Good morning all. The Grand Canyon continues to enjoy a break in the weather, the sun is shining, it’s a beautiful day. We’re getting ready to batten down the hatches later today though as more snow and rain are expected this weekend. It’s February, what can you say?
Actually, we can say that we’re having fun answering your Grand Canyon vacation questions and helping you plan your spring break Grand Canyon trips. The other day, we received a very interesting question via our video opt-in (have YOU opted in yet?): "are we allowed to swim in the travertine falls?" Answer: Not at the moment, but hopefully soon!
To back up a bit, the "travertine falls" that the inquirer refers to are not located at Grand Canyon National Park. They are located in Havasu Canyon. This is a Native American Tribal Park, located West of Grand Canyon National Park and the home of the Havasupai Indians. Havasu Canyon is a true oasis in the desert. Its prize asset is three world-famous blue-green waterfalls: Navajo Falls, Mooney Falls and Havasu Falls.
Unfortunately, this area was devastated by a massive flood back in August. An earthen dam failed, sending a wall of water through Supai Village and down Havasu Canyon, damaging the trails, and no doubt changing the topography of the creek bed leading to the falls. The area was subsequently closed to all visitors until further notice. Recently we learned that the Havasupai Tribe announced plans to re-open the area to visitation effective May 1st, 2009. What sort of sight awaits visitors at that point is anybody’s guess. One small waterfall was actually destroyed in a flood that occured in this area back in the 1990’s. What this flood has done to the falls this time around, we can’t say. But the Havasupai people are survivors, and due to the mineral content of the waters of Havasu Creek, the land can heal itself. It will be interesting to see exactly how, but it will take time.
If you’re interested in visiting this Grand Canyon park area, you should know a few vital things. Getting to Havasu Canyon is not easy in the first place: it is only accessible by foot, horseback or helicopter. There is no road access whatsoever. Entrance to the canyon for horseback riders and hikers is via a 12-mile trail whose starting point is at Hualapai Hilltop, located 68 miles Northeast of Peach Springs. Helicopter airlifts are also available from the Hilltop on a first-come first-served basis through AirWest helicopters. Visitor facilities in Supai Village include a small hotel, campground, general store and post office. The falls are located along a 3-mile trail from Supai Village.
Havasu Canyon is best visited by those who have planned ahead, and are healthy enough to make the 12 mile trek into and out of the Grand Canyon by foot or horseback. Those who arrange helicopter transport to Supai Village must still remember it is a 3-mile walk – each way – via a hot, dusty trail to the waterfalls. Havasu Canyon is not recommended for families traveling with young children or anyone in questionable health. For more information on reservations for lodging, camping, saddle and pack horses, or helicopter transport, visit www.havasupaitribe.com, or ask about Papillon Helicopters’ exclusive Havasupai Heli-Hike Day Tour from Grand Canyon National Park Airport.
All things considered, the Havasupai Heli-Hike is probably the most hassle-free way to get to this area. 
Yes, it costs a pretty penny, $500+/person, but, when you think about it, conventional alternatives probably wouldn’t save you that much money. You won’t save any time, that’s for sure. Let’s say you want to hike it. Because you’d want to get an early start down the trail, you’d probably want to book an overnight stay in Peach Springs so you can hit the road to Hualapai Hilltop at the crack of dawn. Once you hike down to Supai, you then have to pay a Tribal Park Entry permit fee. Then there’s a separate fee for your campground or to stay at the lodge, then you’d need to either bring food with you or purchase meals at the cafe in the Village. Then after you hike up, you’ll probably want to overnight in Peach Springs again. So you’re looking at 3 to 4 days of logistics planning, which you’ll need to do months ahead of time. With the Havasupai Heli-Hike, you fly in, spend the day, fly out, and you’re done.
I personally was fortunate enough to visit this area in July, just a few weeks before the flood. I’ll post that trip report here in the next couple of days.
’til then, make it a "grand" weekend, oh, and Happy Valentine’s Day! 
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