HOPI SALT TRAIL | Backpacking the Grand Canyon's Aqua Blue Oasis

Overnight hiking and backpacking down the Hopi Canyon Salt Trail to the Little Colorado River. This is one of the most beautiful hikes I have ever done in my life, and it is one that 100% needs to get added to your hiking and travel bucket list if you're up for it!
I hope you enjoy the video! Please Like & Subscribe for more!
Created by: Kevin Eassa Media
Featuring: Bri Amato @breezydaysahead
Edited by: @cinematic.aerials
Top 10 Hikes in Sedona, Arizona:
• TOP 10 HIKES AND PLACE...
Overnight Kayak Backpacking to Antelope Canyon, Arizona:
• OVERNIGHT KAYAK BACKPA...
Hiking Bob Bear Trail To Fossil Springs, Arizona:
• HIKING BOB BEAR TRAIL ...
Top 25 Hikes in Colorado:
• TOP 25 HIKES & PLACES ...
Top 10 Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado:
• TOP 10 HIKES IN ROCKY ...
Top 50 Hikes in the USA:
• TOP 50 HIKES IN THE US...
Top 10 Places in Utah (That Aren't National Parks):
• TOP 10 PLACES IN UTAH ...
Use Bri's code 'BREEZYDAYSAHEAD' for a 25% discount on Liquid IV hydration electrolytes!
glnk.io/koyv/breezydaysahead
Shop Backcountry for the best outdoor gear!
bit.ly/3sXtsKr
If this is your first time to the channel, welcome! Subscribe if you would like to follow our van adventures. You can expect lots of aerial films, hiking videos, informative vlogs about van life and living on the road, and much more!
Website:
www.kevineassa.com/​​​​​​​
Prints:
kevineassa.darkroom.tech/​​​​​​​
My Equipment:
www.amazon.com/shop/kevineassa
For business inquiries and licensing requests: [e-mail]

[@UTAH100]

bring a GPS phone or beacon. If you fall and can't walk- you are done. Bring a partner and plenty of water and snacks- plan for overnight survival. Bring a backpack with a light jacket and first aid gear. I hike out west.

[@seandavis4465]

You sound like the biggest p**** on earth. “ I hike out west” 😂😂😂😭

[@sluggotinfantryman]

Welcome to the AZ STRIP except worse more remote. Tribe side.

[@UTAH100]

@@sluggotinfantryman We go off-road in Moab, UT and I have been to Sedona so I have some experience.

[@lovenspired]

Beautiful trail and footage of the hike. Friendly tip to travelers: To preserve the pristine waters and environment do not abandon trash or contaminate the environment through the wear of commercial goods like bug spray and sunscreen. If needed, use organic bug repellant recipes (like citronella oil based repellant) and wear sun protective clothing (hats, sunglasses, gloves, thin long sleeve shirts) over sunscreen. To give honor back to the local Hopi tribe, the ancestral stewards of these beautiful lands, please donate to a local Hopi-focused community preservation/enrichment project, Hopi charity organizations/events, or consciously shop at Hopi-owned businesses in the area.

[@positronikiss]

LETS GET THIS TO THE VERY TOP!!!!

[@astralenlightenment1743]

YES YES

[@KevinEassa]

Thank you so much for this! People need more knowledge of LNT. I’ve noticed when people actually learn the principles and why they’re so important, that most people do follow LNT. It’s just tough because it’s not something taught in too many places

[@KevinEassa]

Absolutely

[@nohomofootball]

I agree! Let's preserve lands for the indigenous people! Next time you visit my homeland--England--please do not buy anything from anyone who does not have super white skin and an anglophone name. We Anglo-Saxons have as much claim to our ancestral homelands as the Hopi have to theirs. Let's return all lands to the native, indigenous people. Beautiful idea!

[@cowboycollarNM]

Keep in mind this is/was an ancient trail used for holy pilgrimages by many local tribes that date back to before America.The utmost reverence needs to be practiced in such places.

[@joedo1240]

This trail definitely will be on my bucket list. So incredibly beautiful, almost unreal! The color of the water is insanely blue. Thank you for sharing. Another great video…great job!

[@stevenconn630]

Just breathtaking!Literally brought me to tears,nature is awesome. Just a by line 10-12 yrs ago I drove to Lake Havaseau(sp) from Palms Springs,Ca and there was a stretch along the road,where I saw the Colorado River and water was also that color blue.amazing!11

[@damonlouis6536]

saw the thumbnail and instantly had memories of many small rivers feeding the colorado. it's been over 25yrs since i was there, so glad you had it all to yourselves

[@LittleEarth649]

I cannot stress this enough, PLEASE RESPECT THIS LAND!! ITS SACRED LAND FOR NATIVE AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES!!

[@KevinEassa]

!!!! ^ thanks for adding this. I tried to make it clear to be as respectful as possible in the video but can never share responsible outdoor recreation enough!

[@jeffskinner4162]

Thank you for doing this. We gave this trail a go and had the same experience you did the first time. We are definitely going to prepare better and do it again. 💪🏼💪🏼

[@charleshicks3492]

Excellent hike and video; that water, the blue is amazing 😎😎😎😎😎👌👌👌👌

[@icristiane1]

Truly amazing place! Your video helped us prepare so much. Unfortunately, about .25 mile from the river, my husband suffered a fall due to loose rocks + dirt from recent rains and dislocated his shoulder and cut his thigh pretty bad. He’s a beast and managed to finish the hike and we got to the beautiful blue river. Thankfully we followed your advice and had the Garmin. Got heli’d out and also called for another person who got injured. Navajo Ranger said it was because it was a full moon… he gave me a jr badge so I’m proud ;) haha

[@bettykline348]

Beautiful! Thanks for sharing your adventure.

[@KevinEassa]

Thanks for watching Betty!

[@igorcorti6364]

Thank you both! We are heading there march 24th and we are so excited ❤️

[@KevinEassa]

Thanks for watching Igor! You’re going to have the best time!

[@lorimadden9672]

Absolutely gourgous Thank you for taking me along 🙏 😊 ❤️

[@chrishaynes8555]

Thank you for letting me join you through your journey. It is beautiful I would not of known of such beauty if it wasn't shared by you both. Thank you again😂

[@bobvogel1598]

Awesome spot! I did the raft trip 25yrs ago and hiked up from the bottom to another incredible spot on the little Colorado that was deep and you could dive off the surrounding rocks into the pools! Not to many people will ever experience this place

[@andrewlombara3165]

Wow! What an incredible place. Thanks for posting.

[@KevinEassa]

It really is, thanks for watching Andrew!

[@kidabek]

Thanks for sharing guys! Amazing place.

[@KevinEassa]

Our pleasure! Thanks for watching!

[@missboozehound]

Awesome! Did this in HS was fantastic! Magical place. Beautiful!

[@KevinEassa]

It really is incredible! Thanks for watching 🙏🏼

[@Jay-zg8zy]

So helpful. Thank you for providing this detailed explanation

[@KevinEassa]

Glad it was helpful!

[@oswal1853]

Rock on guys. Thanks for share .✌️

[@KevinEassa]

Thanks for watching man!

[@paulsolomon1396]

We just got back and I want to thank you for this video. It was super helpful for planning and setting expectations. For sure the most intense, treacherous and unforgiving hike I have ever done but absolutely rewarding. We decided to camp up a bit higher and day hike down to the LCR. It saved us some hiking the day we hiked out. I also found it to be buggy down near the water (mosquitos and some biting flies..we were there in October). Also the researchers seemed to have the high ground/shaded camping areas so only beach camping seemed to be available. We filtered water from the stream that was to the right of the helipad (facing the water) and it was less brackish than the LCR water…still wouldn’t want to drink a lot of it as it definitely has some salt in it but it did the job for cooking and getting us out. Keep on adventuring!!

[@nahimabella]

This place is amazing ! So beautiful, definitely putting this one in my bucket list !

[@KevinEassa]

It’s well worth it, thanks for watching!

[@dougcooper4917]

Amazing Video and Amazing Photography! Very Beautiful! Thank You For Sharing It With Us!

[@KevinEassa]

Thanks Doug!

[@angelarivard8326]

Thank you for highlighting being responsible! Arizona can be rough and if you don’t know what you’re doing it can be deadly.

[@KevinEassa]

Absolutely, very important that people realize the outdoors can be dangerous! People need to be prepared and also ready to follow LNT

[@derbagger22]

A photographer's paradise!

[@KevinEassa]

Oh yeah it was haha

[@Lynn-ef5uz]

Stunning ！thank you so much for sharing!

[@KevinEassa]

Thanks for watching Lynn!

[@chriswessels5678]

Awesome video Kev, that water is incredible. Thanks for sharing!

[@KevinEassa]

Thank you Chris!

[@robertmw1475]

Such an Amazing & beautiful land. Arizona I am only realizing now realizing how interesting of a place it is & how many geographical values it has. Been binge reading Arizona Highways Magazines & discovered a lot of the states history also. I can't wait to create the means to spend some time there just exploring & make the trip to see it in person.

