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Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite Reef - 14 members in 73 triplogs have rated this an average 3.9 ( 1 to 5 best )
1, 2, 3, 4  Next
73 triplogs
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Apr 04 2026
avatar

 Guides 3
 Routes 692
 Photos 9,422
 Triplogs 664

55 male
 Joined Apr 13 2011
 Gilbert, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite ReefPhoenix, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite Reef
Phoenix, AZ
Kayak avatar Apr 04 2026
ddgrunning • Triplogs 664
Kayak11.62 Miles 138 AEG
Kayak11.62 Miles   3 Hrs   6 Mns   3.77 mph
138 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Although I don't choose this trip with any expectation of securing solitude, it used to be that you could generally avoid crowds by: (a) going later in the day and/or (b) floating below the Salt River pull out (i.e., the last 6 miles). But with the ubiquity of SUPs and with people figuring out that a sunset paddle is generally preferable to a mass float in the heat of the day, I now expect to always be within sight of others; have a constant sound of other people's music playing; and smell marijuana throughout the trip. Today checked all those boxes.

Started a bit late for a sunset finish. Ended up paddling the last 1/2 mile essentially in the dark. Still, the sunset was pretty good. Amazed at the amount of bugs that appear right after sunset. Thankfully, none were the biting variety, but we paddled through a veritable cloud of mini-mothlike bugs for about 20 minutes at twilight.

Despite all of the "ugh" factors, it was still a nice paddle.

Flow was pretty good, but still several spots where we skimmed the rocks on the packrafts.

Granite Reef recreation area is closed currently and undergoing a total overhaul. Looks like they are going to install a formal launch/exit ramp.
_____________________
 
230422
Aug 03 2025
avatar

 Guides 94
 Routes 851
 Photos 22,827
 Triplogs 2,045

52 male
 Joined Sep 18 2002
 Tempe, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite ReefPhoenix, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite Reef
Phoenix, AZ
Paddleboarding avatar Aug 03 2025
chumley • Triplogs 2,045
Paddleboarding6.88 Miles 48 AEG
Paddleboarding6.88 Miles   2 Hrs   31 Mns   3.06 mph
48 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Rumor has it you can find a nympho on the river this summer, so I headed that way looking for fun. Success! But not that kind of fun. Oh well. Always nice to do a paddlefloat on a hot day.
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  North American River Otter
_____________________
I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.
 
225251
Jul 19 2025
avatar

 Guides 2
 Routes 287
 Photos 10,405
 Triplogs 427

63 male
 Joined Dec 02 2014
 Mesa, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite ReefPhoenix, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite Reef
Phoenix, AZ
Kayak avatar Jul 19 2025
adilling • Triplogs 427
Kayak12.00 Miles 84 AEG
Kayak12.00 Miles
84 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Another trip down the Salt River. This time via kayak. My sons, Johnny and Dominic, and my hiking buddy Jackson & Johnny's friend Stefan met at the Granite Reef Rec Area at 630am. The lot was already full, so we parked Jackson's truck along the Bush Hwy (the part without NO PARKING signs) and we drove over to the Water Users Rec Area.

Lots of people were already embarking from the WU lot when we arrived. The lot was probably 75% full. The weather was cloudy and pleasant. The cool water felt pretty good too.

Just before we rounded the corner to the Pebble Beach area, Dominic had some problems with the rougher water and turned his kayak over. I swung around to help him out and I ended up getting pushed into an over-hanging tree and over I went as well. We floated down towards Pebble Beach and got ashore and got the water out of the kayaks. The water level was pretty high, and the river was moving pretty fast in some areas.

We made it past the Goldfield location and spotted our first horses. A large band that emerged from the southern bank that started feasting on the plentiful eel grass. We came across several other bands as well further down. Always a treat to see those cool critters. No other animals came along except for a big kettle of buzzards near Pebble Beach and 4-6 Blue Herons. A couple of paddleboards we spoke with said they spotted some otters earlier on.

