Havasu Falls or Cabin Loop Trail - next week

[Guitarguy]

Hello all,
My wife and I had planned on backpacking Havasu Falls next week (mid-week from Tues through Thursday - Tues night staying at the Hilltop parking lot). We have reservations and are prepared to go.
However... I have been reading a lot about the decline of the area and I'm concerned with the reports of increased attacks on tourists, more break-ins of vehicles parked at the Hilltop, plus the general consensus that the area has become extremely littered and just generally run-down due to the massive amount of tourists. If we were going with a larger group I wouldn't think twice in regards to safety and would just deal with the environment whatever it turns out to be, but with it just being the two of us, plus the fact that you can't legally carry a firearm, I'm concerned. We would like to see the falls, but not at the cost of possibly dealing with safety issues.
So, I'm thinking that this might be a great time to do the Cabin Loop Trail instead.

A few questions about Havasu:
Has anyone been to Havasu recently and can you comment on the safety aspect and the trip in general?
Would you recommend going anyway despite my concerns?

A few questions about Cabin Loop Trail:
Bears:
What have you used for food storage? We have never hiked in a known bear inhabited area and have just used drybags hung to keep small critters out of our food.
Bear Spray - do you need it?
Any other gigantic predators with sharp teeth and fangs that we should be concerned about?
The trail:
If you had two nights (we're thinking of cutting the travel day and stay at the top of the hill part out of the trip if we opt for Cabin Loop) what route would you recommend?
Do we need permits to backpack/camp there?
Any idea on the status of fire bans etc?

Some background on us - We are somewhat inexperienced backpackers, but have a few great trips under our belts in a variety of conditions and environments. Overall we are in pretty good physical condition. We have pretty solid lightweight gear and just picked up trekking poles, so think we could cover some mileage but like to take a leisurely pace and enjoy the walk. I believe the loop is 21 miles so I think we could do it in two days, but would like to take our time and make it into a 2 night 3 day trip.

Any other suggestions or ideas for either of these trips would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

[chumley]

@Guitarguy


There are risks involved in everything you do in life. I wouldn't let any news that I've read about Havasupai in recent years sway me from visiting there. Especially if you've never been. While it is a tourist trap extraordinaire ... it is that for a reason ... it's one of the most amazing places you've ever been. There are plenty of places like that on Earth, and most of them are littered with tourists. It is what it is.

As far as the Cabin Loop goes, I've never had any issues with bears up there. Not that I wouldn't hang my food to keep it away from ground critters, but I've never heard of anybody using a bear canister up there. Bear spray is a personal preference. I see plenty of bear scat around this state, and even seen 3 bears while hiking on the loop. But never have I felt even remotely threatened by one. Arizona is not Yosemite. The bears here avoid people. But you have to do what makes you feel comfortable.

No permits are needed to hike/backpack the cabin loop. Right now there are fire restrictions across the state. So cabin loop backpacking will have to be fire-free. It still gets chilly at night up there, so be prepared for that. Whatever route you choose on the loop, I recommend making sure to include the Houston Brothers trail, as it is a highlight, especially the northern 3+ miles from Pinchot Cabin (FR95 jct). There will be a huge research camp set up at Buck Springs Cabin with dozens of vehicles, tents, portapotties, etc.

But if I already had permits, Havasupai would be my no-brainer choice. You can hit the cabin loop anytime.

[Guitarguy]

Chumley,
Thanks for the info! I read through most of the triplogs on here for Havasu and definitely feel better about the current state of the falls area. Don't know why I didn't do that earlier..sometimes you get sucked into the google wormhole!
I'm thinking we will go ahead with Havasu.

Anyone have any tips?
Main questions I have are in regards to food storage. What did you use for a bag? Anything stronger than a normal nylon drybag like an outsak or ratsak?
Also is your gear safe in your tent during day trips?
Any other thoughts and advice are very welcome!

Thanks!!

[azbackpackr]

I haven't been there for maybe 6 years. There were chewing critters last time! I'd put my gear in my tent and I would hang my food while exploring during the day, or use a rat sack, if I were you. I would keep my wallet with me.

Be sure to explore below Mooney Falls if you can.

[paulhubbard]

Take lots of pictures and post them here (please!)

[azbackpackr]

Here's how I look at it. I'm visiting one of the world's most spectacular canyon and series of waterfalls, which are located in a Third World country. I'm a guest in that country. I may not like everything I see, but that's okay.

[big_load]

There were chewing critters last time!

Yes, that's what you really have to worry about: small critters looking for an easy meal.

[Guitarguy]

So we ended up going ahead with the Havasu trip and it was AWESOME!
Thanks for all the advice and encouragement. We're trying to get a triplog up this week some time.

Our next adventure is definitely going to be the Cabin Loop! We are hoping to head up this Saturday (stop for breakfast somewhere) and hit the trail by noon or so, ending up back where we start the trail by about noon or so on Monday.

If you were going for the first time and had 2 nights to spend up there what route would you suggest?
Everyone says Houston Bros is the crown jewel of the cabin loop trail system so that's definitely on the agenda.

Thinking of hitting the eastern side. Maybe starting at the northern most point - take the Fred Haught trail to the Ubar down to Barbershop Trail then up Houston Bros from the south.
This should be a super easy relaxing pace for us as far as mileage which will allow us to stop and hang out when we feel like it, etc.

Is that route going to give us the best of the Cabin Loop trail system?
If so where would you recommend camping each night (2 nights)
Any other route recommendations?

Thanks again and I'll get on posting a triplog for Havasu!

[chumley]

With that plan, I would plan on a night at Dane Cabin/Spring, and another at Barbershop Spring. That'll give you 3 days of appx 6-7 miles each, with reliable water each night.

For longer hiking days, I would push for Bill McClintock Draw ... though there may not be water found there right now. That'll put the wet part of Houston Draw in range for night two (there are three reliable springs along Houston Brothers), and leave you a short hike out on day three.

[Guitarguy]

Thanks for the suggestions Chumley!
Looks like the weather will be absolutely perfect this weekend. Cant wait!

[Grasshopper]

@Guitarguy
Is this below TH/Park on FR139A where you are planning on starting your Sat-6/14 backpack?

Pinchot Trailhead (north access): On Hwy 87 just past the Blue Ridge Ranger Station, turn right (east) onto Forest Road 95. Follow Forest Road 95 for approximately 11.15 miles, then turn left (south) onto Forest Road 139A. Follow Forest Road 139A for a little over 0.1 miles to the signed crossing of the Fred Haught Trail #141. There is a small parking area here, and a large trail sign.

If so, this forum topic referencing a FR95 construction closure could still be a possible roadblock to accessing the FR95 left turn onto FR139A:
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=7844&p=94469&hilit= ... ion#p94469

(you can still access this TH via Hwy87/FR300--> FR300 for 16.3 miles to the intersection of FR300/FR139--> FR139 to the left turn onto FR139A, then down FR139A a few miles to this north TH/Park Location or maybe access it via Hwy87/FR300--> FR300 for 13 miles to the intersection of FR300/FR95--> FR95 for a few miles to an easy to miss right turn onto FR139A ..I can't recall exactly where on FR95 the road construction is located, but this above forum topic should detail it for you and a call to the Blue Ridge Ranger Station (Hwy87/FR95) at 928-477-2255 will confirm the current construction status.. Please let us know what you find out)

[Guitarguy]

Thanks for the heads up Grasshopper.
I'll have to keep an eye on the closures and possibly start from another trailhead.
Looks like there's lots of alternatives to get on to any of the eastern cabin loop trails so it shouldn't be too hard to figure out.

Thanks again!