Havasupai

“Each experience is unique, you cannot understand the actual experience until you get to actually walk the walk. Pictures only show a little portion, written entries only say a portion. Go, explore, experience it.” Monica Evans

We are close to our 40’s, not sedentary but not crazy active (exercise wise). I hike every Saturday using All Trails App. We went to Havasupai for 3 days and 2 nights.

Camping permit

The adventure started when a friend had 2 spaces available from her group, we took it. (Thank you Friend!)

The responsible party needs to contact the office to make the necessary updates.

The other way to get camping permits is online. For 2018 the day to book camping grounds was February 1 (they sold out in less than an hour)

There is a Facebook Page that is specific for Havasupai and Havasu Falls.

If you want to go to the lodge then you need a different type of reservation you can find that here.

Children – Yes? Or No?

We have two, a teen and a pre-teen, for this hike we decided to check it out before we bring them along.

You know your children, you know if they enjoy the outdoors, etc.

I will say if you decide to take your children be sure to prep them; go on hikes, be sure they can swim, be sure they will follow directions.

We’ve read of families taking their 5 years old (we, wouldn’t, but there are some who did).

Here is a link of a blog about hiking with children to Havasupai.

The backpack in July

The list below is for one person

The actual hike

It is already summer in Arizona. We parked at the hilltop and slept in the car. There is a bathroom with no lights and no toilet paper.

Woke up at 2:45 a.m., started to hike down the hilltop at 3:20 a.m., we didn’t felt it was that difficult, the hardest part in our opinion is the carrying of the backpack. You can go to an REI store to get your backpack fitted and to get pointers about backpacking.

The hike is pleasant, the views are really neat!

We were really happy when we saw the sign welcoming us to Supai, it took us exactly 3 hours to get to the sign. From the sign to the village took us approximately 30 minutes.

In the village we got to check in, after that it was 1 hour and 52 minutes to Havasu Falls. We made it!!!

Enjoying the falls

Side note: Prior to Havasu Falls, you can see the Navajo Falls.

Found our camping spot! We were glad we got to take our hiking shoes and change to water shoes to enjoy Havasu Falls.

After enjoying Havasu Falls we took a much needed nap.

Mooney Falls is only 1 mile from the campground (depends where in the campground you are at), the way down is really in our opinion adventurous to say the least.

Do it at your own risk, you go down through a “cave”, then get your gloves ready… because you will “climb” down and hold tie to the chains. Yep some chains, some slippery rocks and some ladders… by the way, if you go to Mooney falls, be sure to go inside the water cave… it is super cool!

If you want to walk to Beaver Falls, then get ready! It is a 3 mile hike, it is gorgeous! Full of vegetation, turquoise waters, and some challenges along the way. Our hypothesis is that there are two ways to get to Beaver Falls, the less challenge way, and the challenge way… we took the challenge way, because we didn’t find the less challenge way.

Beware, there are no signs pointing to either the less challenge or the challenge way, in fact there is no signs to tell you how to get there (we didn’t see any). After crossing the waters a couple of times, climbing some latters, ascending and descending… we made it! – The water is surely inviting!

There is another water cave hidden at Beaver Falls.

If you choose to go to the Colorado River, we will suggest to leave the campground early morning, that way you can walk 8 miles to the Colorado River, enjoy your time there.

Walk back 4 miles and take some time to rest and enjoy Beaver Falls.

Distances

The way back

We left super early because we truly wanted to avoid the heat.

We left at 2:20 a.m. at times the idea of using a mule to take the backpack came to mind.

My pinky toes were sore! Now I know why! … I didn’t cut the corner of my nails on my pinky toes!!

I walked with sore pinky toes, my husband had a really good pace (so he waited for me, many… many… many times), I was a slow poke.

Now the hard part was the going up, up, Hualapai Hilltop. Remember we left at 3:20 a.m.? Well at that time we didn’t really see how much walk down we did.

At 7:20 a.m. I don’t see the top, all I see is a huge mountain… it became a mind game. So here I go, slow poke, step by step, slow steps.

Me: Do you see the top?

My BFF: No, I don’t

My goodness, when is he going to see the top? – I asked that question a lot!

Finally he said, I see the top!

8:30 a.m. I made it to the top, it took longer than on the way down… but we made it alive!

Suggestion # 1 Cut your toenails, check each corner

Suggestion # 2 Avoid the heat (cannot really imagine doing all that walk in the heat)

Suggesting #3 Drink plenty of water and have electrolytes available

Suggestion #4 Do not over pack, you won’t need much clothing, and you don’t need to over pack on food. Make a list of your breakfast, lunch, and dinner… we didn’t get a stove or dry meals, we got tuna, crackers, protein bars, beef jerky, trail mix, premade sandwiches, and it was good.

Suggestion #5 Get a bucket for your snack/food, the squirrels are fat, if they smell your food, they will try to find a way to eat it.

If you have questions about this experience, ask away.

If you have ideas for hikes in Arizona, share it away.

At your service,

Many Hats Monica