Yaki Point, Grand Canyon National Park. Photo Illustration: Brian Lane
Available as a limited edition fine art print on canvas signed by Brian - go to www.aSenseofNature.net

North Rim of Grand Canyon Now Open
The quiet North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park was officially opened last Saturday, May 15th at 7:00 a.m., when the Arizona Department of Transportation unlocked the gate at Route 89A and Route 67, a forty mile drive which leads to the Park's North Entrance. All roads are now cleared of snow and ready for traffic, although there is still about 35% snow coverage on the ground. The North Rim receives about one-tenth the number of visitors than the South Rim, and while a visit to the South Rim is said to average six hours, time spent by visitors at the North Rim averages three days. North Rim services will remain open until mid-October of 2010. Just to let you know, there will be prescribed burns in the North Rim area during the next thirty days.

All South Rim Trails Now Clear of Snow, but...
All South Rim trails are reportedly clear of snow and ice, but trails on the North Rim (1,000 feet higher in elevation from the South Rim) including portions of the Arizona Trail, Nankoweap trailhead access, and many other trailhead access roads may still be covered with 1-2 feet of snow. Access to Point Sublime from the W-1 Road may not come about until mid-June, so plan accordingly.

Central (Cross-Canyon) Corridor Water Availability
Water along the central corridor trails (Bright Angel, South Kaibab & North Kaibab Trails) is now available at all cross canyon water spigots, except for Supai Tunnel on the North Kaibab. Water sources along wilderness trails are quickly drying so make sure you check with the Backcountry Information Center for updates to ephemeral water availability.

Central Corridor (Inner Canyon) Campgrounds Full in May
Bright Angel, Indian Garden, and Cottonwood Campgrounds along the cross-corridor are reporting 100% full during May and 95% full during the month of June. Permits for late June, July, and August are readily obtainable - because most people do not enter the canyon during these times of extreme heat (average of over 100 degrees in the shade) plus the Arizona Monsoon Season (officially from June 15th - September 30th) brings violent thunderstorms with the accompanying danger from lightning and flash floods.

Temperatures Flirt with the 100 Degree Mark
It has been a nice, reasonably comfortable spring season at the Grand Canyon. Inner Canyon temperatures, on average, reach 100 degrees in early May. So far we've held it off but the Nat'l Weather Service projects that temperatures at Phantom Ranch will reach close to 100 degrees by this Friday, May 21st followed by another brief cool down. Remember to be off the trail between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. during times of extreme heat.

A Safe Year, so far...
No deaths , (save for a couple of apparent suicides), have been reported yet this year. 2009 had many people succumb to various tragedies including suicides, drownings, heart attacks, hantavirus, and heat related deaths. An average of twelve people die at Grand Canyon National Park annually and during last year it seemed that every few weeks a new misfortune and befallen a canyon visitor. Hopefully this year will remain a safe and happy one for all visitors to this magical place. 

Hike Safe and Have Fun!
Brian "Hikernut" Lane