The part most of you have been waiting for...the waterfalls. Unfortunately, we didn't visit Beaver Falls do to my lack of water shoes and the fact that we felt it was about dinner time. It's okay though because Havasu Falls and Mooney Falls were both amazing. I also want to keep the descriptions to a minimum because it could take all day describing these awesome falls.

Havasu Falls

Havasu Falls is the second fall that you come across, I do not know if the first one has a name but you could see it in my previous post.

Havasu Falls is simply breathtaking. You see it from a nice perspective at first which really lets you take it in, but I think you really don’t get the feel of the fall until you are a few feet in front of it swimming in the pool.

The water is a stunning color and is quite refreshing. Yes, it is pretty cold at first, but once you submerge yourself and start swimming, it’s all good. It also seems that water is warmer by the fall, which is odd, or maybe I am just crazy.

There are few picnic tables around the fall, good for a lunch or just to put your stuff on and sit around. Also, many lizards and no bugs!

Mooney Falls

Mooney Falls is 210 feet and has an exciting way to get to the waterfall.

You will come to a sign that warns you of the dangers you are about to expose yourself to. Those dangers are you walking through a tunnel and scaling down some rock walls. Luckily, there are chains and some pegs to help get some handle on the way down. I’ve seen people of all walks complete it, so don’t be too scared, just don’t rush and take your time down. I also recommend some shoes that have some good grip.

The pool at Mooney Falls is pretty shallow and also much colder than Havasu Falls. I recommend that you have water shoes here, mainly because you will need dry shoes for climbing out of the canyon.

Around the Falls are some smaller pools and small waterfalls. The small pools were my favorite thing, deep enough to sit in and warm enough that you didn’t have to adjust.

Havasu Falls is astonishing. I mean, there is now way a picture or description can really capture how beautiful, majestic and relaxing these falls are.

When you walk out of Supai, you pretty much feel like you just want to get to camp, setup and relax for a little.

At about a mile you come to your first fall, it’s not really one of the main falls you see, but it is one of the falls that was created during the flooding of 2008. You can hear the roaring fall and once you see it, you think, “Whoa.”

You keep moving on and all of the sudden are in an exposed area with a sandy trail and a scorching sun. The desire to jump into the water is really up there but there is no water to be seen.

Shortly after this exposure, you hear Havasu Falls, one of the most photographed waterfalls in the world. You see this fall and can’t help but feel swallowed by it’s beauty.

Chances are, you probably see a few people in the water and think, “I want to go to there.” I fought off that thought and just went to the campground.

The campground is huge and has quite a large amount of spaces, but chances are you want to camp in the middle because when you camp closer to the canyon walls you may be exposed to more sunlight, which means relaxing at the campground isn’t pleasant.

The campground also stretches between Havasu Falls and Mooney Falls so there is quite a bit of space. It seems though, if you want more shade, keep walking closer to Mooney Falls, mainly because the canyon becomes more dense with trees and all the amenities are there. The downsine is that it is further from Havasu Falls, which is probably where you will spend most of your time.

When nature calls, you can’t dig a cat hole but instead get to use outhouses that are spread throughout the campground. I was expecting the worst when I heard this, but realistically, they were the nicest outdoor toilets I have ever used.

Another awesome thing about the campground, not many bugs! I believe that has to do with the huge lizard population inside the canyon, that’s just a wild guess. There are a few mosquitos, but getting some DEET or something should do the trick.

Oh and I almost forgot, picnic tables are throughout the campground! That means no setting up a makeshift chair or anything. You will actually be able to sit down and enjoy your meal and cook at a comfortable height. Beats, tree stump chairs and the like.

I will explain the falls separately as they deserve their own posts. Expect those shortly!

It all began at midnight Sunday morning. After only two hours sleep for me and seven hours for Vince we grabbed our bags, threw them in the Focus’ trunk and began our drive. As we left the city I was reciting the necessary items in my head to make sure that we had them all.

• Water bottles….check
• Food…..check
• Hats….check
• Sunblock…check
• Water purification…check
• Boots….

