Havasu Falls
Near Village of Supai , AZ
HAVASU FALLS
A BRIEF SUMMARY OF HAVASU FALLS
Havasu Falls is an iconic waterfall noted for its remarkable aquamarine waters created by high concentrations of calcium carbonate in the spring-fed Havasu Creek.
The journey to Havasu Falls is truly an adventure to experience in addition to capturing idyllic photographs of a unique ecosystem.
These mineral deposits are suspended in the water and reflect light creating beautiful green and blue hues. The calcium carbonate also builds the travertine formations that coat the waterfalls and produce numerous cascades along the entire length of Havasu Creek until its confluence with the Colorado River.
Photos and location summary by Don Metz.
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DATA POINTS INCLUDED WITH HAVASU FALLS SUMMARY
I would rate the difficulty of this trail as a 4 t0 5 on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being most difficult) - depending on the time of year and your fitness level. The hike from the Hualapai Hilltop to Supai and then to Havasu Falls is 10 miles each way - with an elevation gain/descent is about 2,500 ft. If you choose to go on to Beaver Falls, it is another 2.5 miles. Thus, the round trip is 20-25 miles or more, depending on your other walking adventures in the canyon.
THIS HIKE IS NOT FOR EVERYONE and you should research all aspects of the hike before considering going.
Working around other people and watching the light throughout the day are the two principal variables you need to constantly monitor. Essentially, every visitor to the falls is a photographer even though many are only equipped with a smartphone. Since the canyon is deep and surrounded by sandstone, the reflecting light changes constantly and is either amplified or muted depending on cloud cover.
The Havasu Falls canyon is relatively narrow which naturally limits some of the photographic compositions. For most classic and iconic photos of the falls, you can use a medium wide-angle lens such as a 24-70mm or 24-105mm lens. If you want the flexibility for telephoto close-ups you may want to opt for a teleconverter lens to save weight. If you like taking wide-angle photos you may want to bring a 14mm or 16mm wide-angle prime lens rather than a wide-angle zoom to save weight.
2,200 - 2,600 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
