Lower Boucher

Dogs No Dogs

Features River/Creek · Views

The path along the bank may be hard to negotiate, it may be easier to just get wet by stepping in the creek.

The Lower Boucher trail is also sometimes called Boucher Canyon Trail or just "Boucher to Boucher Rapids." Whatever you call it, this mellow trail is the easiest way to reach the Colorado River from the West Tonto Trail and is often used by backpackers needing to cool off. Boucher Creek is a reliable, year-round water source for filterable drinking water.

From the intersection of the West Tonto Trail and Lower Boucher (near Boucher Camp) at Boucher Canyon, head northeast. The huge cairn marks the continuation of the West Tonto Trail. Follow the creek downhill on its meandering course. At some points the trail leaves the creek to take shortcuts, these are marked with cairns, so keep a close eye on where you're going. There are a couple of narrow sections and S-curves that can be avoided by scrambling up over small ridges.

Upon reaching the Colorado River, the Lower Boucher Trail ends at a sandy and rocky beach. There are several camp spots here for backpackers with the appropriate permits. Views of the Boucher Rapids can be had from the dunes and there are some potholes up in the schist layer that make nice hot tubs.

Historical note: this creek, rapid and trail were named after Louis Boucher who ran a copper mine in Boucher Canyon and built a stone camp here. Records state that he hosted guests in tent cabins and cultivated an orchard in this part of the canyon.