Thanks for the "treat this place with respect" disclaimer! I definitely want to be running this river until I physically can't anymore!

@copperstarkayak8072

2 жыл бұрын

Me too!

the best guide hands down, had to watch countless videos here before finding yours and finally understanding the route, thank you and thank you!

@copperstarkayak8072

Жыл бұрын

Great to hear! So glad this helped!

Howdy from Prescott, AZ. Subscribed

Thanks for putting this video together. It's very x very helpful and loads of information.

@copperstarkayak8072

11 күн бұрын

Awesome! Thanks for watching!

Bro i feel you on the trash! I do take a bag and try to pack out garbage i find. Terrible how people litter

That was super helpful! Thanks.

Thanks Brian, exactly the info I was looking for. I summer in Oregon and winter in Arizona. I have been kayaking on the Oregon Coast for a couple of years. You now have me excited to start kayaking in Arizona. Will follow your advice about kayaking the Salt River in the winter.

Never been on the river and looking forward to kayaking it in a couple weeks! Thanks for your sharing.

@copperstarkayak8072

3 жыл бұрын

Just went this weekend and it was great as always! Had an amazing otter spotting. Saw him crunching on some clams. The rental tubers are out in full force so I would definitely recommend launching at Goldfield and exiting at Granite Reef. Have fun and wear a PFD!

Great video, thank you! All the info I was looking for and then some. Just moved here from Washington state and I'm paddling it this weekend! Be cool to see you out there sometime..

@copperstarkayak8072

Жыл бұрын

Awesome! This weekend will be a great time to go. Make sure you get out there early. I just may be out there too! Thanks for watching.

Awesome video. Thanks for the information. Been wanting to do this for some time now

@copperstarkayak8072

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it!

Awesome video!

@copperstarkayak8072

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Very nicely done video! Exactly what I was needing to know. You covered a ton! And if you buddy doesn't want to do the winter run, I'll see if my wife will let me go with you, haha.

@copperstarkayak8072

2 жыл бұрын

Haha! Love it! I’ll be in touch!

Glad I found you. Moved here from CA coast where I kayak fish on the ocean. I've noticed that such opportunities are infrequent to rare here in AZ. I am encouraged by this and will look at giving it a try soon.

@copperstarkayak8072

3 жыл бұрын

Great to hear! I’m from CA as well and being away from the coast is hard but Arizona is beautiful and has a lot of wilderness and water to explore!

Thank you so much, Brian! I was looking for this information. I m taking Kayak 101 in June and will then if I like buy a Kayak and explore. I live in AJ so, I m close by. I agree with you people should pick up their junk after. So I guess we need 2 cars one at the beginning of the trip and the other one at the end of the trip!

@copperstarkayak8072

3 жыл бұрын

Very happy to hear this was helpful! Yes one at the end and one at the beginning. Don’t forget your keys for the one at the end! I see people forget their keys all the time!

Very helpful! I live just down the street from Granite Reef, and I’ve never kayaked the Salt River. I didn’t really know where to put in and the thought of all the tubers made me cringe. Lol. Thank you for the great information.

@davidlane07

2 жыл бұрын

If you go early enough the tubers are not a problem

Great videos bro thankyou forn the research you have shared . id love to donate some time to help clean up .i have a good sized canoe we can pile up with garbage after this weekend . it breaks mu heat too ahter every holiday people destroy our church if i did this in their church id be in trouble . thankyoi again for information great filming and navigation ! Lets keep it clean everything is sacred😔

@copperstarkayak8072

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your kind words! I completely agree with you. These natural treasure are unique and special and should be treated that way. Thanks for your post and raising awareness!

Thanks!

@copperstarkayak8072

3 жыл бұрын

Happy it helped!

Thank you for sharing all your gems and great info. Can you recommend some hotels around the area? We may be a party of 8. Family & close friends.

@copperstarkayak8072

2 жыл бұрын

I don’t have any great hotel recommendations. What I will say is that Scottsdale is known for amazing hotels and resorts and it’s only about 20-30 min from the Salt River depending on where exactly you stay. Thanks for watching! Have fun on your trip!

the other summer tip is to go mid-week or go early in the day. if you can get on the water by 7 am, you can start at water users and not have to deal with too many tubers. Early morning runs also mean the temps are more tolerable than mid day. For mid-week runs,the section from water users to pebble beach has great scenery, some nice mild whitewater,and makes for a perfect 1 hour run as the sun is setting. Would also suggest that, because the verde joins the salt at phon d sutton,sometimes the phon d to granite reef section is runnable in winter when the rest of the river is too low. SRP does releases from Bartlett Dam during the winter, the Verde below Bartlett USGS gauge wi give you some idea if the verde is running enough to make a granite reef winter run possible

@copperstarkayak8072

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the great advice!

100%, respect the nature we have! Just don't understand people that just don't G A F. It's OURS, take care of it!

