Subscribe to Alain's Newsletter, stay informed of the latest news posted to this site,
and receive
Aesthetics & Photography Part 1-Seeing, in PDF format, FREE

  Grand Canyon Portfolio  



Havasu Falls Horizontal
Linhoff Master Technika 4x5 with Schneider 75mm lens. Fuji Velvia in Fuji Quickload holder


Havasu Falls is one of three large waterfalls in Havasu Canyon a Southern tributary of the Colorado River. Upstream from Havasu Falls are Navajo Falls and downstream Mooney Falls.

I have been asked many times if the color of the water "is really that blue?" I can guarantee you that it is. The color comes from a white mineral called travertine which floats in the water. When mixed with the blue color of the sky reflected in the pool it creates this incredible turquoise color for which Havasu Falls is world famous.

Havasu means "blue green water" in Supai, the language of the Havasupai Indians. Havasupai means "Children of the blue green water." The Havasupai have lived in Havasu canyon for several hundred years. There is still no road to their village located a few miles above the falls and it is the last place in the US where mail is delivered by mules.

Located on the Havasupai Indian Reservation Havasu Canyon can be reached either by helicopter, starting at the Tusayan airport, or by foot starting either from the Havasu Hilltop in the Western Grand Canyon (past Peach Springs) or from the Colorado River if you are on a river rafting trip.



All images are copyright © Alain Briot
All rights reserved worldwide