2015’s Favorite #NeverHaveIEver

For The First Post…

2015 was the first year I started my #neverhaveiever weekly ritual (fulfilling my New Year’s resolution). In honor of it, I decided to share my favorite 2015’s #neverhaveiever memory for my first post.

The Short Story

While there are so many amazing memories to chose from that year, one stands out! My Labor Day trip to the southwest to see Horseshoe Bend, Lower Antelope Canyon, and Havasu Falls with my two good friends Amy and Nico.

The Long Story

I had never traveled further east than Vegas while living in Los Angeles. I had seen pictures of various national parks and grandioso views of the Grand Canyon, but those places were not on my top bucket list trips. My eyes were on Europe. So when my best friend Amy suggested we go on this trip, I said yes and had no expectations.

The day before we left, Amy and I went to the Santa Monica Pier for the Thursday night Twilight Concert Series to meet her friend Nico. We met, we clicked, and we invited him on our trip. That Saturday, September 5, we set off around 3 am to see the Lower Antelope Canyon, which is approximately a 9 hour drive from Los Angeles.

We arrived around 11:30 am, but we didn’t reserve tickets in advance (which I highly suggest). Luckily, there were times available later in the afternoon so we drove to Horseshoe Bend, which is 7.5 miles away and around a 13 minute drive.

 

HORSESHOE BEND

Over time, the Colorado River has created a 270 degree turn in an entrenched meander. In other words, the river has cut into the bedrock creating a horseshoe shaped water bed. You’ll see a 1000 ft above view above the Colorado River.

The view is amazing and worth it to add to your list of must see’s.

Seen a waterbed in the shape of a horseshoe #neverhaveiever

• • Location: 36.878866, -111.510394
  • Free parking on the site of the highway
  • Free to hike
  • An easy 1.5 mile round trip hike

 

Lower Antelope Canyon

The Lower Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon, which is a narrow canyon created by water (normally during flash flooding) rushing through and eroding the rock over time. Both Lower and Upper Antelope Canyons are on Navajo land. More specifically, they are in the LeChee Chapter of the Navajo Nation.

The entrance of the canyon is a 10-15 minute walk from the main building. Once at the entrance, you’ll descend down five flights of stairs. When you reach the bottom of the canyon floor, the walls are awe inspiring. Still to this day, walking through the Lower Antelope Canyon walls is one of my favorite experiences.

 

Walked through a slot canyon #neverhaveiever

• Location: 36°54′ 9″ N, 111°24′ 39″ W
• Since 1997, the Lower Antelope Canyon is accessible only by approved guided tours
• Highly recommend using Ken’s Tour
  • $8 for Navajo Permit Fee (pay upon entering the parking lot)
  • Free parking
  • $40 for the general tour (what we did only reserve yours in advance)
  • Air conditioned waiting room
  • Tours run every 30 mins (Summer and Winter start/end times vary)
• 1 mile roundtrip
• Tour takes around 1 hour (you’ll wish it was longer)

Havasu Falls

From the Lower Antelope Canyon, we drove in the direction of Havasu Falls, which is approximately 5 hours away (297 miles). We drove until we were too tired and luckily found a motel and a Walmart nearby. We stocked up on supplies for our morning hike (plenty of water, tuna packets, mini bagels, and trail mix).

 

 

Our Plan: start the 10 mile hike at 5 am, get to the falls around 11 am, catch the helicopter back at 2 pm, and drive back home to Los Angeles.

What Actually Happened…

We parked the car on Hualapai Hilltop and started our hike down onto the Grand Canyon floor around 5:30 am. The hike was absolutely breathtaking. You walk through a desert terrain for the majority of the hike; however, the scenery as you get closer to the Supai Tourist Office changes from a barren desert to a variety of little streams and a closer view of the Grand Canyon’s walls. Knowing we were on a time schedule, we kept a decent pace, stopping only occasionally and quickly to snap a photo or drink water.

 

The 8 mile hike alone was memorable for many reasons including: (1) I had never hiked 8 miles in my life and (2) I had never experienced walking through such terrain. It. Was. Life. Changing.

 

 

Additionally, as you approach the end of the 8 mile hike to the tourist office, you get a glimpse the crystal clear blue-green water from a small stream.

 

Finally, we arrived around 11:30 am and paid our entrance fee. The office informed us that the last helicopter flight was based on the customer line and not a time.

The helicopter attendant agreed to give us a call when the line approached the end. Amy had limited service but we banked on that. So, we began our journey to Havasu Falls. 1 mile in, we reached Little Navajo Falls and got another minor glimpse of the famous blue green water.

 

 

But right as we got closer, a torrential downpour came out of no where. Amy, Nico, and I huddled under a tree for coverage trying our best not to get drenched. We did anyways. (Another memory for the books).

