Salome Jug

Salome Jug Canyoneering Canyoning Caving

Also known as: Salome Creek; Lower Salome; The Jug.

Rating:	Log in to rateLog in to rateLog in to rateLog in to rateLog in to rate 3.9 (79 ratings)
‌	Difficulty:‌3C II (v3a4 II) Swift water Raps:‌1, max ↨60ft Metric Overall: 3.5-5h  ⟷5.1mi Approach:  ↓550ft Exit:  ↑700ft No Red Tape:‌No permit required Shuttle:‌None Vehicle:Passenger Rock type:Granite
Start:	33.7741, -111.1184
Parking:	33.7713, -111.1356
Condition Reports:	12 Apr 2025 "We went with a large group from university of Arizona started on trail at about 9:45. The flow is still plenty to have fun and kept the pools pretty c
Weather:
Best season:	spring winter spring summer fall Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov
Regions:	North America United States Arizona Sierra Ancha Mountains

http://onropecanyoneering.com/salome-creek-the-jug-canyon-az?kmlidx=/s/Salome-CreekThe-Jug-Canyon.GPX,http://brennen.caltech.edu/swhikes/salome.htm,http://canyonchronicles.com/lower-salome-creek?kmlidx=205701186783545362755.0004e50b9cf681cf482a9,http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=111,http://ropewiki.com/User:Arizona_Technical_Canyoneering_Book?id=Salome_Jug,http://toddshikingguide.com/Hikes/Arizona/Tonto/Salome3.htm,http://canyoncollective.com/betabase/salome-jug.761?kmlidxna,http://ropewiki.com/User:Super_Amazing_Map?id=Salome_Jug_-_Arizona,http://zioncanyoneering.com/Canyon/Salome-Jug,http://summitpost.org/salome-canyon-the-jug/361867,https://www.stavislost.com/hikes/trail/lower-salome-creek-the-jug

https://www.canyontales.com/tale/?i=sallymae,http://candition.com/canyons/the-jug-of-salome-creek

http://onropecanyoneering.com/salome-creek-the-jug-canyon-az?kmlidx=/s/Salome-CreekThe-Jug-Canyon.GPX,http://canyonchronicles.com/lower-salome-creek?kmlidx=205701186783545362755.0004e50b9cf681cf482a9,http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=111,http://brennen.caltech.edu/swhikes/salome.htm

33.7741, -111.118433.7713, -111.1356https://ropewiki.com/images/e/e7/Salome_Jug.kmltopo

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Reference photos

22 Oct 2006: Very Low. Water flow should not represent any danger (class B = a2). Picture by CanyonChronicles.com

6 Apr 2012: Moderate-Low. A bit low, still fun but not very challenging (class C1- = a4-).

27 Apr 2013: Moderate-Low. A bit low, still fun but not very challenging (class C1- = a4-). Picture by OnRopeCanyoneering.com

27 Apr 2008: Moderate. Challenging but not dangerous for intermediate canyoneers (class C1 = a4). Picture by CanyonChronicles.com

22 Apr 2005: High. High water, only for experienced swift water canyoneers (class C2 = a5).

23 Jan 2011: Very High. Dangerously high water, only for expert swift water canyoneers (class C3 = a6). Jug in borderline extreme condition. several hydraulics and pin locations throughout canyon.

24 Mar 2011: Very High. Dangerously high water, only for expert swift water canyoneers (class C3 = a6). Picture by Vaporman at HikeArizona.com

17 Mar 2013: Extreme. Extremely dangerous high water, may be unsafe even for experts (class C4 = a7). Picture by Jay Wicoski

These reference pictures are used in the Waterflow analysis to predict current conditions. More reference pictures will produce a more reliable prediction.

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Introduction

A very fun canyon that resembles a water park. Best done in the morning in order to get in the water during the hot time of the day. Can be easily combined with Parker Canyon by doing Salome Jug in the morning and Parker Canyon in the afternoon (connect to the 288 via A Cross Road). It's a long day to do both.

This canyon can be done without a harness, as it only has one rappel - which can be jumped 25' into deep water. Please note the rappel down the chute can be extremely treacherous in high water, but there's an alternate chain anchor to rappel out of the flow or to aid a jump. If required, an experienced canyoneer may provide a meat anchor for the rest of the group to rappel out of the flow and then jump.

The best checkpoint for waterflow is where the road crosses Salome Creek, 10 minutes driving down from the parking spot. Abort the descent if at the lower crossing the water covers the complete length of the road.

Some try looking at the Parker Creek USGS gauge. It may look like Salome and Parker share the same watershed by topo, but be warned that experience has shown that Salome can be running high when Parker is low.

Approaching the trailhead from the west (87/188) is better than from the east (Globe). The road is smoother, graded, and a faster drive. One drawback is that you have to do one river crossing, maybe 1ft deep.

If you are comfortable jumping 25 feet or so, you do not need a harness for this canyon.

Approach

Follow the well worn trail past the sign, and wind your way all the way to the watercourse. You will see a cairn at a campsite on your way down, this is where the exit rejoins the trail.

Descent

R1 Options:

• 60' off bolts down the watercourse
• Traverse high canyon right to a 25' drop using fixed lines (as of April 2023). Jump or rappel from the far anchor. Note: use caution as the rock at the jump location is incredibly slick.

NOTE: As of 4/29/23, the traverse line rope looks like it needs replacing. The anchor at the jump location may need replacing soon also. The bolts are starting to spin.

There are a lot of unprepared people who choose to run this canyon. It is recommended to bring a rope and rappel gear in case you are afraid to jump, or to help someone else out if they are unable to proceed with the jump or any other obstacle in the canyon.

There is also a down-climb about 2/3 through the canyon on the right where a rope could be handy for those who are unable to down-climb.

Exit

Once the canyon opens up, exit Salome Creek on the right and take the use trail back up to Jug Trail. Follow the trail back to your vehicle.

Beta sites

• OnRopeCanyoneering.com  : Salome Creek (The Jug) Canyon
• Chris Brennen's Adventure Hikes (Southwest)  : Salome Jug
• CanyonChronicles.com  : Salome Creek (Lower)
• HikeArizona.com  : The Jug
• Arizona Technical Canyoneering Book by Todd Martin  : Salome Jug
• ToddsHikingGuide.com  : The "Jug"
• CanyonCollective.com  : Salome Jug
• Super Amazing Map  : Salome Jug
• ZionCanyoneering.com  : Salome Jug
• SummitPost.org  : Salome Canyon - "The Jug"
• https://www.stavislost.com/hikes/trail/lower-salome-creek-the-jug

Trip reports and media

• Chris Avery on Canyon Tales : The Jug of Salome Creek

• Candition.com  : The Jug of Salome Creek

Background

Credits

Salome Jug

Information provided by automated processes. KML map by (unknown). Main photo by (unknown). Authors are listed in chronological order.

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