[@vincedavis5326]

That was great! Thanks for the share!

[@KevinEassa]

Thank you Vince 🙏🏼

[@kirstynackley5461]

Wow this is amazing! Great work as always 🙌🏻

[@KevinEassa]

Thanks so much!

[@monalisacampuzano1499]

Magical

[@KevinEassa]

Thank you!

[@DavesEpicPhoneShots]

Awesome! Totally enjoyed this one. Beautiful footage 👏👍

[@KevinEassa]

Thanks Dave!

[@falconsooner]

Great video and unique scenery!

[@KevinEassa]

Amazing place! Thanks!

[@Photoncraft]

It's really hidden gem! Thanks for video.

[@KevinEassa]

Thanks for watching Johnny!

[@destinationdezz1588]

Not anymore:(

[@irenafarm]

I love the insider tips y’all give like how to get permits and what to do with them! Hikes like this are probably out of my wheelhouse now, but it’s still practical for moderate hikes off the beaten track.

[@baldophil1386]

Magnifique...merci

[@almamdani6564]

Beautiful

[@KevinEassa]

Thanks!

[@JoJosCupofMocha]

This is such a beautiful place! That hike looked so brutal but worth it in the end.

[@KevinEassa]

It was so tough, but worth every step!

[@imawakehereme1818]

That looks amazing thank you for the video.

[@KevinEassa]

Thanks for watching!

[@NoOverhead]

That was awesome!!!!

[@davidcavallino]

Great video, and great spot

[@minhhop3208]

looks like Heaven !

[@KevinEassa]

You’re not wrong haha

[@wildmovement777]

Wow that looks absolutely epic!

[@KevinEassa]

Thanks for watching!

[@mikerobinson9504]

Of all the places where we have ever been in this magnificent Canyon, this place might well have been the most glorious.

[@backintime1972]

Super helpful. thank you.

[@KevinEassa]

glad to hear it, thanks!

[@marvinclark8964]

This is amazing thanks for sharing

[@KevinEassa]

Thanks for watching Marvin!

[@chasedolanphotographyvideo3372]

This was massively helpful, been wondering where y’all went! Gotta make this hike happen someday

[@KevinEassa]

Thanks Chase! I hope recovering can get better for you and then you can send this!

[@skinnysccp]

What an amazing place 😍

[@KevinEassa]

It really is!

[@tamez76]

Awesome , great video!

[@shaystube15]

Very beautiful and awesome adventure. Tfs!

[@KevinEassa]

Thanks for watching!!

[@tbmpoy9375]

beautiful place! Awesome spot! 💯

[@KevinEassa]

Thanks for watching!

[@recyclemyhike7550]

Great Video! That water is the craziest color I have ever seen! I will have to make a trip out there soon.

[@KevinEassa]

It is unreal! Thanks for watching

[@taihuynh7047]

Hi Kevin, We love how you have the info in your video! Thank you so much!! Hopefully we can get permit. Thank you for the backpacking ideas!! We enjoy your videos!

[@KevinEassa]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you so much for watching

[@belladawn622]

That was a great video!

[@ashleydaniel3215]

Yá'át'ééh Kevin glad you enjoyed Navajoland, I'm from here and didn't know about these places or that drones aren't allowed lol you should hike down into the canyon to Supai village to see their waterfalls, definitely a bucket list spot. Safe travels

[@kenkieliszewski7652]

Be sure to hike through the havasu canyon for blue green water falls and another entry to the Grand Canyon. Stayed in William's the night before

[@aceyorba]

Awesome video Awesome trek. Been hiking around the GC for a long time. Never heard of this one. Looks great. How long is the elevation drop from parking lot to Little Colrado river?

[@rickvesny5541]

Great video guys... Both accent and decent look pretty narley but obviously well worth it. Alway wondered how to get there... Thanks and keep livin your best life :)!

[@janetmccann2043]

Wow! I am def to old at this point. Sure wish I had gotten to the bottom of that Grandest of Canyons years ago. Awesome video! Thanks!

[@KevinEassa]

Thanks for watching Janet!

[@stevelummer5939]

Guess you guys earned that one. I was there last summer but by raft. Looked like a crazy Hike out. Good work.

[@NatureLoverPreeti]

Great video and so adventurous!

