Deciding When to Go
Got obsessed with Havasupai photos last year – you know, those crazy blue waterfalls? Booked two separate trips just to test April vs October weather myself. Called the permit office, they said both months were “good” which ain’t helpful.
April Attempt
Went mid-April with three buddies. Packed light jackets thinking spring weather would be perfect. First day hiking down? Got roasted alive. Felt like 90°F in the canyon, sweat pouring into my eyes. But at night? Dropped to freezing! My cheap sleeping bag had me shivering till sunrise. Water was ice-cold when we swam under Havasu Falls – like needles stabbing my skin. Positives? Wildflowers popping everywhere and barely any people at Mooney Falls.
October Attempt
Came back solo October 20th. Expected chilly temps but packed better layers this time. Days were perfect hoodie weather – maybe 75°F hiking? Didn’t even need sunscreen. Evenings chilled to 50°F but my upgraded sleeping bag handled it fine. Big surprise? Water temp felt like bathtub compared to April! Swam for hours without goosebumps. Downsides? Way more hikers clogging the trails and sunset came too early for photos.
The Verdict
After getting slapped by both seasons, here’s my take:
- April pros: Empty trails, epic wildflowers, sunrise shots with no photobombers
- April cons: Crazy temp swings, water cold enough to freeze your toes off
- October pros: Stable sunny days, swimmable water, no gear guessing game
- October cons: Crowds, shorter daylight, gotta book permits a year ahead
If you’re trying to pick? October wins for comfort. That stable weather let me actually enjoy the place instead of battling temperatures. But bring earplugs – snoring campers echo in that canyon!