To hike or not to hike? That is the question...

[Vaporman]

This hike has always been an interesting topic for me to discuss with non-hikers. I've seen beautiful pictures and heard amazing stories, but most firsthand accounts are from people who aren't very outdoorsy and can't compare it to other hikes I've done. I like to read the triplogs on this site and some people love it despite everything, while others thankfully will be blantantly honest about all that sucks about the place. I love to hike in awesome, scenic locations, but I don't want to do it amongs hoards of partiers, socialites, and punks that don't belong in the outdoors. This area greatly suffers from being too popular and over commercialized. I don't want to have to pay the Havasupai tribe for every breath and fart along the way.

So the BIG question is: Does a serious hiker really want to spend the time & money it takes to fully enjoy Havasu Canyon? Or would I be better off going to a different location?

[Hoffmaster]

If you read my triplog on Havasu, you'd know what I would do. I only went for a weekend which, granted, is not enough to time to fully explore and enjoy it. But, if I had 3 or 4 days to be out in the wilderness, Havasu would be the last place on my list.

Still, I need to get back down there and take some really good pictures before that is not possible anymore. Will the helicopter fly you in? That's probably the only way I'd go back.

[big_load]

OK, it's not exactly a remote wilderness experience and your enjoyment can easily be marred by the behavior of others. However, there isn't anywhere else quite like it. It's definitely worth a visit. Mrs. big_load and I went down around Thanksgiving a few years back, and there were only two other groups down there. We had big snow on the way out, which made it all the better for me. The beans and frybread in the village were pretty good, too.

[RedRoxx44]

I think it has to do with your mind set at that time. If you can gaze at the beautiful blue waters and waterfalls and wander around and realize sharing this with others is just part of the deal. I agree the village and if the campground is crowded is a definite turn off. So you have to decide what exactly do you want out of this trip??? No solitude, but the chance to view spectacular beauty.

It has been years since I have been there and personally I have no desire to go back. So many other places to see and although I don't mind hiking trails and parks, I would rather walk down a canyon or hike a ridgeline and see no one else all day; pick my campsite where I want it rather than be told where I can set up. I figure when I am older and can't do the more off trail stuff, then I will walk the established trail and join the "crowds". And if I can't do that then I have seen and been where I have wanted to, not missed the opprotunity.

I guess this is about that too, would one regret missing the chance to visit there, if you have seen the pictures and really want to go. Then one should do it.

[Davis2001r6]

I always wondered the same thing, but finally made it there in April. You just have to go there knowing what to expect of the conditions, people, town and that kind of thing. The scenery speaks for itself, take a day and head down to the Colorado or at least Beaver. We left camp early (like 7, not like 5) and had Beaver Falls to ourselves for the first 1/2 hour.

It's like going to the Grand Canyon and seeing the crouds at Bright Angel or S. Kaibab, yeah you don't like it, but your know they are going to be there and you deal with it.

[azbackpackr]

I've been there 4 times in 7 years, and will go back, maybe every 2-4 years. I do love the place despite all the above-mentioned issues. I usually go because one of my friends gets a permit and invites me. If I am going to go to the trouble of putting together a trip myself I choose a more remote place for sure. I have hiked to Beaver Falls, Colorado River, and some of the side canyons below Mooney Falls. You can have the lower canyon to yourself for a good part of the morning if you start early. Then when it's time to go back to camp you will have to climb the ladders whilst a whole bunch of scared tourists are climbing down it for the first time! Now that's an adventure!

[Vaporman]

Sweet, thanks for all your replys. I was originally planning on going with a group to the White Mts this weekend, but Mt. Baldy Wilderness is closed. So I think I'm going to tag along to Havasupai with a group of young singles of my same faith. For some of the people going, this will be there one outdoorsy trip all year....... I'll just try to keep my mouth shut about the negative things and not brag too much about all hiking/climbing/canyoonering I do.

[PaleoRob]

Hey, that could be a great way to pick up on some of those singles, if they appear interested in outdoorsy stuff. Take them under your wing, so to speak...

[mkingaz]

In response to Vaporman's reply: This is one of those places that is quite unique. 20 years ago on my first trip there, it wasn't as crowded, but the upper trail was in very bad shape, the outhouses were unbelievable (you have no idea!!), there were 20+ stray dogs running around the campground, and lots of trash (in the campground). They also had some idiots (from the tribe) who were routinely ransacking campsites and stealing stuff (usually cameras & weed). When I arrived at the office to pay up, I woke up some old guy who would rather have gone back to his nap than deal with me.
A couple of years later, we came and it was a world of difference. There were crews working on the upper trail, the old fart was gone and replaced by a very polite lady who took care of the fees in a professional manner. They had new outhouses, the dogs were gone, and actually had tribal police monitoring the campground. Now it's been years since I've been back (I'm hoping to go this August), but it sounds like things are cycling back around to the bad. It just sounds like they're back to worshipping the almighty dollar and not keeping the place as a truly special, sacred place that it should be
As far as a wilderness experience, there are similarities to going down to the Bright Angel campground. In both places, you know there will be lots of people. So, I tell people it's not a "wilderness experience" it's a "Grand Canyon" experience. For a real wilderness experience, go to the "blue springs" in the Little Colorado River canyon. No crowds there!!

[Vaporman]

As a follow up to my original post. I did go along with that group and had an amazing time. I recently wrote up my trip report if you what the FULL story. Thanks for telling me what to expect along the way and I did actually end up meeting a nice, young lady that loves hiking and looking for people to go hiking with. Us two and another guy ended up hiking down to the Colorado river on this trip. I of course asked her out and we're going on a hike date this Saturday.

And not to forget that I met AZbackpackr's nice, energenic son on this trip. We had a great time together. Too bad he had to leave Sunday morning, that was just when the it was starting to become more enjoyable. But we did hit most of the popular falls together.

[Davis2001r6]

Glad you had a great trip!

I think it just goes to show that you can have an awesome time down there regardless of the conditions that you come across. Just go there expecting it and I think anyone can enjoy themselves.