As quickly as the rain came, it left just as fast and the sun came out as if nothing happened. Oh but something did happened. The clay sediment, that makes up the bank walls of the surrounding waterfalls, runs into the water when it rains turning the crystal clear blue-green water to solid brown.

By the time we walked the last mile, finally reaching the famous Havasu Falls, it was a chocolate milk waterfall.

 

 

 

We walked 10 miles, at this point, to see that? It was like someone had sucked all the joy out of the air. It was disappointing and unfulfilling. Nico and Amy stayed at the Havasu Falls while I made another half mile journey to Mooney Falls.

 

Unfortunately, I did not have enough time to climb down to the bottom of Mooney Falls or make the additional 2 mile hike to Beaver Falls. I headed back to meet up with Amy and Nico and we trekked 2 miles back to Supai.

The last helicopter flight had left for the day. Cell service was non-existent by the falls. We had no camping gear with us and no more food. Furthermore, the Havasupai Lodge had no rooms available. It was too late to walk 8 miles back and no horses or mules were available either. We were screwed. At this point, we figured we were going to sleep on the grass.

Not sure if the Havasupai Lodge front desk attendant felt bad or if someone’s reservation was canceled, but for whatever reason, the attendant came back out while us three were sitting on the grass defeated to tell us a room was available.

My feet were on FIRE. My nike tennis shoes were filled with clay, sand, and dust. (Clearly not a seasoned hiker with my wrong shoes). I never appreciated a shower and a bed like that night. In the morning, we trekked back down to the Havasu Falls.

 

 

The water had cleared up some, but it was nothing like the pictures we had seen. Supposedly, it takes two to three days before the water returns to its normal color.

We couldn’t risk missing the helicopter again so our time here was brief.

The helicopter ride was my first time and it too was just as breathtaking as walking the 8 miles. The aerial view gives you the understanding why it’s called the Grand Canyon.

 

Flown in a helicopter #neverhaveiever

Location:

• Location of Hualapai Hilltop: 36°16’05.3″N 112°43’33.8″W
• Free parking

Distance:

• Hualapai Hilltop to Havasupai Tourist Office: 8 miles
• Havasupai Tourist Office to Havasu Falls: 2 miles

Hours of Operation:

• The camp grounds are open from February 1st to November 30th

Price:

• Since the popularity of this oasis in the desert, the entrance and camping fees have significantly increased from $35 to $90. Entrance fee is required whether camping or staying at the lodge

Camping/Lodging:

• Now, reservations to camp and/or stay at the lodge have to be done in advance either through the online site or telephone. The popularity of the falls has created such a demand the available reservations for 2018 sold out on Feb 1st in 6 minutes when the site went live
• If you’re camping the cost including taxes and fees is for one day is $140.56 per person. Two nights is $171.11 and three nights $201.67
• The lodge is $175 per night
• Make your camp reservations here

Helicopter:

• The helicopter ride costs $85 one way per person. Tribal members get priority boarding. Sign up is first come first serve. For more information call Airwest Helicopters (623) 516- 2790

Good to Know:

• No day hikes are allowed
• Wear proper hiking shoes
• Pack a minimum of a gallon of water. There is no water on the 8 mile trail
• To learn more visit the Official Havasupai Tribe site

Final Thoughts (I told you this was the long story)

Prior to this trip, my idea of camping was somewhere I could plug in my blow dryer and unwind in a hotub (so basically not camping). I had never thought to explore America because my eyes were so set on going abroad. I didn’t appreciate all the wonder that lies here in the states, especially so close for those of us living in Los Angeles.

This trip was life changing in so many positive ways. I no longer need a blow dryer on these kinds of trips. (Thank God for dry shampoo!) Being a former “girly girl” never wanting to get dirty, I now embrace the dirt and sweat with a smile knowing that the steps ahead will lead to an experience I will hold onto for a lifetime.

I fell in love with nature and the southwest. It not only has opened my heart to add so many more southwest adventures to my bucket list now, it has influenced me even in my home design aesthetic.

Typically I’m a detailed trip planner but for this adventure, I went with the flow. (And I don’t remember why I didn’t do much research beforehand). While writing this blog now, I realize how many things were not researched adequately in advance. And though things almost didn’t work out for us, they ultimately did. The real magic happened in the process. I’m trying to remember that in my daily life.

 

 

Lastly, I would like to thank Amy for suggesting we go on this trip (it would not have happened otherwise) and Nico for being the glue and clutch in so many instances. Many times, if not every time, it’s not where you are but who you’re with that makes all the difference. I could have not re-imagined this trip with any other two. Love you both!

If you made it this long, thank you too.

Until the next trip…