k8andn8: Havasupai! Never heard of it? Check it out! Post June 13 2014

After hiking our way out of the Grand Canyon Bright Angel Trail, we planned a down day to catch up on the internet, HexFlex, groceries, laundry, shower and RELAX. We also called the Havasupai Indian Reservation to inquire about bumping up our reservations as we were getting tired of the GCNP hustle and bustle. They were happy to do so, but rather than move it up a couple days that asked us to be there tomorrow. Could we do it? SURE! Rally!

We got on the road within 30 minutes.

Now, I know Kate secretly loves hiking… Even if she didn’t before she does now. We hiked 20 miles down into the Grand Canyon and back out with a combined elevation change of 10,000 feet. So when I casually mentioned we would need to “hike” to Havasupai she started to doing some research on the length, conditions, elevation and terrain of the 20 mile round trip hike in and out. Turns out it is pretty mild hiking compared to the Grand Canyon so she was a happy camper.

We found our way via dirt roads to Havasupai Hill Top Parking lot (the trailhead for the 10 mile trek). We quickly packed our bags and got to sleep for a 4 am start down the trail.

4am came way too early. My legs weren’t happy that they were back pounding down another trail, but our spirits were high and I was looking forward to seeing the turquoise pools. It took us about 4 hours to get to the campground after getting checked in and settled in. And what a campground it is! Don’t think that the 10 mile hike pre-requisite keeps this place isolated, it gets tons of visitors. Of course some people cheat via horseback and helicopter, but the majority of the people in Havasupai humped the trail for 10 miles with a heavy pack to enjoy the scenery. It makes for an interesting crowd, mostly 20-somethings, some hippies, and a whole lot of boyscout troops! Hooray! Haha

This place did not disappoint one bit. It is definitely a nature enthusiast’s nirvana. Waterfalls, Caves, mines, Slot Canyons, Rivers, more waterfalls, beaches, cliff jumps and good times. Our particular campsite was situated between two forks of the river so we had running water within 20 feet of either direction. To say that the campground interacts the river is an understatement; it revolves around the blue water. A vast network of foot bridges creates a unique peterpan/nevernever land theme.
There was even a picnic table directly set up right in the river!

So it’s now 8am and the day is young!

Time to go start checking out some waterfalls!

And we did for the next few days! We explored in every direction and pursued every tip we got from the neighbors about the neat surroundings. This place did not disappoint! We played cards at night, ate food, snacked, and played in the moonlight. (Just so happened to be a full moon on Friday the 13^th, our last day in Havasupai!)

Havasu Falls

Mooney Falls with it’s rock tunnel entrance