At the very end of Havasupai Campground you will find the climb down to Mooney Falls. In fact, you can’t proceed toward Beaver Falls and The Confluence at all without climbing down. There is effectively a massive cliff at this point in the canyon which must be scaled to proceed.
We had watched numerous videos on YouTube in advance of the climb so we knew it was steep. We had also seen young(ish) children in these videos of maybe 8-9 years old. Still….
The climb down Mooney Falls is about 200′ and it’s certainly not gradual. The trail starts with two tunnels through the rock with “stairs” chiseled into the rock, as well as multiple signs reminding you that you climb at your own risk. After the tunnels you get to a roughly 150′, near vertical climb down, holding onto chains anchored in the rock face to large ladders. Throughout the entire climb, mist from Mooney Falls blows every which way. Nothing is dry and there are plenty of puddles in foot holds. Everything is wet and we were nearly soaked by the time we got to the bottom.
Adrenaline pumping, we were thrilled to be at the bottom. We were thrilled to have done the climb, felt the past several years of bouldering helped us greatly, but also questioned our parenting qualifications after bringing our 15 year old in tow (he probably did better than we did).
On to Beaver Falls…
Hiking from Mooney Falls to Beaver Falls
The hike from Mooney to Beaver Falls was just spectacular. In late March it was a bit chilly when we set off. THis part of the canyon is quite narrow so we didn’t have sun for the first half of the 6 miles or so to Beaver Falls. The views were amazing though. Cottonwood trees lined Havasu Creek the entire way. The amazing blue-green waters of the creek adding to the visual display offered from the canyon walls and the crystal clear blue sky.
The hike itself is generally quite easy. There are no major hills though there are three water crossings with water to mid-thigh and a couple makeshift ladders to climb up short cliff faces. One does wonder how the ladders got in since the only way to get supplies in is on your back, by mule, or by helicopter. Had it been later in the season this could be a hot hike but in March it was cool and pleasant.
Beaver Falls
Once you arrive at Beaver Falls the trail seemed to abruptly end. It wasn’t all that obvious that the trail went down quickly behind a picknick table that looked simply like a great overlook spot. A climb down yet another Home Depot special (ladder) brings you right to the base of Beaver Falls. Secluded, by comparison to the other falls, we found a great rock to sit on and enjoy the sounds of the falls while eating lunch. As with all the other falls the blue-green water of the falls was amazing.
One note… There were lots of folks dying for that perfect Instagram shot here. They walked in the water right up to the edge of one of large terraces forming Beaver Falls, standing right on the edge for their prized photo. Seemed like an undue risk frankly, given the height of a fall and the virtual impossibility of quick airlift, but such is life I guess. We opted not to swim here and instead swim later at Havasu Falls.
Climbing Down to Mooney Falls and Hiking to Beaver Falls
If you can stomach the climb, hiking beyond Havasupai Campground to Mooney Falls and Beaver Falls is a bit less traveled and well worth the effort.
Exploring Supai Village, Navajo, Fifty Foot, and Havasu Falls
We decided to explore the falls upstream from Havasupai Campground on our third day starting at Supai Village and working back down to Havasu Falls.
The Hike In and Out of Havasupai Campground
Hiking in and out from Havasupai Campground provides a beautiful view of the desert, cactus, cottonwood trees, canyon walls, Supai Village, and Havasu Falls.