Havasupai Falls

Finally on the Trail: A Long-Awaited Backpacking Trip with Braden

For years, Braden and I have tossed around the idea of going backpacking together. Every time we’d talk about it, it felt like one of those “someday” ideas—always out there on the horizon, always subject to the tides of busy schedules, family commitments, and life in general. But this year, we finally stopped talking about it and made it happen.

It took a bit of sacrifice on both our ends—setting aside other responsibilities, blocking off the time, and committing to the plan. By God’s grace, we were fortunate enough to get permits to hike in one of the most stunning, sacred, and hard-to-access areas in the Southwest: the tribal lands in northwestern Arizona.

Braden flew into Phoenix early Sunday morning. I picked him up, and just like that, the trip we had imagined for so long was underway. We drove north to the Grand Canyon Cavern Inn to pick up our permits. The desert scenery shifted as we traveled, moving from cacti and sun-baked rock to red canyons and distant plateaus. That night, we camped nearby to get an early start the next morning.

By 6:30 a.m. on Monday, we were at the Hilltop Trailhead with our hiking shoes on and packs strapped. No mules, no shortcuts—just the two of us carrying everything we needed for the journey ahead. Our packs weighed in at just over 30 pounds each. Braden didn’t have his own backpacking gear, but with a few extra trips under my belt, I was able to loan him some essentials to get him trail-ready.

The hike down into the canyon was as awe-inspiring as it was demanding. It took us about four hours to reach the designated campground, which sits about a mile past Supai Village. Out of respect for the local community, photos aren’t allowed in the village—a reminder that this land isn’t just scenic, it’s sacred. It’s easy to forget that sometimes, especially when the surroundings are this jaw-dropping.

And let me tell you: the surroundings were next-level. Towering red cliffs, turquoise waters, and waterfalls that didn’t look real. We hiked to Mooney Falls—twice. It’s one of those places that’s hard to believe until you’re standing there, watching the water tumble down into an impossibly blue pool below. We didn’t have time to reach Beaver Falls or the Confluence trail this time, but even that felt okay. We had plenty of adventure packed into our few days, and it just gave us a reason to come back.

But as incredible as the views were, the best part wasn’t the waterfalls or the cliffs—it was the time with Braden. Out there, away from the noise and speed of daily life, we had time for real conversations, shared silence, inside jokes, and the kind of moments that only happen when you’re walking the same path—literally and figuratively.

By the time we hiked out and reached the top again, we were completely exhausted. Our legs were toast, our feet sore, our water low. But we both looked at each other with that kind of tired smile that says, “Yep, I’d do that all over again in a heartbeat.”

Because we would. Not just for the views or the challenge—but for the time together.

This trip was more than just crossing an item off a bucket list. It was about friendship, commitment, and finally showing up for something we’d dreamed about for years.

Here’s to more trails, more time together, and maybe—just maybe—a little less weight in the packs next time.