The weather started cloudy and then was partly cloudy for the rest of the trip. The temps were getting up there, but the cool water made it bearable.

The last mile was a bit of a slog as the current slows down considerably, and you need to use the paddles to keep the speed up.

We finished up about 2pm and made the shuttle back to the WU lot. It was almost 100 % full and still had lots of activity.

We finished off our day at Mr. Brews Taphouse in Mesa with a nice greasy burger and a couple of beers. An excellent day out with 2 out of 3 sons and friends. Looking at all of the fun the paddleboarders seemed to be having, I think my next visit on this river will be on a paddleboard.
_____________________
"Jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul."

instagram: @andydilling
 
224820
Jun 15 2025
avatar

 Guides 38
 Routes 190
 Photos 1,651
 Triplogs 249

40 male
 Joined Dec 09 2014
 Gilbert, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite ReefPhoenix, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite Reef
Phoenix, AZ
Kayak avatar Jun 15 2025
jacobemerick • Triplogs 249
Kayak6.17 Miles 122 AEG
Kayak6.17 Miles   2 Hrs      3.74 mph
122 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Father's Day float, but had to keep it short with other morning plans. Early start, parked at an empty Pebble Beach lot at 4:20am and quick bike & walk to "above Water Users" had me in the water before sunrise, with great sunrise views over Four Peaks. Very quiet river in the morning, it was a pleasant (if painfully early) start to the day.
_____________________
  1 archive
224132
May 10 2025
avatar

 Guides 3
 Routes 692
 Photos 9,422
 Triplogs 664

55 male
 Joined Apr 13 2011
 Gilbert, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite ReefPhoenix, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite Reef
Phoenix, AZ
Kayak avatar May 10 2025
ddgrunning • Triplogs 664
Kayak23.40 Miles 84 AEG
Kayak23.40 Miles
84 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Decided to take the packraft out to experience the Salt River.

Drove up and parked at the free parking area just up the road from the Granite Reef pull out. Hopped on my bike with packraft and biked up past Water Users and down to the Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch. Stashed the bike and put the packraft in.

That first 1.5 miles or so before Water Users was the best part.

Folks were starting to put in at Water Users and then the company picked up a bit at the bridge. Still, not too crazy in terms crowds. Nothing like the zoo it will be in a couple of weeks over Memorial Day.

Always a nice float.
_____________________
 
223359
Oct 13 2024
avatar

 Guides 10
 Routes 718
 Photos 7,657
 Triplogs 4,890

67 female
 Joined Nov 17 2008
 phoenix, az
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite ReefPhoenix, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite Reef
Phoenix, AZ
Kayak avatar Oct 13 2024
trekkin_gecko • Triplogs 4,890
Kayak13.10 Miles
Kayak13.10 Miles   3 Hrs   45 Mns   3.57 mph
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
The_Eagle
mentioned to mike that bruce hadn't kayaked the salt river
flows are still good, so we found a day
bruce and i dropped my car at granite reef, then jumped in mike's truck to launch at saguaro ranch
we got on the water close to 0800
cool temps and shade to start
flow says 880 now, but it was over 900 when i looked this morning
seemed like the riffles were a bit milder but the current was decent
a lot of vegetation growing in the river bed that wasn't there this spring
a lot of people on the river, too
we saw egrets, herons, a bald eagle and more horses than i've ever seen
relaxing change of pace to be on the water
good day, good company
thanks guys!
_____________________
hazhole
 
218430
Oct 13 2024
avatar

 Guides 42
 Routes 1,805
 Photos 15,483
 Triplogs 2,930

70 male
 Joined Jan 20 2009
 Far NE Phoenix,
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite ReefPhoenix, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite Reef
Phoenix, AZ
Kayak avatar Oct 13 2024
The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,930
Kayak13.10 Miles
Kayak13.10 Miles   3 Hrs   45 Mns   3.57 mph
 
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
trekkin_gecko
Route Scout Route recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
I got an invite from Kelly to kayak on the Salt River for the first time (for me). The temps were forecasted to be lower than the recent heat, so we went for it. With a flow of 900 cfs, it promised to be a nice trip.

