BACKPACK INTO
THE GRAND CANYON - HAVASU CANYON

with Al Harris

I invite a few hardy souls to join me in a backpack trip the week before the DDA, April 8-13, 1997. The camp site is near the Indian village of Supai, about 100 miles west of Flagstaff, in the Havasu Canyon (no relation to Lake Havasu), which is a tributary into the Colorado River within the National Park. The campsite itself is on Indian land and run by the Havasupai tribe. The hike in is about 10 miles, 2800 ft elevation change. The Havasu creek is aquifer-fed rather than snow runoff, and thus is totally saturated in calcium, giving pools a beautiful emerald color, and the formation of travertine dams and pools all along the stream (logs fallen into the stream turn to stone in one season). Two major waterfalls define the ends of the camp area, with swimming pools under each falls. Day hikes in the area include a rim trail which provides spectacular overviews of the camp area and waterfalls, or a hike-to-the-River, 10 miles one way, to the Colorado River itself.

My usual itinerary includes one night camped at the trailhead for an early morning start into the canyon, and 4 nights at the bottom. This allows easy first and third days on the bottom and a more strenuous hike to the river the second day, then back out on the fourth day, with time to drive back to Flagstaff. This would imply starting on Tuesday, April 8 (camp on rim), and arrive in Flagstaff Sunday night, April 13, although the dates could be moved a day earlier, if desired.

Necessary gear includes hiking boots, a good backpack, lightweight tent and sleep- ing bag, and some backpack stove and cookware (less than one/person required). I expect there are outfitters in Flagstaff where one can rent necessary items, but I have an excess of some equipment, so ask before renting. Also, I may be able to provide car transportation for a couple people, preferably starting from LA and continuing to Flagstaff (the trail head is between LA and Flagstaff).

Finally, for the not-so-hardy, pack animals can be rented to carry packs (or even passengers) in or out, and there is helicopter service available to the village, for the truly wimpy. Fares are ~$50 one way, helicopter or horse, one passenger or 4 packs per horse. Camp fees on the bottom run about $50 per person for the 4 nights. There is a small hotel and a restaurant in the village.

If you are interested in this trip, please contact me by about November, as reservations should be made by the end of the year. I can provide further information, pictures, contacts, etc. on request.

Al Harris awharris@lithos.jpl.nasa.gov

---