Apache Falls (Class 5.1, Mile -0.1)
Apache Falls
Apache Falls Photo by Kevin miller
Apache Falls is a large nearly unrunnable waterfall ledge above the put in for the Salt Canyon run. Running the ledge is illegal.
Put in at the falls
The upstream most put in is at the base of Apache Falls upstream of the US Highway 60 bridge.
Island Rapid (Class II+, Mile 0.3)
Island rapid is a wave train with holes. Unless the river is above 1200 cfs it is best to avoid this rapid by using the normal access point at Mule Hoof Campground.
Mule Hoof Campground access point
Salt River put in
Salt River put in Photo by Kevin Miller
Most boaters use this access point for the put in. The access road is across the street from the WMA permit office and gas station. A small Class II rapid is immediatly downstream.
Maytag (Class III, Mile 2.0)
Maytag Rapid
Maytag Rapid
An island divides the flow. The deepest channel is on river right.
Reforma (Class III, Mile 2.5)
A wave train with a big hole on river left.
Overboard (Class III, Mile 3.0)
A shallow shoal on river left that is best run down a chute to the far right bank.
Exhibition (Class III, Mile 5.8)
A big wave train with some great play waves .
Cibeque Creek
This river access point sometimes washes out when Cibeque Creek floods.
Lower Salt River Draw (Mescal Falls) (Class III, Mile 8.4)
Salt River Arizona
Salt River Arizona Photo of Will Reeves by William Reeves taken 1997
A rock strewn wave train with occasional play holes.
Salt Banks
A very small extreamly saline stream flows over a waterfall on river right into the Salt Canyon.
Ledges Rapid (Class III, Mile 10.9)
Ledges rapid
Ledges rapid Photo of Will Reeves by Kevin Miller
Ledges rapid is formed when the river flows over low angle quartzite ledges. This rapid has some of the best play waves and holes on almost any river.
Rat trap (Class III, Mile 13.8)
A long rapid with big exploding waves and large holes. Rat Trap marks the start of a micro canyon of polished granite. The next 5 miles are reminiscent of California whitewater.
Whiterock (Class III, Mile 13.9)
Whiterock Rapid
Whiterock Rapid
Polished boulers, boiling eddies, irreglar waves and holes are common for the next few miles.
Canyon Creek
Canyon Creek flows into the Salt on river left. This creek can be boated.
Granite (Class III, Mile 16.4)
Granite is probably the largest rapid in the microgorge and marks the final drop before Gleason Flat.
Gleason Flat
Gleason Flat is the middle access point for the Salt river and the point at which permits are required.
Eye of the Needle (Class IV, Mile 21.6)
The Salt enters another granite microgorge and is pinched down as it flows over a ledge with a powerful hole. Scout and protauge on river left.
Black Rock (Class IV, Mile 22.1)
Brad running the left of Black Rock
Brad running the left of Black Rock Photo of Brad Roberts by Will Reeves
Black Rock is the final rapid in a small micro gorge. The Salt is choaked with sharp boulders and drops over some ledges. Alternate lines exist but most rafts will run river right near a 6' pourover. Scout from river left.
Pendejo (Class III, Mile 26.5)
The Salt is split by a huge boulder. Most rafts must run right but hard boats can run slots down the left.
Lower Corral (Class III, Mile 28.9)
A wave train with a huge hole in the center at higher flows.
Pinball (Class III, Mile 29.0)
Pinball has everything from large waves and holes to boiling eddies. Don't swim here or you could wash into Maze, a dangerous rapid.
Maze (Class IV, Mile 29.1)
Maze is a complex rapid that starts with a pair of big holes on river left and then snakes around a corner toward the right to feed a narrow canyon with boiling eddies. This is not a fun rapid to swim or flip a raft.
Quartzite Falls (Class IV, Mile 31.5)
Open Canoe in Quartzite
Open Canoe in Quartzite Photo of Will Reeves by Kevin Miller
Quartzite Falls was once the bane of Salt raft trips. At almost all flows it involved a half day portauge and difficult rope work. Those days are gone, becuase the rapid was destroyed with dyanamite. Quartzite Falls is now an easy class IV or III rapid with a small but shallow hole at the base on river right. This once infamous rapid is now one of the smaller "big drops" on the Salt. Scout on river right and portauge on river left.
Corkscrew (Class IV, Mile 31.7)
Corksrew
Corksrew Photo of Kevin Miller by Will Reeves
Corkscrew is still one of the biggest rapids on the Salt. This complicated wave train has huge hole and exploding waves. A swim here can be long and rafts can flip here at higher water. Often boaters forget about Corkscrew in the excitiment of Quartzite Falls. Portauge from river left.
Cliffhanger (Class II+, Mile 34.1)
Cliffhanger is an easy shoal with a huge rock in the main flow. The eddie on river left near the big boulder is very difficult to escape in a raft.
Horseshoe Bend
An alternate access point and the launching spot for tubers during the summer.
Diversion Dam (Class 5.1, Mile 52.0)
Don't go here this 3 foot dam creates a lethal hole. Take out at the bridge before this drop.
