04. Kelvin to Ashurst-Hayden Dam

This Reach of the Gila has an extremely remote feeling despite being 1.5 hours from Downtown Phoenix.  Putting in near the bridge in Kelvin, AZ, there are a little over 21 tree filled and barbed wire strewn river miles to navigate before reaching the Ashurst-Hayden Diversion Dam near Florence, AZ.  The current remains constant with no big standing pools.  The river often meanders into 2 or sometimes 3 channels but it is quite easy for an experienced paddler to tell which one to take.  For the most part, it is possible to see through the overgrowth to where the channels rejoin.  Pristine views of mountains and giant saguaros are worth the trip although are often overshadowed by the tamarisk choking the river banks.  Luckily, almost all of the strainers are either tamarisk or what looks like some sort of ash tree and not the very spikey mesquite that are also common along the banks in the area. Points of Interest/ Landmarks (described as River Miles below Kelvin): 2.25: Railroad Trestle 4.5: Power Lines 5.5: Biggest rapid of the entire run (straight forward class II).  The river splits just above a 90º bend to the right.  The right channel obviously holds most of the water but it is only possible to see downstream through the left channel due to the bend.  This is the only channel our party has taken on this reach without being able to see through to the bottom.  Taking the right channel, the current pools up just enough after the bend but before the drop to square up and take a good line.  Paddlers looking for some splash can run the meat on river right, those a little more timid can skirt most of the waves by hugging the center island and then swinging into the water coming down the left channel. There is some brush hanging over the left bank after the channels confluence but not before the end of the wave train so don't stray too far left. 7.75: The first (as of June 2020) serious river wide blockage. Some work was done in attempt to clear the large branch hanging 6" above the water but underwater hazards remain. From this point on, the amount of vegetation over and in the river is thicker and more frequent. 8: Barbed wire. The first of 3 pokey, metal hazards.  An extremely thick cable is strung across the river 4' or so above the water with a single strand of barbed wire dangling below it in the center of the watercourse. 8.75: Complete channel blockage. Some attempts to clear this have been made and it is now possible to bump over a log on river right above 400cfs.  Portaging here is a challenge.  If water is too low to float over the log, the best bet is to portage over it (getting out on top of the log) and not around it due to the thick overgrowth along the banks. 9.25: Barbed wire.  The river again splits into 2 channels.  From above the split, it's easy to see the left obviously has barbed wire across it and is choked with vegetation.  The right is very bony.  After a good 20-30yds bumping down the right channel, the barbed wire appears again.  It is in a spot where taking out on the central island is quite easy.  The fence is not in total disrepair but is loose enough that crossing it, even with an inflatable, is not an issue.  Be aware of the remnants of an older barbed wire fence on the ground in this area.  Watch your step and don't put an inflatable down without looking closely first. 13.25: Cochran RAP. For a shorter day it is possible to start or end here. (The following described as RM below Cochran) 3.25: Railroad Trestle (the photo above) 3.3: Last and most hazardous of the barbed wire.  A tight fence across the entire channel.  By sticking all the way river left, it is possible to float over (even in an inflatable) with flows above 400cfs.  It is unknown to this author what condition the fence is in below the water line here.  It could be non existent and passable at lower flows or it could be only inches below the water line and be very dangerous. 3.4: Donnely Wash RAP 5.75: Box O Wash RAP 8.1: Ashurst Hayden Dam. Takeout to the South off of Whitlow Ranch Road or to the North off of Price Station Road. Class: I (II)