sand chick

I like this forecast much better then the Vegas one! http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=37.03597340879279&lon=-112.72178649902344#.UdL-xZTn-M8 I can't wait to get out of town and get some ride time on that new to me Raptor.... its been excruciating not being able to really get out and ride that machine! And I hope we get some Coral Pink rain! I in the up there!

I should have tried it that way, Mike said the same thing. It didn't work on the sidewalk

Inside A/C watching old movies and drinking beer.... I may try myth busting and attempt to fry an egg on the side walk... At least it will be a little cooler up at Coral next weekend..

I hear ya! That is why I went with this group. I paid a flat fee and let the leader take care of all the details, with the exception of my return mule. There are several different fees that the native's separate out.. there is the entrance fee which is $35.oo for each person, no matter how many nights you stay, then $5.oo each person no matter how many nights you stay, then camping is $17.00 per night. And all of that doubles if you show up with no reservations. And there is always the Lodge if you don't want to rough it Extra's are the mules, which have a weight limit of 130 lbs and 4 bags, coolers, etc. those are $86.00 one way and worth it if you want to bring in extras like I did or if you just want to day pack it in. They have out house style restrooms that are really nice, very clean and well cared for. The toilet paper is checked and added every other day. They have, what we dubbed "hamster cage filling" that you add to assist in the biodegrading process as they are not "pumped" And they had solar panels on them, when you opened the door and fan started up, no smell. It is very much worth the trip.

Awesome day in the sand minus the mishaps. Just glad everyone was ok for the most part. Great pics. I am sooo itching for some traveling with four wheels and sand under me now. July 4th can't come fast enough for our Coral Pink trip!

Thank you Paul and Neal.. hmmmm.... I may have to contact Backpacker magazine. I used them frequently while doing the research on equipment that was lightweight and affordable for me. Now to prep and plan for next summers big trip.. St Anthony's

http://www.havasupaifalls.net/waterfalls.html Here is the official website, the best information and making reservations, getting permits, etc

The water temps are about 70. The day time temps were around 100ish night times 70ish. There is no day hiking allowed, only overnighters with permits. We went slow, had a mishap with one of our group, and with a dip and play time in the first set of falls, it took us from 5:00am - 11:30 to get to the big falls. The Havasupai Falls is 9 miles in. You could park a moho at the trailhead, if it was small, not much room there either, but someone did have a small Rent RV. Yep only foot traffic and mules.. They do have a lodge and for $85 one way you can get flown in on helicopter.. but going back out, you have to put your name on a list for the ride out and locals get priority. Thank you everyone.

Thank you guys! Pete it is so well worth the trip. There was a lot I didn't get to see, much more to explore, I guess I will have to make a return trip.

Yes I made pizza, pizza and wine.... lol.. I did my research.. all my meals were gourmet baby!

I have been planning my summer adventure for over a year. Planning, preparing, researching, training and dreaming! in April 2012, I had accidently come across this beautiful serene place when google searching "camping by water near Las Vegas" Up came this spectacular photo of a bright turquoise blue waterfall with a huge pool under it. I thought, where is this? I must go there, what is this place called? I did some more searching and found it was called Havasu or Havasupai Falls. Then I learned in order to get there one must have a permit and backpack all of your stuff in 10 miles to the campground, or for an extra fee, you could have your stuff sent down on a mule. Well 10 miles was not something at that time I was capable of, let alone had the gear for, 10 miles one way would be tough, but then there is the 10 miles back and to carry all of my gear as well. How disappointing. This was not something I would be able to do. But I could not get that beautiful blue green turquoise water out of my head. I found myself constantly looking up information on it. I stumbled across a group that went every year twice a year June and September.. it was a group called VegasHikers on a website called MeetUp. I read and re read the information and knew even though there were still spots for sale, I could not comprehend going on their June 2012 trip. But as a bonus of this, I had found a whole bunch of people that liked to hike, and I had missed hiking since moving to Vegas, I could never find anyone to go with, now suddenly I had tons! I thought to myself, if I put my mind to it, get the gear and begin training with small steps working my way up to the longer miles, why couldn't I go on next years trip? So I started out, just myself, small hikes, three miles.. then five miles.. then I joined the group and began hiking every weekend. I saved what I could so that I could pay for the trip.. I began the research on backpacking products, the best, lightest, how to use them, I got my backpack for Christmas and began adding it to my weekend hiking trips, starting empty with just my reg food, water first aide kit etc to get the feel of it, then adding a gallon jug of water, that weighs 8 lbs, if it got to heavy I could dump out the water, it never got to heavy, I was determined. I collected gear little by little until I had everything from a sleeping pad and tent, to a lightweight stove and water filter. I slowly added these items to my pack until I was regularly hiking with 33lbs, training and conditioning for the big trip. Well that big trip just happened over this past weekend... Altogether I put in 30 miles on foot in a 4 day span, 20 with 28 & 33lbs on my back. Including a 4 mile round trip to the Native American village of Supai, AZ. for the most blissful frozen water and a bowl of cheese fries!! Well earned cheese fries! Myself and three of my hiking gals began our adventure at 3:30 in the morning on Thursday June 13th after spending a chilly night in our tents at the trailhead, so we could beat the heat and hit the trail at daybreak. With great excitement we loaded our packs, had breakfast, and coffee in the dark. As we made our way from the parking lot to the trailhead, the sun peaked over the horizon, illuminating the reddish canyon below, someplace in the distance of that canyon was a series of blue green turquoise waterfalls and pools that were unimaginable. It was hard to imagine that they really existed. We descended down the 1 mile of switchbacks to the canyon floor, stopping at the floor to look up and realize we had to go back up that steep incline at the very end of our trip. I had prepared for the end, I knew from researching that it was difficult, in my pack was the only electrical device I had brought, my Ipod, with Authority Zero ready to assist me back up that climb. We made our way down the dusty path.. as we neared the village of Supai, Az. Our dusty path turned into Coral Pink type sand. We caught our first glimpse of the Havasupai Creek, which indeed was a turquoise blue color. We stopped at the village, checked ourselves in and exhausted from lack of sleep the night before due to such excitement and 8 miles of backpacking with the last 2 miles in sand and 2 more sandy miles to go. Onward we trekked. Running on sheer determination and still an elusive fall to be seen. Another mile in, we round a corner and through the trees I see it.. a bright blue spot, thinking it was an illusion, I stopped and we listened, we could hear the thunder of the falls, the first set of falls, New Falls and Navajo Falls, I quickened my pace to as fast as my tired legs could go, you could feel the coolness of the falls in the air, and when the trees parted I squealed like a little kid seeing Disneyland for the first time. I knew my trekking partners were tired and wanted to set tents and nap, I wanted nothing but to get into the water that had entranced me over a year ago. I turned to my friends and said you can go on without me. As I headed down the hill, trying desperately to not knock myself over with that big pack on, I was unbuckling unsnapping and as quickly as possible getting that 33 lb anchor weight off of me, trekking poles flying, hiking boots tumbling, socks going here and there.. and laughing and giggling the whole way.. into the refreshing water I went.. my enthusiasm had caught my tired exhausted companions, as they made their way down to soak their tired feet in the cool waters, I went all in.. Time to move on, the next falls we pass to the campground are the main falls, the one that captured my attention and would not let go. Havasupai Falls.. I was soo excited to see that it was really as blue as the pictures I had seen. Stop for pics and move on, time to play in that later, we still need to find our camp and set up, before adventuring further, we had four days after all! Well three since the last day would be spent hiking out of the beautiful canyon. Our camp was right on the waters edge of Havasupai Creek. The next days were a surreal blur of waterfall jumping, pool floating, laughing, hiking from one set of falls to the next. You can make a day trip and go 16 miles round trip down to the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River, but alas I still need to work more on that fear of heights, as the decent down to Mooney Falls is a narrow path chiseled out of the side of the rock, with chains to assist you on the 80 foot down, straight down climb, I gave it a shot, but did not make it.. next time. Up at 3:00am on Sunday to begin the trek back out... Looking up from the canyon floor back at the last 1 mile of switchbacks, back up the canyon into the parking lot.. on goes the IPod, Jason from Authority Zero blasting out "Courage" to get me started, head down, I remind myself, every single step was worth it, completely worth it..... Some pics to follow....

