Grand Canyon Backcountry Updates

Trails Update - date posted Jan 17, 2012

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:58:28 GMT

Over-shoe traction devices are strongly recommended. Grandview, New Hance, and Tanner trails are icy and slick at the top. South Kaibab and Hermit trails are mostly clear of ice. Bright Angel Trail is icy and slick, also muddy in places.

Report from the North Rim - date posted Nov 30, 2011

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:03:45 GMT

The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is closed for the winter season. The gates to the park are closed to motorized vehicles. The North Rim will open for the summer season in mid-May 2012 (usually May 15th).

Hikers and cross country skiers, with backcountry permits, are welcome to enter the North Rim of the park throughout the winter months. Permits can be obtained at the park's South Rim Backcountry Information Center or at the Visitor Center at Pipe Spring National Monument, located in Fredonia, Arizona. The park's group campsite and a yurt can be reserved throughout the winter months. Remember, you must obtain your backountry permit prior to arrival.

Locations near the 8,000 foot level such as Pt. Sublime, high elevation access to Nankoweap, and the North Bass Trailhead will not be accessible until road beds have dried and downed trees have been removed, this usually occurs during the last week of May or the first week of June, but can be as late as mid-June.

Winter 2011 - Spring 2012 Backpacking Season - date posted Nov 30, 2011

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:05:37 GMT

Visit www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/trail-closures.htm for information regarding the availability of permits for winter 2011 / spring 2012.

North Rim Yurt - date posted Nov 30, 2011

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:04:49 GMT

The North Rim yurt is available for reservation.

The North Rim yurt, placed near the North Kaibab Trailhead, can be reserved from the Monday following Thanksgiving through April 15. The yurt accommodates six people and is outfitted with a table, chairs, and wood-burning stove. A portable toilet is nearby. Required permits are available through the Backcountry Information Center. For more information see www.nps/gov/grca/planyourvisit/winter-recreation.htm

Public Health Alert - Rabies - date posted Nov 11, 2011

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:45:14 GMT

A fox exhibiting abnormal behavior was recently euthanized near Phantom Ranch along the Colorado River in Grand Canyon. Earlier this month, another fox collected near Phantom Ranch tested positive for rabies. Rabies is considered a natural wildlife disease and will likely run its course. To reduce your risk of injury or illness from an animal encounter (fox, bat, elk, mountain lion, squirrel) please follow these simple guidelines:

educate yourself and your children about proper behavior around animals, especially concerning to animals common to the area you will be visiting
don't touch, pick-up, or approach wild animals
stay together as a group
keep food appropriately stored at all times
never feed wildlife
wild animals approaching humans is not normal - be aware of your surroundings and keep your distance
consider sleeping inside a tent

For more information read the Public Health Rabies Site Bulletin.

Road Conditions for Remote Trailheads - date posted Nov 10, 2011

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:42:55 GMT

All backcountry trailheads served by dirt roads that are at the 7,000-8,000 foot level are currently melting out from last week's snow. Close to a foot of snow fell on the South Rim and 1 to 2 feet on the North Rim. Access may or may not be possible depending on type of vehicle, time of day (temperature), and elevation of trailhead. At the 7,000 foot level hikers have been able to reach trailheads before 9am, when low temperature stay below 25°F at night which allows for any saturated earth to freeze.

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.

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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.

Drinking Water in the Cross-Canyon Corridor - date posted Nov 10, 2011

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 16:03:01 GMT

Purified drinking water is available year-round at Bright Angel and Indian Garden Campgrounds and at Bright Angel and South Kaibab trailheads.

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: ON year-round
South Kaibab Trailhead: ON year-round

Seasonal water stations are usually turned off for the winter sometime between Oct 10th and 30th dependent on location and associated temperatures.

Water available (year-round) on the South Rim at the Backcountry Information Center in the lobby. Water available (year-round) on the North Rim outside the Backcountry Information Center. Additional water bottle filling stations can be found on the Go "Green" and Refill Your Water Bottles web page.

