Bill Williams

Another access point is at Lincoln Ranch (seen as Reid Valley on USGS topos). This is definitely private property (owned by an old mining operation) and is DEFINITELY a weird place.. however all the gates are open, it is abandoned, over run with burros, and is clearly used by OHVers. The vibe of the place is abandoned agriculture despite it being owned by a mining firm. I counted two two-tracks which diverge from the main route and access the Bill Will. One is on the eastern edge of the property along a fence line adjacent to the Rawhide Wilderness. Hope you like desert pinstripes! Another way in is through the fields and ultimately gets you to the same spot. Just watch for burros, potholes, and old fencing in the grass.

The Reid Valley take-out makes for a ~7 mile run through a SUPER esthetic canyon. Plenty of strainers in this section for sure. You gotta be on your toes, scouting blind turns, etc. Stellar camping abounds. Ran this in a 17' canoe and it was mostly chill. A couple portages around unavoidable strainers. Putting in below the dam is fine if you're down for carrying all your shit down .75 miles to the river. You can leave your rig at the Bill Williams Overlook in Alamo State Park for $12 a night. I spoke with a ranger; this is fine to do. Unload gear directly at the Army Corp dam gate.

As far as the shuttle goes. I'd recommend against taking the obvious line (Alamo Lake Road to Pipeline Road to Lincoln Ranch Road) because the Pipeline Road sucks. Its just as efficient if not faster to take the 'Powerline Road' to Midway, turn right onto Johnson Ranch Road, and then right onto Lincoln Ranch Road. These are cruiser roads. Powerline road is a little sandy and rougher nearest to Alamo, but takes shape approaching Midway. Or, for a smoother ride, just take paved roads to Bouse, AZ and hop on Johnson Ranch there.

Johnson Ranch will also take you to the Pipeline take out if you're looking for a longer run.

And you don't need a 44 magnum with you...