Verde River Greenway

VerdeRi ver Paddl eTrai l Hi ghway 89A Bri dgetoBeasl ey Fl at CoverPhot oCour t esyofSusunMcCul l a Welcome to The Verde River Paddle Trail Highway 89A Bridge to Beasley Flat This paddle guide is the result of the vision and dedication of John Parsons. Many heartfelt thanks to John, his wife Susun, and his young boating partner Josh Wheeler for performing the entire field work for this guide. Special thanks to John for his decades of advocacy in support of a healthy Verde River. Photo courtesy of Gary Beverly This section of the Verde River Paddle Trail covers 31 river miles from the Highway 89A Bridgeport Bridge to Beasley Flat. The guide is composed of nine map segments, each with a corresponding descriptive narrative of GPS waypoints. A vicinity map shows how the segment maps provide coverage of each river reach, and a waypoint table provides GPS coordinates for the waypoints used in this guide. Note that much of this section of river is located on private property. Please respect the rights of these property owners during your paddle trip; it is an act of trespass to disembark and enter riverside properties. Plan your river trip accordingly and leave the river on public lands only. The Verde River is a dynamic natural resource. Water levels, channel obstructions and many other factors can change on a daily basis. River recreationists are advised to practice Safe Paddling. 1 Verde River Paddle Trail Highway 89A Bridge to Beasley Flat Safe Paddling • • • • • • • • • • Never paddle alone Inform friends and/or family of your paddling plans Check conditions before you go Dress appropriately for the expected weather Wear a life jacket Know your watercraft’s limitations Paddle within your skill level Avoid high, swift water Scout any hazard about which you have doubts. Dispose of all trash properly The following table contains information regarding contiguous Verde River paddle guides and RAPs contained in this paddle guide. Approximate time (hrs) River mile RAP Miles to next RAP Low Med 0.0 Sycamore (future) No Guide at this time 9.1 Tapco (future) See VR @ Clarkdale 11.9 Tuzigoot See paddle guide 18.4 Bridgeport 4.0 3.0 1.5 22.4 Skidmore 0.6 1.0 0.5 23 Black Canyon 1.0 1.0 0.5 24 Bignotti 8.0 4.0 2.5 32 Newton Lane 3.3 2.5 1.5 35.3 I-17 Bridge 2.0 1.5 1.0 37.3 Black Bridge 2.2 2.0 1.25 39.5 White Bridge 5.5 3.0 2.0 45 Clear Creek 4.3 3.0 2.0 49.3 Beasley Flat See boaters guide 100.8 Sheep Bridge Verde River flows can vary widely during any year or season. Low flows (<100 cfs) are typical, and boating is challenging if flows are <50 cfs. During the early summer months, the section between Clear Creek RAP and Beasley Flat may be the only boatable segment in this guide. Autumn through spring months provide the best boating flows. Floods can occur during spring snowmelt, after rain-on-snow events or following summer storms. Do not paddle during flood events. Check real-time flow at: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/az/nwis Look for the “Verde River near Clarkdale” (Station No. 09504000), and “Verde River near Camp Verde” (Station No. 09506000) 2 Verde River Paddle Trail Highway 89A Bridge to Beasley Flat Directions to RAPs Bridgeport - In Cottonwood on Hwy 89A, turn north on to River Ave. on west side of the bridge. Park on the road. Go under the gate on the right. Skidmore - At south end of Cottonwood on Hwy 260, turn east on to Prairie Lane and follow it about one mile, then turn right on East Mesa Drive. Turn right on South Arrow Drive and right again at Skidmore Drive, then left into the parking area. The river is about 150 yards down the trail. Prairie Lane - (hiking only) – Following directions to Skidmore, but turn right off Prairie Lane after 0.5 mile, then right again in 0.4 mile Black Canyon - Turn east off Highway 260 at 0.7 miles south of Prairie Lane. Follow road to parking area and restroom at end. Bignotti - From Highway 260 turn east on Thousand Trails Road (signed on highway). Make first left at 0.3 miles on Forest Service road. Follow it to signed area with parking, restroom and picnic tables. If this is your take out be sure to reconnoiter as current is swift here. Newton Lane - From Highway 260 turn east on road marked Newton Lane. Follow this road 0.1 miles and turn right at Newton Lane. Follow Newton Lane for 0.6 miles and turn left on an obscure primitive road on Forest Service land. This road is a few hundred feet beyond the intersection of Newton Lane and North Amorie Drive and opposite Newton Lane from a large irrigation pond. Follow this road, which parallels an irrigation ditch, for 0.3 miles to the Verde River. I –17 Bridge - This is not a formal RAP at the time of publication. In Camp Verde, turn east off Highway 260 on Finnie Flat Road. Follow it 1.4 miles and make the hairpin left at the Circle K on Montezuma Castle Highway. After travelling 1.8 miles, turn left on Apache Trail, just past Camp Verde High School. After 0.5 mile, turn left on Buffalo Trail. Follow Buffalo Trail as it winds around for one mile to a T-intersection with Roundup Road. Turn left and follow Roundup Road to the river just downstream from bridge. Black Bridge - Follow I-17 directions above to Montezuma Castle Highway. After travelling 0.5 mile on Montezuma Castle Highway, turn right into Rezzonico Park, which is located on river right just downstream from Black Bridge. It is a short, grassy walk to the river from the parking area. 3 Verde River Paddle Trail Highway 89A Bridge to Beasley Flat White Bridge - This area with parking, restrooms and ramadas is at the southeast corner of the Highway 260 bridge (White Bridge) in Camp Verde. Turn east on Quarterhorse Lane and right into the facility. Clear Creek - In Camp Verde, turn east off of Highway 260 on Salt Mine Road (2 miles east of Finnie Flat Road; 0.4 mile west of White Bridge). Go about 6.2 miles to signed area with parking. River is about 150 yards across ditch and down the hill. Beasley Flat - Follow directions to Clear Creek and continue 2.4 miles to where paved road makes a hard left to Camp Verde Acres Access Road (first left after River Bend Road). Follow “main” road through subdivision (using Verde Lane and River View Drive, if marked) until you reach Forest Service land. Follow road to ramadas, parking, rest and changing rooms, and launch area. Photo courtesy of Doug von Gausig The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and is not meant to be a statement of conditions at any one time. Conditions can vary greatly in relation to temperature, weather, water level, and other factors. All persons intending to run this river are responsible for personally assessing these conditions, as well as their own ability to cope with them. You should be aware that all recreational use of this type involves a degree of risk, and persons engaging in this activity assume the risk associated therewith. The information in this guide is used entirely at the reader's discretion, and is made available on the expressed condition that no liability, expressed or implied, is accepted by Verde Valley Land Preservation, Fred Phillip Consulting, LLC., or any of their associates, employees, branches or subsidiaries for the accuracy, content or use thereof. 4 Verde River Paddle Trail Highway 89A Bridge to Beasley Flat Waypoint Locations Way point 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 GPS Coordinates 1 Lat Long 34.7222 -111.9921 34.7215 -111.9907 34.7133 -111.9891 34.7101 -111.9869 34.7082 -111.9822 34.7068 -111.9549 34.6920 -111.9658 34.6930 -111.9622 34.6903 -111.9658 34.6851 -111.9644 34.6763 -111.9532 34.6748 -111.9469 34.6761 -111.9471 34.6785 -111.9422 34.6781 -111.9415 34.6747 -111.9382 34.6674 -111.9384 34.6539 -111.9374 34.6407 -111.9304 34.6312 -111.9190 34.6318 -111.9129 34.6330 -111.9067 34.6248 -111.8998 34.6133 -111.8992 34.6094 -111.8962 34.6091 -111.8882 34.6119 -111.8763 34.6113 -111.8754 34.6083 -111.8770 Notes Bridgeport RAP Highway 89 Bridge Scouting Location Irrigation return Rock bar Great Verde Lake Bed Scouting Location Skidmore RAP Prairie Lane RAP Black Canyon RAP Bignotti RAP Caution Required Alcantara Winery Verde Lake Bed Oak Creek Confluence Sheeps Crossing Diversion Dam Willow Stands Hayfield Draw Confluence Portage Required Class II Rapids Small Diversion Dam Yavapai Apache Nation Riffle Newton Lane RAP Verde Ditch Diversion Riffles Scouting Location Verde Ditch return 1 Segment Map 1 1 1 1 1 1&2 2 2 2 2 2&3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3&4 4 4 4 4 4&5 4&5 5 5 5 5 Coordinates are provided in Latitude for Northern Hemisphere and Longitude for Western Hemisphere. It is recommended to set GPS Coordinate Systems to either NAD83/WGS84 UTM 12N or to NAD 83 State Plane Coordinate System for Central Arizona 0202 for the most accurate readings. 5 Way point 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 GPS Coordinates 2 Lat Long 34.5972 -111.8793 34.5897 -111.8828 34.5865 -111.8800 34.5753 -111.8634 34.5738 -111.8608 34.5734 -111.8572 34.5731 -111.8563 34.5739 -111.8545 34.5609 -111.8488 34.5582 -111.8483 34.5511 -111.8508 34.5449 -111.8596 34.5433 -111.8656 34.5308 -111.8671 34.5263 -111.8362 34.5168 -111.8385 34.5062 -111.8371 34.5045 -111.8297 34.5002 -111.8201 34.4982 -111.8160 34.4944 -111.8155 34.4798 -111.8129 34.4731 -111.8014 Notes Car Bodies Scouting Location I-17 Bridge Elk Fencing Largest Cottonwoods Black Bridge Rezzonico Park RAP Beaver Creek Confluence Captain King’s Old Boat Diamond S Ditch Dam White Bridge RAP Minor Irrigation Dam Copper Canyon Confluence 1st Windy Point Rock Bar 2nd Windy Point Rock Bar Verde Lake Club Stabilization Clear Creek RAP West Clear Creek Confluence Tree Fence Ahead Gypsum Cliffs Tree Tunnel Class 2 Riffles Beasley Flat RAP Segment Map 5 5 5&6 6 6 6 6 6&7 7 7 7&8 8 8 8 8 8 8&9 9 9 9 9 9 9 The information provided here is for general informational purposes only. All persons intending to run this river are responsible for personally assessing geographic locations as well as their own ability to navigate in variable conditions. You should be aware that all recreational use of this type involves a degree of risk, and persons engaging in this activity assume the risk associated therewith. The information in this guide is used entirely at the reader's discretion, and is made available on the expressed condition that no liability, expressed or implied, is accepted by Verde Valley Land Preservation, Fred Phillip Consulting, LLC., or any of their associates, employees, branches or subsidiaries for the accuracy, content or use thereof. 2 Coordinates are provided in Latitude for Northern Hemisphere and Longitude for Western Hemisphere. It is recommended to set GPS Coordinate Systems to either NAD83/WGS84 UTM 12N or to NAD 83 State Plane Coordinate System for Central Arizona 0202 for the most accurate readings. 6 Desert Holly Trl R d 20 Fo re st 1 ga S Loy St rlo af Rd Rd 9A st 1 1 C 50 RM36 S Acce y Dr NC any N Bentle Ln Bice Rd Sy ca ! ( ! (RM39 6 ! ( ( ! ( ! RM40 ll R Segment 8 Be ll Rd Landfi Clear Creek RAP d Fs 9 60 ! ( RM42 Rd 3F RM41 RM43 ! ( Wingfield! RM44! ( Coconino National Forest ! ( ! ( RM45 River Access Point Segment 2 3 Miles 4 Fr 544 74 Fr5 Laz Segment 9ar Beasley Flat RAP RM46 ! (! ( ! ( RM47 ! ( d Fr Roa RM49 ! ( Fo 68-D Salt Mine Rd un nR Creek E Zachary Ln E Clinton Ln RM48 * River miles began at the confluence of Sycamore Creek and the Verde River. re st of map information This map is intended for reference use only. Accuracy Rd 68 reponsibility for is not guaranteed. Fred Phillips Consulting assumes no D errors, omissions, or inconsistencies in map. West Cle ar Pe 0 Wayfinding Points ll Bu 26 wy EH 8D Segment 7 White Bridge RAP Shill Ln Rd 6 R d RM38 ! 3 Fs 1 0 0.5 1 ! F Camp Verde ss Rd RM18 River Miles State Trust Land a Ln Orlandi Trl Verd e I-17 E Hwy 169 68D Tribal Land re ek Be av er C ! ( § ¦ ¨ µ Private land Cay ug Segment 6 d 3R 20 t9 Black Bridge RAP s ore RM35 ! ( ! (! ! ( Rd Montezuma Castle (! ( ( ! (! RM37 Prescott National Forest d rt R ! ( Prescott National Forest Legend D ai ry 7 I1 Park Ln RM34 96 Ch irpo EA Lake Montezuma Sierr a W y 7 reek er C Segment 5 I-17 Bridge ! ( ! ( Fs Fr 361 ! ( ! ( ! ( E v B ea Rea y Rd Yavapai Apache ( Indian Reservation RM31 ! RM32 RM33 d kR McGuireville ! ( ( ! ! ( ! RM29 1 I- E 260 ree yC err on R d Fo re Segment 4 RM30 Newton Lane RAP ( RM28! I-17 § ¦ ¨ m or e S Loy Rd Su S ee k Cr pD r Quail Run Rd Hillt o 1 A Rd 6 st 3 Coconino National Forest ! (RM27 r e For Rte ! (RM26 Segment 3 Hayfield Draw iv e eR 36 1 Fr360 Jordan ! ille Rd d sR v rn Co n yo d Ver u an rC ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( lat E 79 ( RM24! Rd tus Cac Rd RM25 ! F er av Bridgeport RAP to Beasley Flat RAP Hillside Dr d Ireys R u d ch R ilb W State Trust Land ! ( (RM22 ! ( ! ! ( RM23 2 wy dH Ol an nR RM21 Be Circle Dr a ate Pl Rd e Ogd ! ( Hart Ln Segment 2 Bignotti RAP RM20 Private Land Rd Rocky Knolls ard Verde ! (RM19 ! (! ( Peila Ave Rio Mesa Trl odd EG ! Slipher Rd Oa k Mi ll D r S 12th St S 8th St 4th Ave ! (! ( as Rd E Fir St Verde River Paddle Trail E Lee Pasture Rd Segment 1 Bridgeport RAP rd Rd S 16th St Viejo Dr § ¦ ¨ S Aspa 89A RM18 Langfo S 6th St wood RM50 Verde River Paddle Trail St at rR d Ri ve rin g W an de S er g Rid e eS ant Ver d Bridlepath Rd W Romey Way Purple Sage Trl so Dr P5 ! ( RM20 Michelle Cr Spanish Rowe l Trl er n Dr b Ox Trl ow lo w Vie rde Ve r ipe Jun iat r yD Ci r Ba y Cir ge Re no ir rC ta Ria Cir Ci r Ton to Cir Dr µ La r Cir d Ba P6: Great Verde Lake Bed Limestone Caves Brigade Cir Trl Rio Verde Dr Ln st Ea Tr l on Dr ED iab Horseshoe Ln to Tr l rd oa C ir us tets r gD Pi n Cir Pum a Puma C ir Dr Vi lla Bu ck b C ac t ES Dr e Vall Ln Trees da e nch pT rl Dr tan Dr Diversion Dam l Tr af aj o av EN s Mu du lo l Tr dar Ce ek Dr Dr Le nc Co i ew le V 260 wy SH Dr g Ea Riffle Ro un n cie Ha Cir Land J Danger x ab Di rl on T el Reb Private Parking * River miles begin at the Confluence of Sycamore Creek and the Verde River.n Dr nL iew use only. Accuracy of map information sio This map is intended for reference nd V Mis Gra is not guaranteed. Fred Phillips Consulting assumes no reponsibility for errors, omissions, Colt Cir or inconsistencies in map. Cr e le E l Tr talli Sabino Trl Dr Pi pe dd i ta S Wild om a EC Sa Sacaton Trl en n za y Wa ho rtez E Co Arizona State Parks yote Cir P1 ! Wayfinding Points ( Co Tower Dr RM18 River Miles io Dr R l e Ed Scout Dr Point E Medicine River Access ir Point nC Hoga E Colorado Dr Area of Interest s ler er d R Trl se g ran W Granite Dr lv Si o bl 260 wy SH yu Ca an M r Ci ! ( Sapphire Cr E River Run Dr E Emerald Ct E Pearl Ln 4 Fs 1 6 E Ramada Rd S Posse Trl Pa S Copper Dr el Jade Ln E e Pu se Savage Ln Muretic Ln Sandy Hollow Ln ! ( ok Br Crescent Rd ir ll C Garden Ln d mit R yu Ca mi Bates Rd Hogan Ln Goddard Rd Sum Dr Bird Ln Thompson Rd Charolais Dr S Meadow Ln Angus Cir S Trinity Way n ind W Lobo Ln 260 Trail End Dr E Cassie Ln RM19 P4 Ho ga ! Butterfly Ranch Rd Kelli Ln Uvx Rd Wagon Master Rd P2 ! ( Western Dr Warriors Run isp Wh ! ( Carol Ln Coconino National Forest Private land Tribal Land State Trust Land Prescott National Forest 0.6 aF eP kwy ! ( Penny Ln Ogden Ranch Rd 0.4 § ¦ ¨ Zalesky Rd Legend Miles 0.8 89A E Hwy 89A P3 Rd 9A ir R d 0 0.1 0.2 Territory Trl E Hwy 89A PT lt RM18 P1: Bridgeport River Access Point ville Segment 1- Bridgepor t RAP eH wy 8 gC ha St at Yorb a Rd Yorba Ln SR oc kin EC orn r Dr eH wy 8 9A xle Dre lt 89 E Mesa Dr Verde River Paddle Trail Segment 1 - Bridgeport RAP Photo courtesy of Doug von Gausig Point 1 - The Bridgeport RAP is public land managed by Arizona State Parks. Park near the pipe gate on the right and follow a narrow unimproved path through the weeds to the river. Point 2 - Highway 89 Bridge at Cottonwood. The unincorporated community of Bridgeport takes its name from this river crossing. At one time it was a low water crossing for horse-drawn wagons coming from Sedona and Rimrock. Point 3 - This stretch can be a dangerous area requiring a portage. Floods, high winds, beavers and chain saws can often drop large limbs and tree trunks into and across the river channel. Even if you have recently paddled this stretch, be prepared for unexpected blockages due to changes in stream bank vegetation. Point 4 - The first major irrigation return on river right provides some extra stream flow at the upper boundary of the Verde Village subdivision. Point 5 - The rock bar here is a naturally occurring obstruction with large rocks. There is generally a clean channel on the right. If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water.-Loren Eiseley 9 le Dr ab Di lo Brigade Cir r wD Sapphire Cr S Mosey Ln S Hillview Cir S Copper Dr Jade Ln Rio Verde Dr Private Land ! ( RM22 ! ( Fs Rd Goldenstein FS Rd 9808A Coconino National Forest RM23 Tissaw Pl ! ( Thede Ln Cam Baez P1 ! ( RM18 Wayfinding Points River Miles Scout River Access Point Area of Interest Parking Russell Flats Rd S Owl Slick Rd 260 wy SH ! ( Coconino National Forest Private land Tribal Land State Trust Land Prescott National Forest P7 Prescott National Forest 260 r sa D ! ( P10: Black Canyon River Access Point LEGEND E Me Skidmore Dr Barta Ln P9: Prairie Lane Access Point Arrow Dr to S Posse Trl g Dr Musta n Ea st er n P8: Public River Access Point Canyon Trl Fs 146 E Mesa Dr r r Run D Pi n E Cac tus Ln E Rive Dr E Mesa Dr Dr tt Bu r eD 0.6 RM21 E Emerald Ct E Pearl Ln 0.4 Ln S Kachina Tr l Trl Juniper E Lux 0.2 d wR rl nT ie eV Ci r Ton to Cir 0.1 a iss ST r eD Dr Ci r Re no 0 Riverbend Rd io lR ch an de m Co l Tr af E Le io all iat Dr er St rl wT rd Ve La r Dr Miles 0.8 ar ra lD r dd E E bo Ox P6: Great Verde Lake Bed Limestone Caves J Danger x Riffle Diversion Dam ! ( * River miles begin at the Confluence of Sycamore Creek and the Verde River. Fs 14 7A RM25 Bignotti RM24 Trees This map is intended for reference use only. Accuracy of map information is not guaranteed. Fred Phillips Consulting assumes no reponsibility for errors, omissions, or inconsistencies in map. Slick Rd Sa Sacaton Trl en lv Si ild W r ste Ea aj o av EN Horseshoe Ln r nD Segment 2- Bignotti RAP Ch ap ok Br µ Verde River Paddle Trail ! ( ! ! ( P11: ! ( Bignotti River Access Point Verde River Paddle Trail Segment 2 - Bignotti RAP The limestone cliffs that you see along the Verde River are evidence of the Verde Formation, created by an ancient freshwater lake. The footprints of saber-toothed tiger, mastodon and camel have been found in its upper layers, as have the bones and teeth of other vertebrates, large and small, and the remains of freshwater plants and animals. Lake Verde, as the ancient inland sea has been dubbed, was a shallow lake throughout the 7 million years it was contained within the basin. It was fed by the same drainage that would one day become the Verde River, along with several travertine springs, one of which is believed to have formed Montezuma Well. When the lake finally dried up some 2.5 million years ago, its last vestiges retreated to the lower end near Camp Verde. That fact is evidenced by the deposits of gypsum and salt the lake left behind. Point 6 - Great Verde lake bed limestone caves on river left with pebble beach on right. Please note that this is private property. The Verde River channel flows through ancient lake bed sedimentary formations from Clarkdale to Beasley Flat. Point 7 - This area of the Verde River will probably always be a major obstruction. It can be extraordinarily dangerous at higher flows. There may be a complete channel blockage. The river makes a 90-degree turn to the right, losing momentum and allowing debris to pile up. At the bottom of this obstruction, there are lots of old steel jacks from past bank stabilization programs. Scout on river right and portage if necessary. Point 8 - It is about 150 yards from Skidmore RAP, a Prescott National Forest facility, to the river. There are some picturesque cliffs on river right downstream. Point 9 - The steep and lengthy trail from the parking lot at Prairie Lane RAP to the river is better suited for hiking access. Point 10 - There is a small parking area and a restroom at Black Canyon RAP. The extensive Black Canyon drainage can carry high flows during large monsoon events. There is a nice alluvial fan here filled with small pebbles and some sandy areas, created by Black Canyon on river right. The long pool above this RAP is one of the best areas on the river to learn how to paddle a canoe or kayak. There are many fun riffles downstream before you reach the Bignotti RAP. Point 11 - The Bignotti RAP features an excellent parking area. However, actual access at the river remains unimproved. Bignotti RAP is hard to identify from the river. Boaters are advised to scout the entire river right stream bank for the best available access suitable for their water craft and abilities. It is wonderful to have the duty of being on the river the first and last thing every day. I have loved it even in the rain. Sometimes I have loved it most in the rain. – Wendell Berry 11 S Owl Slick Rd RM25 Bignotti ! ( RM24 P11: Bignotti River Access Point s hou ET d sR ! (! ( ! ( ! ( ! ( hR d P17: Diversion Dam Must Portage RM26 Coconino National Forest l ! ( 0.5 0.75 Wayfinding Points RM18 River Miles Scout River Access Point Area of Interest P1 ! ( ta Old S Parking 1 Miles P18: Experienced Paddlers ! ( RM27 J Danger x P19: Confluence of Hayfield Draw Riffle Diversion Dam Trees W Shea Ln 0 26 This map is intended for reference use only. Accuracy of map information is not guaranteed. Fred Phillips Consulting assumes no reponsibility for errors, omissions, or inconsistencies in map. Hayfield Draw Dr y Hw 9 * River miles begin at the Confluence of Sycamore Creek and the Verde River. µ W Middle Verde Rd S y 27 te Hw Coconino National Forest Private land Tribal Land State Trust Land Prescott National Forest A P16: Public Access at Sheeps Crossing P12 260 r 0 C0.125 0.25 ou nR anc ! ( P13: Private Takeout for Alcantara Winery r yD reek P15: Oak Creek Confluence State Trust Land LEGEND exto Oak Creek ! il Tra and SS Ln 7A Oak Creek e ed Th 14 w Rd Fs Segment 3- Hayfield Draw Oak C S Tissa Fs Rd Fs Rd Tissaw Pl Verde River Paddle Trail P14: Beginning Verde Limestone Formation on River Right ! ( RM28 N Western Dr Center Ln S Pike Mahoney Rd Verde River Paddle Trail Segment 3 - Hayfield Draw Point 12 - At low flows the current enters a very small, narrow right hand channel which hugs the Verde Limestone formation. There are some significant undercut bluffs which could be dangerous at high flows. Point 13 - The commercial takeout for Alcantara Vineyards features a vehicle access ramp and retaining wall. This is private property and is marked “No Trespassing.” About 100 yards downstream there are some tricky riffles. Around the bend from the Alcantara area there are many in rocks in the channel, which makes for very busy paddling. Point 14 - Significant limestone Verde lake bed formation on river left. These bluffs extend to the confluence with Oak Creek. Point 15 - The Oak Creek Confluence is one of the most beautiful spots on the Verde River between Clarkdale and Beasley Flat. This is a great spot to admire two wonderful streams as they join together at a picturesque location. Point 16 - There is public access to the Verde River at Sheep’s Crossing, located immediately upstream from the RV resort fence line. It is a difficult carry between the parking area and the river. Sheep’s Crossing is named for the river crossing of the historic Sheep Driveway from the Phoenix area to the Mogollon Rim. The limestone bluffs once again rise up on river left below the confluence with Oak Creek. There is a large ‘lake” downstream from the Sheep's Crossing RAP created by the OK Ditch diversion dam. Paddlers face almost half a mile of flat water before arriving at the diversion. Point 17 - The OK Ditch diversion dam is extensive and requires scouting both by boat and on foot. Most of the river current enters the ditch on river left. The diversion dam is a difficult obstruction and requires a portage back into the main river channel right of the ditch. Point 18 - At this point below the diversion dam, there are thick willow stands on both sides of the river and young willows in the middle of the river. All of the young willows have grown since the 1993 Flood. This “tree fence” may be run by experienced paddlers. However, many boaters will elect to portage. Point 19 - Industrial development is visible on river right at the confluence of Hayfield Draw and the Verde River. There are many willows obstructing the channel below and boaters may elect to portage this area. I feel most at home in the water. I disappear. That's where I belong.-Michael Phelps 13 W Middle Verde Rd N Western Dr Center Ln Dorset Ln Wilson Ct P22: Typical Small Gravel Diversion Dam Caughran Rd ld O y w H RM30 9 27 ! ( P21: Class II Rapid P23: YAN (Yavapai Apache Nation) Low Water Crossing fR anc Clo ve rlea 260 RM31 ! ( w ith e Av Sm a Sh Yavapai Apache Indian Reservation 0 0.125 0.25 LEGEND 0.5 0.75 Parking J Danger x Riffle Diversion Dam This map is intended for reference use only. Accuracy of map information is not guaranteed. Fred Phillips Consulting assumes no reponsibility for errors, omissions, or inconsistencies in map. Hamaley Ave ! ( W Hw y2 60 ! ( n wto Ne P25: Newton Lane River Access Point Trees * River miles begin at the Confluence of Sycamore Creek and the Verde River. Curtis St Smith Ave RM32 Dr Wayfinding Points RM18 River Miles Scout River Access Point Area of Interest P1 ! ( 1 Miles ! ( rie Amo Coconino National Forest d kR ee Cr ry Privateherland C W Tribal Land State Trust Land Prescott National Forest P24:Riffle Ln Westward Dr Verde West Dr Jean St µ Pattea St White St Private Land St Re se e Av Kinse y Snell Dr ! ( pR d RM29 hR d § ¦ ¨ ! ( Lo o ! ( i on l W Middle Verde Rd rva t RM28 P20: River Portage Verde River Paddle Trail Segment 4- Newton Lane RAP S Pike Mahoney Rd Fore st 11 9 RM28 A Rd W Northern Ave N Wilson Rd ! ( W Shea Ln P19: Confluence of Hayfield Draw Cll Salida Horseshoe Bend Rd Verde River Paddle Trail Segment 4 - Newton Lane RAP Point 20 - The dense wall of willow trees is a very large, total channel blockage. A very long portage on river right is required. Point 21 - This rapid, formed by limestone bedrock ledges, is one of the few rapids on the Verde River between Clarkdale and Beasley Flats. In a canoe, this rapid is definitely a Class II and could easily be rated as a Class III, depending on stream flow. There is no easy way to scout this rapid. Note that the river is making a sharp turn to the left here. Point 22 - The character of this gravel diversion dam will probably change after each winterspring runoff season. The large white-roofed structure, an open-sided hay barn, is very visible from the river before reaching the diversion. In 1826 a party of trappers worked their way up the Salt River to its junction with the Verde River. At this point, the company divided. One group, following James Ohio Pattie, trapped the Salt to its headwaters in the White Mountains. The other, led by Ewing Young, followed the Verde River to its source