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. Backcountry hikers should always carry extra water.

Tuweep Update - date posted Oct 7, 2011

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 22:46:38 GMT

The road out to Tuweep is muddy but decent.

Travelers should carry:

Extra water, food, and gasoline;
Good tires, including at least one usable spare;
Parts, tools, and knowledge to handle vehicle and tire repairs including tire plugs and a portable air compressor.

Be Aware of Lightning Danger - date posted Aug 10, 2011

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 21:08:01 GMT

On Thursday, August 4th thunderstorms blanketed the region resulting in two hours of moderate rainfall and lightning. One person died and five people were injured when lightning struck very near their group. To read the press release from this incident: www.nps.gov/grca/parknews/2011-08-04_lightning.htm

This incident is a tragic reminder of the fact that summer storms in the southwest are often accompanied by potentially deadly lightning. Visitors walking and hiking in the park are reminded that if they can hear thunder, they should consider ending outdoor activities. If the sound of thunder follows a lightning flash within 30 seconds, seek shelter inside a building or vehicle. If this is not possible, move well away from high points such as ridges and the edge of the canyon. Do not seek shelter beneath tall trees.

For more on how to be "lightning smart" read the Lightning Danger Site Bulletin.

Backcountry Management Plan - date posted Jul 11, 2011

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 21:37:15 GMT

Grand Canyon National Park has started work on a Backcountry Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement. The park's existing Backcountry Management Plan was completed in 1988 and needs to be updated to comply with current National Park Service laws and policies and the park's 1995 General Management Plan.

Development of a revised plan provides an opportunity to look at alternative management strategies for protecting park resources and values while providing for a variety of visitor experiences within the backcountry. Once completed, the revised Backcountry Management Plan will guide management decisions regarding the park's backcountry and wilderness resources into the future.

Learn more about this planning effort at www.parkplanning.nps.gov/grca (click on Backcountry Management Plan).

Drinking Water outside the Cross-Canyon Corridor - date posted May 31, 2011

Tue, 31 May 2011 19:43:22 GMT

Hikers should make every effort to obtain recent confirmation of water availability and become familiar with routes to the river before starting any hike. Contact the Backcountry Information Center for recent water reports.

Water available (year-round) on the South Rim at the Backcountry Information Center in the lobby and at Hermits Rest (near the other public amenities). Water available (year-round) on the North Rim outside the Backcountry Information Center.

Additional water bottle filling stations can be found on the Go "Green" and Refill Your Water Bottles web page.

South Kaibab Trailhead Access - date posted Dec 2, 2010

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 17:41:06 GMT

Hikers must access the South Kaibab Trailhead by shuttle bus. There are two options.

An early morning Hikers’ Express goes to the South Kaibab Trailhead from Bright Angel Lodge shuttle bus stop, the Backcountry Information Center, and Grand Canyon Visitor Center daily, year-round. Parking is available at the Backcountry Information Center.
The Kaibab/Rim Route shuttle provides transportation between the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, the Yavapai Geology Museum, the South Kaibab Trailhead, Yaki Point, and rim viewpoints.

Visit the Shuttle Buses page for schedules and more info.

Hermit Trailhead Access - date posted Dec 2, 2010

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 17:39:54 GMT

From Mar. 1 to Nov. 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.

The Hermits Rest Shuttle between South Rim Village and Hermit Rest and the Hermit trailhead is operational Mar. 1 to Nov. 30. The bus runs every 30 minutes between 4:30am and 9:30am, every 15 minutes between 9:30am and sunset, and every 30 minutes between sunset and one hour after sunset. The Hermit Shuttle is free.

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.

Hiking Podcast Updated - date posted Apr 6, 2010

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:24:23 GMT

The Backcountry Information Center has updated the Hiking Podcast with an April 2010 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.