A glorious morning dawned for a day on the Salt.  Steve Anderson announced the trip and seven of us shared a wonderful time on the water on captain Steve's paddle raft.  Bob Kerry, (providing the boat/gear trailer), Bob's neighbor Paul, Royce Davenport and son Wade, Mark Thaler, Norma and Ron Miller (Ron providing the car shuttle) and Juanita Davenport who went solo on Steve's vintage NRS IK looking for even more of an adventure.  The Salt was running around 1500 CFS, a bit boney but raftable.  Steve skillfully managed to get six paddlers to coordinate together to paddle the rock and roll gardens.  There were a couple hang ups but we were able to get free after a little friendly persuasion.
The high cliff formations and colors were awesome, well worth the trip up.  The rapids were friendly and fun and we took a good hike up Phillips side canyon to a rock fall that produced a hidden 30 ft. luscious waterfall.  The tributaries are running well including Cibique Creek, there's still a little snow melt up on the peaks so expect the river to rise even more in the next week or so.  We took out just before Cibique Creek though we nearly lost Juanita who decided she wanted to paddle ahead from the take out spot.  We found her at the creek a couple hundred meters down waiting for a ride back.  All was good especially on the return trip at the Chinese buffet in Globe.  The guys ate like there was no tomorrow.  The food was varied, plentiful and delicious.

Steve is planning another day run for the weekend of Mar. 14-15.  This time it'll involve overnight camping at the Timber Camp Campground in the Tonto Nat. Forest.  The site is a few miles south of the Salt River Cyn. and camping there on Sat. night will give people plenty more time on the river.  As usual there is a Tonto NF camping fee of $6 (50% off for seniors with Nat. interagency senior card) and an additional fee of $15 is required for the purchase of the Fort Apache Res. permit for use on the river and adjacent lands.  Both camp fee and permit can be acquired at Sportsman's Warehouse in Tucson or at the Globe Circle K on Hwy 70 just east of the US Hwy 60/AZ 77 turnoff to the Salt River Cyn. or at the Globe Tonto NF Ranger Station on US 60 west of the turnoff.
Call Steve Anderson for info and details on the Salt day run. - 520-591-6318 (Tucson)

Photo contributions by Ron and Norma Miller