[@KevinEassa]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@cre8tivity06]

As someone.that has never hiked, this video had me in awe the entire time. I didn't want it to end. Here I am 51 years old and I am starting to get this hiking/exploring bug. I just can't believe you did that hike by yourselves and spent the night too. I take it there is no wildlife to be concerned about? What would you had done in the event of an emergency? What camera did you use to shoot this video? It was beautifully shot and put together! I just liked and subscribed to your channel!

[@lesterlopez9147]

Thanks!

[@KevinEassa]

Thank YOU!

[@clarencehopkins7832]

Excellent stuff bro

[@keithjohnson5398]

Reminds me of going to Supai Falls, has similar pools and waterfalls. But its a much easier hike on a well maintained trail or taking horses is another option. Also lots more visitors to Supai.

[@cathleenbond3983]

I was lucky enough to be able to backpack to Havasu Falls back in 2018. Although it was beautiful, it was WAY too crowded. This hike to Little Colorado is too much for me (57 and 4 spine surgeries), however, I am doing a motorized rafting trip down the GC next year, so I will get to play in these falls. I hope they are this blue while I am down there.

[@badkat68]

Hey Kevin, thank you for this! It's really beautiful and really well done! Just a couple questions for you.. did you just go recently? Because I wanted to know what months the water would be the bluest. (I've read that fall is really good too also)... obviously the hike up seems to be the worst part, but I've read things saying just how sketchy the terrain is, but from your footage, I didn't see anything that seemed incredibly sketchy - just your basic kind of scrambling...(though I know the pack makes it that much harder.) I did Grand Canyon, rim to rim, a couple years back, and it's obviously the ascent that's the hardest part, so I just wanted your honest thoughts about the hardest element of the whole thing. Thank you so much for your time!

[@paulsolomon1396]

We just got back. The hike down was worse. Lots of loose rock so with a 50 lb pack you need to be super careful. The hike up took as the same amount of time down. We camped in a wash about 2.7 miles down so we day packed to the LCR. Hiking back up to our campsite during the heat of the day was horrible so I also recommend beating the direct sun (we hiked in at first light and started hiking out by headlamp). Hope that helps

[@kevinthrowsthings]

This video popped up on my recommended videos and oh my gosh I am so thankful. THANK YOU for all the info! You literally answered all of my questions like permits, road conditions, and time of day the sun hits. I sent this video to my gf and it’s now on our to do list. We live in flagstaff and hike GCNP often (I lead tours as well) and neither of us new about this place! Thank you thank you!

[@vanessab.6919]

did you end up going on this hike?

[@jackwatsonepic626]

I am from England and I am so jealous that you've got all this on your door step 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@KevinEassa]

Still quite a drive from us, but we are grateful!

[@pokert9401]

Thank you for making this video. I subscribed to you guys because your videos are very informative. You answered most of my questions. The only questions i have left is when do you know when the water are blue, and not brown? Is there a certain months to go for the blue color? Thank you.

[@hernameisT]

That water 😮 It's my color! It doesn't look real at all. Looking forward to what comes next.

[@KevinEassa]

Thanks T! Beautiful place!

[@Halfpace52]

Always enjoy watching your videos. How difficult to follow the trail? Looks like some rock scrambling.

[@ashleymolina8158]

Me and my bf’s experience with this trail is mirrored to yours! First attempt fail. We made redemption this past year by getting an alpine start. People who do this trail, do your research, come prepared, and DO NOT underestimate this trail!

[@KevinEassa]

Glad to hear we’re not the only ones that got sandbagged hard 😂😂😂 I’m hoping this video helps give people the information they need for a successful hike!

[@destinationdezz1588]

and practice LNT!!! This place is blowing up! Prolly thanks to Havasupai being closed! Hope it doesn't get ruined:(

[@BlakeHemmel]

Hiked this in June 2018, and holy crap we had the whole spot to ourselves, but it was HOT. Definitely didn't know how gnarly the trail was. We also ran out of water and struggled but it was well worth it.

[@tjtuck4520]

Can one not filter the water?

[@jimhenderson387]

Thanks so much for this great introduction. Was wondering what temp the water is?

[@jc8867]

Beautiful spot and hike! Glad this popped up for me. How bad were your water filters after?

[@thecuriousvida]

Great video guys beautiful! Don't mind the miserable complaining types who think everything is only there for themselves. Thanks for sharing and keep on sharing so other can enjoy places like this too! ✌

[@fastgurrrl]

Neat.

[@bigacefilms]

So what time of year did you all go and hike this? Great video, really enjoyed your camera work. Such good shots and depth of field. Did you use a dslr or gopro attachment?

