Grand Canyon Update: November, 2011
Plateau Point Looking West at Sunrise (Photo: Brian Lane)
The cool (some would say cold) temperatures of November have arrived and it is a beautiful time to hike the canyon. Visitation begins to steadily drop as the holidays grow closer and the environment gets colder. It is this time of year I love best! No need to fight the crowds for parking, no leg cramps from the extreme heat of summer, and in mid-November the cottonwood trees absolutely glow a vivid yellow. It is so nice in fact that I just had to day hike out to Plateau Point for sunrise on Wednesday morning the 16th. I started the nearly thirteen mile hike in the dark at 5:00 a.m. by headlamp and was at the point just past 7:00 a.m. The morning sun was delightfully warm as it filtered into the canyon and I scrambled around taking pictures until about 8:30, then I was off again for the climb out, reaching the rim just before noon. A simply wondrous day!
On to other topics...
Rabies Alert at Phantom Ranch/Bright Angel Campground
Two rabid foxes were found at Phantom Ranch this month so all visitors to this area should exercise proper precautions including: not approaching or touching any wildlife, staying together as a group, keeping food stored at all times, sleeping in a tent, and remembering that it is not normal for animals to approach humans. If bitten by any animal, wash the site with soap and water and report the incident to a Park Ranger at once. Also, if you see a sick, dead, or oddly acting animal, report it to a Ranger.
Inner Canyon Water Resources Along the Cross-Canyon Corridor:
Water is on at: Bright Angel & South Kaibab Trailheads, Bright Angel Campground, Phantom
Ranch, and Indian Garden (these are all year-round water sources unless the pipe breaks).
Water is off at: Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse, Three-Mile Resthouse, Plateau Point, Cottonwood Campground, Roaring Springs, Supai Tunnel, and North Kaibab Trailhead.
All other backcountry and wilderness water resources may or may not be available. Always check with the Backcountry Information Center about wilderness water supplies before entering the canyon.
Trails Starting to Get Icy
Although the upper sections of most Inner Canyon trails are starting to get some ice forming the traction is still pretty good. But, with wintery storms always on the horizon it won't be long before hikers entering the canyon will need cleats or crampons to navigate the slick upper sections (available inside the park at the General Store). Again, check with the Backcountry Information Office for the latest on trail conditions.
Gate to North Rim to Close on November 27
As of November 28 at 8:00 a.m., the gates to the North Rim entrance will be closed to all motorized vehicles. Hikers and cross country skiers still have access to the North Rim during the winter months, but must have a valid backcountry permit (available at the South Rim Backcountry Information Center or at the Visitor Center - Pipe Spring National Monument in Fredonia, AZ).
Backcountry Roads
Any hikers using dirt roads to access remote trailheads need to call ahead to verify road conditions as some of these road my be impassable. For latest road conditions please contact the Tusayan Ranger District: Kaibab National Forest at (928)635-4061 for South Rim roads, the North Kaibab Ranger District: Kaibab National Forest at (928)643-7395 for the North Rim roads, or at the Backcountry Information Center.
Body Discovered Below Navajo Bridge
On Thursday, November 17th around 10:30 a.m. , Park Rangers at Lees Ferry were notified by Peregrine Fund employees of unusual condor activity near Navajo Bridge (Hwy 89A). Rangers responding to the area discovered the body of an unidentified male just below the bridge about 20 feet from the edge of the Colorado River. An investigation into the death is currently being conducted by the National Park Service and the Coconino County Medical Examiner.
Hope you have the happiest of holidays!
Hike Safe & Have Fun!
Brian Lane
Comments