HAVASUPAI by Mark Cooley on Exposure

Walking between worlds

The following story is simply a trip log. In most cases the photography alone tells the story, but I've added a few captions to provide context.

Canyon walk

Much of the hike sits between walls and is consistent with a dry creek bed. A mix of sand and rock provide a stable and consistent passage to walk upon even though your feet will later hate you. We were thankful for the cloud coverage and pleasant 60 degree weather which made this hike feel much more like a walk. Since the horses were carrying the bulk of our supplies, I was able to find moments of solitude to direct my thoughts to prayer and simply enjoy the view.

Encounter with the water

Deeper into the hike vegetation picks up. Shrubs and trees start emerging out of the dry rock. The landscape is changing. Just a few more miles and the soil changes. Dry rock beds turn into sand and all around the trail is lush green. And then you hear it. The Havasu Creek.

Entering Supai village

Havasu falls

The two mile hike to the campground curves around trees and the Havasu stream. On the final decent you hear the falls approaching. If the hike is a crescendo climbing in volume as you walk in, Havasu Falls is the peak.

When I reached the bottom pool, it was like I was five years old again. Pure joy.