Hike and Backpack along the Havasupai trail in Grand Canyon, Arizona
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 a new waterfall newly created from the 2008 flash flooding (Little 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. Hiking from the campground to Beaver falls took us about 2.5 hours because it's such slow hiking. To get to the Colorado River and back would be a very long day of hiking.
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.
