Havasupai Falls - What to Expect
Amelia Rogers
Havasupai Falls - What to Expect
This hike isn't for the faint of heart and it will push you to new heights if you are not an avid hiker. This trip is an 8-mile hike in to Supai, the village, and then an additional 2-mile hike through sand to the campsites and falls. This is just one way so round trip it's about 20 miles. With that being said, Havasupai is located in Arizona so the climate can be quite hot during the day and depending on the time of year you go, quite cool, possibly cold at night.
Getting registered for Havasupai Falls camping can be a bit challenging. It takes a very flexible schedule as the days and availability go quickly, you might be about to click an option and then it's gone. Be prepared to be flexible and take whatever you can get. They open registration every year around February 1st and are sold out by the end of the week usually. Staying costs roughly $100-125/night/person. Once you are registered, bring your verification once you get to the Havasupai Village you will need to go to the Ranger Office to get your wrist bands and tent tags. They do check to make sure you are wearing your wristband once you are on the campground so make sure to put it on snuggly. Now that you are registered, let's figure out what to expect.
The hike in is beautiful and mostly downhill or flat. There is very little coverage so you will be exposed to the sun during 98% of the hike. With that being said, it's very wise to plan accordingly. Most people will get a hotel close to the start of the hike the night before, then wake up before the sun to get started. We started hiking around 6:30 AM and we were considered late starters. The terrain is mostly rocky and sandy but there are gorgeous red rocks and canyon walls sometimes on both sides of you that are breathtaking.
Next, let's talk about what to bring. This is an area that most people, including myself, tend to overpack. When hiking into the canyon you are going to have three options; you can carry your backpack on your back, you can hire a horse or mule to bring it in for you, or you have flown in via helicopter. We chose to carry our own bags. Remember this is a 10-mile hike in so be prepared for the pack to get heavy during that duration.
Speaking of duration, depending on how long you are decided to explore Havasupai will dictate what and how much you need to bring. We stayed 3 days and 2 nights. For me this required 3-day hiking outfits, 1 night outfit, 2 swimsuits, toiletries, 2 pairs of shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and 1 small microfiber towel. For shoes I would bring two pairs, one sandal for the campground and 1 pair of hiking shoes/boots. In terms of food, you can get dried food at your local Costco or outdoor store. I would recommend bringing 3 meals a day. The packs are very filling, but you will be burning a lot of calories. I would also recommend bringing a large water bottle filled initially but once you are there, they have springs you can fill from. If you are a snacker like me I would bring a couple granola bars and some of the energy chews. This just helps when you need a little pick me up from hiking for hours.
For accommodations they have compostable toilets at the campground so you will have those once you get to the campsite. They also like mentioned above have a natural water spring where you can refill your water bottles. The campsite is a first come first serve in terms of location. You don't have an assigned spot when you sign up. You can choose to stay next to the river or more in the trees. They have a lot of options for being around people or more secluded depending on your preferences. They also have a food stand in the village and right before the campground so you can buy food and drinks if you want to carry less in or try something local.
The best part of the experience is the vast beauty that Havasupai Falls has to offer. When you are hiking in and out the reds and yellows in the canyons are breathtaking. There are not many places in the world that have the richness in color. The hike doesn't even compare to when you get to the actual falls. There are several spots where you can get in and swim, but the main falls are as though a fairytale has come to life. The color of the falls mixed with the redness from the rock is memorizing. Truly a fantastic wonder to behold. When you are there at night the sky is filled with stars and the falls still look as vividly blue. Again, an experience that is worth more than words.
You do have options when you get there if you decide to stay a couple days. You can swim or you can hike down to where the Colorado River and the Havasupai River meet. If you decide to go to the Colorado River you will need to plan out the whole day for this and make sure to get an early start. This hike is about 16 miles. It is through the canyon along the river and is stunning. You will be getting in the water and some parts are up to hip level and beyond so be prepared. Otherwise, the terrain is rocky and sandy the entire way. There are several spots where you can swim and be secluded or in crowds depending on your preference. I did want to mention that if you decide to even go swimming down further towards Mooney Falls the descent is quite exhilarating. You will be climbing down the side of the wall and are going to be holding onto chains bolted into the rock. There is a ladder at the end as well. This might not sound too bad to some adventure goers, but it gets quite slick from the mist coming off the falls. The chains are slippery, and you will need both hands for the descent and ascent. The rest of the hike in and out from the Colorado point is an easy hike with lots of views.
