Havasupai » Grand Canyon

Trails Update – date posted Jan 17, 2012

NPS — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:58:28 +0000

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.

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

NPS — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:05:37 +0000

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

NPS — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:04:49 +0000

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

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

NPS — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:03:45 +0000

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.

Marathon on Hermit Road – date posted Nov 10, 2011

NPS — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:46:25 +0000

On the morning of November 12, 2010 a special event marathon will take place on Hermit Road. For safety concerns, no vehicles (including National Park Service shuttle buses, commercial tour buses, or private vehicles) will be allowed on Hermit Road until after 11:00 am. The section of the Rim Trail that goes out to Hermits Rest will remain open.

There are some exceptions to vehicle traffic: A Hiker's Shuttle will leave at 6:30 am and go to Hermit's Rest. Pick-up locations for the Hiker Shuttle will be at the Backcountry Information Center and the Hermit Road transfer. Hikers with backcountry permits for Hermit Trail will be allowed on Hermit Road before 6:45 am. Drivers must show their hiking permit at the Hermit Road transfer gate to be allowed through.

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

NPS — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:45:14 +0000

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

NPS — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:42:55 +0000

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.

Indian Garden Campground Toilet Replacement – date posted Nov 10, 2011

NPS — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:42:12 +0000

Completion of new toilets at Indian Garden is expected by Nov 17th. Until that point backpackers will continue to use the toilets in the day use area located nearby.

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

NPS — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 16:03:01 +0000

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.

Dripping Springs Trail Damage Repaired – date posted Oct 10, 2010

NPS — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 01:56:46 +0000

Trail damage on the Dripping Springs Trail has been repaired by the Grand Canyon Trail Crew.