Mooney Falls Return Trip

Downstream of Mooney Falls

Although getting to Mooney Falls was a 2.5 mile adventure, it was worth the harrowing climb down, and we had an enjoyable, leisurely stop at the 190' falls (http://alacartegreen.blogspot.com/Grand Canyon Havasupai Mooney Falls2012.html.)  We took lots of pictures, had a snack break, ventured downstream to explore, and the girls had some adventures with some frisky squirrels that they named "squirrel brothers".   We discussed continuing downstream another 3 miles further to Beaver Falls, but some of the troops were not willing to do the additional trek to less traveled areas :)  Once we had cooled off, and taken our fill of pictures, it was time to pack up our beach towels, dry off our feet, sprinkle on some foot powder, put the hiking boots back on, clip our water shoes onto our backpacks, and retrace our steps back up the cliff front to head to two more falls. 

Before ascending, check to make sure that there are no hikers descending.  Hikers cannot pass along

this section as there is only room for one person, so it is necessary to take turns descending and ascending.  After checking to be sure we could go up without meeting any other hikers, we climbed back up an aluminum ladder and then a series of wooden ladders.  It's important to be cautious on this section, being careful not to slip since the ladder surfaces and footholds get wet from the mist from the falls. After climbing the ladders, there is a very steep section along rough rock, and chains that are anchored to cliff walls with rebar and eye hooks, are key to making it up the rockface.  Without this chain and rebar for handholds and footholds it would almost impossible to ascend safely unless you are part monkey.  The trail continues and as on the way down, you must pass through two narrow, steep tunnels on your way up.   Once we made it back to the "descend at your own risk sign", we continued hiking back towards the Village of Supai, past the campgrounds, and continued to our next stop, Havasu Falls (Havasu Falls is approximately .75 miles upstream of Mooney Falls).  (July 14, 2011)

Although we weren't able to make a video of our ascent because we didn't have  any extra hands for the camera, and holding on tight and paying attention to our kids was a priority, check out this amazing YouTube video that another courageous soul made.  I'm still impressed with my kids for making this climb, they were beyond brave for 11, 13, 14.5, and 15.5 year olds!   If you are afraid of heights, this video may give that queasy feeling in your stomach that you hate, but I love this video.  It brings me back, and helps me recapture this incredible climb, and makes me want to go back and do it again!   Thank you to Crazyfinx for sharing it on YouTube, it's absolutely breathtaking!

Other links to check:http://alacartegreen.blogspot.com/2011/08/july-was-blur.html
and  http://alacartegreen.blogspot.com/2011/09/grand-canyon-adventures-continued.html
http://alacartegreen.blogspot.com/Havasupai Mooney Falls2012.html
 

Grand Canyon - Havasupai's Mooney Falls

190' Mooney Falls

I was just looking through pictures from our spectacular vacation, and putting together a photo book and realized that I never finished writing about our Grand Canyon Adventures!  Not sure how I let that slip, but on any given day besides work, I'm helping, cleaning up after, distracted by, or chauffeuring 1, 2, 3, or 4 children, or any combination thereof.  At any rate, I'm going to do my best to catch up on the details of our trip:

After a 14 hour day touring Las Vegas, we checked out the Hoover Dam, and then spent 2 days at Grand Canyon West (GCW).  Although not as well known as Grand Canyon National Park, GCW is the home of the Hualapai Tribe http://alacartegreen.blogspot.com/2011/08/july-was-blur.html , and we recommend visiting.  During our visit, we were able to walk up to the edge of the canyon, look down into the canyon, and explore and take pictures without any railings to alter the views.  We saw gorgeous panoramic sunsets at Guano Point, sunrise outside of  our cabin door at Hualapai Ranch where we enjoyed archery, quick-draw, tomahawk throwing, roping, and horseback riding up to the rim of the Canyon.    

Hoover Dam

Sunrise at Hualapai Ranch cabins

At the edge of the Canyon, Guano Point

Sunset at Guano Point, Grand Canyon West

Horseback riding at Hualapai Ranch

Switchbacks as we descend from trailhead

The Canyon view as we hike

30' Rock Falls - Rosebud and Rhody jumped from the top!

