Arizona
Karen & Jim's Guide to the Grand Canyon, Havasu Falls, and Sedona

Leaving Supai - 2

At first, we followed the cottonwood-lined creek upstream through a relatively wide part of the canyon. Gradually the canyon enveloped us in its dark red walls. The trail started to climb gradually. The vegetation became sparse. The canyon walls were so narrow that little direct sunlight ever shines on its floor.

Havasu Canyon
Havasu Creek
Havasu Canyon
Havasu Canyon
I was mesmerized by the twists and turns of the canyon. We traveled, alternately, through shadow and sunlight. The light reflected off the walls, which only intensified their color. We came around a turn in the canyon. Ahead stood a lone cottonwood framed in the narrow canyon ahead.

At about this point, our guide decided that we were too poky for him and he went ahead with his packhorses. I think that he had decided that since we wouldn't hurt the horses, there was no reason to lollygag with us. He and his string of packhorses trotted ahead leaving Karen and I literally in the dust! I can't really complain too much about being left on our own. I was glad not to have to rush to get anywhere. It also made it easier for us to make the obligatory potty stop.

Havasu Canyon
Looking up the trail over my horse
Havasu Canyon
Our guide heads off without us

The trail continued between the canyon walls as we climbed toward the rim. Suddenly the scene opened up as the narrow lower Havasu canyon opened up into the wider upper canyon. Now, we road through the wide, dry stream bed of Hualapai Canyon under the intense Arizona sun. With no more shade, it was time for the sweating to begin. We passed optimistic hikers on their way to Supai.
Original art work copyright © 2001 James Byerly. Photographs copyright © 2001 Karen and James Byerly. To avoid violation of the federal copyright law, please contact the copyright owner in advance to obtain permission for the use of any image or text from this Arizona Web site.
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