Lower Salome Creek (The Jug) in Tonto National Forest, AZ

Canyoneer Lower Salome Creek (The Jug) Tonto National Forest, AZ

Class 2 3C (60 ft max) 5.2 miles 1000 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Jun 5, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Lower Salome Creek (The Jug) GPX Track

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This is a technical canyon. If you are unfamiliar with how to build anchors or the gear required for canyoneering do not attempt this route.

Lower Salome Creek (aka The Jug) has been a long-anticipated debatably-technical canyon. It served as a good starting canyon for us on a multi-day AZ canyon trip, and was more fun and pretty than we thought it would be. It's also fairly popular since you probably don't need technical gear to descend it, though it's recommended. We parked at the trailhead and followed an obvious trail down to the west rim of The Jug, where a social trail took us north, paralleling the canyon for a bit before we entered the watercourse.

A bunch of fun slides, full swimmer sections, and rock-hopping had us giggling the whole time. We were also thrilled water was still flowing this late in the year, even if it wasn't particularly heavy. Sections of The Jug narrow up a bit, but it's mostly pretty open. The only section that deserves mention is a 20-foot jump that some of our group opted to rappel instead (myself included, I am terrified of jumping). However, the jump isn't really the scariest part – to get to the jump, a static line has been placed to aid in traversing a slippery ledge. Photos below will help clarify, but either you have to jump, rappel, or go back. It's this section that people consider the "technical" element of The Jug, and the reason it's likely not even more popular of a spot. Shortly after this "technical" crux, and a couple of swimmers, we exited the mouth of The Jug.

I should note that I normally bring my DSLR on all my hikes, but The Jug was a completely wet experience and I was sure I'd break it. So, the photos below are particualrly poor quality since they're from an action camera. I'd rather have bad photos than no photos, though!

While The Jug was very fun, it's easily accessible and non-technical (for those willing to do the jump). If you're looking for a more adventurous outing within Salome Creek, check out Upper Salome Creek (The Grotto), which we did a couple of years later.

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Along an obvious trail from the trailhead.
Along an obvious trail from the trailhead.
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The trail leads to the west rim of Salome Creek.
The trail leads to the west rim of Salome Creek.
The trail then parallels Salome Creek (right) for a bit before the cliffs become low enough to walk down into the watercourse.
The trail then parallels Salome Creek (right) for a bit before the cliffs become low enough to walk down into the watercourse.
Within Lower Salome Creek.
Within Lower Salome Creek.
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Fun obstacles start pretty much immediately after entering The Jug.
Fun obstacles start pretty much immediately after entering The Jug.
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The most fun waterslide of the day.
The most fun waterslide of the day.
Shot back at the very fun slide.
Shot back at the very fun slide.
A slickrock down climb obstacle.
A slickrock down climb obstacle.
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Swimming through The Jug.
Swimming through The Jug.
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More swimming as The Jug becomes more narrow.
More swimming as The Jug becomes more narrow.
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There's very little to comment on, except that it's slipper, fun, and requires navigating a bunch of Class 2/3 obstacles.
There's very little to comment on, except that it's slipper, fun, and requires navigating a bunch of Class 2/3 obstacles.
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One spot where we partner-assisted to get around a 4-foot drop.
One spot where we partner-assisted to get around a 4-foot drop.
Looking back at a pretty section with the partner assist section.
Looking back at a pretty section with the partner assist section.
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The technical section of The Jug. A few of us chose to rappel on the left through the narrow watercourse. Others followed a fixed line above, navigating an exposed ledge, dropping down onto a lip, and then jumping into the water below.
The technical section of The Jug. A few of us chose to rappel on the left through the narrow watercourse. Others followed a fixed line above, navigating an exposed ledge, dropping down onto a lip, and then jumping into the water below.
Looking up at the exposed ledge to the small drop to a lip (top right), and the jump off (center).
Looking up at the exposed ledge to the small drop to a lip (top right), and the jump off (center).
I preferred to rappel, thank you very much.
I preferred to rappel, thank you very much.
Looking up at the rappel option.
Looking up at the rappel option.
View back toward the rappel after a swimmer.
View back toward the rappel after a swimmer.
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Only a bit more fun and swimming after the technical section. The Jug opened up shortly after.
Only a bit more fun and swimming after the technical section. The Jug opened up shortly after.
Ascending a trail from The Jug, the mouth of the canyon visible center bottom. The trail led back to our approach trail and then back to the trailhead.
Ascending a trail from The Jug, the mouth of the canyon visible center bottom. The trail led back to our approach trail and then back to the trailhead.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!