Havasupai

[Sombeech]

This was my third trip to Havasupai, and it was my favorite. The swimming was GREAT, but crowded and hot. We visited and swam in each of the 5 major falls areas.

Some general information about the hike, from the trailhead which is called Hualapai Hilltop, to Supai Village, is 8 miles.

From Supai Village to the campground is 2 miles.

The campground is in a half mile stretch between both Havasu Falls and Mooney Falls, you'll pass Havasu Falls right before you reach the campground, and this is also where your packs will be dropped off if you opted to have the mule train haul them for you.

From Mooney Falls to Beaver Falls is about 3 miles, and then about another 5 to reach the confluence of the Colorado River.

The 5 major falls in the valley are in order of appearance:

New Navajo Falls (Navajo Falls has been bypassed since the flood of 2008)

Rock Falls, within sight of New Navajo Falls. This is a popular place to jump off of the falls.

Havasu Falls - this is the most famous and popular of all, if you see any photo of a waterfall from the canyon it would most likely be this one standing at about 100 feet tall.

Mooney Falls - another MUST SEE falls standing at about 190 feet coming down a sheer drop off. Navigation to the bottom of Mooney Falls requires some technical but safe climbing guided by chains and steps carved into the wall, and ducking through 2 tunnels.

Beaver Falls, another great swimming and jumping destination. There is a cavern beneath one of the falls that is nice to swim under.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIzHB0Z9mHE

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And just for some more technical stuff, here are some maps. If you are coming from up North or West, it is highly recommended to take the Las Vegas route. Supai is nestled just on the southern edge of the Grand Canyon.

From Salt Lake to Hualapai Hilltop trailhead, plan on about a 10 hour drive.

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The most common question about elevation is regarding the switchbacks near the trailhead. They cover roughly 1000 feet in about a mile, and then another 1000 feet to the village over the next 6 miles. You are hiking in down, so please be prepared for the hike up and out.

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[Sombeech]

Did some jumping in a few places

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[accadacca]

Nice jumping shots. :lol8:

Must have been rough in that hammock...the kind you sleep in. :haha:

[Sombeech]

And no... Fires are not allowed in the campground, so this was quickly extinguished, and only to demonstrate the skill :mrgreen:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4itwKKqi_JU

[Sombeech]

a few quickees from the GoPro

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[Sombeech]

More photos and description added, I'll be posting some video soon :cool2:

[sweetygurl_03]

So beautiful!! I want to go so badly! Def a top 5 on my list. Glad you had a good time

[Sombeech]

Thanks, it's definitely one to check off the list. I've been three times and it just gets better each time.

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[Sombeech]

Video added

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[Tango]

VERY NICE!!!! Loved the vid! :popcorn: Thanks for sharing!

[Kuya]

ONly been to Havasupai twice. Once before the Flood and once after. Both time were awesome! I love your video and pictures :D

[slim]

Wow.
I was there around 1978. I had heard that the flood messed it up a lot.
But from your pics it's recovered and is just as beautiful as I remember it.
Thanks for the great report. Might have to go back.
Utah

[Sombeech]

Thanks everybody. It seems there's a major flood about every fifteen years, and only for about the first two years it takes the little pools and falls to build up again with the travertine deposits. Most of the falls remain pretty much the same though except for a little shifting from side to side.

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[blueeyes]

Hey Chica!! I recognize you. @sweetygurl_03 (http://www.bogley.com/forum/member.php?23695-sweetygurl_03) Birdie wants to see Havasupai lets plan one for next May. Welcome to the forum.

[jman]

You have a description of what to expect, except for one thing - the price!! Expensive!

[Sombeech]

You have a description of what to expect, except for one thing - the price!! Expensive!
Yeah, fairly expensive for a campground. This is from havasupai falls, an unofficial website that has good info:

Fees


* Fees are subject to change without prior notice. The fees are non-negotiable. All fees are taxable by 10%.


Entrance Fee Permit.........................................$35 .00*
per person


Paid per person upon entry, no discounts.


This fee is charged one time per visit. All visitors entering the Havasupai Indian Reservation are required to pay this fee and check in upon arrival at the Tourist Office.
Note: Native Americans with a valid Tribal I. D. card or Tribal enrollment card are exempt from this fee.


