Places to see in Arizona

Grand Canyon Backcountry Updates

• Hiking Podcast Updated - date posted Nov 6, 2009

  The Backcountry Information Center has updated the Hiking Podcast with a November 2009 update. Visit the Grand Canyon Podcast Directory (www.nps.gov/grca/photosmultimedia/podcasts.htm) for more information or to subscribe. Additionally the update can be heard on the Backcountry Audiocast page (www.nps.gov/grca/photosmultimedia/bc_audiocasts.htm). A transcript of the update is posted on the Backcountry Audiocast page. - 7 hours ago

• Early Winter in the Canyon - date posted Nov 5, 2009

  Next we’ll touch on a few signs of the season. The onset of winter brings a predictable series of events to the canyon which will affect backcountry travelers in several ways. We’ve already had a couple of fast moving Pacific cold fronts move through bringing much colder temperatures, wind, and the chance of snow. Eventually sometime in the next few weeks one of these will bring enough moisture to blanket the rim with snow and close the North Rim for the winter. Access to the remote trailheads served by rough dirt roads will become increasingly problematic and if snowfall persists some backcountry roads, like the Pasture Wash Road, could become temporarily impassable. As the days shorten and the sun sinks lower in the southern sky, chilly winter temperatures will gradually creep lower into the canyon and hikers will find themselves packing more of everything, more layers of clothing, proven rain gear of good quality, warmer sleeping bags, backpacking stoves, and maybe even tents. Adequate supplies of food and water will become critical for maintaining bodily warmth. December usually sees a significant winter storm or two bringing heavier snowfall and the north-facing trails such as the Bright Angel or the Grandview will assume their armor of hard, slick ice necessitating such devices such as instep crampons and trekking poles. When winter rules the canyon, weather and good quality, proven gear are the name of the game and interaction between the two will largely determine the quality of the backpacking experience. Conditions can, and will, change rapidly during the course of the winter and generalizations about potential conditions are nothing more than generalizations so hikers need make a point to check current conditions prior to departure. The National Weather Service website, weather.gov, offers daily seven-day forecasts for both rims and the canyon floor. - 7 days ago

• Trail Conditions - date posted Nov 5, 2009

  CROSS-CANYON CORRIDOR All three Corridor trails, that is the Bright Angel Trail and the South and North Kaibab Trails, are open and in reasonable condition, but, as always, caution is certainly indicated. Steep, rocky, unrelenting descents that seem to go on forever mean constant attention to your footing is required. If you want to admire the view, stop walking. Trying to walk and look at the same time is a sure way to a nasty fall. Trekking poles increase security significantly. Drinking water is available at Indian Garden Campground, Bright Angel Campground and the pumphouse residence above Cottonwood Campground. All other sources have been turned off until spring. The South Kaibab Trail is, as always, bone dry-no water of any kind along the South Kaibab. Even with the availability of piped in drinking water, Corridor hikers still need to carry extra water. We recommend at least three quarts per person during the cooler months. This should be adequate to get you between the water sources and allow a little extra against the unforeseen. Hikers are encouraged to carry some form of water purification as a back up system against the possibility of water pipeline problems or in case natural water from creeks is needed to supplement the supply in your pack. And, last but not least, we want to be sure and mention the potential critter problem in the campgrounds and urge hikers to be sure to use the provided food storage boxes. There’s nothing there that will hurt you-it’s just small mammals of various sorts-but they are ruthless and relentless in pursuit of your food. Each campsite will have a couple of these boxes and it’s pretty much use the boxes or incur certain damage to your gear and the loss of your food. NON-CORRIDOR TRAILS As of this date, all wilderness trails are open and passable. Backcountry roads to remote trailheads on both canyon rims are currently passable for competent backcountry vehicles. These conditions could easily change for the worst so feel free to contact the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest at 928-643-7395 or the Backcountry Information Center for current conditions. One new development: The Nankoweap Trail has, once again, been damaged by significant rockfall in the Supai traverse west of Marion Point. The affected area is passable but hikers will need to exercise extra caution when crossing a jumble of rocks that has covered the original trail for a short distance. - 7 days ago

