Havasu Canyon

My first hike into Havasu Canyon was in 1983. In the 25 years since my first visit with the People of the Blue-Green Water (Havasupai), I have seen a substantial increase in the amount of visitors. I have witnessed many changes and improvements in the lives of the Havasupai people.

Havasu Canyon was formally known as Cataract Canyon. Due to confusion with Cataract Canyon in Utah the label Havasu Canyon was was adopted. Life in Havasu Canyon is quite different for the outside world. In the city of Phoenix and other metropolitan cities, life is moving at a fast pace. In the village of Supai and in Havasu Canyon you will experience Supai time. There is no need to rush or hurry, things will happen when they happen.

Havasupai people have always welcomed outsiders with kindness and openness. The Havasupai have called Cataract Canyon home for the past 800 years. Prior to their occupying their canyon home there is evidence of prehistoric people who lived in the Grand Canyon area including the Havasu Canyon. The Havasupai tribe consists of approximately 600 people. The farmlands around the village of Supai have support the tribe for many generations. Today farming and the growing of fruit from newly planted trees are helping the next generation. They are beginning to understand and appreciate the relation between the people of the Blue-Green Water and their ancestral lands in Havasu Canyon. In the summer when farming was more prevalent they grew corn, squash, melons and beans. In the winter they moved to winter settlements on the rim of the canyon where men hunted deer, antelope and small game.

The Havasupai shared a close relationship with their neighbors the Hopi and Zuni. Trading of red ochre, buckskins, pottery, baskets, and turquoise help connect the different tribes culturally. In the late 1800s Europeans (whites) first moved into the Cataract Canyon in search of mineral wealth. The lands up on the surrounding areas of the plateaus were also taken from the Havasupai for farming and ranching. The Havasupai found themselves confined to a small reservation in the bottom of Cataract Canyon. Ironically one of these early miners left his name permanently attached to one of the falls. Mooney falls is named for Daniel W Mooney, a sailor turned prospector. There are several versions of Mooney’s ill-fated climb down Mooney Falls but the end result was the same. Mr. Mooney fell to his death after descending a short rope that did not reach the bottom of the falls.

People from all over the world come to visit the famous falls known for their turquoise colored waters. Supai, Navajo, Havasu, Mooney, and Beaver falls are the most famous. By far the most photographed falls in the canyon are Havasu Falls. There is a multitude of small travertine falls throughout Havasu canyon. The watershed begins up around Bill William’s Mountain. As the water percolates through the surrounding rock layers it picks up lime and calcium carbonate, which coat the bottom of the creek. The white coating on the bottom of the creek reflects the blue sky enhancing the blue-green color.

Below is the itinerary of our 3 and 4 day hikes.

On a typical tour we will meet at the Hualapai Hill Top Trail head. Unload gear to be packed into canyon by Havasupai ponies. The hike down into the canyon is six miles through a continually narrowing red rock canyon until you reach Cataract Canyon. Cataract Canyon opens up to a lush, green environment where the Havasupai live along Havasu creek. One mile further down the trail takes you to Supai Village where we will stop at the tribal Café for lunch. $7 to $10 is recommend for lunch. Guides will check in with the Tribal Enterprise Office and pick up your tag that allows you to enter the lower reservation. The pass must be attached to your person to continue down canyon to the falls and campsite. The next two-mile leg of the trip leads us past the serene beauty of Navajo Falls, and the inspiring grandeur of Havasu Falls before reaching camp. Our gear is scheduled to arrive between 3 and 5 O’clock in the afternoon, at which time camp will be set up and dinner prepared. From camp there are many options to choose from. SierraZona Tours specializes in customizing your tour.

Contact via (928) 593-0559

E-mail sierrazonatours@sierrazonatours.com

Day 1

Meet at the Hualapai Hill Top Trailhead (You will determine our meeting time), unload our gear to be picked up by Havasupai packer. After a brief introduction to the canyon, what to expect, and safety we will head-off into the canyon. It is a three to five hour hike (about 7 miles) to Supai village where we will stop for lunch and your guide will check in with the Tribal Office. After lunch we continue 2 more miles of easy hiking past beautiful pools and waterfalls until we reach camp just past Havasu Falls. The rest of the afternoon will be spent relaxing, viewing the falls, and setting up camp. Your guide will prepare dinner and do the dishes afterwards.

Day 2 and Day 3

You will select from various activities, (see list of options), (Sweat lodge ceremonies must be set up 2 weeks prior to your hike).

Day 4

We will rise before the sun (4:30am-5:00am). We will pack up as much gear as possible the night before, therefore allowing us time to pack up and leave early in the morning. Breakfast bars and granola will be available for breakfast. You may also choose to stop at the village on your way out for a more substantial meal. We should reach the rim around 12:00 noon.

Optional sites and activities of interest:

Navajo Falls (Hidden Grotto) ¾ of a mile above camp
Havasu Falls ¼ mile above camp

Copper mines of the Canyon ½ mile above camp up carbonate canyon behind Havasu Falls.
Mooney Falls extremely steep, strenuous climb down travertine cliff face using chains in places to the bottom of the highest falls in the canyon.
The Vineyard 2 miles below camp. Hike trough water and remote canyon to reach large patches of canyon grape vines.
Beaver Falls 4 miles below Mooney Falls. Beaver Falls is a gorgeous series of cascades
at the conflux of Beaver and Havasu Canyons.
Colorado River 12 mile strenuous round trip, all day hike down canyon, swimming at spots to the Colorado River and back.
Sweat Lodge Ceremony 2 miles above camp to location selected by tribal member. There are 4 rounds in the sweat with 4-6 people per round. Each round is hotter

History of the Havasupai given by a Havasupai elder at Havasu Falls.

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