Vince had forgotten his boots. We considered driving back, but we were already in Anthem, which is roughly 50 minutes away from our home. Pissed off he decided to just buy new boots at WalMart in Flagstaff*.

*This is always a bad idea, boots MUST be broken in before any large hike to avoid pain in the form of blisters. But we had no other choice.

The driving route to Havasupai is the I-17 to Flagstaff, I-40 to Seligman, US-66 through Seligman, and the Indian Road-18 which ends at Hualapai Hilltop trailhead. This is a 6 hour drive coming from Phoenix area.

The drive was uneventful besides the purchasing of boots, I passed in and out of consciousness and we arrived at Indian Road-18 in morning fog. The road is well maintained, no 4X4 needed and takes roughly an hour to get to the trailhead. This area is all Indian reservation so respect must be maintained.

Once we arrived at the trailhead we were amazed at the amount of cars parked. The parking lot was filled to the brim and parking had to be done along the road. This made us nervous that the place was going to be packed but of course that wasn’t going to make us turn around.

After stretching and using the port-a-potties we began the steep descent at roughly 6:30am. The first mile and a half of the trail involves steep switchbacks that as I descended I thought to myself “This is going to suck on the way back”. Once the switchbacks are passed there are a few places of further steep descents but then it levels off for the rest of the 6 miles. The trail is dusty, dry, and has little coverage from the sun. Although it is located in northern Arizona, the temperatures can soar and the sun can turn a simple trail into torture.

The hike to the Supai village passed uneventfully, we passed people coming up and moved from incoming pack mules and horses. The trail is well-defined and there are occasionally signs letting you know how far you have come.

• 6 miles to Supai
• 4 miles to Supai
• 2 miles to Supai

At the 2 mile mark there are advertisements for Indian Fry Bread at the cafe and ice cold water at the store. Soon you encounter water, the beginning of the creek that creates Havasu and Mooney Falls. After crossing a bridge you are inching nearer to the village. Finally after hiking for 2 miles we entered the village at 9:30am.

The village is breathtaking. It is so strange to suddenly come upon the village after hiking in desolate desert for the past three hours. It is incredibly quiet as you enter and look around at the horses, cows, dogs, and people. I tried not to watch too much, because I knew that if I lived there I would find it uncomfortable to be stared at like a tourist attraction. It feels as if you are somewhere foreign and back in time. It feels as if you just stumbled upon it, and although  we never felt unwelcome, it feels as if you are intruding onto something beautiful.

We walked quietly, the weight of our packs forgotten, following signs that lead to the registration office. We passed more people who were leaving, telling us that “You’re almost there! Water and veggie burgers ahead!”

Once we turned the corner and saw the tourist office there was all the town people. Watching us like tourist attractions. I shrugged off my pack and went inside to pay the fees.

Havasupai charges an entrance fee to all who enter but those with Native American id cards. They also charge an environmental fee (which they didn’t charge to us!! I still wonder why) and a fee per night of camping. They also have a lodge in the village which you pay your fees there.

After signing a waiver that stated I was responsible for the safety of my party, not the tribe, I was given a fun little visual map and told how to get to the campgrounds. The campgrounds are a further 2 miles from the Supai village and can be reached by passing the school, church and turning right at a pink campgrounds sign. The trail to the campgrounds passes more houses and is quiet until you reach the first waterfall.

This fall was created from the flood of 2008 and has yet to be named. The flood changed a lot of Havasupai, and the campgrounds had to be shut down for a quite a while. They just reopened in 2009 and are lacking one fall, Navajo Falls. This unnamed fall is accessible by a side trail and is possible to swim in. We didn’t swim in it because we were too anxious to get to the campgrounds and almost forgot about it because of the beauty of Havasu and Mooney.

As we inched nearer to the campgrounds our packs were killing us, my shoulders hurt, my back hurt, I was exhausted. Once you near the campgrounds the sun is on your back once again, making the pain ten times worse. But as you make a left turn at a sign directing you to the campgrounds you hear a magical sound. The sound of Havasu falls.

