Tonto Creek

Tonto Creek AZ upper third

Tonto Creek

Tonto Creek AZ

about 2/3 the way into the run at +/- 450 CFS
John Rivers on the tail of a monsoonal flow

about 8' across and this shot was taken at +/- 450 CFS

Brady paddling the Mini-Me out of the Tonto Gorge

The unique geology of Tonto Creek is easy on the eyes

This is where you git out

when you are hiking in on Rye Creek passing some dikes

Igneous rock is beautiful throughout the lower half of the run. Not suggested above 2k?? This flow is 700cfs. We did bring a 14 foot raft that just fit through the slot near the end.

For the first half of the Class III run from Rye Creek to Gun Creek takeout you will paddle a beautiful open Verde style river with easy Class II-III rapids and saguaros abound. The second half will close in and making scouting difficult but not impossible depending on flows and ability. Class III tight. It's been suggested to not run above 2K cfs because of the tightness of Canyon.

Beautiful Gorge at the end run

Rye Creek Put-In is an easy shuttle. The Rancher at the mouth has put a corral right over the creek complete with wire so you will have to lift it up and go under but he doesn't care as long as you are nice:) There are some immediate strainers you might as well portage around to begin and one more down after a short paddle. Portage on river right across the cobble bar.

Kayak with a combat roll can easily eddy jump above and below rapids for a boat scout. Class III @ 700 cfs.

We ran the box with a group of three at 1900 cfs. The water was strong and at that level there isn't a good eddie to get out and scout the drop. If you run at this level run the drop after the powerlines to the left. There are a lot of keeper holes and very few places to recover in the box. Great short run though and it will keep you on your toes.

We ran the box at about 850-900 on 2/17/2008 from Rye Creek. We didn't encounter any barbed wire. We had some good surfing (front only) about 100 yards after the confluence of Rye and Tonto. The canyon was very beautiful. 2 things about the Put-in: 1. There was not a gate to go through 2. It is about 2-3 miles from Jake's Corner. Take a right 50 yards before the one lane bridge that goes over rye creek. Take that road about 1/8 of a mile to a dirt pullout on your left (before private land-looking gate.) and hike down to Rye Creek. Enjoy!

We ran The Box at 500 cfs yesterday and found it to be a friendly intermediate run with no Cl. IV. Due to the narrow nature of the gorge in the middle section, it is apparent that higher flows would clearly increase the degree of difficulty and hazard. It is a beautiful, although short, run and can be done in a few hours if one puts in at Rye Creek.