Phoenix: Travis Methvin and Shannon Castellano ought to have spent this past weekend visiting the Havasupai Tribe Reservation in northern Arizona's famous waterfalls.
Instead, the two San Diego friends spent Friday night camped out on a helipad with 40 other hikers. However, it was difficult to fall asleep because tribal members had issued a warning that an emergency services helicopter might arrive at any time during the night.
On Saturday, Castellano said, "Yeah, so we didn't really sleep," as he was making his way to a Sedona hotel. I only really kept one ear and one eye open. Simply put, you do not anticipate any of that to occur. Because of this, I believe I'm still in disbelief that I'm not even there.
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Instead of enjoying the breathtaking waterfalls on the reservation, visitors had to brave terrifying flood evacuations.
A bridge leading to the campground washed away due to flooding, according to a Friday post on the official Havasupai Tribe Tourism Facebook page. Unknown numbers of campers were taken to Supai Village, some of whom required a helicopter rescue.
The Supai village is higher up than the campground is. Many hikers had to set up camp in the community. Others who couldn't reach the village due to the high water were compelled to spend the night camped out on a trail. However, the tribe's Facebook post stated that as of Saturday morning, floodwaters were beginning to recede.
The village and campground can only be reached on foot by visitors who have the necessary permits. They will be greeted by tribal leaders who will assist them in negotiating a back trail that skirts a rill in order to reach the campground.
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Photographs taken by tourists are prohibited. The tribe's sacred sites are passed by on the back trail. The tribe added in its statement that they are working "all hands on deck" to construct a temporary bridge leading to the campground. Abbie Fink, a spokesperson for the tribe, referred to the tribe's Facebook page when reached for comment Saturday.
Methvin and Castellano made the decision to fly out on Saturday rather than take a guide through muddy trails. Methvin says they can still attempt to save their trip even though they lost money on a pre-paid, three-day stay. He feels especially bad for hikers they encountered who had reservations from 2020 because he just got his permits last month.
Methvin said, "They travelled there after waiting three years. In contrast to having that entire weekend ruined, at least we have the option of doing something else. It's awful, but at least we're getting lemonade out of it.
This week, storms have pounded several parts of northern Arizona, from Supai to Sedona. Highways, access roads, and even city streets have been severely damaged by the resulting snow and snowmelt at higher elevations.
The Havasupai campground was flooded at the same time that the tribe last month reopened access to its reservation and a number of magnificent blue-green waterfalls for the first time since March 2020. To safeguard its members from the coronavirus, the tribe made the decision to disband. The closure was then decided to be kept in place through the tourist season of the previous year.
In order to release funds for flood damage sustained in October, President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration proposed by the Havasupai Tribe at the start of this year. At that time, flooding had destroyed a number of bridges and left downed trees on trails used by tourists and for the delivery of goods to Supai Village.
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Visitor licences are highly sought after. Prior to the pandemic, the tribe's reservation, located deep inside a gorge to the west of Grand Canyon National Park, averaged 30,000–40,000 annual visitors. The only ways to get there are on foot, by helicopter, or by horseback or mules. Visitors have a choice of lodge or camping lodging.
If there are cancellations, Castellano is already preparing to reapply for a permit later this year. She remarked, "We just want to see it in all its glory, not muddy falls.