We're taking a summer trip to Havasupai the week of June 30. I'm really excited. If you go to this map, you can see the exact route and distances.
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Anybody who wants to come along is welcome. So far my family is coming, and hopefully the Brownlows, maybe Bobby and Rachel? The more the merrier, so feel free to invite yourselves along.
I found this website that shows really great photos of the different waterfalls near the campsite. You can click through the photos and it shows you on the map where they are located.
Jessie and I are planning on driving down to San Diego on June 28. We'll leave the car at my parent's, load up the van, all pile in, and drive (leaving early Monday) to Kingman, AZ, which is the town nearest to the Havasupai indian reservation.
We'll camp near the trailhead that evening, and then try to get an early start to the hike on Tuesday morning. It starts with switchbacks that look like this:
Its very important to get an early start, temperatures can reach 110 degrees. There is no water in the canyon, so bringing lots of liquids is paramount. We've found that gatorade or other energy drinks really makes a difference.
Good shoes help too. My dad has a penchant for losing his toenails. I think some of that has to do with the fact that he has a hard time finding shoes that fit his feet well. I've been doing some reading, and there is quite a bit you can do to make sure your feet feel go on long hikes.
These links are worth exploring, especially if you might do backpacking in the future.
The hike in (in and of itself) isn't too bad at all terrain wise. After the first little bit (which looks as barren as the shot above), and you get deeper into the canyon, the walls start to rise above you...
I remember being distinctly reminded of the ending sequence in the Indiana Jones film "Raiders of the Lost Ark" where they ride through the crescent canyon on horses. That scene took place in Petra, Jordan, but you get the idea.
From the village, you hike about 1.5 miles to the campsite, which is amazing. At this point, the weather is still hot, but ample foliage shields the weary traveler from the sun. This part of the hike is particularly slow because you have to trek through sand. Ever tried running on the beach? Slow progress. Anyways, you finally get to the campsite (if i recall, you pass two of the waterfalls in the process), and voila!
There are so many fun things to do. Our preferred activites included from jumping off waterfalls and jumping off waterfalls. We did some cliff jumping as well.
Remind me to bring some rope to build a swing.
Its important to go before the rainy season, because the flash floods come:
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