Ribbon Falls Close-Up: Photo Illustration - Brian Lane

Wildfires Abound… 

Wildfire season is upon us and after the very welcomed early spring rains we now face the dry (little to no rain for the last few months), hot (inner canyon temps over 100 degrees) dog days of summer with lots of desiccated brittle weeds in great abundance. This week fires have been popping up all over the high country of Northern Arizona and the following fires are currently being actively fought in the Grand Canyon vicinity as of this date:

Schultz Fire – 14,000 acres burned; Hwy 89 has been periodically closed just north of Flagstaff

Skousen Fire – 16 miles SE of Tusayan, AZ (17 miles SE of Grand Canyon Nat’l Park’s South Entrance)

Eagle Rock Fire – 3,420 acres burned; 11 miles NE of Williams, AZ

Hardy Fire – 300 acres burned; Near Little America Hotel - two miles SE of Flagstaff 

Three North Rim Fires were reported on June 14^th: The Walla Fire, Fuller Fire, and the Glades Fire;
All roads and trails remain open.

Officially the Arizona Monsoon Season, but no thunderstorm activity yet… 

The meteorological elements necessary for a good old monsoon season have not yet come together but the prognosis is for above normal heat and above normal rainfall for this, the Arizona wet season. The Arizona Monsoon Season occurs officially from June 15 through September 30, although we are not even close to seeing any monsoon activity yet. When active, the monsoon season produces violent localized afternoon thunderstorms. Luckily for canyon travelers, the afternoon should be the time for resting in the shade, and truth be told, it is the people on the rim that are most likely to be struck by lightning than anyone traveling the depths of the canyon. The Inner Canyon explorer should though, be aware of flash flooding in canyon washes.

Inner Canyon Heat Makes a Return… 

After a week of moderate temperatures the summer heat is set to return in the next few days with temps going above the 110 degree range (in the shade). If hiking inside the canyon please make sure to be off the trail between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Drink at least a quart of water every hour, more when climbing out of the canyon. Use electrolyte containing sport drinks and eat salty snacks.

Hike Safe & Have Fun!

Brian Lane