North Rim Opens 2009 (and other Mid-May Updates)
South Bass Beach (photo: Brian Lane)
I'm a little late on this entry as my 'puter croaked last week after downloading a graphics driver update, it had to be wiped clean, so it's just like starting over again, fresh and clean as a whistle. Oh well, here are some of the recent goings on at the Canyon...
North Rim Opens
On last Friday, May 15th, at 7:00 a.m., the gate was unlocked, allowing visitors onto Route 67, the main access road to the North Rim. All facilities are now open and will remain so until October 15th, 2009. Lodging reservations at the North Rim can be made through Forever Resorts by calling (877) 386-4383 or by visiting their website at www.grandcanyonforever.com. The North Rim is a much different experience than the hectic South Rim, seeing about one-tenth the amount of visitors. Although the facilities close in mid-October the Park Service continues operating the North Rim Visitor Center, the bookstore, and the Backcountry Permit Office through November 30, (unless snow closes Highway 67 before that date).
Prescribed Fires
The South Entrance into Grand Canyon Nat'l Park could be quite smoky due to some prescribed burn type fires going on in the area. We are being told that these fires could continue for many weeks.
Summer Type Heat is Here
Temperatures for the Inner Canyon are currently in the 100-110 degree range, although they may moderate a bit as there is a possibility of passing storms this week. With summer temps coming on strong be sure to be off the trail between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. or risk overheating, (and the very real possibility of succumbing to heat exhaustion or heat stroke). Deaths occur every year from heat exposure as people do not realize that when temps on the Rim are in the 90's the temperatures are 20 degrees hotter along the Inner Canyon. Anyone venturing into the Canyon in the summer should consider hiking at night to protect from heat related illnesses.
Canyon Water Availability
All available water along the Central Corridor Trails (Bright Angel, South Kaibab, & North Kaibab Trails), including water at the trailheads, has now been turned on. With little rain in the Southwest recently, ephemeral water supplies in the greater canyon area should not be relied upon. Contact the Backcountry Information Center for water availability on remote trails and canyons.
Bodies Recovered from Colorado River
Two bodies were recovered from the river on Thursday afternoon, May 14th. The bodies are presumed to be those of 16 year-old Saif Savaya, and 22 year-old Joey Merrill. These were the other two, of three, who inexplicably jumped into the Colorado River on April 30th, 2009, near the Black Bridge, across form the Phantom Ranch Boat Beach. The bodies were found a few river miles west of Boucher Rapids, over ten miles from where they had entered the river. One was found by private boaters, and the other, approximately 2.5 miles down river from the first, was found by a commercial river expedition. Please read earlier posts for more information on this tragic occurrence.
As always...
Hike Smart and Have Fun!
Brian
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