Located near Supai and within the Havasupai Indian Reservation in Grand Canyon National Park is Havasu Falls; a picturesque, hidden gem featuring a main chute that drops nearly 100 ft (30 m) over a vertical cliff into a large pool of blue-green water.
Calcium carbonate and magnesium occur naturally in the waters of Havasu Creek. The pools and natural dams form when the calcium carbonate precipitates out of the water and deposits onto the rocks and branches, building up over time. Havasu Falls and Havasu Creek get their blue color from the magnesium in the water. As the pools deepen and the calcium carbonate is slowly released from the water, the bluer the water appears as the relative magnesium content increases. And since the creek originates from a spring, the water rarely deviates from 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21.1 C) year round.
According to smartertravel.com, there are several ways to reach this hidden gem, with varying levels of cost, travel methods and points of entry.
The cheapest option is a 10 mile (16 km) hike that starts at Hualapai Hilltop ($20 entrance fee). There are also guided tours from the local Havasupai tribe featuring horseback trips, luggage transfers and helicopter rides. There are also overnight lodges and camping grounds nearby.
While open year round, the best time to visit may be early Spring or late Fall when crowds are thinner. Summer months can be quite hot inside the canyon.
[via Wikipedia, havasupaifalls.net, smartertravel.com]
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