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Weekend Warriors Arizona Hiking
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If you are looking for a multi-day hike that travels down into the Grand Canyon to several amazing waterfalls, than this hike may be for you.
This hike is located on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon in the Havasupai Reservation. From Flagstaff, take I-40 West towards the Kingman, AZ. Once you reach the town of Seligman,AZ, take route 66 toward Peach Springs, AZ. Just before you get to Peach Springs, you will turn North onto route 18 toward Hualapai Hilltop. There are pit toilets and plenty of parking, but no water at the trailhead. Be Aware of: Flash flood danger. elevation. Lack of H2O. Mules. 30 yr old Recommendation: This hike is rated Strenuous because of the combination of distance, elevation, and lack of water on the trail. The hike itself is very pleasant, as it winds through a canyon next to a wash. I would enjoy this hike even without the spectacular waterfalls at the end. Bring your swimsuit! Kids in good shape can make this hike with adult experience and supervision. Elevation change: About 1800 ft to the village of Havasupai, an additional 800 ft to the Colorado river. Distance: 8.0 miles one way to the Havasupai Village. 2.0 miles one way from the Havasupai Village to the Campground 2.0 miles one way from the Campground to Mooney Falls 3.0 miles one way from Mooney Falls to Beaver Falls 3.0 miles one way from Beaver Falls to the Colorado River Time: It will take a full day to hike from the Hilltop parking area to the Campground. Be sure to spend a few days in the canyon, there is a wide variety of sites to see and enjoy. Time of year: Spring, Summer, Fall (Special considerations for Summer hiking) Solitude: Even though this hike is off the beaten path, it's still very popular. There will be a good number of people around, although a much fewer number of them will be hiking. The Havasupai tribe has commissioned a helicopter shuttle between the hilltop and the village. Expect to meet 10-35 people hiking this day, with many more at the village or at the waterfalls. Permits from the Havasupai tribe must be acquired prior to this hike. Call them at (520) 448-2141 and plan well in advance. Lazy people can take a helicopter or horse down to the village. Mules are also available for carrying packs. This is a well hiked and well marked trail in the Grand Canyon. The trail starts at the hilltop and quickly descends down a series of switchbacks. Once down the switchbacks, the hike quickly flattens out and it becomes an enjoyable hike through a walled slot canyon (Hualapai Canyon). Eventually, this canyon merges with it's larger neighbor, the Havasu Canyon. The last two miles into the village of Supai is a trudge through ankle deep dirt past numerous Havasupai houses. The only drawback to this hike is the horrible noise of the helicopter as it periodically winds it's way down to the Supai village. Once in the village, you will need to check with the back country office to pick up your reserved camping permits. There is also a new lodge in the canyon, although I don't know the level of accommodations. The campground is right along Havasupai Creek, which is where most of us would prefer to stay anyway. There is a small store and restaurant in the village of Supai. From Supai, it's a scenic 2 mile hike further into the Havasu Canyon, you'll pass Supai Falls, Navajo Falls, and Havasu Falls before entering the campground. There is water at the campground from a local spring. During most of the year, the water is a blue-green and inviting. Take a swim! From the campground, it's a two mile hike with some really neat scrambling through tunnels to the base of Mooney Falls. Mooney falls is probably the most spectacular of the waterfalls in this canyon and definitely worth the hike. It's named after a prospector who slipped and fell to his death here. Watch your step! Continuing on down the canyon to Beaver Falls is also an experience. This route requires swimming, scrambling, and route finding, but these all add to the enjoyment. You can even continue down to the Colorado river and talk to the nice boat people, who love to dock here and hike up where you just hiked down. Someday, you'll have to hike back to your job and civilization, but until then, enjoy all this wonderful area has to offer. We have to share this hike with mules. When a mule train approaches, move to the side and wait for them to pass. Wave to the nice guides and sore bottomed people as they admire your amazing stamina in hiking the Grand Canyon. Havasu canyon is very susceptible to flash flooding. There have been several times where helicopter evacuations were required due to flooding in the canyon. Be very aware of the weather. Stay out of the slot canyons feeding into Havasu canyon if it's raining. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR SUMMER HIKING:
[Mooney Falls]
[Beaver Falls]
[We took this hike in October of 2005]
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