This section of the Tonto Trail is described by some as being a no-mans land. I personally have not yet completed this section of the Tonto so I cannot myself attest to its difficulty or lack thereof. It's 30 miles, more or less, from Boucher Creek to the junction with the South Bass Trail which means that you are probably not going to do it in a day and will hopefully take at least 2 and preferably 3 or more.

This section of the Tonto, in combination with the section beyond it that leads to the Elves Chasm, are probably the ones that are used the least on the entire route. The reason for this is because of their remote nature. It starts at Boucher Creek which is inaccessible enough but where it ends is literally the middle of nowhere. The South Bass Trail is not an easy spot to get into or out of unless you want to walk out there to start your trip or walk back after completing it. There is a dirt "road" going out there but I would not take my car on it or a car from a rental car company that I ever wished to do business with again. This so called road should only be driven on with a 4WD utility vehicle or pickup or something else with a great deal of clearance between the wheels. This should also not be a vehicle of any particular value to yourself as theft of vehicle parts has been reported as a common occurrence at the South Bass trailhead. If you do insist on driving this road you should be prepared for an extended stay as it is commonly unpassable during winter snows, spring thaws and summer rains. The Park Service at one time maintained a ranger station at Pasture Wash, about 4-5 miles south of the South Bass trailhead, which is the purpose of the road. The ranger station has now been abandoned, however, and the road will soon be reclaimed by nature.

Another option is to hike out to the South Bass Trail along the Tonto and then turn around and come back the same way. Any way you look at it it is going to be a long trip.

Another thing that you should be aware of is that if you get into trouble on this stretch of the Tonto you are pretty much on your own as your chances of encountering someone else are slim. If anything does go wrong you should have a signal mirror with you and know how to use it. If that doesn't work then you will have to split up your party and send someone for help. During the river running season you may be able to obtain help from a river party by descending a side canyon such as Slate, Ruby or Serpentine to the Colorado River. Be careful when descending side canyons and do not go down something that you are not absolutely sure you can get back up.

Once all of the logistical problems involved with hiking this section of the Tonto are solved you should be in for a fabulous trip. Because this section is not often travelled you should have no problem in finding solitude if that is what you are seeking. This is one of those Canyon trails which while hiking will make you feel like you are a part of the Canyon.

To start this section of trail you should head west from the cairn that marks the western Tonto/Boucher junction, where the Boucher Trail continues down into Boucher Creek and the Tonto Trail climbs out. You will have to climb up out along the western side of Topaz Canyon for about a quarter to a half mile until it finally reaches the top of the Tonto Platform again. From there the trail contours around the base of Marsh Butte for about 5 miles to the head of Slate Canyon, the next major drainage to the west. The eastern side of Slate Canyon looks like it has a number of larger side canyons that you will need to negotiate. I have seen some topos that show a trail going down Slate Canyon to the Colorado River... most don't and I have never heard of anyone trying it. Slate Canyon is a perennial water source.

From the head of Slate Canyon to the head of Agate Canyon is another 4½ miles. The trail reportedly stays a little low, below the Tonto Platform, when it climbs out of Agate Canyon on the west side. It does eventually climb back up onto the Tonto Platform before descending into the next major drainage, Sapphire Canyon, which is just over 2 miles from Agate. From Sapphire Canyon to Turquoise Canyon is another 2¾ miles and the trail stays atop the Tonto Platform for the whole distance. Turquoise Canyon is also a perennial water source. The hike from Boucher Creek to Turquoise Canyon is slightly under 15 miles and makes for a good camp location if you are coming from Boucher Creek.

From the head of Turquoise Canyon to the head of Jasper Canyon is slightly under 2½ miles. Jasper Canyon is not marked on my topo but is the next major drainage west of Turquoise. The next drainage beyond that which is also not marked is Jade Canyon and that is slightly under ¾ mile further. Have you noticed a theme for the naming of the side canyons in this area yet? From Jade Canyon to Ruby Canyon is slightly more than 2½ miles. Ruby Canyon marks the first seasonal water source west of Boucher Creek.

From Ruby Canyon to Quartz Canyon is another 1½ miles. Again not listed as such on all topos but the next major drainage to the west of Ruby. From Quartz Canyon to Emerald Canyon just under 2 more miles. Emerald Canyon is not listed either but is the first major drainage east of Serpentine, which is just under 1½ miles further distant.

From Serpentine Canyon to Bass Canyon is just under 4 miles. If you camped at Turquoise Canyon the night before then the hike from there to the junction with the South Bass Trail would again be just under 15 miles. If you wanted to take three days to do the hike and can arrange to carry enough water to do so then you might want to consider spending the first night in either Agate or Sapphire Canyons and the second night in Jade or Ruby Canyons.

From	To	Miles	Km
Boucher Creek	Slate Canyon	5.00	8.00
Slate Canyon	Agate Canyon	4.50	7.20
Agate Canyon	Sapphire Canyon	2.00	3.20
Sapphire Canyon	Turquoise Canyon	2.75	4.40
Turquoise Canyon	Jasper Canyon	2.50	4.00
Jasper Canyon	Jade Canyon	0.75	1.20
Jade Canyon	Ruby Canyon	2.50	4.00
Ruby Canyon	Quartz Canyon	1.50	2.40
Quartz Canyon	Emerald Canyon	2.00	3.20
Emerald Canyon	Serpentine Canyon	1.50	2.40
Serpentine Canyon	Bass Canyon	4.00	6.40
Total		29.00	46.40

 

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