Early June '09 Update
Moran Point, South Rim (photo: Brian Lane)
Lots of News...
October 2009 Permits Come Up for Grabs
I know, I know; I have been remiss in posting a new blog entry - but, hey - I spent a few days at the Canyon securing a permit to go Rim-2-Rim in October, and I'm just getting back into the 'shwing' of things.
Last year I drove up to the Canyon on June 2nd and sites were already sold out for October. So this year my wife and I drove up on Saturday, May 30th, arriving at the Backcountry Information Center (BIC) around 4:30 p.m. I was given number 59 in line for permits being issued on June 1st, 2009, for overnight stays inside the Canyon during the month October 2009. On Sunday morning everyone already issued a number, that was still interested in getting a permit, checked in at 8:00 a.m. just outside the BIC. Due to attrition I was bumped up in line and drew number 50. Then on Monday morning, June 1st, at 8:00 a.m. they open three windows at the BIC to process permits. One window is reserved for folks who want a permit to go into the Canyon in the next few days, the other two windows are used to process permits for potential October backpackers. The process went pretty smoothly - the biggest complaint being a concern that private guides had paid locals to get numbers for the permit line several days in advance, and getting multiple permits, which initially slowed the processing down and ate up the number of available sites at the most precious camps. By the time my number was called I was able to secure the specific dates I wanted, and had spent a delightful weekend taking pictures along the South Rim of the world's most spectacular canyon. Rumor has it that next year the NPS at Grand Canyon may go to a lottery type system for backcountry permits. We'll see.
Thanks to Hans & Jen from Tucson, new friends I met while standing in the permit line. It was great meeting you both, and getting to talk with you made the chore of waiting much more enjoyable. Another hello goes out to Ron Ramsey, a fellow Sedonan I recognized on Sunday morning. It was great to see you again; I want to see some of your canyon photos sometime.
Supai Opens
On June 1st, 2009, Supai Village finally opened its proverbial doors to the public after last August's horrific flood which caused most of the village, and all of the visiting tourists to be evacuated by helicopter when an old earthen dam broke miles away up on the canyon rim during a monsoon rain storm. The massive wall of water tore down into Havasu Canyon wiping out many sections of the trail and nearly all of the campground. It also reshaped the world renowned waterfalls, completely destroying Navajo Falls while creating two new and distinct waterfalls which are yet to be named. The re-opening was also delayed for a month by the Havasupai Tribe due to the H1N1 (Swine) Flu outbreak. Jamie Compos has some of the first photo I've seen on his website at: www.downthetrail.com. Look under the Recent Posts link.
Weather
We in the Southwest have been given a wonderful reprieve from the hot temps of early May. Phoenix broke the record for consecutive days over 100 degrees in the first half of May, and we all braced for a hot, hot summer. Then, weather came in from California and it actually rained! May is usually one of our driest months, so nearly three inches of rain in Northern Arizona was a wonderful and unexpected treat. Since that time the Southwest has stayed consistently about ten degrees below average. We've been having a kind of pre-monsoonal odd pattern of sunny mornings with clouds building in the afternoons, and a slight chance of thunderstorms that decreases around sunset. While Inner Canyon temperatures are now mid-80's, with nights in the 60's, it looks like temps will be heading back into the 100's next week (mid-June). Those venturing into the Canyon should be prepared for temperatures to return to normal soon, that means Canyon hikers should be off the trail during the hottest time of day (10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.), or risk succumbing to heat related illness.
Fires
The May rains have helped keep the wildfires to a minimum so far during this fire season. That said, there are a few, small, lightning caused fires currently being monitored. One on the North Rim near Point Imperial, and two in the Grandview area of the South Rim. Smoke will be visible in these areas until the fires are completely extinguished.
Man Dies on Hermit Trail
Robert Williams of Surprise, Arizona was reported missing on May 26th after not returning home from a Memorial Day weekend at the Canyon. The body of the 69 year old man was subsequently found on June 2nd, about 200 feet below Hermit Trail, approximately a quarter mile south of Santa Maria Spring. Searchers had focused on Hermit Basin after receiving tips from other hikers and visitors. The cause of death has yet to be determined.
Woman Falls at Mather Point
A 38 year old, un-named woman was rescued on June 4th after falling about 50 feet from one of the Mather Point viewing areas. Mather Point is the busiest, and most congested areas at Grand Canyon National Park and the accident was reported by at least two witnesses who saw the woman fall. She was lifted via litter and rope haul, and transported to the Flagstaff Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries.
Hike Smart & Have Fun!
Brian
Hi Brian,
We had a great time in line with you, too! We are excited to be going into the canton in a couple of weeks! We are reading your book to make sure we are prepared. Thanks again!
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Hi Jen & Hans...I've been totally remiss in my blog duties while I'm in Massachusetts helping with my parents. My father passed away last month from cancer and my mother doesn't like to be left alone. I missed my October rim-to-rim trip with friend and backpacking buddy Larry Lindahl (after waiting in line back in May/June). I've been here in New England since mid-September helping out...oh well, there's always next year. Hope you had a wonderful trip, it was great to meet you both!
All the Best,
Brian Lane
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