I live in Flagstaff and just 45 minutes south is the beautiful Verde Valley. When things start cooling off in the Northland, or we just need a break from winter, we often times head south where the temps can be as much as 20 degrees warmer. We have literally snow shoed one day and kayaked the next in sandals and shorts.
The Verde River is one of only two Wild and Scenic rivers in Arizona. Signed in 1968, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act protects more than 200 rivers in 40 states and Puerto Rico. Wild and Scenic Rivers are designated into the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System to preserve their free-flowing condition and to protect and enhance their outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish, wildlife, historic, cultural, and other similar values.
The Verde has great day-runs, with relatively short shuttles, that can easily be done in a day. It also does not require a permit. We have kayaked this river in every month sans the dead of summer when the flow is low due to irrigation use of nearby farms and properties.
Our favorite run, for a long time, had been the ten-mile “town stretch” from White Bridge to Beasley Flats. It’s about a four-hour float which makes it an all-day venture by the time you drive down, shuttle, make the run, shuttle back for vehicles then head home.
A couple of years ago we discovered a half-day run that is packed with interesting features. It can’t be more than a few miles and it’s all right around Tuzigoot National Monument. We call it the Tuzigoot Run.
All river trips require some sort of shuttle. Why? Because the river only goes one way and you have to get back to your vehicle. This shuttle is only about three miles so it can easily be done with a bicycle! Here’s how it goes:1. Drop the boats and Ellen (my wife and adventure partner) off at the put in. 2. Drive the car and bike to the take-out. 3. Ride the bike back to the put-in and lock it to a tree. Now we’re ready to float!
The put-in is a crazy calm section of river that allows you to paddle up and down the waterway just to warm up and check out the local bird, insect and flower situation.
I keep my camera in a 50 mm ammo can between my legs in my kayak. It’s easy to access the camera and put it away quickly when things get splashy.
One must obey the traffic signs for a safe trip. Wait until you see the dam, it will make you question the safety of this section for sure.
We have to park and carry the boats overland into a large pond, then paddle across the pond and get out again to drop the boats down a boat chute. No, really, a boat slide. I’d never seen anything like it.
This is particularly true in the heat of summer I imagine. That metal could be pretty hot on your behonker.
We thought the boats would slide quickly. They don’t. It helps to have bow and stern lines to assist in their journey down the slide.
Sitting in the boats and sliding down is tempting, I’m not gonna lie, but we obeyed the rules. Safety first!
Yup, there it is. How’s THAT for a leaky dam? Apparently it’s been like this since the ’70’s. We spent the rest of the trip going though “What If” scenarios.
It’s a really calm section of the Verde and makes for a lovely afternoon of being on the water. You don’t want to paddle unless you HAVE to or the trip would be over even quicker.
There are a couple of swifter sections so one can’t fall asleep!
A few folks are lucky enough to call this area home. I always have to wonder if they play banjos…
The river is very narrow here.
The take-out is just past this bridge to the left. The car is parked here so we can de-rig, load the boats and drive back to the put-in to get the bike. A nice way to end the afternoon could be to grab a late lunch or early dinner in Cottonwood so bring clothes to change into!
The fact that we drove our Prius shows how well maintained the dirt roads are. If you plan on doing much kayaking or canoeing remember to bring an ammo can. They are easier to get into and much cheaper than a Pelican Case. Mine is lined with a foam, backpacking, sleeping pad so the cameras have some cushion.
I hope you enjoyed your trip down the Verde!
Happy shooting!!
On our river trip, we were dropped off on one end and were encouraged to walk across to the other side, where we were picked up and shuttled to the put-in at Lee’s Ferry.
This image is looking upriver toward the ferry which is four miles away.
This is looking downstream under the vehicle bridge. It was cool to realize we would be floating on that water in just a couple of hours.
I just don’t get tired of this view.
The Colorado is known for the amount of silt it moves. In this image, you can see it suspended in the green water.
See those black dots on the bridge? Those are California Condors! This image is from a different trip but they do like to hang out under the bridge. I think on this day we saw as many as ten!
On either end, you can shoot across and capture both bridges in the same images. They look like they are floating.
I like shadows. I saw this pattern being made from the ramada roof on the side we walked to.
Now we are on the river and fast approaching the bridge. The beaches on this river are stunning…but that’s a blog for a different time.
The black and white makes it seem like an older image. Look at the water and how rough it looks. These are the spring winds notorious for this time of year.
As we passed under I noticed people on the bridge looking at us. I was amazed at how small they were. This is even zoomed all the way in!
And finally, approaching the bridges and as we float under you can see both bridges from the underside.