A big horn sheep rests along Bright Angel Trail - President's Day, 2010. (Photo: Brian Lane)

March Trail Conditions...
The snow is still falling and winter conditions remain in full force, but the sun is poised to return and warm things up by mid-March. Nonetheless trailheads remain snow packed and icy for the top couple of miles, so make sure you use crampons or cleats to ensure proper footing along these slick areas. Anyone trying to access South Bass trailhead is urged to drive the old mud rutted road only between the hours of 4-7 a.m., when the road is most likely to be frozen. Even then it is recommended you travel only in a four wheel drive vehicle equipped with a shovel, towing straps, tire chains, a winch, and the like.
 
Inner Canyon Camps Look Full...
Nearly all backcountry areas along the South Rim are completely full in March, April, and part of May (from Tanner Trail in the east, to Royal Arch to the west). If you want camp overnight inside the canyon and do not have a permit, you should go the Backcountry Information Center and put your name on the waiting list (although it could take a couple of days before a slot opens up). A few sites usually open up each day.

Toilet Talk...
Two new bathrooms have been installed along Bright Angel Trail. One in back of Three-Mile Resthouse, and another on the trail at the junction of Bright Angel and the River Trail, near the River Resthouse.

Another pilot program has begun at Grand Canyon NP for those camping in wilderness areas with no toilets - the WAG Bag program. In short, WAG Bags are human waste disposal bags where the backcountry traveler truly packs out everything that they pack in. To learn more or to volunteer for this pilot program to go: http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/waste-mgmt.htm for more information.

Phantom Trip in February...
After having canceled my Rim-2-Rim plans of last October due to a death in the family I did manage to make it back to Arizona in time to go into the canyon on President's Day with my lifelong friend, John Ducasse. We hiked down Bright Angel Trail on Monday, February 15th, checked into the cabin, cleaned up, and had the famous "hiker stew" that evening for dinner. The next day we investigated Phantom Creek, hiking up North Kaibab a couple of miles, then rock hopping across Bright Angel Creek to enter Phantom Canyon. We visited the triple waterfall and bushwhacked along the narrow canyon until we could go no more as our progress was impeded by a six, or so, foot waterfall surrounded by slickrock. We turned around, grabbed some stuff at the canteen, then stretched our legs walking along the Colorado on the River Trail. After showers we dined on the Phantom Ranch "veggie chili" at the canteen. We spent our last night at Phantom Ranch amusing ourselves (and others) as we played "Pass the Pigs" at the canteen. On Wednesday morning we hiked up on South Kaibab Trail, taking about five hours to climb out at a nice leisurely pace. The El Nino patterned weather cooperated and was just perfect! Great weather, environment, and friends...it just doesn't get any better!

Hike Smart & Have Fun!
Brian