Tapeats Creek, Arizona, US |
|
| Usual Difficulty | III-IV (for normal flows) |
|---|---|
| Length | 1.5 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient | 400 fpm |
| Max Gradient | 400 fpm |
Tapeats Creek is a unique boating experience. This miniature box canyon is a spring fed whitewater stream that flows into the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. Intrepid creek boaters who are hungering for a quick fix of creekn after days on the Grand can run Tapeats from the top of the micro gorge to the main river below. The carry up to the top of Tapeats Creek is arduous and a bit dangerous, but well worth the effort. The whitewater is spring fed, refreshingly cool, and moderately difficult. Rescue by fellow boaters would be difficult but at least the canyon has rim side access for rappelling and rope extractions. If your are dedicated and want a beautiful creek experience in the middle of your big water Grand Canyon trip, then stop at Tapeats Creek.
From Thunder River confluence down to the top of the gorge, is relativel low gradient, brushy and scrapey at spots, so it probably does not get boated much.
From the top of the gorge to the confluence with the Colorado is a pretty short distance. After all the hiking, try to take your time in the gorge to enjoy the scenery. There are not many eddies, so utilize what you can. This author (Paul M) made the mistake of bombing through and felt like it only took 10 minutes or so.
Other Information Sources:
Oregon Kayaking: Trip
Report
NPS Thunder River
Trail pdf
AW: Colorado in the
Grand Canyon
Tapeats is fed by Thunder River Springs and Tapeats Spring, so flows will be relatively similar for most of the year. Some writers state that it is much higher during the spring. During heavy rains the flows can be much higher. This authors very rough guess on the flow is that it is around 40 or 50 cfs, which is plenty for the narrow canyon.
| When | River/Gauge | Subject | Level | Reporter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tapeats Creek [AZ] |
Tapeats Creek @ Thunder river
|
n/a | boof or die | |
| 2y326d14h07m | @Tapeats Creek Thunder River to Colorado River [AZ] |
Thunder River begins
|
0 cfs | bryan foster |
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Thunder River to Colorado River, Tapeats Creek Arizona, US (mobile)