Campground Fee .............................................$17.0 0*
per person / per night


Paid per person upon entry, no discounts.


Environmental Care Fee ....................................$5.00*
per person


Paid per person upon entry, no discounts.


Example Camping Fees


for Party of 4: 2 adults, 2 children ages 14 & 10
Hiking in and camping for 2 nights


QTY
Description
Amount Each
Total Amount
4
Entrance Fees
$35.00
$140.00
8
Nights Camping Fees
$17.00
$136.00
4
Environmental Fees
$5.00
__ $20.00

Subtotal
$296.00

10% Tax
___$29.60

Total
$325.60

Reservations


All reservations must be made via telephone.


Camping: 1-928-448-2121, 1-928-448-2141,
1-928-448-2174, or 1-928-448-2180


Camping Office Hours: 7am - 7pm


Lodge: 1-928-448-2111 or 1-928-448-2201


Reservations for popular times of year fill up months in advance, make your reservation as soon as possible.


All visitors staying at the campgrounds must stop in at the camping office to pay the required fees. The camping office is next to the grassy landing field, across from the cafe.


If you are with a large group, please designate a leader to take care of the fees and pick up tags. Lodge guests do not need to stop in the office, entry fees will be collected at the lodge.


Lodge Check in 9am - 5pm 7 days a week.

[blueeyes]

I know that last year when I went over Memorial Day weekend. They tacked on some extra fee, I didn't handle the money my sister in law did so I am not sure what it was or if she just figured stuff wrong. In the end I paid over $400 for Me and my two kids for two nights. Jen is Type A and not likely to make a mistake like that $90 extra, so I really think they added on an extra fee AT the tourists office. Luckily her hubby floated us ALL until we could get back home to our checkbooks. I only took a couple extra bucks in case we wanted something from the store. When they say fees are subject to change without notice there not joking.

[Sombeech]

I think i paid about $110 for 3 nights, so maybe something went wrong on the reservation, pun not intended

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[jman]

$400 for 3 people to visit for 2 nights....man. Pricy! I know our visit for 2 nights back in July were about $80/night per person.

You gotta be Mr Moneybags to visit Havasupai... :(

[Sombeech]

Yeah, expensive as far as camping goes. But then again, with the convenience store, grocery store, cafe (which we all visited this time) and the lodge, it's hardly roughing it now. So for the usual motel crowd who like to go on day hikes now and then with the $85 helicopter ride each way, it probably fits right into their budget.

If you go and swim all 5 falls and truly experience as much as you can, I'd say it's worth it. June and July aren't ideal because of the HEAT and the crowds (people started setting up tents right in the middle of the trail because that was the only bare flat spot left).

I would aim for late april through May, and then September through October. A little cooler air but the water stays at @ 70

[Big Bone]

Awesome pics! That place looks very different from what I remembered. I've been there 4 times so far but I've not been down there for about 12 years.

Just FYI did you know there are some scrumptious trout below Beaver Falls? It's a heck of a hike for some fish but after 2-3 days of Mountain House food fresh fish is a welcomed treat.

[blueeyes]

I went through my old emails. It was $250 for the 3 of us for two nights when we showed up to pay they tacked on another $15 per person. I had a difficult time getting Sarah to hike out of Havasupai so we ended up staying the night in Kingman AZ another $70 unexpected charge for me plus extra day of food eating out. That is where my figure of $400 came from. I just remember it being a lot of fun once we were there but getting there and getting home ranks about #2 of my worst trips ever. Thankfully that list is short only 3. But again LOVED being there. Want to go back without kids.

[Sombeech]

Yeah it's a helluva drive to get there, and sleeping at the boring trailhead is common to hike down in the morning. but once you hit the village it's great.

[Bootboy]

Awesome pics! That place looks very different from what I remembered. I've been there 4 times so far but I've not been down there for about 12 years.

Just FYI did you know there are some scrumptious trout below Beaver Falls? It's a heck of a hike for some fish but after 2-3 days of Mountain House food fresh fish is a welcomed treat.

A series of floods in recent years, the biggest in 2008, have changed the place considerably. It's just a dynamic place. You can look around the canyon and see evidence of ancient waterfalls and travertine deposits hundreds of feet from any water. It'll never be the same twice. That place recovers and naturally builds new and exciting features in just a few years after a major flood event. I've seen pictures taken at different times over the last century and not a one of them looks the same. It's really neat that way.

