Join the nationally recognized kayaking instructors at DeRiemer Adventure Kayaking and Momentum River Expeditions for guided hard shell kayaking and instruction on the Arizona’s Salt River. The Upper Salt River is virtually unknown outside of a loyal group of river runners. However, it is one of the most spectacular and unique wilderness river trips in the country. The combination of exciting and abundant whitewater, wilderness solitude, world-class camping, the desert sun in spring, and granite inner gorges that cut through the exotic Saguaro Cactus forests of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert, makes it like no other river trip on earth. Often referred to as ‘Arizona’s other Grand Canyon’ the Salt can more than hold its own with its famous neighbor.
BEFORE MAKING YOUR RESERVATION:
Prior whitewater kayaking experience is needed for these trips. Guests paddling a hardshell kayak must have a reliable river roll and be competent paddlers at the Class 4 level.
This is a committing class IV trip – before booking please contact Deriemer Kayaking to confirm that a trip is appropriate for your skill level (info@adventurekayaking.com).
If this trip isn’t a good fit for you, they will be able to point you in the right direction so you can continue your kayaking instruction and join us in the future.
Very few rivers still flow through the Saguaro forests of the Sonoran desert, and the wilderness section of the Salt is the only one with raftable flows and whitewater. The trip begins in oak and juniper woodlands and then cuts through rugged mountains dotted with stately saguaros and past meadows carpeted with blooming purple, yellow, red, and white cactus and desert flowers. Side creeks regularly enter with cool shaded pools, waterfalls, and slot canyons and washes to explore. Seeing the Sonoran desert by river in all its spring glory is an incredible experience.
The whitewater on the Salt is a big part of its uniqueness and overall quality. There is whitewater every day and in the first 37 miles, rapids come one after another with a frequency that is rare on a desert wilderness trip. The stretch begins with 14 miles of exciting but more mild class III whitewater as the Salt carves through a mostly sedimentary canyon. At mile 14 the Salt enters the first of three narrow granite gorges, the whitewater intensifies, and for the next 23 miles there are Class III and IV rapids every day. The whitewater climaxes in an ancient, dramatic, and jagged quartzsite canyon, at the infamous Quartzite Falls and Corkscrew rapids. In these rugged bedrock chasms the Salt shows its unique combination of boulder-strewn rapids reminiscent of California’s Sierra Nevada alongside the stunning scenery of the desert Southwest.
Despite draining the wettest part of the state (3 to 4 times the precipitation of Phoenix) the season on the Salt is early and unpredictable, and average seasons are rare. But in good snow years from early March to late April, when other places are still digging out of the snow, the Upper Salt offers warm sun, the twinkling desert skies, and some of the most unique early season rafting anywhere.
While kayakers are working on their skills and enjoying the river Momentum will provide raft support (including raft support for non-kayaker friends), camp support, meals, etc. Like all our trips, our guided DeReimer kayaking trips will feature unparalleled personal service and a handcrafted quality and attention to detail and will be led by some of the finest guides anywhere.
For more information on the trip or too find out about needed kayaking skills visit the DeRiemer Adventure Kayaking Owyhee River page. You can book online with us or give us a call or an email.
This is a wilderness experience enjoyed by a privileged few, a magical place that is perfect for anyone wanting a once in a lifetime trip to a place less traveled.