So glad you had a great trip! In October 2013, I took my first backpacking trip - with a group of friends who organized it. That trip happened to be to Havasupai. I brought home the best souvenir ever…my now 85lb big orange angel rez dog named Supai. At the time he was an 8 week old, 8 pound puppy. With the tourist season ending and snow forecast for the next day, they were very happy to have me take him - the last of his litter to find a home. I carried him out of the canyon. Yes, I hiked him out, had him checked by a vet in Phoenix the next day, and put him under the seat in front of me the day after that to fly home to Wisconsin. He’s my soul-dog, my adventure buddy, and best friend. With his intense orange eyes, with black eyeliner, I often get asked what he is. I love sharing his story, where he’s from, our story. He’s been a gift in my life. Always be open to unexpected blessings, even while backpacking. 🐾🧡🐾
Oh I love this story so much and I love that you carried him out! What a special bond and story!! thank you so much for sharing, this brightened my day💕
I've heard that Bright Angel is harder! The only really truly difficult parts of the hike are (1) the hike in with 10 miles of constant downhill, and we could've better mitigated that by knowing to take breaks even when it didn't feel like we needed them, and (2) the last mile is a pretty grueling uphill with switchbacks where you can see the parking lot the whole time. I think we rocked like a 24 minute mile pace and then dropped down to 45 for that last mile up. Definitely though the hardest part of the hike is mental, and remembering to take care of yourself on the way down to set yourself up for success on the way back up!
Beautiful!! It’s on my ever growing list of places I want to hike to haha. I’m also glad you got to experience Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire! Looks like you had a great trip 🙂
Fifteen years ago, we lived in Kingman, AZ. My husband hiked in and out of Havasupai in one day, for free, no permit needed. My mind is blown that it costs that for a permit now.
I believe it! We stopped in Kingman on our way out, that's about where we got snowed on! I think the cost of the permit correlates pretty directly with the demand to hike the trail, and the strain that 30,000 yearly visitors has put on a community of 500 with limited access to resources 8 miles deep in the canyon. In a lot of my research I kept coming across these 2000s, 2010s, articles ripping into the area for trash and wishing there were more facilities-- just based on what I experienced-- little trash, cleanest pit toilets ever, super friendly and helpful rangers, one who even drove through the campground for like an hour trying to reunite a woman with her lost wallet-- it seems like a lot of that money has been put directly back into creating the experience that it seemed like people expected while also making sure the village has a higher and fair standard of living.
Your pictures are stunning! How cool that you were able to pull this together and escape the late March snowstorm in MN. I'm looking forward to reading about your summer adventures in my home state. Random question, what are your thoughts on the new Minnesota state flag? I absolutely love it and have been giggling about the varied opinions.
Oh yeah! That’s what I thought by the looks of it! When I hiked BA last May, which was approximately half way down to Havasupai Gardens- was 3000’ down/up in its own right!
So glad you had a great trip! In October 2013, I took my first backpacking trip - with a group of friends who organized it. That trip happened to be to Havasupai. I brought home the best souvenir ever…my now 85lb big orange angel rez dog named Supai. At the time he was an 8 week old, 8 pound puppy. With the tourist season ending and snow forecast for the next day, they were very happy to have me take him - the last of his litter to find a home. I carried him out of the canyon. Yes, I hiked him out, had him checked by a vet in Phoenix the next day, and put him under the seat in front of me the day after that to fly home to Wisconsin. He’s my soul-dog, my adventure buddy, and best friend. With his intense orange eyes, with black eyeliner, I often get asked what he is. I love sharing his story, where he’s from, our story. He’s been a gift in my life. Always be open to unexpected blessings, even while backpacking. 🐾🧡🐾
Oh I love this story so much and I love that you carried him out! What a special bond and story!! thank you so much for sharing, this brightened my day💕
Looks awesome! How do you think the hike compares to a trail like Bright Angel?
I've heard that Bright Angel is harder! The only really truly difficult parts of the hike are (1) the hike in with 10 miles of constant downhill, and we could've better mitigated that by knowing to take breaks even when it didn't feel like we needed them, and (2) the last mile is a pretty grueling uphill with switchbacks where you can see the parking lot the whole time. I think we rocked like a 24 minute mile pace and then dropped down to 45 for that last mile up. Definitely though the hardest part of the hike is mental, and remembering to take care of yourself on the way down to set yourself up for success on the way back up!
Beautiful pictures Mad!
Thanks dad!
Beautiful!! It’s on my ever growing list of places I want to hike to haha. I’m also glad you got to experience Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire! Looks like you had a great trip 🙂
It was super fun! I had no idea that there were so many cool spots right around Vegas!
My friend and her sister both scored permits for the lodge and offered the extra one to my partner and I. It’s for November and I’m excited.
Oh yay! I'm stoked for you, that's going to be so fun!
Fifteen years ago, we lived in Kingman, AZ. My husband hiked in and out of Havasupai in one day, for free, no permit needed. My mind is blown that it costs that for a permit now.
I believe it! We stopped in Kingman on our way out, that's about where we got snowed on! I think the cost of the permit correlates pretty directly with the demand to hike the trail, and the strain that 30,000 yearly visitors has put on a community of 500 with limited access to resources 8 miles deep in the canyon. In a lot of my research I kept coming across these 2000s, 2010s, articles ripping into the area for trash and wishing there were more facilities-- just based on what I experienced-- little trash, cleanest pit toilets ever, super friendly and helpful rangers, one who even drove through the campground for like an hour trying to reunite a woman with her lost wallet-- it seems like a lot of that money has been put directly back into creating the experience that it seemed like people expected while also making sure the village has a higher and fair standard of living.
Wow! Just crossed off a bucket list hike (Kalalau trail) and now I will promptly be adding this to the list. It looks gorgeous!
Your pictures are stunning! How cool that you were able to pull this together and escape the late March snowstorm in MN. I'm looking forward to reading about your summer adventures in my home state. Random question, what are your thoughts on the new Minnesota state flag? I absolutely love it and have been giggling about the varied opinions.
Oh yeah! That’s what I thought by the looks of it! When I hiked BA last May, which was approximately half way down to Havasupai Gardens- was 3000’ down/up in its own right!