Going back to 2011 on this one. Prior to going on this trip, I had been inspired to visit Havasupai Falls on quite a few occasions. From the pictures I had seen online of this beautiful aqua watered oasis to the stories that I had been told from friends that had already made the visit.
Finally I applied for our permits, got a little group together and off we went!
It was going to be 20 miles round trip to hike into the Supai Village and then additional hiking from there.
Located on the Havasupai Indian Reservation, which borders the Grand Canyon National Park. This hike was potentially grueling, as with little to no shade available, no water and it is exposed to the scorching hot Arizona sun.
NOTE: Bring lots of water and STAY HYDRATED!
TIP: I've heard that one key to staying hydrated is to be sure to drink plenty of water the day before strenuous activities. In addition to drinking water on the day of.
Finally I applied for our permits, got a little group together and off we went!
It was going to be 20 miles round trip to hike into the Supai Village and then additional hiking from there.
Located on the Havasupai Indian Reservation, which borders the Grand Canyon National Park. This hike was potentially grueling, as with little to no shade available, no water and it is exposed to the scorching hot Arizona sun.
NOTE: Bring lots of water and STAY HYDRATED!
TIP: I've heard that one key to staying hydrated is to be sure to drink plenty of water the day before strenuous activities. In addition to drinking water on the day of.
There are basically 3 options for getting to Havasupai Falls for those interested in visiting.
A. On FOOT - carry in and carry out.
B. Via Mule
C. Helicopter
Well I'm the type of gal who doesn't mind putting in the hard work and never turns down an opportunity to get some exercise - so no question about it, hiking it was gonna be!
A. On FOOT - carry in and carry out.
B. Via Mule
C. Helicopter
Well I'm the type of gal who doesn't mind putting in the hard work and never turns down an opportunity to get some exercise - so no question about it, hiking it was gonna be!
My group consisted of Dave B, Jeff, Cody, and of course myself.
Both Jeff and Cody were highly experienced backpacking outdoorsman, and then there was Dave with very little experience and little ol' me (who likes to think that I can get by).
Well Cody found out that he had to work later than planned, and the plan was that he would catch up with us the following morning; He was gonna hike in on his own late at night and arrive while we were sound asleep in our tents.
So it went, we made the drive out from Anaheim Hills after Dave and Jeff had got off of work. Knowing that we'd arrive late the night before our trek, I had booked us accommodations in good ol' Kingman on the famed Route 66.
Upon our arrival, we found the front door of our motel LOCKED and with no one in sight...
I rang the bell and dialed a late arrival phone number. Keeping my fingers crossed that someone would answer.
I don't think any of us wanted to sleep in the car that night. And finally our calls were answered and we were able to check in after all! Whew.
Early the next morning we packed up and out of the motel, continuing the remaining approx 65 miles to the trailhead.
We parked at the Haulapai Hilltop, unloaded, saw the mule trains prepping to go down the trail and the helicopters loading the (lazy) passengers.
It was time to strap on the backpacks filled with all of the necessary supplies and start hikin' on down the 10 mile trail.
Both Jeff and Cody were highly experienced backpacking outdoorsman, and then there was Dave with very little experience and little ol' me (who likes to think that I can get by).
Well Cody found out that he had to work later than planned, and the plan was that he would catch up with us the following morning; He was gonna hike in on his own late at night and arrive while we were sound asleep in our tents.
So it went, we made the drive out from Anaheim Hills after Dave and Jeff had got off of work. Knowing that we'd arrive late the night before our trek, I had booked us accommodations in good ol' Kingman on the famed Route 66.
Upon our arrival, we found the front door of our motel LOCKED and with no one in sight...
I rang the bell and dialed a late arrival phone number. Keeping my fingers crossed that someone would answer.
I don't think any of us wanted to sleep in the car that night. And finally our calls were answered and we were able to check in after all! Whew.
Early the next morning we packed up and out of the motel, continuing the remaining approx 65 miles to the trailhead.