@copperstarkayak8072

2 жыл бұрын

Right there with you!

Great information, so helpful. Do you know of any shuttles to help return back up to parked vehicles with kayaks and equipment. Thanks Again!!!

@copperstarkayak8072

3 жыл бұрын

Glad to hear it was helpful! I know there are not shuttle services at the river, however you might be able to contact a company that provides kayak rentals to help you out. I’ve never used Redline Rentals but I know they are a popular place for rentals, they may be able to provide a shuttle service since they will likely already be assisting their customers at the river. If you do end up using them I would love to hear about your experience.

Awesome video on the Salt River. Thanks for the info. We are in Camp Verde and thinking about taking a kayak trip in two weeks. It sounds like it might be too low? Looking at the water flows today it shows only 50 cfpm. Do you want think the lower river is ok to paddle (from granite reef)? We are by ourselves so it would actually be nice to not have to figure out how to shuttle back to our car. Are there horses on that part of the river?

@copperstarkayak8072

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the compliments! If you don’t want to shuttle the only way to do it is launch from Granite Reef and head up river. The flow will give some resistance but it’s no too bad. Yes you absolutely can see horses in that stretch, although it’s not a guarantee. The water at granite will certainly be high enough to paddle. It will be cool, quite, and peaceful this time of year - great time of year to go! Have fun!

I hear you talking about Kayaking but I wonder if my 17’ Old Town canoe would be suitable for use on the Salt river as well??

@copperstarkayak8072

Ай бұрын

I’ve taken a canoe down it before as well and had a great time. Just need to make sure the water level is high enough.

Great channel with great info! What kayak do you personally use?

@copperstarkayak8072

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I use a 12ft Ocean Kayak Malibu. It’s not a top end kayak but it’s indestructible and gets the job done!

Loved this video and it was really helpful! We will be going for the first time soon and this was the info I needed. I was planning to buy a Tonto Discovery Pass with the plan that we can make it a routine trip. However, wondering now if I would need 2, as I would have to have 2 vehicles for the drop off and pick up locations. Any thoughts on that? Do you need the pass for this access?

@copperstarkayak8072

2 жыл бұрын

You will love it! Yes, since you are parking two vehicles in two parking lots you will need a pass for each vehicle.

@brookealoe4252

2 жыл бұрын

@@copperstarkayak8072 Quick followup. Can you guy the day pass at the parking lot at Granite Reef or do you need to get it elsewhere?

@copperstarkayak8072

2 жыл бұрын

I don't think there are kiosks at Granite. See this website for locations at the river for purchase - www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tonto/recarea/?recid=35395. I always purchase mine at gas stations because I worry that the kiosks will be out of order for some reason. I would hate to have to turn all the way around!

Thanks Brian for the great information. Do you know of any "kayak clubs" or networks to join? I'd be interested in kayaking with a group to different places locally.

@copperstarkayak8072

2 жыл бұрын

I’m not a member of any but there are some groups I think on Facebook that get together.

Thanks for this video. It is very helpful. For those of you who have done this body of water. I am a beginner and have only done some kayaking in Lake Pleasant and Woods Canyon Lake. I am not a good swimmer so I always have my PFD on but even then I'm afraid of any fast moving water or very deep areas where there may be waves/wakes. Considering this, is there a spot on n the Lower Salt River where I can comfortably paddle without being afraid of rapids or any rough waters?

@copperstarkayak8072

3 жыл бұрын

Happy to hear it was helpful! First off, I’m very happy to hear you wear a PFD. I’m a very strong swimmer but I wear mine every time I kayak, without exception! I’ve pulled a grown man out of the Salt River that was seconds from drowning, it was pretty intense. Regarding the rapids, there are not any rapids on the Lower Salt. However, there are 2-3 spots that can be a little tricky to navigate. The good news is that all those spots are between Water Users and the bridge. So as long as you launch after the bridge you will be fine. The only other spot that can be a little tricky is immediately after you pass Phon D Sutton, but stay to the left and you’ll be fine. There’s a boulder obstacle on the right that may cause you some trouble. Have fun out there and be safe!

@elguerillo88

3 жыл бұрын

@@copperstarkayak8072 you're most helpful! Thank you very much and happy paddling.

Nice overview. From the water, is Phon D. Sutton easy to identify for a takeout?

@copperstarkayak8072

Жыл бұрын

Sorry, I replied earlier but it donned on me I was referring to coons bluff, not phon d. Let me try again…Phon d is very recognizable from the water. You’ll know it because there are large boulders that may the path that goes up to the parking lot. The water is running slow and it’s easy to pull kayaks over. There is a steep path up to the parking lot which makes hauling kayaks challenging but it can be done. I would recommend that when you park your shuttle car at Phon D that you walk down to the waters edge and familiarize yourself with the area so you’ll recognize it. Sorry again for any confusion! Have fun!

Thanks for this great video. So you have to take two cars right? since you cant kayak back upsteam?