• Road Conditions for Remote Trailheads - date posted Nov 5, 2009

  On the South Rim, Forest Road 328 and Pasture Wash Road to the South Bass trailhead is currently dry but requires a high-clearance vehicle. On the North Rim, all roads to remote trailheads are open. These conditions could easily change for the worst as winter conditions develop. Swamp Ridge Road to the North Bass trailhead will probably be the first to close, followed by Forest Road 610 to the Nankoweap trailhead. Hikers considering traveling dirt roads to remote trailheads should contact the North Kaibab Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest at 928-643-7395, the Tusayan Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest on the South Rim at 928-635-4061 or the Backcountry Information Center for current conditions. ------------------------------------------ It is not uncommon for trees to fall and block access to remote trailheads. When you encounter a road blocked by fallen trees, what should you do? Report the location and diameter of the tree to Grand Canyon park dispatch (928-638-7805) as soon as possible. The park will assign staff to clear the road. If an appropriate (not blocking the road and not damaging vegetation) place to park is available, park your vehicle and continue to the trailhead on foot. Do not drive off-road attempting to bypass the obstacle, doing so can cause resource damage. - 7 days ago

• Hermit Trailhead Access - date posted Nov 5, 2009

  From March 1 to November 30, Hermit Road is closed to private vehicles. A numerical code is required to open the gate giving access to Hermit Road. Hikers with a valid backcountry permit who are beginning or ending their hike via the Hermit Trail will be permitted to park at the Hermit trailhead. The Backcountry Information Center will provide the gate access code when the backcountry permit is issued. Weather dependent, Hermit Road is open to all private vehicles Dec 1 to Feb 28. Be aware that in wintertime inclement weather can cause Hermit Road to close with little notice as storms move through the area. Always check with the Backcountry Information Center regarding the wintertime status of Hermit Road. - 7 days ago

• Drinking Water outside the Cross-Canyon Corridor - date posted Nov 5, 2009

  The seasonal intermittent sources such as Lone Tree Canyon or Cottonwood Creek have started to produce water and hikers have recently reported enough water to allow collection emerging from both of these sources. Boulder Creek remains dry or almost dry as of this date, but should start to produce small amounts of water soon. We have received no reports of water in the side canyons between the South Bass and Boucher Trails as so those sources remain suspect at best.  Anyone expecting to take water from such sources should make every effort to obtain recent confirmation of availability and become familiar with routes to the river before starting their hike. - 7 days ago

• Drinking Water in the Cross-Canyon Corridor - date posted Oct 27, 2009

  Purified drinking water is available at Bright Angel Campground and Indian Garden Campground. As always, the South Kaibab Trail is dry - no water of any kind. The list below reflects seasonal changes and will be updated when water is turned on or off. North Kaibab Trailhead: water turned OFF Supai Tunnel: water turned OFF Roaring Springs Day Use Area: water turned OFF Cottonwood Campground: water turned OFF Bright Angel Campground: on year round (except when being repaired) Indian Garden: on year round (except when being repaired) Bright Angel Trail, Three-Mile Resthouse: water turned OFF Bright Angel Trail, Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse: water turned OFF Bright Angel Trailhead: water turned OFF South Kaibab Trailhead: water turned OFF Water available on the South Rim (year round) at the Backcountry Information Center in the lobby. Water available on the North Rim (year round) outside the Backcountry Office. Plan Ahead and Prepare: A backup method to treat water, should the pipeline break, must always be included as part of your first aid kit. - 2 weeks ago

• Limited Services Only on North Rim - date posted Oct 19, 2009

  Beginning October 16 the North Rim Backcountry Information Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m. until November 30 or until snow closes Highway 67, whichever comes first. Once the North Rim office closes it does not reopen until mid-May. At noon on October 16, 2009 Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim and Grand Canyon Trail Rides closed for the season. The National Park Service will continue its operations including the North Rim Visitor Center and Bookstore, as well as the North Rim Backcountry Information Center through November 30, unless snow closes Highway 67 leading into the park prior to that date. Starting October 16, campsites with limited services, such as portable toilets, will be available for a $12 fee on a first-come, first-served basis. Forever Resorts will also keep their gift shop and gas station open during the shoulder season. Starting Dec. 1 (or earlier if snow closes the highway), the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park will not be accessible by vehicle until it reopens, tentatively mid-May 2010. Hikers and cross-country skiers will be permitted to use the park’s group campsites throughout the winter months if they have obtained a permit through the South Rim Backcountry Information Center or the Visitor Center at Pipe Springs National Monument. - 3 weeks ago