Whitewater Rafting

by Michelle Simas,
Blue Sky Whitewater

It's early spring in north-eastern Arizona where, high atop the White Mountains, the winter snowpack begins to melt and run into the Upper Salt River. Down below, the roar of the rapids and the cold, salty splash of whitewater rushing through the towering red walls of the Salt River Canyon wilderness signal the start of another exhilarating whitewater rafting season.

These challenging rapids are rated a class III-IV on the International Scale of Whitewater, which ranges from I (flat water with current) to VI (unrunnable, like Niagara Falls). The Upper Salt flows through some of the Southwest's most exquisite scenery and combines the fun of wild rapids with stretches of calm water. The spring rafting season runs every day from March through May, depending upon snowpack and water flow. With above average precipitation so far this year, it may be the perfect time to take the plunge.

Several professional rafting companies are ready to equip, teach, and navigate you and your group through these thrilling rapids. No experience is needed, and you don't even have to be a good swimmer. Four or six-person, self-bailing rafts are piloted by professional, knowledgeable river guides. Choose a raft where you're part of the paddling crew, working under your guide's commands, or take an oar frame where the guide handles the boat while you hang on for the ride.

These companies offer a variety of itineraries: the basic ten-mile day trip, with lunch served on a scenic beach or the two-day, overnight trip where, after a day of rafting, you'll camp on a sandy beach, enjoy a hearty dinner and some campfire chat, then sleep under the stars. After breakfast, you'll break camp and board the raft for more whitewater and wilderness scenery. More extensive trips are available.

Here are some Arizona whitewater companies to contact: Blue Sky Whitewater, 800-425-5253 or www.gobluesky.com; Mild to Wild Rafting, 800-567-6745 or www.mildtowildrafting.com; Canyon Rio, 800-272-3353 or www.canyonrio.com; and Wilderness Aware Rafting at www.inaraft.com.