Adam up early.. I want pic proof of that! Just sleep in the truck the night before. And when you wake up you will be at Dumont. Have fun guys!!

I have a busy busy summer myself. Hoping that makes it go by faster, itching to get that new ride out in some fresh familiar dunes, see how much I like it or not.. My first major trip of the summer is right around the corner, Havasupai Falls in June.. Strapping about 35lbs on and backpacking in 12 miles and totally off grid for 4 fabulous days of hiking and exploring at what is called the most beautiful falls in the US! Then 12 miles back out... All in all I will put in over 40 miles in 4 days, on foot. Hopefully July 3 - 7 at Coral, can't believe that will be the first trip of the year and probably the only one. Sedona camping/hiking trip planned for September. And hiking, kayaking, or pontoon boat trips almost every weekend in between, maybe squeeze in a car camp up Mt. Charleston. Maybe I'll even stay home one weekend? Keeping my eye on my groups and hoping for another backpacking over night trip..

:lol: Jill!!! It most definately has a different feel to it, I know I will adjust as with any changes in your ride. The new power scares me just alittle, but I am sure when I get her to coral or a nice silky smooth dumont off weekend and really get to play with her, I will enjoy it to it's fullest. It was hard to get a good feel on torn to sh*t easter weekend dunes and a first trip of the year to Gosa dunes

Sold..

This was taken a couple weeks ago on a peak climb with my 52peakclub group. Working on getting rid of that nasty fear of heights that I have

Good luck with the new site! Looks great!

Congrats Pat!!! That's a score for certain! Maybe you can do it again next year! We have St. Anthony's in our goal vacation window for next summer

Ok now that I have your attention..... Here's the REAL Honda I have for sale! 2005 Honda TRX 450R New top end with OEM piston New Hot Rod crank Gears all gone through and replaced worn ones New seals New clutch New grips k & N air filter Stock Exhaust with baffle removed Re-Jetted Rethal bars Alba steering stablizer Freshly adjusted valves and new valve seals 13 tooth front sprocket Motor not even broken in yet Usually starts first kick Custom seat cover Front and rear sand paddles California title in hand $2400.00 OBO Mike - 702-343-0924 The REAL Honda for sale

Thank you Rees

Thank you for the votes Thank you to mother nature and being in the right place right time. I dropped out of a bada$$ dune run to turn around and get pics of the storm.

I will I know I told Mike it felt bittersweet

:lol: :lol: AWESOME!!!

Lee I love it when you enhance my pics! You always make them look awesome!! Thank you. Happy to see you are still around We were just wondering about you the other day. I like my old rear tires better, I will be in the market for some Sand Stars soon. The haulers kept popping out on me every so often. But I also have dirt tires on the fronts, those kept digging in. So new fronts as well. It was so tore up out there though it was really hard to judge anything acurately, when I am used to the smoother dunes of off weekends.