Finally, when you are leaving and headed back to the car I also recommend starting very early. You will be in a similar situation as when you came in with little shade to protect you. However, the hike out is vastly more challenging than the hike in as the final hike out is switchbacks straight uphill. The hike out has more uphill challenges than the hike in so be prepared with extra water and snacks. Once you are out the views are still amazing and there is a parking lot right at the top where you have left your vehicle.
This is a fantastic hike and is filled with some of the most beautiful scenery. If you can get out there it will be an experience you will never forget. If you have any additional questions or want to add in your own experience, feel free to comment below.
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This has been a bucket list item since I was little. I always wanted to experience the peace of being in a giant floating basket. I have always found it so fascinating that we created a flying balloon that we could travel in. It’s closer to the freedom of flying than being in a plane, in my opinion. You experience the environment around you and get to feel the wind as it blows through your hair. It was amazing feeling the flames on your back knowing they were guiding the direction you were going in. Getting into the basket was exciting, perhaps it was the nerves but just being in a basket was an adventure. From there once everyone was in, I went with my family, the take off began. It was surprisingly the most peaceful lift off the ground. It was as if we were Glenda the good witch just drifting off into the distance. The ground got smaller, and the views became more vast. It was truly breathtaking. We did this balloon ride in Temecula, CA so our views were of the wine country and rolling hills. If you have been to California, you know that it has very gloomy seasons and we unfortunately were starting to experience it once we got up higher. I thought it was a crazy experience, but my parents felt like we needed another hot balloon adventure to truly understand it. What might have tainted it for them? We ended up being in the clouds. Not the way you imagine from Disney but in the I can see nothing but white surrounding us kind of way. It was an out of body realization for me. Everywhere you looked it was white as though direction no longer existed. It felt like I was in a Hot Air Balloon ride on my way to the afterlife. I know I have a weird imagination, but it was such a cool yet baffling feeling. When we descended from the clouds, we were getting closer to our landing zone. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I love roller-coaster and bumpy rides so I was curious if it would be as smooth as everything else had been. It proved to be just as peaceful with a light bounce in between. We came down grazed the ground with a slight bounce until we were a few more feet away and softly landed. Being in wine country the place we launched from brought us back to their winery where we were offered complementary champaign and charcutierie. It was a great way to end the adventure and although I crossed this off my bucket list, I can say I would love to ride one again with my husband at sunset somewhere beautiful. There is no time to live like the present!
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Mt. Baldy is a wonderful hike full of spectacular views and elevation gains that take your breath away (literally). The hike is one of the top 5 highest Mountains in Southern California, with an elevation of 10,064 ft. There are several parts on this hike that are incredibly steep and would not be safe in winter conditions. We hiked Mt. Baldy in June and there was still snow at the top so be prepared. This is an 11-mile hike that takes about 7 hours to complete. To start you will want to get there early not only to start the hike during cooler weather temperatures but also to be able to get good parking. You might have to circle around the lot a couple times to find some if you come even around 9 AM the lot gets full. Once you find parking it’s best to use the bathroom at the bottom before setting off as the first couple hours of the hike there is no place to go except the wilderness. The beginning trek is easy, it’s paved then turns to a dirt path that is fairly wide and well-traveled. It is a lot of switchbacks as you ascend to the first major landmark point, which is the ski lodge. This is a good place to get some lunch or enjoy your lunch and go to the bathroom. They have plenty of picnic tables to get at both inside and outside. It’s a good mid-point to take a breather. The views here are starting to be beautiful. For those who are looking for an even easier start to this point there is a ski lift that will take you up the first part of the mountain. It does cost money and only runs at certain hours that vary so be sure to check online if this is your plan. Once you have enjoyed a break, you head to one of the more challenging parts of the hike, in my opinion, the ascent to the next section is incredibly steep and if you’re there on a cloudy day you will quite literally leave the clouds or go through them during this portion of the hike. Be sure to have plenty of water and take your side going through this part, it’s not crazy long but it doesn’t