Havasupai

Over Labor day weekend, Neal and I were able to get away to Havasupai. For those of you who don't know where or what that is (I didn't), it is an Indian reservation in the Grand Canyon with some beautiful waterfalls and other great sights. Thursday morning we finished packing everything, loaded up the car, dropped Lydia off with Neal's parents, and headed out. We stopped in St. George to do some shopping at the outlets malls, and headed on to Henderson, NV around 6 pm. After settling into our hotel room, we ventured out into the city for dinner. Stephanie had given us a Chili's gift card for Neal's birthday, so we turned on the GPS. There were 2 options- both about 10 minutes away, but in different directions. We picked the one that was slightly closer and started driving. We turned a street too early and ended up in a big parking lot where there was a Macaroni Grill. Since our gift card was good there too, we thought we would just eat there instead. I had been to that restaurant before so after walking in and getting seated, we looked at the menu. Long story short- we didn't like the menu options or the prices so after a little debate between us, we decided to leave. I was kind of embarrassed, but the waiter hadn't even come yet and we'll never see any of those people again. As we pulled back out into the traffic, there was a guy waving and yelling at us from his truck. At the stoplight, his truck was right next to us and we were a little bit freaked out about it until we finally understood his excitement. He could see that Neal had on a BYU t-shirt and he was apparently also a fan. After a few more minutes of driving we got to our destination as listed on our GPS. Unfortunately for us, there was a building that appeared to have been a Chili's at one time, but was now vacant. There was an Olive Garden down the street (we also had a gift card there), but after stopping there, we found that it was way too crowded and really busy. It was around 7:45pm before we finally found an open Chili's and were able to get some dinner-what an adventure!

The next morning we got up around 6:30 (we were still about a 5 hour drive away) and headed downstairs to get some breakfast before leaving. I was getting my food when Neal came over and told me that the other couple in the lobby were speaking German. I wandered over and sure enough, they were .She is from Germany and her husband is from here (but spoke like a native).  It was really fun to chat for a while and use some German.

By the time we got to Hualapai Hilltop (the parking area at the start of the trailhead), it was almost noon and getting quite hot outside. The trail to the village is about 8 miles long (the first 1 1/2 miles some fairly steep switchbacks) and we weren't looking forward the the long, hot hike while carrying all of our supplies, food, and camping gear for the next few days. Neal really wanted to ride a horse down and send our packs on the mules, but it was really expensive and we didn't want to spend so much money. While chatting with another hiker (he had also just gotten there and he and his girlfriend were headed down), he told us that we could send our bags down in the helicopter for $20 each bag. We knew that we could fly down in the helicopter (also for a lot of money) but we hadn't known we could just send our bags down. That was so nice to know! We grabbed a small backpack, filled it with water and a few snacks, and took our two heavy hiking packs to the landing pad. Because there is no building, the workers can only take cash, so I ran back to see what we had. We were $1.50 short but they took it and our bags and flew off. With most of our heavy load gone, we happily set off down the trail.

The trailhead and parts of the switchbacks.

The trail was very hot, dry, and dusty so we were very glad to have lots of water with us. Although we were hiking in the heat of the day, we did get a few clouds for cover every so often and sometimes even a slight breeze. A few hours later we finally reached the small village where we had to pay some fees and pick up our bags. It was another 2 miles to the campground but it felt much longer than that! We were so grateful that we hadn't had to carry our big packs the first 8 miles- they were so heavy and it was really hot outside! By the time we finally reached the campground we were quite tired and so glad to finally put down our packs and set up camp.

Our campsite. There was a spring nearby where we could get fresh water, and a few composting toilets, but that was about it. There are no campfires allowed, so we brought a small camp stove to cook a few things on, but ate mostly food that didn't need cooking.

 Our campsite had a little stream running through it so Neal decided it would be fun to have a boat race. We both found some pieces of wood to use and set off to get them water ready. After a bit of carving and adding some masts, the fun was about to begin. Woody (Neal's boat- top in the pic) vs The Croc (my boat- bottom pic)! Ready, set, go! Off went both the boats- mine went sailing on down the stream whereas Neal's went sailing... right in the grass. He called a rematch and wanted to start on different sides. We started again, with the same results. Mine was just superior. :) We tried 3 different times and mine won each time. Then Neal decided it was his boat, so he made a new one out of some tree bark. That lost to the Croc as well, so he made yet another one- this time out of a paper plate. Finally, his boat was doing really well and was staying ahead of mine, that is, until the very last where mine pulled ahead, and won, again! Neal decided he'd had enough of getting beaten so we headed back out to do some more exploring. I couldn't believe how beautiful the water was in its clear blue green color. The waterfalls were pretty amazing and it was crazy to think that we were still in the middle of the Grand Canyon. What a change of scenery. :) There are 5 main waterfalls to see, but I only have pictures of 3 of them.

Mooney Falls

Mooney Falls is the tallest at 190'. To get down the the base you basically need to climb down the canyon wall which winds down through 2 small tunnels. When you hit about 70' above the canyon floor, there are some crude steps that have been carved into the rock, as well as some heavy chairs and spikes to hold them into place. Finishing up, there is a ladder the last 10' or so before you finally reach the bottom. I wasn't super comfortable with climbing down, but it wasn't as bad as it sounds and the view from the bottom was definitely worth it.

The descent. 

The view from the second tunnel in the descent.

Finally made it to the bottom! This picture really doesn't do justice, but it was quite  majestic.

Because there were more people climbing down (there is only one way in and out) we decided to do some exploring and follow the water a bit further downstream. We were so glad we did because we found some more beautiful places and small waterfalls. It was also nice that there weren't other people there so we could really enjoy nature as is. 

Just downstream from Mooney falls. If you look closely in the background, you can see part of the falls.

Havasu Falls

Havasu Falls was probably our favorite. It is definitely the most breathtaking and beautiful and had a number of beautiful pools for swimming. We spent a lot of time here enjoying the water.

The view from the trail as you hike in.

These pools (as well as the one right by the falls) were so nice for swimming in. The water wasn't too cold and was really refreshing as it was very hot outside.

Neal enjoyed sliding down/jumping off into the pool below. I even joined him once or twice although I preferred just to swim.

Lower Navajo Falls

We also really enjoyed the lower Navajo Falls. This waterfall is about 40' and has a small pool beneath. It was also nice for swimming and because the waterfall was smaller, we were able to climb up behind the water. We enjoyed being behind the waterfall and being able to look out through the sheets of water.

The view from the trail.

Neal enjoying being behind the waterfall.

Before we knew it, a few days had passed and it was time to pack up and come back home. Because we didn't have any more cash and because it was Sunday, we carried our packs the whole way instead of putting them back on the helicopter. It actually wasn't as hard as I thought it would be because we left early morning before it got too hot and there was quite a bit of cloud cover. What a tender mercy. It was around 11:30 by the time we made it back to the hilltop. Boy, were we glad to see our car again and be able to take off our heavy packs. We were anxious to get back to Lydia so we got in the car and drove straight back to Bountiful (arriving a little after 9 pm). It was a great trip and so nice for Neal and I to get away for a while and enjoy nature and more of God's beautiful creations, but it was also great to get back home to Lydia.