Havasupai, Grand Canyon: Hiking, Waterfalls, Camping, Caverns, Colorado River,..
Monday, September 17, 2018 6:00 AM to
Have you ever wanted to hike down to those infamous waterfalls on the Supai Reservation on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon? Well, here’s your chance!
Please keep Tuesday August 21 at 6pm free for our pre-trip mixer. This will be a great opportunity for everyone to meet and discuss partnering up, group meal ideas and planning, packing lists, sharing gear, camping suggestions, etc.
We will caravan and carpool up Monday morning (and share expenses) and then explore the Grand Canyon Caverns on a walking tour 21 stories underground (or you can upgrade to one of 2 spelunking tours). For those who sign up for a spelunking tour, it will provide a full jumpsuit, helmet, headlamp, guide, and a chance to see parts of the cavern not visible on the regular tour. Ladders, ropes, climbing, and rabbit holes are required obstacles. Claustrophobic individuals are not recommended to do either of these upgraded adventure tours. We will spend the night in the G.C. Caverns Inn (near Peach Springs), and hike into the Canyon Tuesday morning early. Continental breakfast is included at the Inn starting at 5am. The caverns have a room the size of 2 football fields, and it’s always 56 degrees down there!!!
http://gccaverns.com/tours-activities/caverns/
It is an 8 mile hike into the village and a total of 10 1/2 miles to the beginning of the campsites so everyone will need to be prepared for the adventure. A horse can be rented to take you down, but they are not cheap (over $200.00 r/t). The helicopter may operate on the days we are hiking (schedule is subject to change) but the tribal members and supplies take priority over passengers. It’s $85 each way for a 15 minute ride, but you could wait a few hours for that ride. We will spend 3 nights in the Canyon. I currently have lodge reservations confirmed and won’t know until February next year if we will have camping permits. They don’t make it easy to plan ahead or get permits, and they have raised their rates significantly.
The beautiful and unique blue-green water gets its color from a mineral called Travertine. Whether you are camping or staying in the lodge, you can partner up with one of our travelers to share camping and cooking gear to save on costs, extra weight, and add to the fun OR save on the additional single price for the hotel room. Pack mules are included with this trip so you can put together a duffel bag or extra backpack with 30 lbs of gear per person, whether you are camping or in the lodge. They will weigh the bags. You’ll just need to carry down a day pack with food, water, camera and essentials. If you don’t have camping gear, you have the option to rent, buy or borrow. We’ll talk about that before the trip.
We will have the opportunity to hike down to the Colorado River, where rafters will be floating by or stopping for a look at the magnificent Havasu Creek and waterfalls. That is 8 miles each way from the campground so plan on a full day adventure. Everyday, we can swim, jump, and dive in the pools at one of the amazing waterfalls down there (at your own risk, of course). Our campsites will also be along the creek between Havasu Falls and Mooney Falls. The lodge is in the village 2 1/2 miles from the campgrounds. There are caves to explore (if you are prepared for it, but the tribe does not allow exploration of the mine shafts FYI: don’t get caught), time to relax, photographic opportunities are endless, and the beauty of the canyon will inspire you. You can bring a hammock instead of a tent, and tie it between 2 trees. Your choice! There is a fresh water drinking spring near the campsites so filters and purifiers will not be needed.
Come join us on our second trip all the way into the Canyon. I will be planning some hiking dates so we can train together for this adventure.
Start breaking in your hiking shoes/boots now. You will have dozens of blisters if you wear new footwear on this trip. If you can hike Picacho Peak all the way up and back, you should be prepared for this hike. No alcohol is permitted on the reservation in any form, nor are illegal drugs (this includes “medicinal” marijuana) or weapons. You can be fined and/or arrested. This includes wine and beer, not just spirits. And no drones!
VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: A 50% deposit is due within 1 week of your rsvp, whether you plan to camp or stay in the lodge. Final payment is due on or before January 1, 2018. This is because they require full payment and names for permits and rooms now. If we do not get the camping permits, you will have the option to receive a full credit of your money towards another trip or you can stay in a lodge room if still available. The lodge rooms are confirmed so no worries there. We are going regardless. So (I know I’m repeating myself) if we don’t get camping permits, you can still go and stay in the lodge. A/C, real beds and home cooked meals will be your alternative to sleeping on the ground. Not a bad substitute!
TRIP INCLUDES:
1 night hotel (double occupancy) at the Grand Canyon Caverns Inn with a continental breakfast
45 minute walking cavern tour on Monday (2-3 hour upgraded tours are an extra $70 for the Explorers Tour or $90 for the Wild Tour)
Entrance Fee into the Reservation
3 nights camping or lodge fees
All taxes
Reservation Environmenal fee
Roundtrip packmule rental
NOT INCLUDED:
Roundtrip car transportation (I need volunteer drivers)
Meals
Camping gear
OPTIONAL EXTENSION: We will also discuss an optional extension at the end of the trip in Northern Arizona for 1 or 2 nights. Please let me know if you are interested.
COST: Havasupai Lodge: $675/person (double occupancy: I can help find you a roommate)
Single Occupancy: add $335 (includes single at the Caverns too)
COST: Camping $475: Single Occupancy for hotel: $65 extra
Upgraded Explorers Cavern Tour: $70 extra (8 spots)
Upgraded Wild Cavern Tour: $90 extra (8 spots)
Deposit: 50% due within 1 week of rsvp. Final due January 1
Let’s Go!!!
All monies are non-refundable. Signed waiver required from each participant. I can help with roommate pairing but don’t guarantee success.