Grand Canyon Backcountry Updates

Temporary Closure of North Kaibab Trail Third Bridge to Stock - date posted Nov 23, 2009

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:32:54 GMT

Repairs on the Third Bridge are progressing well. The Trail Crew will be re-opening the bridge to pedestrian traffic by 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 17th. Work will continue on the bridge through mid-December and it will remain closed to stock use until all repairs are completed. The North Kaibab Trail is closed to all livestock traffic from the Third Bridge northward for the duration of a bridge reconstruction project. The closure began on November 11 and should end on December 16, 2009 (weather permitting). The Grand Canyon Trail Crew is repairing the Third Bridge that was damaged by rock fall. To perform the repairs a portion of the bridge is being completely dismantled.

Operational Changes to Backcountry Permitting Procedures - date posted Nov 20, 2009

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:47:11 GMT

The National Park Service will be making operational changes to the backcountry permitting system and placing a moratorium on the number of commercial use authorizations (CUAs) issued for guided backpacking services in Grand Canyon National Park.

Starting February 1, 2010, only written requests will be considered during the fourth-month-out. Written requests may be submitted by fax, by letter, or by hand delivery. Regardless of how they are submitted, written requests will be considered based on the date on which they are received, and all of the requests received by 5:00 p.m. on the first day of the fourth-month-out will be placed in random order by computer and considered in that new order before the next day’s requests receive consideration.

After February 1, 2010, in-person verbal permit requests will only be considered for start dates one to three months out.

In addition to this operational change to the backcountry permitting system, a moratorium has been placed on the number of CUAs issued for guided backpacking services. This moratorium has been put into effect until park managers can better understand and adapt to growing demand for CUAs.

Additional information regarding the upcoming February 1, 2010 change can be found at www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/permit_change.htm

The press release announcing this change was released on November 20, 2009 and is located in the News Release section of this website.

Hiking Podcast Updated - date posted Nov 6, 2009

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:53:36 GMT

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.

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

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:29:59 GMT

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.

Trail Conditions - date posted Nov 5, 2009

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:29:53 GMT

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.

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

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:29:44 GMT

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.

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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.

Hermit Trailhead Access - date posted Nov 5, 2009

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:29:33 GMT

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.

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

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:29:22 GMT

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.

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

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:23:43 GMT

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.

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

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:29:43 GMT

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.

Nankoweap Trail Rock Slide - date posted Sep 14, 2009

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:13:45 GMT

There has been a recent rock slide on the Nankoweap Trail. The slide appears relatively stable, however there could be some navigational challenges for the novice hiker. The rock slide occurred approximately 1.5 miles east of the the trail junction with Trail #57 and 1.5 miles west of Marion Point (or halfway between Trail #57 Junction and Marion Point).

2009 Fall Backpacking Season - date posted Sep 3, 2009

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 21:21:36 GMT

Visit www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/trail-closures.htm for information regarding the availability of permits for Fall 2009.

South Kaibab Trail Reconstruction - date posted Jun 11, 2009

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 20:11:05 GMT

On Tuesday, June 9, 2009, the National Park Service began a project to reconstruct the South Kaibab Trail. The reconstruction project will take approximately two to four years. The National Park Service made a decision to temporarily divert commercial and private stock traffic to the Bright Angel Trail during construction activities for the safety of stock users and hikers alike, as well as to save costs by reducing the time it will take to reconstruct the trail. The South Kaibab Trail will remain open to hikers during trail reconstruction; however, occasional short delays may occur - hikers will be advised to follow instructions provided by trail crew members, or through signing and other advisories.

The reconstruction project will significantly improve the condition of the trail for both hikers and stock users alike. The reconstruction effort will include resurfacing of the trail; rebuilding steps; stabilization and preventative maintenance to existing retaining walls; replacing retaining walls that have been lost to floods, slides, or erosion; repairing and aligning existing water features; and more.

South Kaibab Trailhead Access - date posted Apr 20, 2009

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:51:32 GMT

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

A special early morning "hiker's express" shuttle leaves the Bright Angel Lodge and then picks up passengers at the Backcountry Information Center before going directly to the South Kaibab Trailhead. Parking is available at the Backcountry Information Center.
The Kaibab Trail Route shuttle leaves Canyon View Information Plaza and the first stop is South Kaibab Trailhead.

Visit the Shuttle Buses page for schedules and more info.