Grand Canyon News - Grand Canyon Questions

Grand Canyon Budget Cuts

March 16, 2013 By Sandy Leave a Comment

What should you expect as a result of the recent budget cuts that affected our National Parks? At the Grand Canyon you should expect that Park Service bathrooms and showers will only be cleaned once, not twice, per day. You may expect that there will not be as many Park Service Personnel as there has previously been. You may expect that the Visitor Center hours will be reduced. You may expect that there won’t be any seasonal Park Service workers hired for the 2013 summer season.

However, you should still expect to see startling views of the Canyon from the rim. If you are lucky enough to be able to take a mule ride to the bottom or spend a few days or more on the Colorado River doing a whitewater tour through the Canyon, you should expect it to be just as spectacular as it would have been any other year in the recent past. These budget cuts are not directed at the concessionaires or tour companies who provide inner canyon or rim experiences.

If you would like more information on the cuts that have been made, visit this website.

Grand Canyon Celebrates Archaeology Day

March 12, 2013 By Sandy Leave a Comment

On March 23rd the 6th annual Archaeology Day will be celebrated at the Grand Canyon. 30 years ago, Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month was created to encourage understanding of the many archaeological sites in Arizona. The Grand Canyon is rich in archaeological sites with 4,300 recorded so far. The day of celebration is intended to help park visitors learn about the people who lived in the Grand Canyon previously and to understand the importance of the archaeological work that has been and is continually being done.

There will be many activities throughout the day. There will be opportunities to make clay pinch pots and split-twig figurines, plant some of the staple foods of the Native Americans who lived here, watch basket weaving and Hopi Kachina carving and view some Navajo Hoop Dances. These are all free and family-friendly activities that visitors can watch or participate in.

There will be a special concluding program in the evening at the Shrine of Ages Auditorium. If you will be visiting on Saturday March 23rd, be sure to join the fun! This will commence a month of activities related to archaeology and the Grand Canyon. For more information visit the Park Service Website.

Filed Under: Grand Canyon News, Grand Canyon Questions Tagged With: archaeology, grand canyon arizona, grand canyon national park

Hualapai Tribe to Pave Road to Grand Canyon West

March 11, 2013 By Sandy Leave a Comment

The Hualapai Tribe has awarded a contract to complete paving of the road to Grand Canyon West and the Skywalk. In 2009 the tribe started the project by paving 4.5 miles of the road. The remaining 9 miles will be completed with construction beginning in April. It is expected that the project will take a year for completion as there are a lot of areas on the road that will need to be improved before they are paved. The contract has been awarded to a Prescott construction company.

If you are planning a trip to the Skywalk this year, you will want to allow extra driving time in case of delays for the construction. The Skywalk is a horseshoe shaped bridge that juts over the edge of the Canyon and allows views through its glass bottom as well as over the edge. It is located at Eagle Point at Grand Canyon West. Eagle Point is an amazing view area that you won’t want to miss!

Check the video below to see what the road was like last July.

Filed Under: Grand Canyon News Tagged With: grand canyon west, skywalk

Artist In Residence at Grand Canyon

December 10, 2012 By Sandy Leave a Comment

The Artists in Residence (AiR) at the Grand Canyon have been announced for 2013. Each artist gets to spend three weeks at either the South or the North Rim and will share their form of art with the public during that time. Even more exciting is that their sharing is free and family-oriented.

If you want to know who the lucky winners are for 2013 visit this website. You can schedule your Grand Canyon visit to include your favorite AiR.

If you are an artist and would like to apply to become an AiR in 2014, visit the Park Service’s website. Maybe you will be the lucky one who gets to stay on the South Rim or the North Rim for three weeks and spend that time doing what you love to do!

All National Parks have an AiR program but I think the Artist in Residence at Grand Canyon would be the best title ever!

Filed Under: Grand Canyon News

Smoky Skies over the Grand Canyon

October 1, 2012 By Sandy Leave a Comment

Where there is fire there is (generally) smoke! Fall is the traditional season for managed burns at the Grand Canyon because of the ideal weather conditions. At this time of year there is generally very little wind, yet it is beginning to cool dramatically and humidity levels are usually a little higher than normal. The announced burns are scheduled for the North Rim of the Canyon. Thus the headline, “Smoky Skies” because even if you are visiting the South Rim you will see the plumes of smoke ascending from the North Rim.

