Havasu falls in Late Nov or Dec

[Khurram]

I'm looking at trying to see if i can get away from the office during either of the following dates for a 2 to 3 day trip to Havasu falls:
-Nov 29-Dec 5
- Dec 24- Dec 31

I'd appreciate some advice on the weather during these periods. The end of November is the period i prefer, but i'm not sure if i can get away from the office at that time. Is it still possible to get fall colours this late in November/early December??

 Is 2 or 3 nights enough??

Advice regarding the best means of getting there (i.e. mule/helicopter) would also be appreciated. I don't think hiking will be an option, as I'll probably have a large photo backpack a tripod and at least one other bag.

[alainbriot]

Late Nov - Early Dec is too late for fall colors.  Havasu Falls is at about 3000 feet elevation. Early November or late October is the Fall season there.  

If you don't want to hike then I recommend the Helicopter.  Only a few minutes ride then walk down to the falls from the village.  You can fly from Havasu Hilltop, accessible by car from Peach Springs, AZ, or you can fly from Grand Canyon Village, on the South Rim of Grand Canyon.  Cost is higher from Gd Canyon because you are much further away.  From the Hilltop you are only a few miles away.  The Hilltop is where the trail to the village and the falls start.  It's on Havasupai land. There's a large parking lot where you can leave your car.  You can take the chopper back up. Just make sure to let them know when to pick you up.  There's a lodge in the village or you can stay at the campground by the falls.

[Khurram]

Late Nov - Early Dec is too late for fall colors.  Havasu Falls is at about 3000 feet elevation. Early November or late October is the Fall season there. 

If you don't want to hike then I recommend the Helicopter.  Only a few minutes ride then walk down to the falls from the village.  You can fly from Havasu Hilltop, accessible by car from Peach Springs, AZ, or you can fly from Grand Canyon Village, on the South Rim of Grand Canyon.  Cost is higher from Gd Canyon because you are much further away.  From the Hilltop you are only a few miles away.  The Hilltop is where the trail to the village and the falls start.  It's on Havasupai land. There's a large parking lot where you can leave your car.  You can take the chopper back up. Just make sure to let them know when to pick you up.  There's a lodge in the village or you can stay at the campground by the falls.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=133018\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Thanks Alain.  I was hoping that there would still be some fall colors later in Nov, i wish i could go earlier, but can't get out of the office.

Do you know what the weather condititions would be like at either the end of Nov or between Chrismas eve and new year's?

[alainbriot]

Khurram,

The later you go in the season and the less warm the weather will be.  So late November is nice, not cold but cool and pleasant.  Havasu is at 3000 feet elevation roughly, so it doesn't get cold there.  It's a little like Zion canyon, at the floor of the canyon.  It's nice year round.  The fall colors are not, in my estimate, the main interest of Havasu.  The main interest are the falls, especially Havasu, and before you reach it Navajo Falls.  You also have Mooney falls, named after a miner called Mooney, past Havasu Falls.  You can do them all in a day. The best time to photograph the falls is late afternoon so you have open shade.

[Khurram]

Khurram,

The later you go in the season and the less warm the weather will be.  So late November is nice, not cold but cool and pleasant.  Havasu is at 3000 feet elevation roughly, so it doesn't get cold there.  It's a little like Zion canyon, at the floor of the canyon.  It's nice year round.  The fall colors are not, in my estimate, the main interest of Havasu.  The main interest are the falls, especially Havasu, and before you reach it Navajo Falls.  You also have Mooney falls, named after a miner called Mooney, past Havasu Falls.  You can do them all in a day. The best time to photograph the falls is late afternoon so you have open shade.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=133340\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Thanks for the advice Alain.  I had seen of Derek von Briesen's Havasu photo's taken with fall colours and they were spectacular.  I know the waterfalls are amazing in their own right, but was hoping to be able to go when i could also capture the fall colours.

The way things are shaping up at work, it looks like i may not be able to get away until the end of Dec (Chrismas eve to new year's), so i guess i won't be able to get the colours this time around. The frustrating thing i'm finding is that i've tried calling around 20 times and have left 4 messages for the lodging reservations there but have not had anyone answer or return my calls.