Whitewater Run AZ Class III-IV

01. Thunder River to Colorado River

Tapeats Creek

Linked via: Proximity 92% confidence Synced 3mo ago

Monitor
Gauge Conditions
Kanab Creek above the Mouth near Supai, AZ Downstream Primary
Runnable: ? – ? CFS
Approximate reading: This gauge is 10.1 miles away on Tapeats Creek. Use as a general reference only.
Data from American Whitewater & USGS
Run Map
Run Time Estimate
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Description
Tapeats Creek is a unique boating experience. This miniature box canyon is a spring fed whitewater stream that flows into the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon.  Intrepid creek boaters who are hungering for a quick fix of creeking can run Tapeats from the top of the micro gorge to the main river below. The carry up to the top of Tapeats Creek is arduous and a bit dangerous, but well worth the effort. The whitewater is spring fed, refreshingly cool, and moderately difficult.  Rescue by fellow boaters would be difficult but at least the canyon has rim side access for rappelling and rope extractions.  If your are dedicated and want a beautiful creek experience in the middle of your big water Grand Canyon trip, then stop at Tapeats Creek. From Thunder River confluence down to the top of the gorge, is relativel low gradient, brushy and scrapey at spots, so it probably does not get boated much. From the top of the gorge to the confluence with the Colorado is a pretty short distance.   After all the hiking, try to take your time in the gorge to enjoy the scenery. Other Information Sources: Oregon Kayaking: Trip Report NPS Thunder River Trail pdf AW: Colorado in the Grand Canyon
Difficulty
Class III-IV
Length
2.2 mi
Gradient
400 ft/mi
Rapids
0
Access Points
Put-in
36.3920, -112.4510
Take-out
36.3700, -112.4690
Shuttle Info
The trail on the west side of the creek is the most suitable for carrying boats.   It is steep with many switchbacks, so expect an hour of boat carrying to get to the upper end of the box canyon.    There are some good viewpoints down into the canyon from above, but some drops will be hidden.  I think there are somewhat better views from the trail on the east side. Above the box canyon the trail follows near creek level and the hiking is easy to the confluence with Thunder River.   Boaters can inspect the creek as they go and decide if this upper section is worth boating. The trail on the east side of the box canyon involves steep scrambling in places and would require rope work to get kayaks up from the raft landing area.   Once the trail reaches the terrace above the creek canyon, the hiking is pretty level.
Difficulty Classes
I Easy II Novice III Intermediate IV Advanced V Expert/Extreme VI Unrunnable
Current Conditions
5-Day Forecast
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater