We spent much of this winter and spring in the Sonoran Desert. This year, we explored the desert by kayaking on Canyon Lake. Exploring the desert is common for us, but exploring the desert on a lake by kayak is unique. In this adventure, we took our kayaks into the Tonto National Forest, to a section of the Salt River, to explore the First Water Creek section of Canyon Lake.
We stayed at Lost Dutchman State Park when we visited Canyon Lake. Lost Dutchman State Park is a wonderful place to be in the mid-winter. Here is my article describing the location, the Superstition Mountains, and the story about the Lost Dutchman. Superstition Mountains and The Story of the Lost Dutchman
The Salt River
The Salt River starts in the mountains east of Phoenix and is more than 200 miles long before combining with the Gila River. These two rivers form most of Arizona’s waterways. The Salt River combines eight different rivers and creeks starting south of Show Low, Arizona, on the Mogollon Rim. It cuts through the Tonto National Forest, flowing southwest towards Phoenix.
Near Phoenix, the Salt River combines with the Verde River, which flows from the north and starts near Flagstaff. Historically, the Salt River was one of two major water sources heading into the Phoenix area. The Salt River joined the Gila River south of Phoenix. (The Salt River used to join the Gila River; now, both are almost always dry riverbeds.) I mentioned the Salt River in this article about the Hohokam People who controlled the Salt River, creating canals and using the water from the Salt River to grow crops. The Hookams dammed the Salt River about 1400 years ago to make these canals. Here is a link to the story. Casa Grande Ruins of the Hohokam People
Theodore Roosevelt Lake
Multiple dams now control the water on the Salt River. As the Salt River flows to the west, it combines with the Tonto River, creating Roosevelt Lake, formed by the Theodore Roosevelt Dam. Further Downstream, the Horse Mesa Dam forms Apache Lake. Mormon Flat Dam forms Canyon Lake, where we paddled. Even further downstream, the Stewart Mountain Dam forms Saguaro Lake. After the Salt River combines with the Verde River, the Granite Reef Dam forms Granite Reef Lake. At Granite Reef Dam, the river is diverted into two irrigation canals. Where the Salt River is flowing between the dams, it is gentle Class One water, although, during heavy flows, a couple of Class Two zones can be found.
Multiple recreation areas exist along the Salt River. We used the Acacia Recreation Site on the west side of Canyon Lake.
Canyon Lake
Canyon Lake was formed by creating the Mormon Flat Dam, which is part of a network of five dams that control the flow of the Salt River, so that the water can be used in Phoenix. While the Salt River used to flow all the way across Phoenix, now the riverbed (with a few exceptions) is dry before it gets to Tempe. There are a few small lakes in Tempe in the Salt River Valley. The valley of the sun (Phoenix Valley) would have to have an exceptionally wet year when the Salt River flows through Phoenix. My discussion of the Valley of the Sun and perhaps how it got its name is in this article. Valley of the Sun
First Water Creek
The Salt River combines with Tortilla Creek and First Water Creek to form Canyon Lake. Our destination for the day’s exploration is First Water Creek Canyon. The brush and cacti are so thick in this area that walking would have been a prickly affair. We launched our kayaks at the Acacia Recreation Site and paddled a short distance to First Water Creek Canyon. As you can see in the pictures, it was a perfectly blue day with glassy water, so inviting for a kayak trip. We had a little wind on the way back, but nothing like some different kayak trips with big waves caused by the wind and currents. It was a perfect and very relaxing trip.
Kayak Adventures
We don’t get to use our Hurricane kayaks nearly enough—however, our trip through the desert needed to be explained because it was so unique. I cover a few more of our kayak adventures in this story, including kayaking with alligators. Kayak Adventures
Our Hurricane Kayaks
Our Hurricane Kayaks are now more than two years old. They have lived outside for the last two years on the top of our car, except when we used them on many adventures. Our kayaks live on top of our car twenty-four hours a day. So, after two years, how did they hold up? Spoiler alert. They look almost new. I can’t find any weather-related damage, and I’ve only caused a little damage. As far as function goes, they work just like they did when they were new. Here is a link to the story about getting our Hurricane Kayaks and being involved with the first Hurricane Prima 125 kayaks off the assembly line. Our Hurricane Kayaks
The perfect recreational kayak
If you don’t have an unlimited budget, the Hurricane Kayaks are the perfect recreational kayaks. The only way to improve them would be to use the same design and form them out of carbon graphite fabric. Graphite construction kayaks are beyond our budget but would shave about ten pounds off the weight. I can lift these kayaks (alone) above my head and put them on our roof rack, so I’m not worried about saving more weight. There is no way I could do this with any of my previous rotomolded plastic kayaks.