We parked at the Haulapai Hilltop, unloaded, saw the mule trains prepping to go down the trail and the helicopters loading the (lazy) passengers.
It was time to strap on the backpacks filled with all of the necessary supplies and start hikin' on down the 10 mile trail.
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Jeff taking a snooze Although it was only 10 miles to the village, it was a very HOT 10 miles and HOT makes everything exhausting.
I apparently hadn't hydrated enough the previous day, and was getting a headache, plus I seemingly hadn't packed my backpack properly and had aching back.
It wasn't going very well.
Luckily several miles in, we finally found a shaded canyon to take a break in, remove our packs, and someone even got a little nap!
I apparently hadn't hydrated enough the previous day, and was getting a headache, plus I seemingly hadn't packed my backpack properly and had aching back.
It wasn't going very well.
Luckily several miles in, we finally found a shaded canyon to take a break in, remove our packs, and someone even got a little nap!
Once we felt a bit more refreshed, we were back on the trail for the remainder of miles to the little village and then onward to the campsites.
There was a whole community living down there! Homes, a lodge, a tourist office, a school, a church, a few stores, and even a post office!
Yes, Dave was very happy about the Post Office (to mail his post card from) and the only lasting Mail by Mule Train!
There was a whole community living down there! Homes, a lodge, a tourist office, a school, a church, a few stores, and even a post office!
Yes, Dave was very happy about the Post Office (to mail his post card from) and the only lasting Mail by Mule Train!
And then after we set up our little home away from home, it was time to go and do a little bit of exploring and check out these FALLS!
Wow...witnessing Havasu Falls plunging almost 100 feet into the turquoise blue pool was amazing. These falls are world renowned and the most beautiful in the entire region of the Grand Canyon.
Wow...witnessing Havasu Falls plunging almost 100 feet into the turquoise blue pool was amazing. These falls are world renowned and the most beautiful in the entire region of the Grand Canyon.
It was quite a sight to see in person especially after coming off of that hike and after all of the pictures that I had seen.
Not to mention how grateful I was, feeling the cool mist coming from the falls, landing against my skin. This was welcomed with pleasure and not to mention incredibly refreshing!
Come nightfall, we had dinner by campfire and then collapsed inside of our tents.
Bright and early in the morning, concerned as to if Cody made it we searched the nearby sites and quickly found him rearing and ready to go!
Not to mention how grateful I was, feeling the cool mist coming from the falls, landing against my skin. This was welcomed with pleasure and not to mention incredibly refreshing!
Come nightfall, we had dinner by campfire and then collapsed inside of our tents.
Bright and early in the morning, concerned as to if Cody made it we searched the nearby sites and quickly found him rearing and ready to go!
Off we went to seek out additional pools of amazing light blue waters. Climbing ladders and in and out of caves and grottos. Seeing wildlife, and just in general taking it all in.
We had found a little oasis!
We had found a little oasis!
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However during one part of the the hike I had looked back and realized that Dave was missing! Ugh Dave - Lost in Havasupai. He can really be worse than any child that I've raised (as they have always stayed next to me). He is not much of the outdoorsy type and yet I was certain that he was probably more concerned with me being pissed at him, than at him being LOST!
The three of us (Cody, Jeff, and myself) searched high and low as the trail had split a few times. And finally, eventually coming upon the lost boy (who was full of excuses as to why/how he went missing). Whatever.
The three of us (Cody, Jeff, and myself) searched high and low as the trail had split a few times. And finally, eventually coming upon the lost boy (who was full of excuses as to why/how he went missing). Whatever.
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I didn't stay mad at Dave very long and the rest of the trip was full of fun, beauty and adventure!
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Then the time had come and it was time to leave, time to pack our belongings and make our way back up the trail, and while going down was one thing...
Going up was a totally different and tiring journey.
But we made it safe and sound, and if asked I would do it all over again!
Happy Travels...
The Wanderluster,
Tanya
Going up was a totally different and tiring journey.
But we made it safe and sound, and if asked I would do it all over again!
Happy Travels...
The Wanderluster,
Tanya
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