Havasupai, Grand Canyon Backpack

Trip Description:
We begin our trip on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon at Hualapai Hilltop. After loading the pack horses with our food and commissary gear, we will descend to the campground following sinuous Hualapai and Havasu Canyons, passing through the isolated Indian village of Supai along our way. A few square miles along turquoise Havasu Creek create a unique Grand Canyon riparian zone; a lushly vegetated oasis within the harsh canyon desert; a home for birds, animals, and the small Havasupai tribe of approximately 250 people. Havasupai Campground features two of the most beautiful waterfalls in Grand Canyon: Havasu and Mooney.
Our basecamp will be located between these gorgeous falls about 9 hiking miles from the Colorado River and 10 hiking miles from our vehicles. From this campsite we will explore the entire lower Havasu Canyon area: dayhiking up remote side canyons to the Esplanade Rim to enjoy expansive scenic vistas; wading and swimming our way down Havasu Creek to the Colorado River, where we may encounter river rafting groups; and exploring the abandoned Beaver Trail and seldom visited Beaver Canyon. Many opportunities will be presented for swimming and frolicking in the deep, crystalline aquamarine pools of Havasu Creek. Each day will offer new hiking opportunities with the option of staying in camp to read, photograph, or swim below the falls. Come and share an unforgettable experience in this Grand Canyon paradise.
Originates @ Hualapai Hilltop Trailhead near Kingman, AZ.

Rim Campsite

On the Espanade

Trip Reports from Quarterly Newsletters:

As you can see, we organize this backpack infrequently. While most visitors to the land of the Havasupai use the Hualapai Hilltop trailhead and only visit for a couple of days, Bob has accessed this area at least six different ways: Topacoba Hilltop Trail, Beaver Canyon Trailhead, Long Mesa Route, Great Thumb Route, from a raft trip, and along the river on the redwall ledges. As well as just hanging out in or around the magnificent pools there is some excellent distance hiking there (see Wampler reference below). Links to our two group trips are included below.

* April 17-24, 2004
* October 7-14, 1995

If you want to organize your own trip to this Grand Canyon Shangri-la, phone Havasupai Tribal Enterprises at (928) 448-2121 or (928) 448-2141. They are open 7 days a week from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. In addition to arranging reservation crossing and camping fees, they will supply horse packing services and village accommodations. Better still visit their excellent website for up-to-date information, including an email address.

References:

You may wish to acquire the Trails Illustrated topographic map for Grand Canyon National Park (it's waterproof and tearproof and covers most places visited). Writing the National Park for their book list can also be a valuable source of information about natural history or related subjects (Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon, AZ 85023)

Anonymous, A Guide to Hiking The Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon Natural History Association, 1980.
Harvey Butchart, Canyon Treks (also Trek II and Treks III), La Siesta Press 1970 (1975 and 1984)
Colin Fletcher, The Man Who Walked Through Time, Random House Inc., New York, NY, 1967.
George W. James, In and about the Grand Canyon, Little Brown, 1907.
Joseph Wampler, Havasu Canyon, Joseph Wampler, Box 45, Berkeley, CA, 1974.