Tag Archive for 'havasu falls'

Havasupai Closed for the Year

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on August 31, 2008
in Grand Canyon National Park
. 0 Comments

nullIn “Good Thing I Went There A Few Months Ago” news, the Havasupai Tribe announced this week that the trails and camps near Havasu Falls will be closed for repairs until 2009.

The announcement on their web site reads:

SUPAI IS CLOSED TO VISITORS UNTIL SPRING 2009 DUE TO FLOODING SUNDAY 8-17-08. IF YOU HAVE A RESERVATION IN THIS TIMEFRAME, PLEASE CALL THE TOURISM OFFICE - 1-928-448-2121 or 2141 FOR CAMPING OR THE LODGE - 1-928-448-2111 or 2201 FOR RESERVATIONS YOU MAY HAVE MADE.

Again, I wish the best for a speedy recovery for the residents and environment in the area. It really is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.

R0012642

Lock image by MikeBaird

Havasu Canyon Flood

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on August 18, 2008
in Grand Canyon National Park and in the media
. 1 Comment

The story of the recent flooding in Havasu Canyon continues to unfold.

Over 8 inches of rain fell in the area since Friday, turning the usually calm and turquoise Havasu Creek into a raging, muddy torrent. For a visual, here is video of Havasu Falls under normal conditions:

… and here it is with the water levels raised 2 feet — 6 feet lower than what’s flowing in the canyon right now:

Two things make this an especially nasty area for flash floods — one, the walls of this canyon are very steep, which means limited opportunities to get to higher ground; and two, the primary campground for the canyon is on fairly low land just a few hundred yards downstream from this waterfall.

The news from the area hasn’t been nearly as bad as it could have been, thanks to the efforts of the numerous groups helping with rescue operations. 400 people were successfully evacuated, and crews have started a search-and-rescue mission for the 11 hikers and campers still missing.

Arizona Central has more information on the events surrounding the flooding, as well as some harrowing first-person accounts of campers forced to climb trees and hope for the best.

I was in this canyon earlier this year, and it is impossible not to be awestruck by its natural beauty. I hope for the best for everyone still stuck in the canyon, as well as the Havasupai Tribe who live there.

Via Hiker Hell.

Backpacking Havasu Canyon

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on March 24, 2008
in Excursions, Grand Canyon National Park, Trail Write-Ups, backpacking, camping and hiking
. 12 Comments

A 20-mile backpack in the Havasupai Reservation. This breathtaking journey takes you from the rim of one of the offshoots of the Grand Canyon down to the village of its only permanent inhabitants, alongside a tropical-turquoise river and two stunning waterfalls — Navajo and Havasu Falls. Havasu Falls has the distinction of being one of the most-photographed waterfalls in the world. A farther day-hike from the campsite deeper into Havasu Canyon gets you to two more postcard-perfect cascades — the 210 foot tall Mooney Falls and the staggered staircase of Beaver Falls. A truly memorable backpacking and hiking experience.

Continue reading ‘Backpacking Havasu Canyon’

Back from Havasu

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on March 18, 2008
in backpacking and site news
. 0 Comments

I got off the bus back from Havasu late on Sunday night, and had to take a personal day on Monday to sleep and wash the twelve layers of canyon dust off of all my gear.

The trip was great, and I’ll be doing an in-depth write-up soon. It’s probably going to be a few days, though, as I’ve got some upcoming medical issues to take care of in the immediate future.

Until then, just know that Havasu Falls is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. None of the pictures I’ll post will do it justice.

null

March in Havasupai

Published
by
Modern Hiker
on February 25, 2008
in Excursions and backpacking
. 3 Comments

I just found out I’ll be joining the Sierra Club Angeles Chapter Backpacking Section on a 3-day trip to Havasupai Canyon in mid-March.

With a potential 32 miles of hiking and swimming in 70 degree water in the Grand Canyon, I am very, very excited.

Can’t wait to give a report. Any tips from folks who’ve headed out before?


Photo by TeecNosPos