caribbean_dreamin

What is the drive like from Vegas to Peach Springs? On the map it looks like it would be so much shorter than driving from Phoenix, but when I used Yahoo maps it said it was only 100 miles and 40 minutes shorter of a drive. Is it a nice drive? What could we stop and see on the way? Sorry I haven't researched that corner of the state much, cause I was so set on flying in and out of Phoenix. Now I'm not sure what to do. Thanks for your help.

amberkat

We were supposed to stay in Peach Springs. We initially drove from Las Vegas to the GC south rim. The next day, we drove from there to Peach Springs. When we got to the lodge in Peach Springs, we were told that our river runner tour had been cancelled.
Supposedly, the road that leads into the canyon had washed out in heavy rain. No one had attempted to contact us so that we could rearrange our plans. Since there was absolutely nothing else to do in Peach Springs, we drove back towards Las Vegas. We made it to Boulder City in approximately 2 hours. Traffic was light when we traveled late in the evening but it is sometimes congested around the Hoover Dam because of security checkpoints, so you may need to alot more time. Its been over two weeks and I still haven't been credited for that tour ($999.)

karens

Hi. We drove from Vegas to Peach Springs last May. On the way we stopped at Lake Mead and rented a motorboat and spent a few hours riding around the lake. Lake Mead is nowhere as scenic as Lake Powell, but we did get to view the Hoover Dam from behind, which was a different perspective.

You also drive across Hoover Dam, so you can stop and take a look around there. From Hoover Dam there's not much on the way to Peach Springs. I think it was a 2 - 2 1/2 drive. We stopped at Kingman for dinner and gas. Peach Springs is not a big place! I would highly recommend making sure your gas tank is full and you have some water and food in the car, especially if it's going to be hot when you're out there.

We stayed in the Hualapai Lodge in Peach Springs, which I think is the place in town! I was very impresssed with the quality of the place - the rooms seemed brand new and were very clean. The food in the restaurant wasn't bad, either.

Can I ask what you're doing in Peach Springs? We used this as a stop-over place on our way to Supai on the Havasupai Indian Reservation, which was a 60 mile drive and then an 8 mile hike from Peach Springs. But the waterfalls down there (Havasu, Mooney) were some of the most amazing we've ever seen!

Karen

amberkat

The drive from Hoover Dam to Kingman(highway 93) is scenic. Highway 40 looks like any other highway and Highway 66 into Peach Springs is desolate. There is a little ghost town off of 93 named Chloride. We didn't have time to check it out.

caribbean_dreamin

karens,

We would be doing the same thing you did, spending the night in Peach Springs before hiking down to Supai. About how long did it take you to drive the 60 miles from Peach Springs to Hualapai hilltop to begin your climb down into the canyon? Also, did you stay at their lodge for the night? What was that like? I emailed them over a week ago to check room availability for the night we're interested in, but haven't heard anything back. I guess I'll have to call. Did you hike or ride in and out? Sorry so many questions. I'm just excited to find someone who's been there. I posted about it before and didn't get much of a response. When I posted my tentative itinerary for review, someone told me we should skip it because it's a lot of hiking/riding and this is our honeymoon trip. We both really want to see the falls though, so I think it will be worth it. Since there's nothing to do in or near Peach Springs we'd probably be better off to just try to get there by evening and spend the day driving up from Phoenix and making a few stops. Thanks for all your input. It's been very helpful.

karens

Hi! The drive from Peach Springs to the hilltop took about an hour - it's a paved road with no stop lights or anything (and I mean anything - there's no services along this road so make sure you have gas and water and food with you) so you can make good time driving on it. It took us about 4 hours to hike into Supai. The first 1 1/2 miles is pretty steep, and then it's a slight downhill for the rest of the way. Try to start early - we went in late May and it was already into the 90s by noon.

You asked about the lodge and I will be honest with you. I read a lot of travel guidebooks that said the lodge was simple but clean. On the surface that is true. It had all the important things to me: clean sheets, clean bathroom, air conditioning and a bathroom! But the lodge is badly in need of reburishing. It is very run down. The furnishings were old, and the bathroom tiles were peeling. The light in the bathroom would go off, and then go back on in a few minutes, then go off again. The bureau had no drawers. There was no TV, clock or phone, but we knew that going in. There was no overhead light - just two exposed wires hanging down from the ceiling. We were on the 2nd floor and the balcony was missing one of its railings. In its place was yellow caution tape strung where the railing would be. Now we are usually Holiday Inn type people, so it's not like we only stay at 4-star places. The village of Supai also lacks charm, to put it mildly. The Havasupai homes are small and modest, but many yards were littered with trash. I don't mean a can or wrappers here and there, I mean piles of trash.

The first day we hiked the 8 miles in, checked into our multi-code violation lodge room, and then hiked down to Havasu Falls. On the way, in the heat, my trusty Nike hiking boots that have carried me to so many wonderful places, began to come apart. I was starting to really worry, knowing that we had lots of hiking left to do before we were back in our car, many miles away. But then we saw Havasu Falls and it was just incredible! Another couple in their 50s saw my first reaction to the falls and must have read my mind, b/c she said "It makes it all worth it, doesn't it?" And yes - it did!!

