Havasupai » Grand Canyon

North Rim Road Work – date posted Jul 21, 2010

NPS — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:30:16 +0000

The road work discussed below will affect access to the Walhalla Plateau, including backcountry use areas Walhalla Plateau (NA0) and Cape Final (NA1).

On June 21, 2010, pavement preservation work began on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. In order to facilitate the safe and timely completion of this work, it will be necessary to temporarily close the North Rim Scenic Drive on two separate occasions.

The National Park Service will be closing all or most of the North Rim Scenic Drive twice during the month of August. Cape Royal Road (the portion of the Scenic Drive beyond its junction with the Point Imperial Road) will be closed Monday – Wednesday, August 9 – 11 and again Monday – Wednesday, August 16 – 18. The entire Scenic Drive from its junction with Highway 67 (including Cape Royal Road) will be closed on Wednesday, August 11 and again on Wednesday, August 18. These temporary closures will not include primary roadways (Highway 67) or businesses and services on the North Rim.

While these planned closure dates are "firm", they are also weather dependent. North Rim visitors, community members and park partners are encouraged to visit the park’s construction page regularly at www.nps.gov/grca/parkmgmt/const.htm for the latest updates and changes.

Report from the North Rim – date posted Jul 16, 2010

NPS — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:14:11 +0000

The Saffron Fire, burning on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, has seen little growth over the last three days, and is currently mapped at 3,260 acres. Yesterday, the fire became more active on its western flank and in some spots just north of Swamp Ridge Road.

Access to FR 268 is still being restricted due to fire activity. Swamp Ridge Road and Swamp Point remain closed until further notice. Forest Road 223 is open.

Fire managers continue to monitor the fire’s activity closely while letting it burn naturally within the planned management boundaries (north and east of the canyon rim, south of Forest Roads (FR) 268 and 223, and north of Swamp Ridge Road – the east/west section of the W4 road) in order to maintain fire’s natural role in the ecosystem.

The Saffron Fire was started by lightning on June 25, 2010 at the northern end of Rainbow Plateau, approximately 2 miles south of the park/forest boundary and 15 miles northwest of the North Rim developed area and is burning in both Grand Canyon National Park and Kaibab National Forest. It is burning in ponderosa pine with white fir understory along-side locust and Gambel oak, in an area that has experienced fire several times in the last 15 years.

2010 Summer/Fall Backpacking Season – date posted Jun 28, 2010

NPS — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 21:25:01 +0000

Visit www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/trail-closures.htm for information regarding the availability of permits for Summer/Fall 2010.

Report from the North Rim – date posted Jun 23, 2010

NPS — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 19:50:30 +0000

The roads to Powell Plateau, North Bass trailhead, and Point Sublime are open.

South Kaibab Temporary Trail Closure – date posted Jun 10, 2010

NPS — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 23:15:41 +0000

On Monday, June 14, 2010 (weather permitting), pallets of rock for trail reconstruction, will be flown to Windy Ridge on the South Kaibab Trail, just above Cedar Ridge. This will necessitate temporary closures of the South Kaibab Trail from Cedar Ridge up to the switchback below Ooh-Ahh Point. Trail users can expect delays of up to an hour during the delivery of rock. Signage will be posted at the South Kaibab trailhead, at Phantom Ranch and the River Trail Junction notifying hikers of the temporary closures. Trail guides will also be on the trail to stop hiker traffic until it is safe to pass through the work area. Trail guides will allow hikers to pass through the work area during times when the helicopter is refueling. If delivery of the rock pallets cannot be completed on Monday, there could be temporary closures on Tuesday the 15th as well. If additional deliveries are needed on Tuesday, signs will continue to be posted and trail guides will continue to assist with hiker traffic.

Tuweep Update – date posted Jun 7, 2010

NPS — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 17:19:58 +0000

From the Tuweep Ranger:

Things are heating up at Tuweep with temperatures nearing 100°F at Toroweap and 110°F at Lava Rapids. It feels like summer in the Grand Canyon! It has been a beautiful year of wildflowers and we are just experiencing the last of the Globemallows right now.

We fixed the road sections from last year but the crust broke on a new section and there is another new stretch of roadway with dust 1+ feet deep for 100 yards. Travel is no problem for folks with a HIGH CLEARANCE vehicle It is best to drive slow through the middle of the section as the bottom is solid and speed only contributes to more road damage and potential vehicle damage. I will work on the road once we receive rainfall again...not sure if this means monsoon season or winter for this year.

The campground has been fairly busy. Remember to to bring your own firewood. No collection of any wood, bark, grasses, etc. regardless of being dead or not. Flat tires have been common on the Sunshine Route (109) but not the other ways in.

Wishing a wonderful summer to all! - Todd

Summer Heat has Arrived – HIKE SMART – date posted Jun 4, 2010

NPS — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 19:57:28 +0000

The National Weather Service (NWS) is predicting temperatures over 100°F for Phantom Ranch. Visit the NWS Phantom Ranch web page for more info.

The National Park Service urges SPECIAL CAUTION for all hikers during the summer months. Daytime highs can potentially top 120°F. These temperatures are beyond unpleasant or uncomfortable-they are, in fact, dangerous and if you fail to factor the heat into your plans the results could be tragic. Visit Summer Hiking - Hike Smart for more info.

Trail Conditions – date posted May 25, 2010

NPS — Tue, 25 May 2010 23:18:19 +0000

South Rim Trails: All South Rim trails are free of snow and ice.

Nankoweap Trail: The hike from Nankoweap trailhead to the Saddle Mountain saddle has deep snow as the trail follows a course along the north side of a ridge. Recent hikers said it took some real effort to get down through this. They had to kick steps the full length of this section. The North Rim received one inch of new snow early on May 24, and so on their return, the hikers found their steps buried and opted to hike south of the trail to avoid the effort of having to kick steps all the way back up and out. This difficulty is only present above the Saddle Mountain saddle, so folks using the lower elevation access will be unaffected by snow all together. The hikers also reported two significant rockslides along the Nankoweap Trail but said they were not difficult to negotiate.

The North Kaibab Trail is clear of snow. Mud is present in places but the trail surface is very walkable. A small rockslide is present on the trail but it presents no obstacle.

Drinking Water in the Cross-Canyon Corridor – date posted May 24, 2010

NPS — Mon, 24 May 2010 14:44:25 +0000

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 ON
Supai Tunnel: water turned ON
Roaring Springs Day Use Area: water turned ON
Cottonwood Campground: water turned ON
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 ON
Bright Angel Trail, Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse: water turned ON
Bright Angel Trailhead: water turned ON
South Kaibab Trailhead: water turned ON

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.

2010 Summer Backpacking Season – date posted May 12, 2010

NPS — Wed, 12 May 2010 20:38:26 +0000

Visit www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/trail-closures.htm for information regarding the availability of permits for Summer 2010.