D. von Briesen
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 p.1 #1 · Havasupai: People of the Blue-Green Waters | |
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In their native language, Supai, the name Havasupai means literally 'blue sky' (hava), 'waters' (su), 'people' (pai) or as is commonly translated, 'People of the Blue-Green Waters.'
It's one of the most mezmerizing places I've ever experienced. I had the good fortune to register it on my radar early on (2005) & have visited now a dozen times.
When people ask me my favorite place to photograph, my reply is always that the Southwest is full of world-class locations but first among equals is Havasu Creek. While the major falls (Havasu, Mooney, Fifty Foot, Beaver, Navajo (RIP) are the obvious iconic spots, the 9 miles between Supai Village and the Colorado River has literally hundreds of 2' - 25' waterfalls all perfect in their own respects.
If you love shooting flowing water, reflection pools, pour-offs and waterfalls, it's a photographer's paradise.
If you like being in the water, swimming, diving, jumping, it's a full-on funzone waterpark with swing ropes, cliff dives from 5'-40', and a virtially endless number of deep, calm & mostly private swimming pools its entire length.
The calcium carbonate-rich turquoise waters. stunning greenery, and warm-hued travertine deposits create a full specturm RGB color palette.
Go in the fall (pictured here), and you add stunning yellows from creekside cottonwoods and willows.
Altho it's considerably colder (shorter days, endless nights), the water remains warm enough to work in all day, and the crowds are way down from spring and summer peaks.
One year (2012), I spent an entire week completely alone in the creekside campground that at its peak often packs in upwards of 500 people. And while it had its obvious paradisical aspects, the 14 hour nights, the total darkness, were a bit crazy-making for a sometimes too active mind. When a couple appeared on day 6, it was a joy to have someone to talk to, altho they probably thought I was nuts!!
Best time is after Thankgiving into the first week of December. My best trips have been that first week although I understand from friends that went last year, the Havasupai are now ending the visitation season on Nov. 31.
Hiking, pack horses, helicopter rides . . . all are options to get yourself & gear into the canyon. Reservations are mandatory and planning in advance is the only way. Demand is spectacularly high as so many years were missed due to pandemic closures. People come from all over the world so plan accordingly.
You won't regret it. Feel free to email me for tips. dvb@dvbphotograpy
 © D. von Briesen 2025
2005 (very first trip)
 © D. von Briesen 2025
2005
 © D. von Briesen 2025
2005
 © D. von Briesen 2025
2006
 © D. von Briesen 2025
2006
 © D. von Briesen 2025
2011
 © D. von Briesen 2025
2011
 © D. von Briesen 2025
2012
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. Just wondering.