@copperstarkayak8072

3 жыл бұрын

That is correct. And most importantly make sure you don't forget the keys!

@EvanRackle

3 жыл бұрын

@@copperstarkayak8072 haha the classic “where are your keys?” “oh they’re in your car” “my car… at the top?” “……..yeah”

@copperstarkayak8072

3 жыл бұрын

I might have “a friend” that has done this a couple of times…

Brian, have you done the river in winter then? I am visiting end of December and was wondering if it's worth renting the equipment and do the lower part of the river (as you mentioned)..?

@copperstarkayak8072

2 жыл бұрын

I have not done it in the winter. I was out the river hiking the other day and the water is really low. However there are still two ways you can do the river in the winter. First, launch at Phon D Sutton. The Salt River is feed by the Verde River at Phon D so there’s plenty of water flowing there. Second, launch at Granite Reef and paddle up river. The river flows very slow towards the end of its run so paddling up river isn’t hard at all. I think it’s certainly still worth it! Have fun!

@aljazfilej

2 жыл бұрын

@@copperstarkayak8072 thank you!

When you exit from the water, how do you know which exits are what? Are there visible lots of signs from the water? I've lived here all my life, and never been on this river. It's time !

@copperstarkayak8072

3 жыл бұрын

If you feel safe having your phone with you definitely have your maps up and running! But one of the best things you can do is walk out to your river exit point and do a visual. Every exit point has some very distinct geographic features. However the one to be the most careful with is Coon Bluff. That one is the easiest to blow past and honestly not an ideal one to exit from. It can be done, just make sure you plan well!

Have you seen paddle boarders on the Salt River in October and November?

@copperstarkayak8072

Жыл бұрын

I have. Water is still in the low 60s and flow rates do drop. But, it’s a beautiful time to go. If you’re worried about water levels enter at goldfield or further down river.

hi, forgive my dumb question: when you launch and then go down the river, how do you get back to your car? Do you have to row back? How do people do that? I will be on a paddleboard. I want to launch in the Salt River Tubing Exit from you advice. If I go down to the granite reef and back, would this be 4 hours?

@copperstarkayak8072

11 күн бұрын

You will need someone to drive you back to your car. Or, launch from Granite Reef and paddle upstream then float back to your car.

Great video! Can I take my 12 foot raft down this section of river with my wife and 2 young children? I think it would be fun to float down that section!

@copperstarkayak8072

Жыл бұрын

You can! I’ve gone with some friends that did that. Have fun!

@goodtimesandgold239

Жыл бұрын

@@copperstarkayak8072 Great, thanks for the reply, I have asked on some whitewater rafting forums and have got much information . Your video was super informative! Im just looking to float an area with the fam, not looking for rapids yet. We have a ways to go before that!

@copperstarkayak8072

Жыл бұрын

This will be perfect for that!

Is it possible to camp on this stretch of river? Or is there one that allows camping elsewhere in AZ?

@copperstarkayak8072

2 жыл бұрын

There is a campsite at Coon Bluff. I’ve never camped there but I know you can.

Could you do a video about saguaro this summer? :)

@copperstarkayak8072

2 жыл бұрын

That sounds like a good idea! Let me see what I could do…

@emilyb7791

2 жыл бұрын

@@copperstarkayak8072 yay! Thanks! We did canyon lake yesterday from the Boulder drop off because of your video it would be awesome to see more of what you know it was SO helpful to know what we were getting ourselves into.

@copperstarkayak8072

2 жыл бұрын

That’s great to hear! The main reason why is started these videos is because it can be overwhelming going into these waters without some guidance. For saguaro I will say that some great places to launch from are butcher jones and far end of the parking lot at the marina. It is a big lake though with lots of boat traffic so you will need to hug the coastline. I’ll try to get video up with more detail as soon as I can!

Is this a good time to go? April

@copperstarkayak8072

2 жыл бұрын

Sorry I’m a little late on this! But yes this is one of the best times of year to go. Not too hot out but warm enough that being on the water isn’t super cold.

I wish the sheriff department would make more of an effort to ticket the picnicking families who are responsible for the vast amounts of trash. I once found an entire easy up with tons of beer cans just left too lazy to pack it home.

@copperstarkayak8072

2 жыл бұрын

It would certainly be nice to to see a little more responsibility out there.

@davidlane07

2 жыл бұрын

@@copperstarkayak8072 you won’t see responsibility. If law enforcement can ticket for parking passes and ride the fan boat up and down and break up fist fighting tubers they should be able to ticket littering family’s who leave their picnic trash with zero respect.

Every time you turn around someone is whining about trash... meanwhile AZ is the ONLY state where trash dumpsters are on lock down everywhere you go. It's the dirtiest state. IF you want people to throw away trash, start with putting free dumpsters at all recreational areas and all around the state like Utah does.

Bottled water sale should be stop now!

Rule no#1 make sure you get a Tonto pass.. 1st