After exploring at GCW, we continued east to the Grand Canyon Caverns.  We toured the caverns and after a hearty dinner in Seligman at Lilos, we settled in so we’d be ready for the next day.  After a 4am wakeup, we packed up and drove down dark, vacant Route 66 a short distance to get to the turnoff for the 62 mile ride to the trailhead, Hualapai Hilltop.  It was around 7am when we set out from the trailhead, and it was still cool.  We hiked into the Canyon, 8 long miles; the first 1.5 miles were steep switchbacks with loose footing, and it was cool since we were in the shade, and the sun hadn’t heated the canyon walls for the day.  As the trail leveled out, the terrain was less rough, and the “soil” was finer, looser, red sediment that has washed into the canyon over thousands of years.  Soon after we’d made it to level terrain, it began to heat up, and we trekked the rest of the way in the July heat continuously sipping the water from our Camelbacks which were nestled into our backpacks.  We stopped along the way for photos, for breaks and snacking on dried fruit, granola, and peanut butter crackers.  We reached the Village of Supai, home of the Havasupai Indian Tribe in about 4 hours. 


After resting and having lunch, and checking into the air conditioned Lodge, we decided to hike 1.5 miles further to Rock Falls, a 30 foot waterfall.  Rosebud and Rhody jumped from the top!  After picking up some pb and j, bread, cheese, nacho chips, salsa, crackers, and water (lunch and dinner supplies) at the General Store, a good night’s sleep, and a big breakfast at the Café, we decided to hike 2.5 miles to the furthest fall that we would visit, Mooney Falls, and then backtrack and enjoy two other falls as we made our way back. 

Getting to Mooney Falls is not a leisurely 2.5 mile hike, and it’s not for the faint of heart, or someone afraid of heights.  Mooney Falls, is the tallest of the Havasupai Falls at 190’ tall.  Getting to the base of the falls is tricky, because the trail winds down the face of a cliff, and then through a short tunnel.  The tunnel ends at a ledge that has a great view of the falls at about 120’ from the bottom.  There is a thick chain link “rail” to keep hikers from falling.  You don’t want to fall from here…Mooney Fall is named after a miner who fell to his death in 1882.  The trail continues in a second, narrow, steep tunnel that emerges about 80’ above the canyon floor.  At this point, there is a very steep descent along rough rock, and more chains that are anchored to cliff walls with rebar and eye hooks.  Without this chain and rebar for handholds and footholds it would almost impossible to descend safely.  Hikers cannot pass along these sections, there is only room for one person, and it’s necessary to take turns descending and ascending.  At about 15-20’ from the bottom there are old wooden ladders to make the final descent.  Hikers should note that the constant mist from the falls can make the climb dangerous and slippery.  But it’s so worth the adrenalin rush to get into the water at the base of the falls.  Due to the mist, it was tricky to take pictures without getting the camera wet, but we managed.  The water actually felt cool even though it was a hot July day because of the mist.  If you dared to get near the pounding water, it prickled the skin!  We explored downstream a bit, snacked, and jumped off some of the smaller falls there.  Be sure you remember to pack lots of water, snacks, sun screen, beach towels, and water shoes to keep your feet safe as you climb and jump from the falls.  You also might want to pack a small foot power to help dry off your feet before putting the hiking boots back on.  And as you can see, a camera is a MUST to capture the brilliant colors and beauty of Mooney Falls.

Hiking down to Mooney requires you to pass through narrow rock tunnels

Climbing up/down to Mooney Falls is a bit tricky!

Hang on tight to the ropes and wooden ladders

190' Mooney Falls

Other related links:http://alacartegreen.blogspot.com/2011/08/july-was-blur.html
http://alacartegreen.blogspot.com/2011/09/grand-canyon-adventures-continued.html
http://alacartegreen.blogspot.com/2012/04/mooney-falls-return-trip.html