View near the top of Bright Angel Trail (photo: Brian Lane (Jan., 2011))

What a great time of year to be at the Grand Canyon! The North Rim is closed and the South Rim is quiet - very quiet. I hiked down Bright Angel Trail to Phantom Ranch on Saturday, January 22nd and barely saw a soul, the day was crisp and sun filled, and I had a cabin all to myself at the ranch. It took me about 4.5 hours to get to Phantom Ranch where I checked in, strolled around taking pictures, and showered before dinner.  After an excellent dinner I relaxed listening to some "Prairie Home Companion" podcasts before bedtime at 9 p.m. The next morning I got up early and headed out via South Kaibab Trail at around 7 a.m. It was cold by the time I made it to the popular day hiking spot - Cedar Ridge (and one of the only times I've ever been there all by myself). The wind had picked up and being moist with sweat from the climb I felt decidedly chilled. I didn't stay there long and made it back up to the rim in 5 hours (while trying to take my time).


Female Big Horn Sheep near the Silver Bridge
(photo: Brian Lane (Jan., 2011))

Thanks to Xanterra for a wonderful time, it was nice meeting Dave Myers at Phantom, he does a great job managing the ranch! Good to see a couple of fellow Woofers (WFRs or wilderness first responders), Brad & Slim, who I had met last June while taking our re-certification with the Wilderness Medicine Institute. After spotting each other they asked what brought me into the canyon, my response was "January." They laughed and heartily agreed, if you want to see the canyon on a more personal level, without throngs of people, come here in the winter months!


Moon glow from Black Bridge at 7 a.m.
(photo: Brian Lane (Jan., 2011)) 

On to other things...

Trail Conditions
All trails are snow packed and icy at the top, although South Kaibab is decidedly ice free with only short patches of slick areas. Anyone going into the canyon should be wearing cleats or crampons when passing along ice covered patches (available for purchase at the general store). The Park Service and trail volunteers have been doing lots of work on the South Kaibab and it shows! The trail is in the best condition I've seen in 20 years.

Corridor Trails Water
Water along the Corridor Trails is only available at Bright Angel Campground, Phantom Ranch, and at Indian Garden (unless pipes are being repaired).

Repair Work on Black (Kaibab) Bridge
Trail crews are scheduled to be working on the Black Bridge from February 2nd - 8th, 2011. Hikers will not be allowed access to the bridge between 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Hikers will need to use the Silver (Bright Angel) Bridge during this time.

Havasupai Still Closed
Havasu Canyon and Supai are currently closed to tourists due to last years flooding. They will not be taking any reservations until spring. For more information visit: http://www.havasupaitribe.com/home.html

Weather
Due to a La Nina weather pattern the Southwest U.S. has been free of winter storms during the last month. This pattern is supposed to continue for the time being, meaning fewer weather events than the norm. Even the storm currently passing through Arizona has produced no measurable precipitation. Inner Canyon temperatures are in the 60's, with nights dipping just below freezing.


View from Monument Creek Vista (photo: Brian Lane (Jan., 2011))

Hike Safe & Have Fun!

Brian "Hikernut" Lane

"Hikernut" is a federally registered trademark of
Brian J. Lane, and   A Sense of Nature, LLC