I'd like to share my recent venture to Havasupai, Arizona! It is the most crazy, beautiful, awe- inspiring place on Earth. It evokes the Garden of Eden... a place you want to linger and let the hours roll by. My boyfriend and I backpacked the trail, and our one regret was spending only one night.
The whole experience is a wild ride. Beginning with getting to the trailhead ;) The last sixty miles of the approach are spent on a winding two lane highway. Its speed limit ranges from 25- 55 MPH, with very little warning between the two. There are zero street lights, so they advise traveling during the day to avoid hitting the plentiful wildlife that inhabits the surrounding desert. One solo traveler we met crashed into an elk and lost both headlights in the process. We did not heed this warning, and drove the road in the pitch black. We arrived at the trail head at midnight, and camped out next to our car.
The full trail is 12 miles long. There is no potable water until 10 miles in, so make sure to pack enough to get you through. They recommend starting early to allow enough time to hike and marvel at the red rocks and startling waterfalls. As we headed out in the dewy morning light, a double rainbow stretched the length of the canyon. The first mile drops 1500 feet towards the valley floor, but the rest of the trail is very approachable. You enter Supai about 6 miles into the hike, which is home to about 200 Native American individuals. It is considered the most remote town in the contiguous US. It is around mile 8 that you begin to encounter the waterfalls.
The pure turquoise color of the water is due to its high concentration of limestone. Your first sight will take your breath away. Each of the falls- Havasu, Mooney, Beaver- are unique in appearance. Reaching Mooney requires a mildly treacherous descent via chains and ladders. Havasu resembles a prehistoric paradise. Havasupai as a whole has a spiritual atmosphere. It moves people; it moved us.
Camping is permitted anywhere between the Ranger Station (mile 8) and Mooney Falls (mile 10). You can set up camp right along the riverbank. The sun vacates the canyon early, and the stars come out to play.
Getting permits is extremely challenging. It used to be that you had to call the one phone in Supai village, but as of Feb. 2018 they accept online reservations. Start looking early, as they often sell out for the year within seconds. It is my favorite place I have ever been, absolutely worth the effort. I will cherish the vivid memories until my return.
