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I'm going down the river again, this time it's the Salt. The event is my 60th birthday on March 23rd. The very first time I went down a river was on my 50th birthday, and it was on the Salt River!

I do this the easy but expensive way. I go with an outfitter. They run paddle rafts, supply a good BBQ and salad lunch along the way (at a camp) and also supply helmet, wetsuit, neoprene booties and splash jacket. Any of you who would like to join me are welcome. You do not have to know a thing about river running.

The company is Raft the Salt. For videos and info look at their website http://www.raftthesalt.com I like this company. I like their guides and the way they do business.

The cost is about $148 including tribal fees, lunch, shuttle, taxes, etc. Not included is the tip for the guide which I insist everyone bring. I advise about $20 per person cash on the day of the trip for the tip.

What to do: Send me a private message if you are definitely interested. Other basic questions we can talk about in this forum. I know there are some of you who do private trips on the Salt, and it's a lot cheaper. I already know that, so we don't have to discuss that. Yes, prices have gone up. Okay, that's life.

I really hope some of you would like to join me! Let's talk about it here, and send me a pm if you think you might like to go, and I will give you the rest of the information you will need when you call them.

Incidentally, this is not tubing near Apache Junction. This is rafting down the spring snowmelt on the upper Salt. Put-in is at the Salt River Canyon Bridge on US 60 in the bottom of the Salt River Canyon, between Globe and Show Low.

The date has a better-than-usual chance of working for me. It now appears that I'll be working in AZ the week before or the week after.

Oh! That would be great!

A friend of mine sent me this shirt.

I wasn't gonna go, but once I realized that this is a flood protection event I might reconsider!

I couldn't resist. There weren't many choices for Event titles. It's not a hike. Flood prevention fit best.

Here's a shot of my last rafting trip, which was on the Deschutes River last June. Mrs. big_load, the guide, and I are all apparently under (cold) water. The guy you can see is my cousin, who cooks at the lodge where the guide works. We got a special dunking.

The Rogue River is fun too if you get a chance.

I received this today in an email..... (I'm not affiliated)

"Canyon Rio's 2-For-1 Salt River Rafting Special!

You will not find a better deal or a better time for whitewater rafting on the Salt River! We have officially kicked off our 2013 Salt River rafting season and invite you to join us for a full day trip starting now through April. We are offering a special of 2-for-1, if you book by Monday, March 11, 2013. This special is for our full 1-day whitewater trip including a hot, riverside barbecue lunch. For $130.00 including all fees and permits, two people can now go for the price of one!
If you decide to go mid-week you get an even better deal of $120 for two people! Call 1-800-272-3353 to make your reservation."

I'm a big step closer. We have five things to finish by early next week, any one of which might wreck us, but the last problem that's beyond our control is cleared.

Hope you can go with us, Alex.

The cost is a lot more on Saturdays. Unfortunately that is the only day that some other people in my group can go.

Don't forget to tip the guide, generously!

Reservations are made!

big_load wrote:Reservations are made!

Yay!!!!!

azbackpackr wrote:

big_load wrote:Reservations are made!

Yay!!!!!

Happy 60th Elizabeth!! and you guys wave when you pass this awesome "Jump-Off Canyon" section on the Salt River at the "White Ledges" crossing: http://hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=317950 Some of us now plan to be car camping .50 mile back from where this pic was taken

Ref: see the two brown teardrops (north teardrop is where I estimate you put-in and south teardrop is my where my above pic viewpoint is located)
http://hikearizona.com/map.php?QX=2553

Grasshopper wrote:

azbackpackr wrote:

big_load wrote:Reservations are made!

Yay!!!!!

Happy 60th Elizabeth!! and you guys wave when you pass this awesome "Jump-Off Canyon" section on the Salt River at the "White Ledges" crossing: http://hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=317950 Some of us now plan to be car camping .50 mile back from where this pic was taken

Okay if we are going down that far. Somehow I don't think we are going down as far as that. I would have to look at a map.

River just keeps on rising! It's at almost 600 this morning! Woo hoo! Optimal running cfs starts at about 900 for rafts, going up to 2500 or 3,000.

There are now 7 of us signed on to the trip. It would be nice to have a few more HAZzers! One boat will hold 8 passengers plus the guide, all of us paddling.

The river is at 807 cubic feet per second this morning!!!!!!! Now it is definitely runnable, but we want a bit more water than this.

Watch it in real time here:
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/az/nwis/uv/?s ... 0065,00060

Okay. NOW we are in good waters. The Salt is now running at 1250 cfs, and rising. For rafting, you really want it to be over about 900 or 1000. So, we are good to go. Some of us are probably going to camp by the river the night before the run.

Looks like we have about 10 people going (so, two boats) and the river has been running pretty well for over a week. Just now it is at 1420 cfs--not bad!!