It rained off and on last night.  We are up around 6:00, so we can get an early start.  The rain has caused the creek to flow an ugly, brown color. 

	A muddy Havasu Creek 10-6-2006 @ 6:40

     We pack our gear in the duffel bags and leave them at the campground entrance.  The people at the Tourist Office told us the bags would arrive at the trailhead between ten and eleven o'clock.  We start the two mile walk to the Village.  As we pass Havasu Falls, we feel badly for the people arriving today for they will not be treated to the same gorgeous falls we were.

A muddy Havasu Falls 10-6-2006 @ 7:00	A muddy Havasu Creek 10-6-2006 @ 7:04

     It takes us just under an hour to reach the Village.  The Village school appears to be new and very modern.  We are having breakfast at the cafe and Beth wants the fry bread again, but the cook tells her it's too early for that.  I have a ham and cheese omelet, which is excellent.  John is not much of a breakfast person, so he heads out early for the trailhead.

The school in the Village 10-6-2006 @ 7:48	The school in the Village 10-6-2006 @ 7:48	The Village cafe 10-6-2006 @ 7:55

     After breakfast, Beth and I start the long walk to the trailhead.  We soon pass the stone Guardians and reach the trail junction sign.  The creeks are still all flowing muddy brown.

The Guardians of the Tribe 10-6-2006 @ 8:33	Trail junction sign 10-6-2006 @ 8:57

     A little while after entering the miniature "Box" section of the trail, we come to an interesting rock with numerous depressions.  People have placed small rocks inside the depressions.

Beth on the trail 10-6-2006 @ 8:59	Interesting rock 10-6-2006 @ 9:17

     About an hour and a half later we reach the overhang where we took shelter from the rain the first day.  Numerous groups of pack horses pass by us.  Beth and I feel sorry for the horses because the drivers would alternately walk the horses and then run them at a full gallop.  The high speed gallop is a little dangerous for unsuspecting hikers who aren't paying attention to the stampede.  As we near the finish, the views of Hualapai Canyon are quite good.

Our first day's rain shelter 10-6-2006 @ 10:31	Hualapai Canyon 10-6-2006 @ 11:41	Hualapai Canyon 10-6-2006 @ 11:47

     As we approach the base of the final climb, we can see Hualapai Hilltop far above us.  When we are only two or three minutes from reaching the trailhead, a packhorse with our gear comes by.  The timing was good, but so much for the early delivery we were promised.

The view up to Hualapai Hilltop 10-6-2006 @ 11:47	Pack horse with our gear 10-6-2006 @ 12:18

     That last climb would not be any fun carrying a full backpack.  We unload our gear from the duffel bags and head for home.

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