The following day it was sunny and warm, so after we clambered down Mooney Falls again, we set off hiking in the Havasu Creek towards Beaver Falls.
The instructions from Wildland Trekking had been quite specific about bringing water shoes with us and this hike was the main reason why. Luckily the water is a balmy 22C all year ’round so although we were in the shade most of the time, my feet were comfortably warm.
As we walked downriver, we saw the canon widening and narrowing at different times. The wider parts were filled with lush vegetation, the narrow ones were where we needed to hike in the water.
The ecosystem within the canyon is quite isolated, however there is a single palm tree part way between Mooney and Beaver falls. Being alone, it doesn’t get fertilised so doesn’t fruit, it did provide us with a sense of Pirates of the Caribbean.
We reached Beaver Falls, which in the summer is a very popular swimming spot. The pool directly below the falls is large and about chest deep, so deep enough to swim in but also to stand and enjoy the water. To reach the pool you need to clamber along a rather precarious section of sandstone with a horizontal rope to help. I decided to leave my camera in a dry place at the top of the fall, so have no pictures of the great view up the river from the pool.
Being November, we were the only visitors to the swimming spot. Although it was great to have it to ourselves, it was rather chilly, so we didn’t stay in the water all that long.
On the way back up river the light created amazing views of the water and canyon.
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