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Whitewater A to Z

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Black River

This tree-lined mountain stream flows out of Big Lake and off of Mt. Baldy on the Springerville District of the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest. Along with the White River, which flows from these same highlands, it forms one of the major headwater streams of the Salt River. The Salt is one of Arizona's most renowned and most challenging whitewater streams. That portion of the Black River on the Alpine District, which is sometimes big enough to be run during peak seasonal flows, stretches between Buffalo Crossing Bridge on FR 25 and Wildcat Bridge also on FR 25. Along this 13 mile segment the Black drops 400 feet and provides a pleasant pool and drop run with ample gradient and complexity to challenge experienced boaters. Rapids here range to Class IV and V, and in some places a portage are the wisest way to proceed. Hazards include drops, strainers, and undercut rocks. Between March and April, flows can range as high as 400 cfs, but more usually are in the 200 cfs range. At these levels the run is suitable for kayaks, small rafts, and one to two person inflatables.

The river is quite remote along this stretch and access other than at the put in and take out is limited to two points, both of which require a one half mile hike from the river to a forest road. The shuttle to the takeout is a 13 mile drive over a well maintained forest road, which leads right to the river. The area of the Alpine District along the Black River has a number of developed campgrounds which officially open in mid-May but are accessible as early as April. If you come earlier than mid-May, you may still camp at them without the convenience of facilities such as drinking water and garbage pick-up. Take note also that the district is moving to pull camping back from the streamside because of the impact it brings to riparian areas.

Water flows are not recorded on this river, as they have not been for the past 15 years. For the best information on water levels as well as road and boating conditions call the Alpine district. (The Wilderness Ranger is the best source.) The Phelps Dodge pumping station on the San Carlos Apache reservation may have current flow information. Contact the United States Geological Survey (USGS.)

In addition to whitewater, this run offers great scenery and notable wildlife. The Black River (especially the stretch that flows across the Alpine District) has long been recognized as one of the most beautiful in the southwest. At the time this account was being written it was being considered for designation by Congress as a Wild and Scenic River. And while you're enjoying all that scenery, keep an eye out for equally picturesque wildlife residents such as black bear, elk, bighorn sheep, and osprey.

Black River is runnable below Wildcat Bridge but a half mile hike up a steep canyon slope is required to get to the nearest shuttle point at the boundary of the San Carlos Apache Reservation. A permit from the Apache Tribe is required to cross that boundary. Little information is available concerning the Black River on the Apache Reservation. This portion has been successfully run by experienced Kayakers. Fishing on national forest waters requires that you follow all appropriate rules and regulations established by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. A valid Arizona fishing license is necessary.

Blue River

In spite of all this (or maybe because of it) those who have been lucky enough to catch the Blue when it's up and running say it's an experience everyone should try at lease once. Rapids here are not big or technical. They actually rate no higher than a class one or two (unless you run the Blue Box with its low water bridge, landslide, e-curve and bottleneck, which may be beyond classification). If you walk around the box (as you should) you'll still have to stay on your toes and watch out for hazards that give the Blue its own unique character. Undercut rocks loom along the big sweeping curves this stream has cut at the base of the high cliffs that border it. And you'll have to keep an eye out for man-made hazards such as fences and pieces of old farm machinery that have found their way into the streambed. Log jams and strainers present a more serious hazard at very high water. The good news is that the stream isn't extremely pushy, and boaters with moderate experience should have no trouble avoiding these hazards, especially if they've been forewarned.

While you're not watching the river for submerged horse drawn hay-mowers, you'll want to keep your eye out for the interesting animals that make their home here. Watch the skies for everything from ospreys to hummingbirds and if you're lucky you might get to see a bighorn sheep come down to the stream for a drink. If you've brought along your fishing pole, upper stretches of the river yield an occasional trout, while downstream reaches are good for channel cats and smallmouth bass.

Another interesting aspect of this river is that where it's accessible it's very accessible (a road runs alongside it) and where its remote it does that in rare fashion too. That part of the river which doesn't have a road along it is just about enough for a good long day-run.

You can put your boat on the river just about anywhere downstream of its origin at the confluence of the Campbell Blue and Dry Blue rivers. The riverside road ends just below the confluence with KP Creek. With the exception of the Blue Box, the river is runnable all the way down to and beyond FR 475, which leads to the river from the Juan Miller Campground near US 666. The 25 mile run between FR 475 and Clifton which includes a stretch of the San Francisco River, is well worth the effort, too.