What a difference a week makes! Temperatures were remaining fairly hot during the early part of October until last Saturday when the jet stream blew in a cold front bringing overnight temps on the South Rim down into the teens. The outlook for Phantom Ranch and the Inner Canyon is for temps to move from the mid-sixties back into the nineties by this weekend. Night temps will head back up into the forties (from the thirties).

Annually, this is the second busy season for Inner Canyon hikers as people flock to the park, enjoying the ideal conditions of less precipitation and comfortable temperatures. Anyone expecting overnight permits for the Central Corridor Campgrounds (Cottonwood, Bright Angel, and Indian Garden) is out of luck unless you can wait two or three days on the permit wait list.

Lodge and other North Rim Services Close for the Season
The Grand Canyon Lodge and many other services at the North Rim closed for the season yesterday (Oct.15th). The Visitor Center & Bookstore, and the Backcountry Permit Office will remain open until November 30th, (OR until snow closes Highway 67 prior to that date).

On December 1st, (OR if snow closes Hwy 67 before that time), the North Rim will not be accessible by car. The road will reopen (probably) in mid-May in 2009.

Campsites are currently available (first-come, first-served), with limited services (portable toilets and water available at the NPS admin office), for a $12 fee. Once Hwy 67 closes, hikers and cross-country skiers are allowed to use the group campsites with a valid backcountry permit.

Inner Canyon Water Source Alert
Drinking Water is currently NOT available at: Bright Angel, South Kaibab, or North Kaibab Trailheads, or at Supai Tunnel (N. Kaibab Trail). Water is still available at all Inner Canyon Campgrounds, at Roaring Springs, and at the 3-Mile and 1.5-Mile Rest houses on Bright Angel Trail. There is never any water along the South Kaibab Trail.

UPDATE: As of October 20th - Water has also been shut off at Cottonwood Campground.

At last report, the only reliable water sources outside of the Central Corridor Trails are at Hermit Creek, Monument, Pipe Creek, and Grapevine Creek. Hikers should not depend on any water being available at Cottonwood Creek, Boulder, Lonetree, Horn Creek, and Cedar Spring. Always check with the Backcountry Office for updates on water sources before heading into the Canyon.

Hermit Trail Access
Hermit Road remains closed as work continues and hikers are still not allowed to hike out of the Canyon via Hermit Trail. Access to hike into the Canyon via Hermit Trailhead is limited to a free early morning shuttle bus (no pick-up). During October the bus departs the Backcountry Information Office at 5 & 6 a.m., in November they will depart at 7 & 8 a.m.

Havasupai Still Closed
Havasupai and Havasu Falls remain closed from a serious monsoon flood that hit the village and campground in August, 2008. They plan to remain closed until spring of 2009.

Video Link
Remember to visit my YouTube site for videos about my book, "Hikernut’s Grand Canyon Companion," and other related information at: http://www.youtube.com/user/1Hikernut. * You may need to copy and paste the link into your browser.

Hike Smart & Have Fun!