feel that way. After you summit this section it’s nice and flat in and out of the woods, you’ll start getting some truly amazing views along this part of the hike. The next notable portion is called the Devil’s Backbone. This is an amazing stretch where you can look down thousands of feet on both sides of you while you hike this backbone. In the summer this is quite safe but, in the winter, this is a section that needs to be handled with extreme caution if you proceed. The end of Devil’s Backbone is a very sketchy part where you are looking straight down basically hugging the side of the wall as you move around a big bend on rocks that are constantly shifting. This leads to a very safe trail once you are around the bend, but this part gave me pause as I looked in the abyss below me. From there it’s rather flat until the final assent to the actual summit. This is another part where you want to go slow and make sure you have enough oxygen. There were several people who were not able to go past here as the altitude sickness begin to kick in. Take it slow and be sure to drink enough water. This section was still covered in snow in June for us so be prepared with some warmer gear as you might get hit with some end of winter weather at and near the top. The entire remaining hike up you have stunning views so you can truly take it in the whole way. Once you summit it’s a large flat area at the top to relax and enjoy some 360-degree views. There is also a sign as pictured above that you can get a picture with to enjoy your success! There are two options when heading down the mountain, you can go the way you just came, or you can go down a steeper route. This is the option we went for, called Ski Hut or Manker Flat. It is a very steep descent to the hut where there is a bathroom but if you’re like me you’d rather go in the woods. This is where a good-fitting pair of shoes is essential for your comfort. There are rocks you’ll be partially sliding down, and you don’t want your toes slamming into the front of your shoes. A majority after the beginning is normal hiking terrain but the beginning is a lot of loose rocks and comfort is so important since your feet will already be a bit of pain from the hike up. This trail will lead you right back to the gravel widened road from the beginning and then the paved road straight on to the parking lot. It is steeper and more aggressive switchbacks, but the views are stunning a majority of the way down. There are also a couple food options at the bottom and a great live music/bar area so if you have some time to spare enjoy some well-earned food with friends. Then you’ll leave the park with a gorgeous sunset as you head back to sea-level. If you have any questions or experienced anything awesome on this hike please share below!
Catalina Island is located off the coast of LA, CA. This island has been known for all sorts of different things throughout it's time. Originally it was a getaway island for famous Hollywood stars and wealthy families. Then it was turned into a movie setting which was a Wild West film. They were the reason for one of the odd attractions of the island, buffalo. The director wanted real life buffalo and had them imported to the island, however as soon as they opened the cages the animals bolted off in different directions. They are now a controlled population on the island as well as a main attraction. Now it is a welcome tourist spot, however it is still quite pricey. I spent a couple of weekends exploring the Avalon side of the island. I have yet to explore Two Harbors. However, Avalon is beautiful. There is so much too pack into a weekend or day of exploration. But first, you must get there. The island has two ports where you can take two different boats in, one is an express boat. The other way to the island, weather permitting, is by helicopter. Aside from these options there really isn't any other way to get to the island. Once there, there are a ton of restaurants and shops to check out. There are beaches where you can layout and enjoy the sun, tiki bar, and relax. If you are looking for more of an adventure they have Scuba boat rides, general boating, fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, adventure hummer tours, aerial courses, hawk catching experiences, helicopter rides, and more. They are also a great place to rent a golf cart and enjoy putting around going to the spa for the day or laying out by the beach. They do also have a massive Casino; however, this casino isn't for gambling it was for large gatherings and balls in its prime. The building is gorgeous and available for tours. Catalina has so much to offer if you are looking to take a step into a new island experience. It has amazing views of the city that are breathtaking when the light is hitting just right. Catalina Island is a spot worth checking out if you are interested in a weekend getaway somewhere on the west coast. I think it's amazing if you are already located in the area and want to get away. I would recommend it if you were out of area, only if you are okay spending a lot of money for the experience. It is what you make it, but it can be pricey. Let me know if you had any similar experiences or tried any of the amazing adventures. As always, any questions are welcome below!
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