We dropped Kelly's car at Granite Reef Rec Area, piled into Mike's truck, and headed to our launch point at Saguaro Lake Ranch. This is a pay-to-launch area, but it adds a mile of what is probably the prettiest stretch of the 13-mile float. ($15 per car and $5 per kayak)

We started seeing horses after the Water Users Rec area, so I snapped some photos, not knowing if we'd see more. We ended up seeing over 50 during the trip.

It was a Sunday, so I expected to see quite a few people on the river. There were plenty, but it really wasn’t too bad.

The miles clicked off quickly, and before I knew it, we were back at Granite Reef.

It was a fun time on the river. Thanks for the invite, Kelly, and great to meet Mike!
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Bald Eagle
_____________________
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry 🦅
  1 archive
218422
May 02 2024
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 15
 Photos 7,300
 Triplogs 5,268

68 male
 Joined Mar 16 2008
 chandler,az
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite ReefPhoenix, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite Reef
Phoenix, AZ
Kayak avatar May 02 2024
johnlp • Triplogs 5,268
Kayak13.00 Miles 100 AEG
Kayak13.00 Miles   3 Hrs   40 Mns   3.55 mph
100 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
Fletchkl
trekkin_gecko
Floated the Salt River from just below Saguaro Lake to just above Granite Reef dam. Beautiful day for it. Saw a beaver, bald eagle, cardinal, bunch of turtles, horse...
Fun day. Thanks all.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
_____________________
“Good people drink good beer.” Hunter S Thompson
 
215176
May 02 2024
avatar

 Guides 10
 Routes 718
 Photos 7,657
 Triplogs 4,890

67 female
 Joined Nov 17 2008
 phoenix, az
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite ReefPhoenix, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite Reef
Phoenix, AZ
Kayak avatar May 02 2024
trekkin_gecko • Triplogs 4,890
Kayak13.00 Miles 100 AEG
Kayak13.00 Miles   3 Hrs   40 Mns   3.55 mph
100 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
Fletchkl
johnlp
kayaked the salt river with john, mike and fletch
got going from saguaro ranch around 0845
cool temps to start with, water a bit chilly
flow today was 916 cfs
no issues with my inflatable, although it seems slower than the hard shell kayaks
john's first time and we had a great day for it
saw heron, egret, a bald eagle, a beaver, turtles and one horse
the sheriff department airboat might have scared some critters off
quite a few on kayaks or paddleboards, very few tubers
always fun to do this with mike and fletch
glad john could make it
_____________________
hazhole
 
215148
Apr 12 2024
avatar

 Routes 442
 Photos 58
 Triplogs 850

43 female
 Joined Jun 23 2015
 Phoenix, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite ReefPhoenix, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite Reef
Phoenix, AZ
Paddleboarding avatar Apr 12 2024
emilystardust • Triplogs 850
Paddleboarding9.00 Miles 84 AEG
Paddleboarding9.00 Miles
84 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Water Users to Phon D.
_____________________
 
214706
Oct 05 2023
avatar

 Guides 10
 Routes 718
 Photos 7,657
 Triplogs 4,890

67 female
 Joined Nov 17 2008
 phoenix, az
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite ReefPhoenix, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite Reef
Phoenix, AZ
Kayak avatar Oct 05 2023
trekkin_gecko • Triplogs 4,890
Kayak13.00 Miles 100 AEG
Kayak13.00 Miles
100 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
Fletchkl
mike suggested a trip down the salt river since the flow is still decent (700 cfs this morning)
we got going from saguaro ranch a little after nine
earlier would have been better given the temps
i wasn't sure about using the cheap challenger inflatables, but sue and i did fine in them other than sue getting sucked into the bushes at one bend
mike and fletch have hard sided kayaks, and those seem to be faster
fun day on the water and sue enjoyed the experience
we saw egrets, great blue herons, horses and a bald eagle
not too many people on the river
_____________________
hazhole
 
