Salome Jug Canyon

Since moving to Phoenix I have missed fresh water almost as much as I miss mountains. Really, the two go hand-in-hand but if I can get at least one of the two on the weekend then I can get through the school week in good spirits. One of my friends hiked this trail and posted a video on social media, which had a group of us nagging her for directions to get here. Thankfully she offered to go on the hike again to show us the way. I'm glad she did, because there were a few spots that would have had us disoriented.

Stoked to be in the Jug!

Makenzie sliding through the jug! Photo: Jonathon Frazier

Fresh, clear, water is a sight to behold in Arizona. This trail was ideal in many ways. First of all it's a short 2 mile hike to the canyon. The actual canyon is less than a mile, which includes lots of swimming, jumping, and sliding. Then the hike out is just over 2 miles. From a running standpoint there are other trails nearby which could make this is area a fun training day, which include Cactus Butte trail, Hell's hole trail, and the Boyer trail.

It should be noted there is a 35 foot jump into a narrow pool at the end of the canyon, which includes traversing a 20 ft sloped rock face toward a crevasse. This is not for the faint of heart and should be taken with caution. If the pool is dry you will obviously have to turn around, or rappel down.

The jug crew! Photo: Jonathon Frazier

This was such a great day in the canyon with friends! We ended the day with dinner at an old pizza shack in Punkin Center not far from down the road to the trail head. Don't forget to pack your materials in a dry bag if you have one since you are guaranteed to splash around.

Salome Jug Canyon: Salome Wilderness Area north of Lake Roosevelt
Distance: 6mi
Directions: Take highway 87 (Beeline) to hwy 188 south. Go 8 miles south of Punkin Center and when you hit milepost 255 take a left onto 60 ("A Cross Road). Take this road about 10 miles to the unmarked trail head which will be a pullout on the left.