This is the view off the trail! When it is first witnessed it is beyond amazing! I wanted to run down the trail and jump straight into the water. But of course, we had to continue the hike and settle our things before we could go into the blue waters.

Havasu Falls is roughly .5 miles from the camground, so im no time we were there. We both set down our backs and sat on the first bench we could find, for a good 45 minutes. We were wiped out! After resting we grudgingly put the packs on and walked to a suitable campsite. Under a nice tree, next to a creek and bench.

The campgrounds have compost toilets that are surprisingly clean, and always had toilet paper (although you should still bring some just in case). It also has a spring, I am not sure if it can be drunk without treatment but we did just in case, last thing we wanted was giadaria. It is a VERY large campground, keep walking and you are guaranteed to find a campsite next to the creek and the further you go, the closer you get to Mooney falls. The campgrounds also have benches at each site, so it is not necessary to bring chairs. Only one downfall about the campgrounds: no fires. You MUST pack out ALL trash, it is not right to leave behind your junk for others to witness and it destroys the beauty of the area.

Here’s an outline of the general information need to get to Havasupai and around the area:

From Phoenix:

• I-17 to Flagstaff
• I-40 to Seligman
• US-66 through Seligman
• Indian Road-18 to Hualapai Hilltop

To Supai:

• Hike down the Hualapai trail
• Follow signs

To campgrounds:

• Leave registration
• Follow road to elementary school
• Turn right and pass elementary school
• Turn left when church is spotted
• Turn right when a fork is reached with a pink sign that says campgrounds but points to no direction
• Follow pink spray paint and signs

I highly recommend bringing a gallon jug for your hike as well as spare water bottles. I also recommend going to the store in the village to get COLD DELICIOUS water and soda.

Next post: the waterfalls

Written by: Christine

We took another attempt at Mt. Baldy and it was a fun hike. The downside, we were unable to summit again due to snow all over the switchbacks. Everyone that did make it to the switchbacks turned back, we did so as well. It still was a fun and beautiful hike.

We went down the West Baldy trail which connects to the East Baldy trail. You will walk for a while and come to a gate which pretty much is the beginning of a beautiful hike. Once past the gate you will see that the forest just opens up to huge beautiful meadows and dense forest. You also get to see and hear the Little Colorado most of your hike up to the summit. The sound of it is quite relaxing and the views are just delightful.

When we went there were a bunch of downed trees, many blocking the trail. Only one huge one that was a major detour, pretty much an entire tree was laying on the trail. Overall, really easy to pass downed trees.

Other detours weren’t really detours just kind of nuisances. No big deal though just trudge through the water from the melting snow or walk around the giant mud areas.

We got to the sign that points to Phelp’s Cabin/East Baldy Trail and thought, “Let’s go this way to make the hike different.” So we crossed the makeshift bridge and began hiking into the dense woods. Long story short, ton of spider webs strung across the trail and it seemed as if no one has used the trail the entire season. So we turned around and just stuck to the original trail.

One of the beauties of this hike are the huge meadows that you walk along. You can go down them and just relax and soak it in.

Basically, you just walk and enjoy the trail. It’s a very gradual gain and very very few steep portions.

Eventually we came across some guy who has hiked the trail many of times and told us that it would be dangerous to summit. This is because the snow was over a foot deep in some areas and walking along a ridge on snow is not a good idea (like when we did attempting Brown’s Peak. We decided not to risk it and just stayed in the area that other hiking parties decided to relax since no one seemed to be summiting that day.

We plan on doing this hike again in July and making it an overnight to really enjoy the area. There were so many great spots for camping and it would be fun to do the entire loop instead of just one leg of it.

Directions
The drive to Baldy is really easy. Just take Highway 260 all the way until you get to Highway 273. Take Highway 273 down past the Sunrise Ski area. It will turn into a nice gravel road, it’s pretty safe for cars and eventually it becomes a paved road. Once you hit the paved road you know you are pretty much there because you should see a sign for the Baldy Wilderness. After that, you are there.