209841
Sep 09 2023
avatar

 Routes 442
 Photos 58
 Triplogs 850

43 female
 Joined Jun 23 2015
 Phoenix, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite ReefPhoenix, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite Reef
Phoenix, AZ
Kayak avatar Sep 09 2023
emilystardust • Triplogs 850
Kayak9.00 Miles 84 AEG
Kayak9.00 Miles
84 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
presumably took memories and left without a trace...
_____________________
 
209284
May 30 2023
avatar

 Guides 10
 Routes 718
 Photos 7,657
 Triplogs 4,890

67 female
 Joined Nov 17 2008
 phoenix, az
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite ReefPhoenix, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite Reef
Phoenix, AZ
Kayak avatar May 30 2023
trekkin_gecko • Triplogs 4,890
Kayak13.00 Miles 100 AEG
Kayak13.00 Miles   4 Hrs   10 Mns   3.12 mph
100 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
Fletchkl
fletch and mike invited me to kayak the salt river
we did this six years ago on memorial day :o
i rented an inflatable kayak at riverbound sports in tempe
they are closed on mondays, so was able to pick it up sunday night for an extra $5.00
we started from saguaro lake ranch around 0725
nice cool temps for quite awhile
flow today was 900 cfs
mike thought a few spots were different due to high flows earlier this spring
we saw redwing blackbirds, herons, vultures, horses, javelina and turtles along the way
got a little warm toward the end
undid the shuttle and headed for four peaks for lunch
the kayak was fine - stable, easy to maneuver, tracked well
would rent from this company again
fun day!
_____________________
hazhole
 
206886
Apr 30 2023
avatar

 Guides 94
 Routes 851
 Photos 22,827
 Triplogs 2,045

52 male
 Joined Sep 18 2002
 Tempe, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite ReefPhoenix, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite Reef
Phoenix, AZ
Paddleboarding avatar Apr 30 2023
chumley • Triplogs 2,045
Paddleboarding9.11 Miles 194 AEG
Paddleboarding9.11 Miles   3 Hrs   46 Mns   3.22 mph
194 ft AEG
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
dyellab
patrickakabird
Not sure what I was thinking, but after driving from Utah last night, I agreed to run the river at dawn. I've kayaked it plenty, but this was my first run on the paddleboard. The flows this spring have been highly variable and after a high of 2100 yesterday, it was still a highly elevated 1300cfs today.

Things were great, but I got turned a little sideways in the pinball rapid and capsized. It was exhilarating for sure, but not really concerning. A group of packrafters that I had chatted with earlier on the river recovered my board and paddle and stuck around long enough to let me know that Patrick and Daniela were on shore up ahead.

I couldn't get back across in the rapid so had to do a crazy bushwhack hike on shore for 15 or 20 minutes to get downstream far enough where swimming across the river was easier. There is some thick-pumpkin feces growing along that river! :lol:

Besides a little pride, nothing was lost as everything I travel with was properly waterproofed and secured. The rest of the float was uneventful and quick at that flow rate.

I'll approach the pinball differently next time. As fun as it turned out to be, I prefer being the one to make the choice of when to swim or not. :sweat:
_____________________
I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.
 