The falls are so beautiful. We've seen lots of waterfalls, but these are among the very best. What makes them so wonderful is that Havasu creek is this beautiful blue green color. The falls have these gorgeous blue green pools under them, perfect for a dip after all the hiking. We spent a lot of time by Havasu Falls, b/c there are lots of terraces and pools at the base of the falls. The first falls, Navajo, is tough to locate. There's a sign indicating a small spur path down to the falls, but it seems to end. A couple was going up and told us the falls are confusing to find, but they recommended we keep trying - the woman thought they were the most pretty. Finally, we scooted across a fallen tree and found our way to the base of the falls. They are wider than the others, with lush vegetation all around - -tropical in appearance. Lastly, there is Mooney, the tallest of the falls and by far the most difficult to get to. You take a side trail down, and all of a sudden there's a tunnel through rock you have to go through. You go through 2 tunnels, and after emerging from the second one, you look down and you're about 6 stories up, and the only way down is by grabbing 2 chains secured into the rock and lowering yourselves down with the aide of some footholds chiseled in the rock. I'm glad I lift weights at the gym, b/c I was holding on really tight for a few steps! It is scary - even my husband admitted that (after we were back up!) After using the chains, you get to a ladder, climb down and you're at the base of the falls. They are beautiful, with another pretty pool at the base. We were all terribly proud of ourselves, and then we saw a group of women who appeared to be in their late 50s or so hanging around the pool. Now how did they get there? So unless you have a real bad fear of heights, if they can do it, you can do it, too! But if you are afraid, go about halfway down, and once you get through the first tunnel is, I think, one of the best views of the falls. Going up is a lot easier - for one thing, you're not looking down!

Hiking out took us about 4 hours as well. The last mile was tough b/c it was already in the 90s at 10am. We thought we carried a lot of water, but we drank it all before getting about all but 1/4 mile up. We weren't worried, though, b/c we knew we had more water in the car.

So, even though this isn't the easiest place to get to, once you get past Supai, it is incredibly beautiful. What we did was to go to Supai first, and then spend some time in Sedona. We loved Sedona, and liked being back in "civilization" with a place with nice restaurants, shopping, etc. after being in such a remote place. So I would highly recommend, if you can, to time it this way. We actually know a couple who went to Havasu on their honeymoon, and afterwards went to Las Vegas. They said the differences in the 2 places, after seeing each side-by-side was amazing!

Any questions, feel free to ask. I know I was unable to find a lot out about Havasu before we went. Oh, one more thing - I have heard that the lodge often does not answer it's phone. Keep trying, by phone, to get through. The lodge starts taking reservations for the prior year starting on a day in December. I called all throughout the day and got a busy signal until I finally got through around 3pm. I've also heard it's a very good idea to re-confirm your reservation. We were sent a confirmation in the mail, and had no problems this way. Please let me know your trip itinerary when you decide it!
Karen

KE1TH

Before I made my hike down to Supai, I spent the night in Kingman. The drive from Kingman to the hilltop (trailhead to Supai) took me about 2 hours. The hike down took about 4 hours, the first mile or so being steep switchbacks. At least you get that part over with whilst you're still energized. It is a strenuous hike mostly because you're walking in a dry creek bed most of the way and the rocks and sand are hard to walk on (think of how hard it is to walk on the dry sand at the beach). The lodge in Supai is bare necessities, but it beats packing a tent into the canyon. I made my reservations (which included the entrance fee) for the lodge several months in advance. The rate at that time was $75.00 a night. If you don't stay at the lodge, you pay the entrance fee / camping fee at the guest center, one of the first buildings you'll encounter once you enter the village. The day I hiked down was also one of the days that the helicopter delivered supplies to the people of Supai. All supplies either come in on horseback or helicopter. The village itself isn't much. The location, however, is wonderful. Above the village are two large rock formations called "The Watchers". Legend is that if these two formations fall, so will the Havasupai civilization. About a mile, give or take, past Supai, is the first major waterfall. Navajo Falls tumbles over the travertine amongst alot of greenery. It is difficult to see the falls, but they are beautiful. But they don't hold a candle to the next falls you encounter.... Havasu Falls. The most amazing sight I've ever seen. Mooney Falls is just slightly less beautiful.... Just slightly. I spent two days in Supai. Swimming in the pool beneath Havasu Falls was magical. Especially when the wild ponies come up to the water to drink. At night, the number of stars in the sky is simply astounding. The blackness of the night sky surpassed only by the blackness of the canyon walls. There is very little light in the canyon to compete with the stars. There is a little restaurant in Supai that serves hamburgers/hotdogs etc. Basic food for little more than what you'd pay anywhere else. When it came time for me to hike out, I was passing the area where the helicopter lands and the pilot was walking out of the field. I casually asked him how much to fly out and he told me $75.00. It didn't take me but two seconds to tell him that I'd be on his next flight out. The scenery from the helicopter was just as dramatic as the scenery hiking, so I don't feel I missed anything except a long, exhausting hike. The best $75.00 I've ever spent

Here are a few pics of my trip to Supai and Havasu Falls:

http://www.emservicesinc.com/keith/u...est_-_2001.htm

Keith

karens

Great pictures, Keith. You did get a bargain on a flight out. Back when we were thinking that Havasu might be a place we'd like to go to, we looked into getting a helicopter flight in. At the time, about 4 years ago, Grand Papillion (sp?) helicopters flew from LV to Supai for something like $440 per person. That was more than our plane fare from Phila to LV!