4,307
 Triplogs 788

51 male
 Joined Feb 16 2007
 Walnut Creek, CA
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration AreaPhoenix, AZ
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 03 2007
JimmyLyding • Triplogs 788
Hiking5.00 Miles 100 AEG
Hiking5.00 Miles
100 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Parked @ the Central Avenue trailhead. Hiked along the north side to 16th Street, crossed that bridge, and hiked back along the south side. Yesterday was a great day to do it as it seemed like there was a lot of water in the river. Not sure how much of it is there on a permanent- or semi-permanent basis, however. Saw a couple of red tailed hawks, a couple of herons, and some crayfish.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Crayfish  Duck
_____________________
 
Aug 25 2007
avatar

 Guides 22
 Routes 6
 Photos 512
 Triplogs 466

34 male
 Joined May 17 2007
 CA
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration AreaPhoenix, AZ
Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Aug 25 2007
rally_toad • Triplogs 466
Hiking1.25 Miles 100 AEG
Hiking1.25 Miles
100 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Just hiked a little bit around the area and checked it out this nice overcast morning. I like that they are trying to restore the salt river and preserve it rather than destroy it further.
_____________________
"Who are you guys??!!" -Farnsworth
 
average hiking speed 1.08 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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