This weekend we were finally able to tackle a trip that has been long overdue, a hike up to Brown’s Peak. the highest peak of the Four Peaks.

We set off to the alternate route to Brown’s Peak. That would be taking the 87 all the way down to the first rest stop you come across which is where you would turn toward Roosevelt Lake. It is a bit longer, but if you have a car this is the recommended route. If you have a bad ass car just take the Four Peaks exit and drive for 18ish miles down a dirt road.

On the way to the peak we noticed this awesome mountain covered in snow, yep, it was the mountain we were about to climb.

Doubt set in, but whatever, we wanted to hike as far as we could and so began the 10 mile journey down a lovely dirt road. The dirt road is real easy on my car, but when you get closer the mountain there are some big ruts you might want to slowly go over.

The dirt road is smooth and really fun to drive on. There are many blind spots like when coming up over a hill or turning around a tight turn. Also, the road has some major elevation gain which makes the Brown’s Peak hike a much easier hike.

It also looks like you can camp out along this road, I saw no signs against it but there were signs that people had campfires and probably setup camp. It could be cool cause then you would have a nice view of Roosevelt Lake and a great sunrise.

We get to the trailhead and fill up the water bottles. When walking toward the trailhead make sure to go down Brown’s Trail; Four Peaks trail is a trail that goes around the mountain. That would lead to much disappoint me if you had a summit in mind.

The trail is relatively easy, from what we experienced. There are no overly steep parts or confusion of where to go. There is just some major vegetation that you will have to squeeze through. I also recommend pants so you don’t get stuck by some annoying bushes with thorns.

We get to a point where we notice that the trail is completely gone. We were told by other hikers that once you get around the corner the snow is gone and it clears up. Definitely seemed like this would be a minor obstacle, but we were wrong.

To no big surprise, snow is slippery and pretty much we became super slow on the trail. We started talking about turning around. Especially after I had slipped just a little bit.

Some other hikers came across our path and told us that the final part of the trail is covered in snow and that it wouldn’t be a good idea to summit. Being safe people we decided to turnaround.

All that there is left to say is, “We will be back!”

With Spring break and the news of multiple Arizona state park closures my sister and I decided to visit the Tonto Natural Bridge.

The Tonto Natural Bridge is the world’s largest natural travertine bridge. It is 183 feet high over a 400 foot long tunnel that is 150 feet at its widest point. The park is a quick drive from Phoenix, approximately an hour to an hour and a half on the highway 87. Once we arrived it was a cheap $5 per person fee. The park contains a beautiful visitor center that was built in 1927, tons of picnic areas, outhouses, plenty of parking, four trails (although when we went two of the four were open), and four viewpoints that are level with the parking lot.

We arrived at 10:30am and after some light stretching and a bathroom break my sister and I went exploring. The first trail we decided to hike was the Waterfall trail. The trail is 300 feet long and very steep, narrow and slippery.

Walking along one can see the Pine Creek on the right and some interesting rock formations on the left. The plant life looks rather dry, when you suddenly turn the corner and there is a beautiful mossy waterfall.

The water was very cold, but quite a relief.

After drying in the sun we walked to the viewpoints the park has to offer of the bridge. Viewpoints one and two were of backside views of the bridge, while three and four are of the front of the bridge. The viewpoints the park has to offer are great because it allows people beautiful scenery who cannot access the trails.Viewpoints three and four are definitely the more interesting of the four.

Viewpoint three offers a view right above the bridge/waterfall down towards the Gowan Trail.

Between viewpoints three and four

Viewpoint four

After the viewpoints we decided to hike the Gowan Trail. The Gowan Trail is a 2200 foot long down and back canyon trail that leads to an observation deck at the base of the bridge.The brochures says to allow an hour, but I would recommend more time because once you get to the bottom you do not want to leave!

This trail has NO cover from the sun, I would recommend hats and sunblock. On the way down you are treated to some spectacular views of the bridge.

The trail descent is steep with uneven steps, so watch your footing. It is not a very long hike to the creek and base of the bridge. Once you get there, there are many photographic opportunities.

