Havasu Creek is the second largest tributary of the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park.

[6] Havasu Creek starts out above the canyon wall as a small trickle of snow run-off and rain water.

Water temperature varies from the low seventies during the warmer half of the year, to the mid-fifties in winter.

This is due to large amounts of calcium carbonate in the water that formed the limestone that lines the creek and reflects its color so strongly.

This occurs because any items that fall into the stream mineralize very quickly, causing new formations and changing the flow of the water.

According to The New York Times: Within 12 hours, several surges of high water roared down the creek, destroying the campground, stranding a Boy Scout troop from New Jersey and setting off a massive mudslide that obliterated Navajo Falls, one of four spectacular canyon waterfalls that attract tourists from around the world.

[9]Despite this early report, the site of the falls still exists; the mudslide simply rerouted Havasu Creek.

There are many picnic tables on the opposite side of the creek and it is very easy to cross over by following the edges of the pools.

The trail leads to the top of the falls, where there is a lookout/photograph area that overlooks the 210-foot (64 m) canyon wall that the waterfall cascades over.

In order to gain access to the bottom of the falls and its pool, a very rugged and dangerous descent is required.

Extreme care and discretion for the following portion is required; it is highly exposed and should not be attempted when the weather and/or conditions are not suitable.

At the end of the second passageway the trail becomes a semi-vertical rock climb that is similar to descending a ladder.

Mist from the falls often makes the rock slippery, and the climb is also difficult because of having to pass people going in the opposite direction.

The falls are located approximately 6 miles (10 km) downstream of Supai, and are the most difficult to access.

About 0.25 miles (400 m) down, a small stream feeds into the creek, over the side of the cliff, effectively creating a place to shower.

Rotted cottonwood logs near the aforementioned junction show how high the water rose during that flood.

There are multiple ways to reach the river, including going back up the chute to the trail and continuing downstream.

[17] One such flood occurred on August 17, 2008, when the Redlands Dam on Havasu Creek burst after days of heavy rain.

The floodwaters' threat to human life led local authorities to evacuate the village.