[Tystevens]

Love, love, love that place! Thanks for the pics. The water color, rocks, tunnels, etc. make it truly feel surreal -- it makes me feel like I am exploring a real life Casa Bonita (you know, that big restaurant in Denver) as a kid, but it is 10 times better. I haven't been since the 2008 flooding, so great to see it is intact. It is a must visit if you live in the Southwest and like to hike.

Yeah, it is expensive, it is an awful drive to get there, the camping is hot and crowded. But it is still #1 on my list of places to take my kids when they are old enough to make the trek down and up and actually remember it ... should be only a few more years!

Also, take care with what you leave in the parking lot. My dad's motorhome was actually stolen from the parking lot while we were down in the canyon. Despite the fact you get a hang tag with your dates and such, and there is "security" there, they didn't seem to notice anything funny about a 40' motorhome leaving before the leave date, apparently. Being it is on BIA land, it was a tough time getting anything done about it -- the law enforcement "lost" the report about 4 times, and nothing happened until the FBI got involved for reasons I still don't understand.

But almost the worst part was the fact that there was 10 of us on the hike, we "knew" we had a motorhome full of water and food at the top, so we jettisoned all our water and gave away our snacks at the beginning of the stiff climb up the canyon wall, and got to the top in 95* only to find out there was no motorhome, no snacks, and particularly no water! It was a long hitchhike to Kingman to rent a couple cars to come back and get the rest of the group, who were about dead when we got back 4 hrs later after baking in the sun! Good times ...

[Sombeech]

Also, take care with what you leave in the parking lot. My dad's motorhome was actually stolen from the parking lot while we were down in the canyon. Despite the fact you get a hang tag with your dates and such, and there is "security" there, they didn't seem to notice anything funny about a 40' motorhome leaving before the leave date, apparently. Being it is on BIA land, it was a tough time getting anything done about it -- the law enforcement "lost" the report about 4 times, and nothing happened until the FBI got involved for reasons I still don't understand.

But almost the worst part was the fact that there was 10 of us on the hike, we "knew" we had a motorhome full of water and food at the top, so we jettisoned all our water and gave away our snacks at the beginning of the stiff climb up the canyon wall, and got to the top in 95* only to find out there was no motorhome, no snacks, and particularly no water! It was a long hitchhike to Kingman to rent a couple cars to come back and get the rest of the group, who were about dead when we got back 4 hrs later after baking in the sun! Good times ...


Yikes!

[Bluff-Canyoneer]

Sadly, that res has a serious meth problem. Probably needed someplace to cook a la Breaking Bad.

[Sombeech]

Dang, and they told me they were fresh out when I asked!

[Frederator]

I really liked New Navajo Falls the best. Made that jump from the top, pretty cool place-came back all peaceful which lasted for about two weeks and then the grind of the city got to me. The real trippy part of the whole trip turned out to be what I call the highway of death which was the 60 mile drive back to town-driving back at night we hit or killed just about everything except the cow's thank God and spotted a massive Elk, crazy. Can't wait to go back.

[Sombeech]

Yeah I like the new falls as well, it seems they're more accessible and visible than the old location.

[Sombeech]

BUMP:

Heading to Havasupai again this June with some guys in the neighborhood. Gonna keep this thread handy for some info.

[Slot Machine]

Beech, I plugged your quote (above) into Google Translator and got:


Heading to Havasupai again this June with some guys in the neighborhood. I feel compelled to take a second a brag... If you clowns are at work those days, I must admit, it will feel even better!! I am going to leave my trip report on Bogley's home page FOREVER, because Havasupai is just that awesome!

How strange is that? :ne_nau:


Jealous you are going again? Yes... yes I am.

[nicole.deroeck]

Amazing!! Dogs allowed?



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[Sombeech]

Amazing!! Dogs allowed?



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You know what, I'm not sure about the dogs. There are a lot of native dogs down there non leashed, so it's probably a conflict waiting to happen. A lot of them are wild, flea infested dogs too.

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[pikan]

Went down there with some friends a few years ago and they brought a dog. I don't recommend it though, they were limited on some of the places that they could take the pooch. They weren't even able to go to the bottom of Mooney falls, let alone some of the cooler ones below that.

