Lower Salt River Kayaking, April 20, 2023

A kayak float on the Lower Salt River near Mesa, Arizona on April 20, 2023 shortly after the Forest Service reopened the recreation sites which serve as access to the river. The flow was still running at 1,250 cubic feet per second. I tried to point out changes in the river from last year.
I recently found out that the white deposit on the boulders is actually salt. The Salt River gets its name from the salt content in the river. KZbin just started putting ads in this video. Look for the Skip Ads button in the lower right.

[@scottsdalevista]

Good vid. Looks like the main change is the island in Pinball and the large sandbar just below Coons Bluff. Thanks for posting!

[@Annie-je4yh]

This was great! Best video I've seen for taking us down the Salt. I am still after all this time confused about Pinball! I've been down and always thought the right side was rougher! But everyone says the left. You, however, confused me even more. Sounds like the left side is better now. Thanks for taking and sharing!

[@YouTed777]

I think the confusion stems from the fact that there are two channels around Bulldog Island. Taking the right channel will bypass Bulldog/Pinball, but you still need to keep an eye out for anything that might flip you. Bulldog/Pinball is in the left channel around Bulldog Island, but it often splits into two channels, as is the case at present. In this case, the left channel in Bulldog/Pinball is the safer route if you opt to run this rapid. When people say, "Go left," or, "Go right," it is meaningless unless they clarify whether they mean at the start of Bulldog Island, or once you get to Bulldog/Pinball.

[@derekdavis6436]

@@YouTed777 I'd love to see a video documenting the right bypass channel, as this is what we would take in out tandem should we ever do the Lower Salt.

[@YouTed777]

@@derekdavis6436 I might be able to do a video on that sometime this summer. Most folks that kayak with me want to do the left channel, and I usually stay with them in case anyone flips.

[@YouTed777]

@@derekdavis6436 As you requested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ravHiaFqpbesars

[@derekdavis6436]

@@YouTed777 Had a look - just what we needed. Thanks!