in the mountains southwest of the town of Williams. Young reportedly trapped along the Verde again in 1829, this time taking a party of forty men, including a teenager named Kit Carson, from Taos toward the Salt River, known at the time for its fine trapping grounds. They trapped the Salt to the mouth of the Verde River and from there "meandered that stream to its source." Point 23 - This low water road crossing on the Yavapai-Apache Nation may not be used for river access without permission from Nation officials. Point 24 - This rock-studded riffle was created by a summer monsoon flow event that flushed a large alluvial fan into the river. Point 25 - The Newton Lane RAP lies just downstream from the Yavapai Apache Nation boundary. Access to this point was developed to install and service an irrigation diversion and vertical turbine pump on river right. The final portion of the unimproved road is very steep and loose and may not be suitable for low clearance, two-wheel-drive vehicles. At low flows, the diversion itself does not represent a hazard. Paddlers coming from upstream can actually land their boats on the right area of the diversion dam. Paddlers putting in here will find accessfriendly stream bank about 100-200 feet below the diversion structure. “A good river is nature's life work in song.”-Mark Helprin 15 Segment 5 - I-17 Bridge ! ( pp Co er r Ci Zinc S P24:Riffle Verde River Paddle Trail Lost River Dr Yavapai Apache Indian Reservation RM33 RM32 P26 ! ( l ! ( P28: Experienced Paddlers or Scout P25: Newton Lane River Access Point P27 ! ( ! ( ! ( P29 Private Land RM34 ! ( 260 µ 0 0.1 0.2 LEGEND Coconino National Forest Private land Tribal Land State Trust Land Prescott National Forest P30: Car Bodies as Erosion Control Prescott National Forest ! ( I-17 § ¦ ¨ 0.4 Miles 0.8 0.6 RM35 Wayfinding Points RM18 River Miles Scout River Access Point Area of Interest P1 ! ( Parking x J Danger Riffle RM35 ! ( P31 P32: I-17 Bridge ! ( Diversion Dam Trees RM36 * River miles begin at the Confluence of Sycamore Creek and the Verde River. This map is intended for reference use only. Accuracy of map information is not guaranteed. Fred Phillips Consulting assumes no reponsibility for errors, omissions, or inconsistencies in map. RM36 Verde River Paddle Trail Segment 5 - I-17 Bridge Point 26 - The Verde Ditch diversion structure may be one of the most difficult portages between Clarkdale and Beasley Flat. It is arguably the most challenging of the Verde's many irrigation diversions. There is much broken concrete and jagged metal here. At low flows, this structure captures the entire flow of the river, sending it into the Verde Ditch channel on river right. Some of the captured flow begins almost immediately to find its way back into the river channel. A portage from the diversion dam is long with poor footing and numerous potential boat-damaging obstacles. A less arduous portage can be found by paddling down the Verde Ditch to the main weir. Land on “ditch left” and portage down the bank to the river just before the weir. Whichever way you choose, there will be a mandatory portage at low flows. Running the diversion dam and the “tree fences” downstream could be very dangerous at higher flows. Point 27 - The top of a series of rocky riffles. The Verde River bends to the right beneath Verde limestone ledges ahead. These ledges could be a very dangerous spot at high flows. After the ledges there is a huge lake-like pool. Point 28 - A challenging channel that may be passable for experienced paddlers. Less experienced boaters may choose to portage and avoid the potential of pinning in the trees. Due to the channel configuration here, it is highly likely that this will always remain a challenging run. Scouting is recommended. Point 29 - A large amount of “ditch return” water from the Verde Ditch is flowing back to the river here. Point 30 - These