Snow Along the South Rim (Photo: Brian Lane)

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009!

After two weeks of winter weather the clouds have parted and temperatures should be warming up a bit. Two feet of snow was accumulated making some trails rather treacherous. The Park Service reports that one experienced hiking group was turned away from New Hance Trail, while another seasoned group aborted their trip down Tanner Trail - both due to heavy snow in drifts up to three feet high covering much of each trails upper sections. Hermit Road, (and Trailhead), by all accounts is still closed, as well as the greasy road out to the South Bass Trailhead.

Where route finding is the main concern of those on the aforementioned (and all other) wilderness trails, the fear factor on the Central Corridor (Bright Angel & South Kaibab Trails*), is due to the ice that forms along upper portions of these popular trails. Therefore, I again mention that cleats or crampons need to be used by hikers entering the Canyon from now until late spring.

*North Kaibab Trail, although part of the Central Corridor, gets little winter use as the North Rim facilities are closed until mid-May.

Hike Smart & Have Fun!
Brian Lane