Grand (Chocolate) Falls
Painted Desert, AZ
GRAND FALLS
A BRIEF SUMMARY OF GRAND FALLS
Grand Falls, also known as Chocolate Falls (because of its chocolate color) is a seasonal waterfall with sufficient flows during spring (most commonly in March and early April), because of the snowmelt in the White mountains or following monsoon season (usually July through September). During the off-peak season, it can be completely dry and unappealing.
Recently, it has become famous among the locals and photographers. Since it is accessible by driving on a dirt road for half hour, it is still not as crowded as some other locations in the area. It is a great place to spend some great quality time with family and friends of all fitness levels since no hiking is involved. For adventurous people, hiking to the base of the fall is also an option. There is no official trail to hike to the base of the waterfall, however, there is a faint path that leads there. During spring months, flow can be pretty strong, making the trail wet, muddy and slippery.
Photos and location summary by Davesh Shingari.
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DATA POINTS INCLUDED WITH GRAND FALLS SUMMARY
I would rate the difficulty of the trail to this specific location as a 1 on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being most difficult). The hike from the parking lot is a moderate 150yd walk (which rates as a 1) to get to various vantage points. However, there is a steep drop from the edge, and it could get wet from the water splash (during high flow season). Be wary of your footing in the area, especially near the falls, as the ground might look stable, but could give way. Be very cautious and don’t step too close to the edge.
The road leading to the Grand Falls is not paved and can become muddy after rainfall. Use caution if driving in a passenger car - as services are limited in this area. For road conditions leading to the Grand Falls, call the Leupp Chapter House at (928) 686-3227.
The shot is pretty straightforward. Because of the nature of the composition, you will most likely need to blend your image, HDR or use a graduated filter.
As mentioned, the dirt road to the Grand Falls can be really muddy and potentially impassable after heavy rainfall. You should use caution if driving in a passenger car - as services are limited in this area.
Most photographers will use a wide-angle (16-35mm) lens when shooting Grands Falls. However, you can also use a mid-range lens (24-70) for a tighter shot or telephoto lens to get individual smaller falls.
4,495 Ft. Elevation
Other Resources Available with Membership
KMZ Trail File
Directions
Best Time of Day to Shoot
Best Time of Year to Shoot
Equipment Needed
Permits Required
Direction of Shot
Google Maps Birds-Eye-View
Number of Photographers to Expect
Cell Service
Overnight Lodging/Camping
Nearby Restaurants
Area Guides and Workshops
Other Resources
LOCATION SUMMARIES WRITTEN BY PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS
