I promised this blog weeks ago. I’ve been busy. I promise. I’ve spent a few weeks just trying to catch up from a ten-day September vacation and then a few more weeks in full-on 110 m.p.h work mode. Between three October weddings, my sister laser-beamed focused on remodeling a weekend camp house and being mandatory-volunteered to feed my dad’s animals while he’s in Utah playing volleyball, I haven’t had many spare minutes. I am not complaining by any means. This life is crazy beautiful and this blog post will prove it.

For years, probably just as long as I’ve been hyper interested in backpacking and hiking, I’ve had Havasu Falls on my bucket list. I first read about it in some hiking chat room. The pictures made it look mystical. The people who had been there said it was magical. This place looked like nothing I had ever personally witnessed or read about being in the continental U. S. Was it a hoax?

I never thought I’d find a place that would top my favorite place on Earth: Concan, Texas, but I did. This is it, people.

My Trip to Havasu

For many years, 16 plus, this trip was only a place I visited in my daydreams and hiking fantasies. I was unwilling to do this with complete strangers and I never thought I could convince any of my non-hiking family or friends to humor me. I was so wrong. It actually didn’t take much begging for me to convince five people to join me! My hiking companions included two of my best friends, my brother AND sister (who doubles as a best friend) and my sister-in-law.

Havasu is billed as “the most remote place in the United States.” It is governed by the Havasupai Indian Tribe living in the canyon. In order to get here, you either have to walk 10 miles in or take your chances of getting a seat aboard a tribe-operated helicopter. The helicopter’s priority is serving the village of Supai by carrying in groceries, other supplies and residents. Among other things, it’s also responsible for carrying trash out of the village. So, tourists literally take a back seat. You may or may not be able to get a ride. In that case, you either wait until the next day or lace up your hiking shoes.

But first you need a permit. You can not enter the canyon without a permit. Camping permits are sold only for the current year. The tourist office begins selling permits February 1 and only sells a certain number per year. I’m sure this is to preserve not only the beauty of their canyon home, but the sanctity as well. I called nearly every day from February 1 until mid-March when someone finally answered the phone. Up until that point, I had only heard busy signals on the other end. I explained I needed to make camping reservations, and was put on hold for about 20 seconds. And then the unthinkable happened… they hung up on me. I immediately dialed their number again. Busy. So, I began my daily ritual of calling the tourist office every day only to hear a busy signal. Finally, mid-April, someone answered the phone again. I promptly asked them to not put me on hold. And again, I pitched my spiel for the camping permits only to be told they were sold out for 2016. I. About. Cried.

My crew and I had three choices: keep trying to call the one-land-line tourist office and hope someone would cancel for the week we wanted, give up on 2016 and try again in 2017 or try our luck with a commercial hiking guide. We opted for the latter and BOOM! we were in!

(For the record, our permits were checked three times on the way in and daily at our campsite. We had to wear an armband the entire time we were guests of the Havasupai Tribe. You can show up without permits, but it is strongly not advised. They may or may not let you in, and if they do, the camping fees are whatever they feel like charging you that day. There is no set fee for not having a reservation.)

Waiting for September 9th to get here—the day we rolled out to Flagstaff—was excruciating for me. It seemed like it was consistently out of reach. But finally, it was September 9th and we were on the road and everything was going as planned. I was happy!

Standing on the rim of the Havasu Canyon was so surreal for me. After years of only imagining what this trip might be like, I was about to embark on the actual thing.

Not one second of the trip was disappointing for me… not one! This place is beyond beautiful. There are no words… no pictures that can even do its beauty an ounce of justice. What I can tell you is that the place is so unbelievably gorgeous that it caused me to cry three times just by looking at it.

My eyes witnessed the beauty of all five waterfalls: Navajo, 50 Foot, Havasu, Mooney, and Beaver. My soul was gifted three nights under this canopy of stars. My lungs were temporarily filled with air that flows through this heavenly canyon. My feet soaked in the blue-green waters and then carried me in and out and all around this peaceful place. My heart is full because I made unforgettable memories with people I love in such an incredible backdrop.

Every mile hiked, every blister rubbed, every tear streamed and every memory made was totally worth every ounce of effort it took to reach this place. The only regret I have about experiencing the great beauty of this place is that I did not get to do it with my daughters. I want to go back with them so I can see the look on their faces when they see how epic this place is!

And lastly, we really lucked out when we booked with Wildland Trekking and got Karla and Ciera as our guides. Not only did they prove to be outstanding guides, they fed us like royalty, took amazing care of us, told us really funny jokes and became really good friends!

If you enjoyed the blog post, be sure to watch our video footage of the trip:

Let’s “hangout!” I wanna hear about your love story!

About Ata-Girl

I am a San Antonio-based wedding photographer and I cater to outdoor-loving couples who prefer to have all the realness captured on their wedding days. I am the wedding photographer for the outdoor adventurers, the romantics, the laid back, the snugglers, and those who wish to capture all their realness.

I am absolutely in love with capturing the kinds of weddings where there are more hugs than handshakes, the dance floor rumbles all night long, and chairs are pretty much rendered useless after dinner. Whiskey bottles are passed around, most of the wedding party has been best-best friends since kindergarten, Grams is likely to lose her shoes and your partner is much more emotional than you are. These kinds of weddings are my jam!

You can always call or text, but if you really want to get to know me, schedule a meetup!

I started Ata-Girl Photography Co., LLC in 2010. I firmly believe that the unique set of circumstances I have faced in life has prepared me to take a personal and genuine interest in my photography clients. I enjoy documenting the important milestones and captivating moments in people’s lives. I love being a part of people’s journeys and consider myself privileged to document their legacies.

If you enjoyed this blog post and would like to get your hands on 20 FREE interactive wedding planning tools that every couple needs, please take a moment to access them here.

I am a published author (purchase my book here), a podcast host (listen here) (watch here) and a WPPI-C certified professional, full-time wedding photographer. I specialize in a 10-day image delivery, same-day prints, same-day slideshows, Italian handcrafted wedding albums and I have a mobile meeting space.

When I’m not behind my camera, you can find me hiking, cycling, backpacking, camping, enjoying water sports, listening to music (Elvis and Prince), hunting for arrowheads, reading audiobooks, occasionally eating a few glazed donuts (my only weakness to sweets) and then re-starting my keto diet about every 10 days. The most important things in life are for me to see my two daughters happy and to create a family history my grandparents and grandson would be proud of.