Bridge that crosses over Pine Creek that leads to THE bridge.

Pine Creek

Follow the bridge a short way and you will be at the base of the Tonto Natural Bridge. Underneath the bridge it is chilly and little bursts of mist find their way to your camera.

A cave beneath the bridge

While there we saw a squirrel! No one offered him food so he quickly scampered away.

Underneath the bridge it truly towers over you! We had to strain our necks and appreciated its height.

Once you are wet and ready to head back up the trail its time for fun. An average hiker will find this trail simple, but many of the tourists found it difficult. Its an almost straight ascent back up the canyon, luckily there are benches but those benches are usually occupied.

Painful visual of most of the Gowan Trail

This is the teeny little creek that is the bridge’s watefall

Afterwards we ate our sandwhiches and relaxed. We left at 1:30 and had a very good time.

Some general information

• $5 per person entrance fee (March 2010)
• Very family friendly-can ask for a child’s brochure that contains activities.
• Wonderful viewpoints that are handicap accessible
• Near the lovely towns of Payson and Strawberry
• Cool summer weather

Directions: Take the highway 87 north towards Payson. Continue through Payson on the highway 87.  Approximately 15 minute drive until a sign that states a left turn to the Tonto Natural Bridge. An additional 3 miles to the park on a  steep downhill road.

The Tonto Natural Bridge is a wonderful state park, and it may soon be closing. When we visited in March of 2010 the Arizona legislature had it slated for closure in June of 2010. The city of Payson was able to scrape up enough change to keep the park open until September of 2010. Its a real unfortunate situation that happens quite a lot in the state of Arizona. Since 2007 the Arizona congress has been cutting funds from the state park systems. If we don’t act now these wonderful natural beauties may never be seen again, and the people who assist in maintenance will no longer have quality jobs. I urge anyone reading this blog to go and see the Natural Bridge before it closes in September and write to your Arizona congressman.

Some links that will help

An article regarding the vote to temporarily keep some parks open

An article regarding the future of the state parks

The Arizona State Parks Foundation

Find your Arizona Legislator

Parks website

Written by: Christine

Visited: March 18th 2010

]]> http://avoidthecactus.com/2010/03/tonto-natural-bridge/feed/ 2 http://avoidthecactus.com/2010/02/surprise/ http://avoidthecactus.com/2010/02/surprise/#comments Thu, 11 Feb 2010 05:04:35 +0000 christine http://avoidthecactus.com/?p=100 We ARE going to Havasupai!!!

June 13-15th.

ROAD TRIPSSSS

The weather is suitable in all places, the roads are ready for dozens of cars, and the mind is itching for a break!

There are quite a few places we have been thinking about but how to decide?

First and foremost we would LOVE to go to Havasupai. What is Havasupai you may ask? It is a beautiful desert oasis located in the Grand Canyon/ Havasupai Indian reservation. It is an eight mile hike to the village of Supai where one registers, pays fees, and mingles with locals. From there is an additional two miles to the campgrounds and another mile or so to waterfalls. Waterfalls in Arizona?!! Yuup. And some of the most beautiful waterfalls at that. Now I can’t get too ahead of myself considering I have been trying since February 2nd to get reservations! Each and every day, over and over, and I have not got through once. This place is so beautiful and rare that they book out months in advance. So unfortunately we will not be going to Havasupai this summer.

Another consideration I’ve had in mind is going back to tackle King’s Peak. The mountain has been teasing my brain and I must go back and conquer the beast.

There is also the thought of Yosemite, there aren’t any specific points that I’d like to hit there, just to be there because of the sheer beauty and must-see nature of the park.

One thing is for sure though, we will be hiking Humphrey’s Peak one or two times this summer, Mount Baldy in the White Mountain Apache Reserves, Flagstaff lava tube and various Arizona destinations (Sedona, Oak Creek, Jerome).

Wish us luck on achieving at least King’s Peak (and for Vince to make the summit of Humphrey’s).

-Christine