Unlike our previous kayaks, our Hurricane Prima 125 kayaks are in the lightweight category. All my previous kayaks were made with rotomolded plastic, which always creates a much heavier kayak. Our kayaks are thermo-form from two sheets of ABS plastic and weigh only 40 pounds each without the seat or paddle. My previous kayaks were heavy barges compared to my Hurricane Prima Kayaks. Lighter weight counts both when paddling and when not on the water. For paddling, lighter weight means increased speed, which means less effort is required to paddle them.
Huge open cockpit
Our kayaks also have open cockpit designs with two air capture voids to ensure they float well even if capsized. Unlike many kayaks, our kayaks have a dedicated combing that allows us to put on a partial or full skirt that prevents water spray from entering the cockpit. Since we have an extra large cockpit design, a partial skirt could be installed before entering the boat. I have to say, however, that a full spray skirt would be challenging to use on our extra-large cockpit.
Plenty of freeboard
We also have lots of freeboard above the waterline (unlike my previous sea kayak) that keeps water out of the cockpit. My previous sea kayak required a skirt (that worked fine), but a higher freeboard made this kayak so much easier to use. The combing around the cockpit keeps stray water from entering. The only water inside the boat either comes from our feet while entering or dripping off our paddles.
Our custom car rack
I needed a custom rack for our kayaks because I couldn’t find one that would work for me. I designed the kayak rack with two goals. First, the kayaks had to be high enough not to impact the hatchback when opening the door. Second, the kayaks had to be held with the bottoms pointed at the sky. It helps tremendously to keep our kayaks upside down on top of our car. This prevents rainwater from entering the boats. More kayak racks should be made with this simple (upside-down) design.
Hurricane kayak seat
Our kayaks have mesh adjustable seats. The seats live inside the boats when the kayaks are on our car. They, too, have no issues after two years of weather exposure inside our boats. I designed some suspension cords to hold the kayak seats and paddles. We also have extra-large hatches in the back of the boat and store our lifejackets and other paddling gear inside the boats when not using them. We are ready for a paddle at any time (add water). Everything we need is right inside the boats.
Our kayak hull design is now available in a sit-on-top kayak made by Hurricane. Even without ever seeing one, I can tell you that Hurricane Osprey will be an excellent boat to paddle in. Here is a link to the Hurricane Osprey page. Hurricane Osprey 120
Expert Review
If you don’t want to take my word for it, I have a friend (Ken), an expert kayak paddler. After reading and responding to some of my comments about my Prima 125, he made a YouTube review for Hurricane Prima 125.
This next link is to the Hurricane Kayak website. When you go to the link, you will find photographs of Tami and me on a photo shoot with our Hurricane Kayaks. Hurricane liked the photos (shot from a drone) so much that Tami and I are pictured at the bottom of every page of the Hurricane website. Hurricaneaquasport Prima 125.
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About our links
As you know, our blog income is zero, which allows us to be independent and tell the truth. We do not get income or commissions. No, we don’t make paid endorsements. We don’t make recommendations; instead, we will tell you what we like (or dislike). The links are only provided as a quick reference to help our readers.
Links
Superstition Mountain Museum and The Story of the Lost Dutchman
Casa Grande Ruins of the Hohokam People
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That’s a stunning photo!
Great info as always!
I never considered exploring the desert by kayak. Cool!!!
It’s been since the 80’s that we took a friend’s supercharged 454 chevy power boat from Phoenix to there…the kayak trip seems much more fun and laid-back.
…love your blogs.