[macko]

If you live in the southwest you've undoubtedly heard of Havasupai. Havasu Canyon, a southern offshoot of the Grand Canyon, is owned by the Supai Tribe who allow limited, reserved access to the canyon and campsites.

My good friends Amber, Will, Toni, Jenny, and David, headed out from Phoenix at around 7pm Friday night. After stopping in Flagstaff for some food a couple hours of sleep we rolled into the trailhead parkinglot at about 4am Saturday morning. Equipped with our packs & headlamps we hit the trail at about 5am.

Amber previewing the canyon at dawn.​

After hiking for a good 10 miles we got to camp near 11am. Yeah, 6 hours is a long-ass time to hike 10 miles but a couple members of our party are what we like to refer to as, city slickers. It's a fairly serious hike even without a 35+ pound pack. The hike itself began with a 2 mile, 2000 ft. drop into the canyon. The rest of the way meandered through the increasingly beautiful winding canyon corridor.

The Watchers​

Arriving to camp, we were greeted with hands down the most amazing scenery I've found in Arizona. Swift running creeks and falls, blue, clear pools, and two monstrous falls.

Havasu Falls

Mooney Falls

After a night of cards, drinking, and a water boiling contest (of which I proudly won), we awoke fairly early on Sunday to do a nice 10 mile hike to Beaver Falls.

Into the bowls of the earth!

I've got a little Captain in me.

The first time I've successfully gotten that "soft water" effect!

The hike required 4, waist-level water crossings.​

Tired and stiff as hell, we got up at 3 am to start hiking out Monday morning. Amber & I booked it and made it back in only 4 hours, 15 minutes. I suggest for anyone who backpacks, to plan this trip. It's a serious must-do and you won't be disappointed!

 

[DRB]

Excellent.

 

[stosh]

You suck at teh Captain Pose!

Great pics though!!

PS. thanks for all the stickers!

 

[narlus]

macko, it's even better than i'd remembered. beautiful stuff. thanks for the photos, they are really great.

 

[SkaredShtles]

Brings back good memories...... thanks for sharing.

"bowls of the earth"?

 

[greenchris]

wow all that is amazing

 

[SkaredShtles]

wow all that is amazing

You lived there. You mean to tell me you never went on that hike?

 

[Trainwreck]

Macko- sparkling photos! Looks a lot more fun than eating rocks like I did... and dude, you are the Captain!

 

[Slugman]

Wow... just added that to my list.

 

[JRB]

Very nice. Thanks for sharing that macko.

 

[mud'n'sweat]

EXCELLENT photo's macko! Thanks

 

[ito]

I went there a few years ago with Boy Scouts. One of the most beautiful places on Earth and my second favorite swimming hole of all time.

Thanks for the photos.

The Ito

 

[MudGrrl]

That's absolutely gorgeous.


I've just added another destination to my list as well.... never wanted to go to AZ before.

 

[SkaredShtles]

That's absolutely gorgeous.


I've just added another destination to my list as well.... never wanted to go to AZ before.

When you go visit, be sure to take a trip to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. Have dinner at the lodge up there. The view out the south windows in the dining room is beyond spectacular.

 

[narlus]

That's absolutely gorgeous.


I've just added another destination to my list as well.... never wanted to go to AZ before.

the best thing (well, one of them) is that you bypass the hordes doing this route...true, you don't get the coffee table book panoramic views afforded @ grand canyon village, but you aren't stepping over random litter or screaming kids, or dodging doddering old folks to see them, either.

 

[SkaredShtles]

the best thing (well, one of them) is that you bypass the hordes doing this route...true, you don't get the coffee table book panoramic views afforded @ grand canyon village, but you aren't stepping over random litter or screaming kids, or dodging doddering old folks to see them, either.

Visit the North Rim. There you can have the views *and* avoid the crowds.

 

[splat]

Sweet Pics !

 

[narlus]

Visit the North Rim. There you can have the views *and* avoid the crowds.

that's true, but it's a hell of a lot easier/quicker to get to Havasupai than the north rim (assuming you are coming from the south, which most are).

 

[peter6061]

Thanks for the pics. I always meant to do this trip when we lived in AZ, but never got around to it. Now, I just have to put in on my 'before I die' list.

 

[LordOpie]

Visit the North Rim. There you can have the views *and* avoid the crowds.

that's true, but it's a hell of a lot easier/quicker to get to Havasupai than the north rim (assuming you are coming from the south, which most are).

Isn't Havasupai on the completely opposite side of the North Rim? Regardless of where you're coming from, there's no way that the NR is remotely on the way.

PS: The place is awesome and almost always requires reservations way in advance.

 

[ktmsx]

I read about that place just before I went to Arizona seeing those pics makes me wish I made it there...man that looks nice..that will gice me another reason to go back.

 

[SkaredShtles]

that's true, but it's a hell of a lot easier/quicker to get to Havasupai than the north rim (assuming you are coming from the south, which most are).

Well yeah. That's how you get the views *and* the lack of crowds. You have to pay for it somehow.

 

[SkaredShtles]

Isn't Havasupai on the completely opposite side of the North Rim? Regardless of where you're coming from, there's no way that the NR is remotely on the way.

Yep. The NR is really out of the way from anywhere. That's the best part.

 

[macko]

Well, there is a shuttle you can take that will haul your ass from the south rim to the north. Our next epic is going to be hiking rim-to-rim; South Kaibab to Phantom Ranch, North Kaibab to the north rim and take the shuttle back to our vehicle(s) at the south.

 

[SkaredShtles]

Well, there is a shuttle you can take that will haul your ass from the south rim to the north. Our next epic is going to be hiking rim-to-rim; South Kaibab to Phantom Ranch, North Kaibab to the north rim and take the shuttle back to our vehicle(s) at the south.

Shuttle? You should hike back.

 

[macko]

Well I'm all for it, but getting people to sign on for a 22 mile hike is a lot easier than talking them into a 44 mile hike. Not to mention, we're doing it one day w/o stopping (camping).

 

[SkaredShtles]

Well I'm all for it, but getting people to sign on for a 22 mile hike is a lot easier than talking them into a 44 mile hike. Not to mention, we're doing it one day w/o stopping (camping).

Tell those pantywaists to sack up!