Binkelian Trek Trax: June 2017

Mountain Park Community Church gathering for the annual hike to the Falls!

Seventy-two eager hikers about to descend 8.3 miles to Supai, AZ and then onward to a series of world famous waterfalls.

John, Terry, Nicki and Mary about to begin the hike!

The Steeps! The first mile and a half is rather steep!

Our private Trailmaster - Jim Rojewski - guides us down the path.

Nicki Kirkeby leads the pack.

Down on the flats, Mary Cost takes lead.

Terry, Nicki and Jim follow along one of the many trails leading down to the riverbed below.

I love texture in nature.

Rocks sculpted by thousands of years of water rushing through the canyons.

Well worn path leading to Supai - home of the the Havasupai Tribe. Havasupai means people of the blue-green waters. Once you experience the river and the falls, you understand the meaning of the name.

Turn left for Supai Village.

Entering the Village.

The blue-green waters between Upper and Lower Navajo Falls. Navajo Falls was the premier falls in the area until a major flood in 2008 rerouted the Creek and rebuilt a set of newer and smaller falls. For my money, I enjoyed the mini-falls found in between Upper ands Lower Navajo.

Nicki and Mary cooling off in Middle Navajo after the morning hike.

I love being amongst natural beauty!

Mid Navajo Falls

Texture in Nature

My Three "Natural Beauties"

Happy Trekkers

Lower Navajo Falls

Lower Navajo Falls from above

The Photographer

Upper Navajo Falls

Havasu Creek - the waters that feed the falls.

Cliffside candle drippings

Before descending down the tubes and chains to Mooney Falls.

Taking heed of the sign before descending!

Terry entering the "Lava Tube!"

Mooney Falls

Named after James Mooney, a miner who explored the falls and fell to his death as he was climbing out from the bottom of the Falls while attempting to carry an injured companion out.

Mooney Falls

Accessing Mooney is a challenge. The first section of the trail is a series of switchbacks and is moderately difficult. The trail then turns into the first of two "lava tubes." The tubes will get your heart pumping. Yet the real excitement begins after emerging from the second tube.

Next up, a near vertical set of chains, ladders and handholds will aid you to the bottom. Mist from the falls can make the rocks slippery and it really gets dicey when traffic becomes two-way.