River Mile: 47- right
Time: 3 hours
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. This hike follows a rugged trail.
Wet or Dry?:Both. This hike is mostly dry, but there are several creek crossings where a slip will have you in the water. There is also some optional wading at the end of the hike.
Ideal Weather: Moderate
Potential: A waterfall 1.4 miles from the river stops any further exploration.
A Saddle Canyon hike has many faces. Near he mouth, a trail leads up dry, open slopes. Next comes a wide canyon bottom graced with a creek and lush greenery. At the end of the hike, the creek rushes between narrow walls of limestone and cascades into cool waterfall-filled chambers.
From the beach at Saddle Canyon, a trail twists out the back of the campsite and up the desert slope. Initially, this is a steep climb. It can be awfully hot on a warm day. When the trail starts to level off and traverse the slope high above the creekbed, stop and take a look around. The view is awesome.
Just as you’re working up a good case of heat stroke from the exposed trail, relief is offered with Muav Limestone narrows. The tiny creek tumbles over bedrock ledges while deciduous trees compete fiercely for any available soil in he air-conditioned setting. The last few feet of exploration require wading in the creek. A 5th class boulder move will reveal an additional 20 yards of canyon including a moss-backed 30-foot waterfall.