Hualapai Hilltop to Supai, Grand Canyon Arizona

May 1999

Although Tom and I had just done this hike less than 6 months ago, we decided to do it again after getting a number of requests for a large, family oriented trip. Tom's mother Ginny, at age 71, wanted to do it for the third time, this time sharing the experience with her 11 year old grandson Jeremy. Once my wife heard Ginny was going, she wanted to go too, and my 10 year old son Tony came along also. Rounding out the group were Tom's neighbors Bob and Marcie, George and Evie Holthus, long time friends of the Ralstons, Tim Metzold, Tom's friend from Minnesota, Tim Ralston, who is Jeremy's father, two friends from Flagstaff Robin and ?. Edie and Bob, who had come with us on the fall 98 trip, led a second group of about 6 people.

Given the wide range of ages and camping and backpacking experience, we decided to make it easy for everyone and we rented burros to take down everyones gear. Tom and I still wore backpacks, in my case mostly because it just didn't feel right hiking into the canyon without one. However, they were much lighter, weighing in at a mere 40 lbs. instead of the usual 60-70.

The logistics of getting this many people to rendezvous at one place at the same time wasn't as difficult as we had thought. The rule was simple: If you want the burro to carry your things, be at the trailhead by 7:30am or you're out of luck. Some of us stayed in Seligman the night before. The accomodations were, ah..... "colorful". Situated right on "historic Route 66", the train tracks ran right behind our rooms and apparently the town volunteer fire department truck was parked in the garage right next to our room. Fortunately there were no fires in Seligman that evening, or else the siren would have competed with the hourly train whistles for our attention during the night.

This particular trip, along a trail I've done most often in the Grand Canyon, was one of the most rewarding to me. I had imagined many times what it would be like to bring my sons along on a trip, introducing them to a place so special to me. This is a perfect introductory hike into the canyon, with spectacular scenery, a small town, and to a 10 year old a disneyland like water playland fantasy. My 11 year old was undecided about going, and the last thing I needed was a less than enthusiatic hiker. The walk was going to be hard enough with a positive attitude. It would be hell (on me too!) with a bad attitude. So Cindy and I said fine when Nick decided to stay in Tucson for the weekend.

Tony was enthusiastic though, and with nothing more than a small day pack carrying his water and some snacks, was rearing to go. The only problem we encountered was that he had no concept of how far 10 miles really was, especially walking, and got a little restless going down, wanting to be at the campsite as soon as possible.

The trip back up, which we had anticipated being much harder on all of us, was actually pretty easy. We broke camp by 5am and did most of our walking before it got hot. Tony was enthusiastic the entire way up, finding fossils all the way. He was carrying so many rocks we kept suggesting that he leave some behind but he resisted the idea and ended up at the top of the trailhead with pockets bulging and arms cradled full of rocks he had found along the way.

Here are some pictures of the trip: