HPP does Havasu

[hippiepunkpirate]

I know there are a million Havasu threads, but I wanted to make sure I'm getting the most up to date info possible. I'm taking a group of 6 people (including myself) down to Havasu this weekend, four of which have done essentially no backpacking. We are planning on camping Thursday night at the TH (getting in late), and then we will spend Friday night and Saturday night in the canyon. My first concern is water. I take it there is a spring with a purification station at the campground which will be our principal source of water, is this accurate? Also, I have heard there is a public water tap in Supai. Is this true and where can I find it? If at all possible on the hike out I would like to take advantage of this tap so that the 2 miles from campground to the village we can carry less water as to hopefully prevent early fatigue. I plan on recommending that every group member carry 4+ liters of water for the hike out. I myself might even carry 6 liters myself just in case anyone else needs extra (I'm expecting to need no more than 4 for the hike out for myself). I plan on also trying to hike out as early as possible on Sunday to try to beat the afternoon heat as I expect my group to be slow hiking out. One last thing, is I was wondering if anyone had any tips about where to try to snag a good campsite in the campground for a party of 6. Being the de facto leader of the trip, I'm trying to keep my bases covered, so any help is much appreciated!

[writelots]

I was just up there a couple of weekends ago. It's looking so pretty - lots of good greenery etc. To address a few of your questions:

• There wasn't any water along the hike in and/or out except for Havasu Creek itself. The dry Hualapai Canyon had some trickles, but it wasn't even good enough to filter. There is water available in Supai, but I've never actually used it. Instead I typically just load up at the campground - the first two miles in the morning just isn't that hot (it'll be all in the shade in the AM) and I don't go through very much there.
• The spring water at the campground does not require treatment - and everyone I know has been drinking it straight out of the 'tap' at the spring with no ill effects. That being said, it tastes a bit icky, so it's nice to bring some sort of powder or tablets to flavor some of it - particularly for those who don't typically drink water at all or who are snooty about their water. I have also filtered stream water from Havasu creek with my backpacking filter and/or Pur tabs with no ill effects, but I do realize that's probably not a great idea.
• 4 liters is a good idea for the out - it's going to be hot. Depending on how you feel about hiking in the evening and driving in the dark, it may be a better idea NOT to leave as early as possible from the CG. With 8.5 miles to the big climb at the end, there's just no way you're going to hit that before the heat of the day - and with the western exposure of that hill, it won't be cool until the sun dips past the far wall of the canyon. If you can leave the CG in the afternoon and hope to hit the wall around sunset, then you'll have a much cooler hike out. Of course, it usually means chancing hiking the last little bit in the dark (or near dark) and driving home on reservation roads at night. But it's just an idea.
• Camping 'spots' are constantly moving and evolving in that campground. My opinion is that it is better to stay a little deeper into the campground (meaning farther from Havasu Falls) because it's a bit quieter and you encounter fewer of the large commercial groups. However, it's hard to really say that one spot beats another. Just try to avoid crossing the creek - that becomes a problem when the temporary 'bridges' wash away, as happens occasionally...

You're going to love it. Too many people and too much trash, but it's such a beautiful spot! Don't miss the hike down to Beaver Falls - the best parts of the canyon are past the big waterfalls!

[Trishness]

I haven't been there in several years but we filtered the water right out of the creek and it was fine. I agree with Wendy about 4 liters for the trip out. We left the CG at 7AM and it was brutally hot on the way out....some of my group ran out of water on the climb out but thankfully we were pretty close to the parking lot.

[Espi]

I have never been there but maybe set up some pack mules to carry packs for the trek out? Might make for some happier travelers on the ride home. Just my 2 cents if you are concerned.