Tonto Rim Hike Peachsprings, Arizona

Today we drove down diamond road that left straight through the town, Peach springs we stayed in.  This is a well kept secret road that rafters use to take out and out in the Colorado river.  We got out for a beautiful hike through peach springs canyon.

This hike ascends about 500 feet to the Tonto Plateau for a 360 degree view of the inner canyon and the rising cliffs above.

Our guides Bruce and Mike. One was a geologist and the other a botanist/herbalist.

The trail included some scrambling down and over some rocks. Some nice views of the Colorado river below.  We had lunch overlooking the canyon.

The vegetation was unbelievable. So many different plants and flowers!

We had an herbalist/botanist on the trip who talked about such plants as mesquite , incensia, ponderosa, junipers, piñon pines. Many beautiful cactus some were flowering. Barrel cactus, ocotillo, cholla (the jumping cactus), prickly pear.  

Ocatillo

We had to walk through this area where there were lots of cholla. You have to be so careful if they get on your skin they must be removed with pliers.  Some got them on their pants or shoes. Our guides, mike and Bruce were swift to remove them. 

Here is a view of the Colorado River. I didn't realize it was green looking.  After our hike we went further on the washboard road to the  river and waded in a bit.  We saw some passing private rafters.  This was a great first day hike for our canyon experience. This was about 7 miles total.