-Luke

[Sombeech]

Beech, I plugged your quote (above) into Google Translator and got:



How strange is that? :ne_nau:



Jealous you are going again? Yes... yes I am.

he he, yep, fourth time!

[Sombeech]

OK, gotta make a quick easy post to link to for those who are asking about the facilities and such down there, for my friends planning to head down this year. There is drinking water available, toilets, a couple of little shops/convenience stores, and even a little restaurant.

Church services on Sundays, and picnic tables in nearly every camping spot.



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[Mtnseeker1]

Everyone should go once in their lifetime.
Great fun and if you go in july plan on a full moon to hike out.

[lucach]

Sombeech, these are great pictures. Did you try to access the Green Room? (I saw you were in the Blue Room).
If anyone is planning to go, I recommend to take a look at the beta on secret spots of this fantastic place that is posted here:
http://ropewiki.com/index.php/Havasu_Canyon
Anyone welcome to add to it if you have more info on secret spots in the area.
RopeWiki is an open site, anyone can contribute to anyone's else beta, add links etc.

[Sombeech]

Sombeech, these are great pictures. Did you try to access the Green Room? (I saw you were in the Blue Room).
If anyone is planning to go, I recommend to take a look at the beta on secret spots of this fantastic place that is posted here:
http://ropewiki.com/index.php/Havasu_Canyon
Anyone welcome to add to it if you have more info on secret spots in the area.
RopeWiki is an open site, anyone can contribute to anyone's else beta, add links etc.
Interesting, I've only known about the 1 cavern until now. I'm not sure I'd have the nerve to access the Green Room. I was even a little nervous in the Blue Room with the short swim under water, I backed out the first time because I didn't know how far it was.

We're heading back in about a month, maybe I'll bring some goggles.

[Sombeech]

This topic has resurfaced for me and I wanted to post a link to my latest trip to Havasupai here: http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?72515-Havasupai-2014

[RelentlessHiker]

Wow! This is amazing. It appears that you have the place almost to your self?! Some folks have told us it's too crowded along with some other negatives. I'm definitley adding this hike back to my bucket list! Awesome photos / videos.

[Sombeech]

Wow! This is amazing. It appears that you have the place almost to your self?! Some folks have told us it's too crowded along with some other negatives. I'm definitley adding this hike back to my bucket list! Awesome photos / videos.

It's definitely crowded --- packed in the summer to the point it can be difficult finding a camp spot. I believe it was this trip that we saw people pitching a tent right on the trail where it forked, so the 3 trails merging together made a 5 foot flat spot for the tent. Somewhat annoying, as you don't want to feel like you're walking through somebody's privacy every time you're walking down to the river.

But, I just chose my photo opportunities wisely.

Now on this trip, it was still crowded too, but maybe not quite as much as the previous year:

http://www.bogley.com/forum/showthread.php?72515-Havasupai-2014

For example, James and I waited about 45 minutes just to get this shot without people in it. It was getting a little annoying with everybody wanting to get their "yoga pose" in front of the falls. A lot of great people watching though

http://www.bogley.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=75019&d=1404230343

[RelentlessHiker]

Hmmm .... I don't know then. It is very beautiful but I typically hit the trail for some solitude. I may have to bump this one back down towards the bottom. I had the same issue at Calf Creek falls. I never did get a photo without a "body" in it!

[bigred72]

Bring ear plugs if you're a light sleeper. during the summer, everyone is hiking out in the middle of the night. I hear Sunday through Wednesday is a great time to go as the crowds are lighter.

James

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[Mtnseeker1]

Man I love that place. Have not been in since 88. I'd do it again but with my knees I think it best to take the heli in and hike out :-).

[gholt]

What is ballpark cost to camp, cabin. For 3 or for days

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[Mtnseeker1]

THere is a hiking permit and a camping permit if memory serves mel. I just asked around the upper parking trail head area for those that were a no show and hiked down under their names and paid for camping once down. It's really cool cause the Cheif or top Elder is in the Ice Cream store and gives out the camping permits. This may have changed since 88.

[Sombeech]

If I remember correctly, there is an entrance fee, a camping fee per night, and.... I forget what the other fee is. I'd say you're looking to spend @150 for 3 nights there, plus gas, and plus any fees if you want the mules to carry your pack in and out.