[@ryanderek4961]

Thank you for showing us this beautiful place someone needs to make a zip line to this place that would be awesome

[@KevinEassa]

Thank you for watching Ryan!

[@kaitlynmuller5857]

Great video! Do you guys remember what the weather was like l eading up to the brown water? Did you make the first attempt directly after heavy rains? I'm trying to plan which days to go.

[@petemarron6677]

Really really liked the video

[@KevinEassa]

Thank you Pete!

[@danielcarroll5667]

Thank you !

[@KevinEassa]

You're welcome!

[@Jables77]

How long did it take hiking in, and what was the time difference coming back?

[@rashellurizar7056]

Great video ! What time do the year was when the water was brown? And also when was the water this blue !?

[@andrewshevchuk2062]

Awesome video! What time did y’all end up making it out off the canyon? Is it hard to get a reservation or lots of dates open? Also before I research, any cool spots near by to hit up? We’d be in town for a week

[@KevinEassa]

I think we got out somewhere between 1015 and 1045 am! The permit system was very easy! Just a quick phone call with lots of availability. There is SO much to do in the nearby area. Page, Arizona is one of my favorite places to explore, I will be uploading a Top 10 Hikes in Page very soon on the channel!

[@plantifulpicnic3940]

Beautiful video! Was the trail easy to follow? I wouldn’t want to get lost.

[@austinado16]

Amazing guys!! So stoked for you. What a redemption!! Also, I appreciate all of the "how-to" tips, and including the phone number. Awesome job, fantastic video!

[@Ponpursat]

Amazing video, hope to do this hike someday

[@KevinEassa]

Definitely one to add to the bucket list! Thanks for watching!

[@cindybrannen6597]

Beautiful video! What makes the water so blue? Almost looks like glacier melt water in Alaska but I know there are no glaciers in that climate. Glad you made it there and back safely!

[@KevinEassa]

I’m not entirely sure but I think it just has to do with the minerals/ rock flour potentially! Thanks for watching Cindy

[@petrarossi9981]

What a beautiful place...looks similar as Pamukkale in Turkey

[@KevinEassa]

Yes it does! We went to Pamukkale two summers ago, so incredible! We have a video on it on the channel, so underrated

[@ppearson111]

Great video and that looks like an incredible hike - but tough! What time of year did you go on the 2nd attempt, when the water was so amazingly blue?

[@KevinEassa]

Our second attempt was May 18th!

[@coralynsaucier794]

@@KevinEassa 5min 43 lol is that a lion?

[@fordraven5884]

I like your hiking videos

[@KevinEassa]

Thank you! So glad to hear it!

[@emmasullivan750]

What an incredible hike!!! I'm now adding it to my list of backpacking trips to do :) Did you do the hike in August? Is that when the water is that icy blue? Thanks for such an amazing video!

[@KevinEassa]

Thank you Emma! Our brown failed attempt was early April, and our hike when we got the blue water was mid May. When you get your permit, make sure to ask the rangers for current conditions, they should be able to let you know. I imagine our first failed attempt was from snow runoff making water levels really high

[@fuckgooglegooglesucks4005]

Question can you add a link to the route you did? Like on all trail a gps tracked route. Were there markings? why did you went up and then down? Was it just to see the river at a higher point or it was the trail

[@jjsc3334]

Let lucky people go there.

[@minhhop3208]

so beautiful ! Thanks ! Why not used hiking sticks ? Looks scary!!

[@KevinEassa]

Thanks! Bri likes hiking poles and I think she packed hers but tbh I don’t really like using them too much! Unless there’s a day over 15 miles or over 5k feet of gain

[@RaceForGoodLife]

cool place! was the water itchy on your skin? I guess all the minerals from the blue water can cause itches

[@victorlui5955]

Hi. I just subscribed. So the water is blue only at certain times of the year? Incredible hike. Cool video. 🍻🍺

[@KevinEassa]

I would assume it’s blue probably 90% of the year. I think we just happened to go right after snowmelt runoff. But when you call to make a permit they should know ahead of time

[@Teacher2Polis2XtraRice]

I wonder how beautiful is this in night photography, specially when the Milky Way rise from above.

[@KevinEassa]

I bet it’s incredible. However, we did leave our tripod because every bit of weight matters because of how difficult this hike is

[@UTAH100]

amazing is that the actual color- looks Caribbean like. I want to hike rim to river next year- is it near that?

[@KevinEassa]

It really is! Such an incredible place. The rim hike we did last year was the bright angel trail, not sure if that’s the one you’re doing. But if so, this is an entirely different place outside of the national park