The Salt River dances through 51 miles of lively whitewater from the US 60 bridge
north of Globe down to the AZ 288 bridge near Roosevelt Lake. Boaters can raft or
kayak on one- or two-day trips on the upper section or run the entire stretch in
3-5 days. Midweek travel gives the best chance for solitude, especially in the upper
section. Only experienced river-runners should attempt this wild water, as several
rapids through the twisting canyons have a rating of Class IV. The bigger rapids
have earned names such as "Baptism," "Maytag Chute," "Reforma," "Overboard," "Cliff
Hanger," and "Wakeup."
Rafting companies supply
skilled crew and all the equipment so that anyone in good health can go through.
Trips use paddle rafts (everyone participates in paddling), oar boats (only the
guide rows), and combinations of the two. The companies request several weeks' advance
notice on all the trips. Try Salt River Rafting (800/425-5253,
www.raftthesalt.com), Mild to Wild
(800/567-6745, www.mild2wildrafting.com),
and Wilderness Aware Rafting (800/462-7238,
www.inaraft.com). Globe Ranger District
office (7680 S. Six Shooter Canyon Rd., Globe, AZ 85501, 928/402-6200) has a list of current rafting outfits.
The Forest Service
requires visitor groups to be no more than 15, to use suitable nonmotorized craft,
and to practice "no trace" camping. Large rafts over 15 feet can be too
unwieldy; open canoes will swamp. Because the Salt has become very popular, all
river users must use a fire pan, carry out all non-burnable trash, and pack out
all human solid waste.
Flow levels depend on the winter snowpack,
so springtime affords the best chance of sufficient water. The liveliest rapids
(Class III-IV) most commonly occur mid-March to early April, and the weather is
usually reliable after late March. Bridge-to-bridge trips depend on water level—fast
flows in early season (March and April) make it a three-day float; lower flows later
in the season (May or June) make for four- or five-day trips. The Salt River Project
has a recording of flow rates, 602/236-5929, or you can check the USGS website at
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/az/nwis/rt.
Generally for the Salt River, 750 cubic feet per second is considered low water
and 4,000 cfs or above is high water.
Permits
Rafting companies take care of the needed permits for their
trips. Private parties must plan well ahead. You'll need a tribal permit along the
upper stretch because part of the south shore belongs to the San Carlos Apache tribe
and the north shore to the White Mountain Apache, who issue the permits; permits
won't be required if you start from Horseshoe Bend and maybe from Gleason Flat (check).
The store near the US 60 bridge and other outlets on the reservation sell tribal
permits, which are easily obtained. For information on the tribal permits, contact
the Hon-Dah Ski and Sport Shop (928/369-7669) or the White Mountain Game & Fish
Dept. (P.O. Box 220, White River, AZ 85941, 928/338-4385). The Forest Service requires
a permit March 1-May 15 for the wilderness section between Gleason Flat and Roosevelt
Lake. Since demand far exceeds available dates, permits are issued by a lottery
system; contact the Globe Ranger District office (928/402-6200). Both the Globe
Ranger District and Phoenix Supervisors (602/225-5200) offices have a detailed booklet
on the Upper Salt River.