River Information
When leaving Goldstrike Canyon, inexperienced canoeists should line the canoes past the rocks or paddle upstream far enough to reach the area on the left where the water is smooth.
A few hundred yards below Goldstrike Canyon on the Arizona side is a hot waterfall within a few feet of the river. This waterfall is larger but not as hot as the one in Goldstrike Canyon. Just past the waterfall is a small palm tree. This is the only tree of any kind you will see on the river.
Approximately 1/3 mile on the right past the Mile 1 marker is a large canyon with a sandy beach. This is Boy Scout Canyon. Hot springs and hot pools are located in the canyon. The stream goes underground before it reaches the river. There is also a hot spring located in the canyon directly across the river from Boy Scout Canyon.
As you approach Ringbolt Rapids, watch for a large ringbolt set in a rock on the Arizona side about 250 yards above the rapids and 15-20 feet above the high water mark. This is one of the many ringbolts used from 1865-1890 to winch steamboats through the rapids. Approximately 50 yards above the rapids on the Arizona side is a cave in which you can canoe about 40 feet into its interior. About a mile walk up the canyon, still on the Arizona side, is another beautiful waterfall and pool.
At approximately Mile 3-3/4 there is an interesting diagonal fault across the Arizona face of the canyon. Below Mile 4 is Weeping Canyon Wall on the Nevada side, the Balanced Rock on the Arizona side, and followed by the Window, a natural stone arch on the Nevada side.
The area between Mile 5 and Mile 6 on the Arizona side is a good spot to watch for bighorn sheep on the cliffs. Wild burros are also seen in the area, usually in the canyons.
Between Mile 6 and Mile 7 there is a rock formation high on the Arizona canyon wall that resembles the backbone of an animal. Geologists call it a dike; locals call it the Dragon's Back.
At Mile 9 on the Nevada side is the old gauging station which was used during construction of the dam for monitoring water level, flow rate, silt content, etc. The cable car provided the gauger access from the Arizona side. The structure is now unsafe. On the Arizona side is a trail with catwalks that were once used by the gauger. This is also unsafe. The second cable across the river is the old restriction cable. No private boats were allowed above this point during the war. It is now home to a colony of double-crested cormorants. At about Mile 10 is a historical landmark sign. The trail leads to what remains of the gauger's residence.
Note: River maps available upon request at launch.
Last Reviewed: 9/17/2004