Rattlesnake Tonto National Forest

On the hike to find the entrance to the Jug for our canyoneering trip inside Tonto National Forest we ran into a rattlesnake. The path was pretty good though the rattlesnake was hiding in some brush and rocks in the middle of the trail. The darn thing blended into the ground perfectly and scared the life out of me when I almost stepped on it. Yes, I was the lucky one who got to almost step on it. After reviewing the photos we took of it, the snake was a diamondback rattlesnake. You can tell this by the black and white stripes before the rattle.

After jumping back a few feet, the rattlesnake slithered over to the edge of the trail, and I thought he would just move on. He didn't. The diamondback coiled up in a defense posture ready to strike if we messed with him. I read after the event that this is common for diamondback rattlesnakes to defend their position. Lucky for us there hardly any room on the trail between the snake and the edge. Over the edge was exceptionally steep though I didn't want to fall off the edge about as much as I didn't want to get bitten. We got as far away from the rattlesnake as we could without falling off the ledge and scampered by. I have to admit I was quite nervous moving by him as I couldn't give as wide of a berth as I would like.

It isn't common to see diamondback rattlesnakes on groomed trails though it was early in the morning and we wanted to beat the heat. Which is what the rattlesnake was doing before going for shelter as the day would get to 105 degrees. The temperature felt great in the canyon.

After making our way through the Jug, having to walk back by the spot where we saw the rattlesnake was nerve racking. Your mind may know that at 105 degrees the snake should be long gone for cover and shake though that doesn't stop the emotion of still remembering on stepping on him fresh in your mind.

If you are in rattlesnake county I highly recommend always carrying a snake bite kit as you never know. Most snake bites come when people attempt to play with them or pick them up. So give them a wide berth and though your heart may skip a beat you should be fine to continue your trip.

Canyoneering the Jug Photos

Canyoneering the Jug, Arizona

When down the Jug yesterday which is an amazing granite canyon gorge outside Phoenix, AZ. The Jug to date is my favorite canyon I have been done. It comprises amazing smooth granite walls with small waterfalls that keep you in the stream the entire way. I have read that water levels change drastically in the Jug and that it can be drier, though I believe this was the perfect water level that had constant water in shallow and deep pools.

To find the Jug you have to go into Salome Creek north of Roosevelt Lake. There is a trail head and sign at the entrance to park. Then it is a half hour hike to the entrance to the canyon. If you go early in the morning keep your eyes pealed for rattlesnakes which we suprisingly found. The place we found to enter was just a couple yards from a drainage pipe which you can find once you start to see views of the canyon.

Once down into the canyon, the Jug became a wonderful never ending twist and turn of pools, waterfalls, and boulders to find our way through. Make sure you come prepared to get wet as we never were out of the water for more than a minute the whole way down the canyon.

It took us an hour to get to the waterfall where you have a decision to make. You can make a twenty to thirty foot jump in a deep pool though be careful as you have to aim correct not to hit shallow parts. We chose to repel the waterfall which had nice anchors bolted into the granite for us to tie into.

Once down you have two amazing large pools to swim through that trust me you want to take your time to enjoy the amazement of nature and the beautiful sun glimmering off the smooth granite walls.

There is a nice trail that you can follow out which meets up with the trail that you used to find the entrance. Make sure you pack enough water with you as it will take a good 30-40 minutes back to the car which for us was in over 100 degree heat.

The Jug was the canyon I had the most fun in from wading through constant pools, swimming a lot, and even sliding down a waterfall.

Canyoneering the Jug

I am looking forward to my trip this weekend. The Saturday I am going to find my way through the canyon called the Jug. The Jug has become a fairly popular canyoneering destination outside of Phoenix. The Jug is a serious drop into the earth of of the Salome Creek before it enters Roosevelt Lake.

I am using a new rope designed specifically for canyoneering. I will let you know how it works. It is supposed to keep its structure even when soaking wet. According to what I know of the Jug it is going to get its opportunity.