We had the privilege of discovering the magical peace of earth called Havasupai this year. I had high expectations and I have to say, this gem surpassed my expectations in every way. Havasupai has been home to the Havasupai tribe for more than 800 years. Havasupai means “the people of the blue-green waters” and very accurately describes the Havasu Creek water. The color is due to the fact that the creek moves underground in limestone caverns before it emerges to show off in a multitude of waterfalls before it meets the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon. The minerals that saturate the water give it it’s color. Another fun fact, Supai is the name of the village at the base of the canyon and it’s the only place in the US that gets it’s mail by mules.
The Yuman speaking tribe is the smallest Indian Nation in the US with 600 people. Their lands had been nearly destroyed by mining, ranching, the National Park Service, etc, until 1975 when the government finally restored their ancestral land. This is their home. Should you choose to visit, remember that and please be respectful.
OUR JOURNEY
We started off in the early morning hours to make our way through Havasu or Cataract Canyon before the sun came up. The first mile or so is switchbacks down into the canyon from the Supai Hilltop parking lot. After that point, each turn somehow becomes more beautiful. You’re walking through walls of red, travertine wall canyons to find this oasis at the end of a 10 mile trek.
Sunrise from Havasupai Hilltop 08.2016
Sunrise spotlight
2 miles past Supai is the campground area. Everything you bring you will be taking home with you so be prepared to take all of your trash back to your car that you parked at the Hilltop 10 miles away. There is a 1 mile stretch of campground sites, each unique. We chose to be on the water, across a small foot bridge.
Each day was filled with 7-10 miles of exploration, waterfall searching, swimming and rock climbing. Please don’t bring chemical based sunscreens or non-water resistant sunscreen as you’ll pollute the water.
WATERFALLS
Going through multiple blogs and talking to folks, people have died cliff jumping at Havasupai, it’s strongly advised against.
FIFTY FOOT FALLS or Rock Falls is the first waterfall past Supai. You have to backtrack a little to get there and beware of the squirrels. Yes, they can easily open backpack zippers to steal your trail mix.
Fifty Foot Falls 08.2016
OLD NAVAJO & NEW NAJAVO FALLS – New Navajo falls was created after a flash flood in 2008.
Navajo Falls 08.2016
HAVASU FALLS is the most well known and the first waterfall directly off the trail to the campground. The campground lies between Havasu Falls and Mooney Falls.
Havasu Falls 08. 2016
MOONEY FALLS is the tallest of the 5 main waterfalls at 200 ft. Getting to the bottom of the falls is tricky as you climb down the cliffside using chains initially followed by wet and slippery ladders.
Mooney Falls 08.2016
BEAVER FALLS is a series of cascading falls found if you follow the trail at the bottom of Mooney Falls for about 3 miles. You’ll walk through a canyon of unexpected champagne grapes that provide a stunning contrast to the canyon walls. Before you climb down the hillside & ladders to the falls that you should check in with the attendant at the top.
Beaver Falls, Havasupai 08.2016
The photos from today’s post were taken by me or one of my wonderful adventure companions, Ian, Guy and Lauren.
Informational Links:
National Park Service – Havasupai