206588
Aug 27 2022
avatar

 Guides 38
 Routes 190
 Photos 1,651
 Triplogs 249

40 male
 Joined Dec 09 2014
 Gilbert, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite ReefPhoenix, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite Reef
Phoenix, AZ
Kayak avatar Aug 27 2022
jacobemerick • Triplogs 249
Kayak5.50 Miles
Kayak5.50 Miles   2 Hrs   22 Mns   2.32 mph
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Needed a break from the running-running-running so back to kayaking. Three kids and I in the raft, grandparents helped with shuttle and floated in their tubes. Met at Pebble at 6am, tho it took us darn close to 40 mins to launch. River wasn't busy and the bugs weren't bad, and we saw 91 horses and a few egrets. Pulled out at Coon Bluff and moseyed into the rest of the weekend.
_____________________
 
198962
Aug 19 2022
avatar

 Guides 170
 Routes 148
 Photos 5,914
 Triplogs 2,097

48 male
 Joined Apr 12 2004
 Tucson, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite ReefPhoenix, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite Reef
Phoenix, AZ
Kayak avatar Aug 19 2022
PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097
Kayak6.00 Miles
Kayak6.00 Miles
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
Chapman
jtaylor
Took a half day at work and met up with John, Jason, and Tim. My first time ever on the Salt River (weird having grown up in Phoenix), so my 3 friends took me on their usual kayak route. Fewer people than I would have thought on the river. Heard tales of Pinball Alley tip-overs, had water wars, marshmallow baseball, cool-off dunks, and made myself into seaweed man as usual. Cool to see the horse herds I’ve seen photos of in person. We helped a few very intoxicated and struggling people make it to shore at the take-out point. Made it back to Mesa just as a surly thunderstorm began to dump rain. Great trip!
_____________________
"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan
  1 archive
198722
Aug 07 2022
avatar

 Routes 442
 Photos 58
 Triplogs 850

43 female
 Joined Jun 23 2015
 Phoenix, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite ReefPhoenix, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite Reef
Phoenix, AZ
Kayak avatar Aug 07 2022
emilystardust • Triplogs 850
Kayak7.00 Miles 84 AEG
Kayak7.00 Miles
84 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
apparently this member prefers to keep an air of mystery...
_____________________
 
198491
Aug 01 2022
avatar

 Guides 94
 Routes 851
 Photos 22,827
 Triplogs 2,045

52 male
 Joined Sep 18 2002
 Tempe, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite ReefPhoenix, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite Reef
Phoenix, AZ
Kayak avatar Aug 01 2022
chumley • Triplogs 2,045
Kayak6.00 Miles
Kayak6.00 Miles
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
dyellab
John9L
Another restful weekend at home getting indoor chores done when the weather is less enjoyable outdoors. Nonetheless, it's still nice to breathe our polluted outdoor air for a couple of hours. We did a sunset river paddle in honor of Daniela's birthday. It's nice to celebrate with no walls and some flowing water.
_____________________
I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.
 
198586
Jul 13 2022
avatar

 Routes 442
 Photos 58
 Triplogs 850

43 female
 Joined Jun 23 2015
 Phoenix, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite ReefPhoenix, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite Reef
Phoenix, AZ
Kayak avatar Jul 13 2022
emilystardust • Triplogs 850
Kayak9.00 Miles 84 AEG
Kayak9.00 Miles
84 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Water Users to Phon D
_____________________
 
197880
Jul 12 2022
avatar

 Guides 94
 Routes 851
 Photos 22,827
 Triplogs 2,045

52 male
 Joined Sep 18 2002
 Tempe, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite ReefPhoenix, AZ
Salt River - Saguaro Lake to Granite Reef
Phoenix, AZ
Kayak avatar Jul 12 2022
chumley • Triplogs 2,045
Kayak6.00 Miles
Kayak6.00 Miles
 
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
John9L
Decided to do a sunset paddle and watch the full moon rise. Enough clouds to keep sunglasses in the bag. Outflow from a big storm out toward the ancha provided a solid wind for the first hour or so, luckily pushing us downstream.

The horses are lovely as always. If the horsey people are working on sterilization, it's not working. The population has exploded over the last 5-10 years.

Saw an idiot who doesn't care about fire restrictions. Saw a pair of great horny hooters, but too dark for a photo.
_____________________
I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.
  2 archives
198328
average hiking speed 2.32 mph
1, 2, 3, 4  Next

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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