It is sad to me that the last two weeks of services at the North Rim will be spent with smoky skies and smoky conditions. Especially since this is the time when the trees are still showing their colors. If you are planning to visit the North Rim understand that viewing conditions may not be ideal. And if you see a plume of smoke arising from the trees near the Entrance Station or within the Park you don’t need to report a fire.

If you would like more details on the burning plans click here. Keep in mind if you are hiking in the inner canyon (a very popular activity at this time of year) you may experience some smoky skies and reduced visibility because the smoke will likely settle in the Canyon overnight. If you are visiting the South Rim you may note some haziness and reduced visibility as well. For more information and a webcam of the Canyon from the South Rim click here.

Webcam View from Yavapai Point Oct 1, 2012

Filed Under: Grand Canyon Hiking, Grand Canyon News Tagged With: grand canyon arizona, managed burns, north rim, smoke, south rim

Fun With the Hualapai at Grand Canyon West

September 15, 2012 By Sandy Leave a Comment

What would you give for a chance to spend a day with celebrity Kiowa Gordon of Twilight fame? If you act quickly, you can be on a one-day white water rafting tour with him on September 29th. Those who book using a special code will be in the same boat with him. To learn more read the article at this link. According to this article, Gordon will be hanging out at the Hualapai Lodge at Peach Springs on old Route 66 from 7-8pm the night of September 28th. He will be autographing photos taken with him and his fans. Then on the following day he will show his beloved Grand Canyon to you while on the tour.

If you miss out on the September 28th and 29th events, you still might have a chance to hang out with Gordon at Grand Canyon West. He will be hanging out at the Hualapai Ranch on October 25th, telling stories and taking photos with fans who want to join him. October 26th will find him at different points on the rim. Again there will be photo ops for fans. According to the article,

“Any visitor that purchases a Grand Canyon West package will have access to the appearance/photo opportunities and those who reserve in advance using the promo code “KG12” will receive an autographed photo upon check-in. Fans can book advance reservations and get directions at www.hualapaitourism.com or by calling 1-888-868-9378.”

Kiowa Gordon is proud to be a member of the Hualapai Tribe and proud of his native heritage and culture. He wants to share the love of his native lands with his fans. If you are planning to visit Grand Canyon West or to take a one-day white water tour soon, consider doing so during the time when you can also get to know Gordon and let him show you why he loves his tribal lands.

Filed Under: Grand Canyon News, Grand Canyon Tours Tagged With: grand canyon west, one-day white water rafting, skywalk, Twilight Movie

Ribbon Cutting at South Rim

September 5, 2012 By Sandy Leave a Comment

At 10 a.m. on Wednesday, September 12, Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Dave Uberuaga will host a ribbon cutting event at the north end of Tusayan. This is to celebrate the new trailhead and parking lot located in the Kaibab National Forest. This is just one of several new park facilities that promote healthy outdoor activities. The 100 new parking spaces will serve those using the Tusayan Greenway, those using the Tusayan seasonal shuttle and will also serve as a trailhead for the Arizona Trail.

The completion of the Tusayan Greenway brings the trail system to about 18 1/2 miles of bike-able, hike-able, trails in the South Rim area. The Arizona Trail, a system of trails that go from the Mexican border on the south to the Utah border on the north will be enhanced by having a trailhead that is accessible in that same location.

The Tusayan Shuttle will end service on September 7th but that will be a great feature for next season to have a parking area where people can leave their vehicles and take the shuttle into the Park.

After the ribbon cutting, you can go to the new Bike Rental and Cafe at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center plaza for an open house. Bright Angel Bicycles, LLC has the park’s first contract for bike rentals and food service. They offer bike rentals and repairs, guided bike tours, coffee, sandwiches and snacks.

If you will be in the area, you should make it a point to join in the fun. ”The public are invited to attend and encouraged to bring their bicycles and ride to the open house afterward – a 13-mile round-trip ride.” For more information visit the National Park website. Additional information can be found here.

This boundary feature, located at the park/forest boundary on the Tusayan Greenway, was designed and built by Grand Canyon National Park’s Trail Crew.
NPS Photo by Michael Quinn

Filed Under: Grand Canyon News Tagged With: Arizona Trail, Bike Rental, grand canyon south rim, Tusayan Greenway

Rock Fall in Grand Canyon

August 7, 2012 By Sandy Leave a Comment

I usually spend the first few minutes of my work day checking my Grand Canyon Alerts on email. Today I was saddened to read that a hiker had been injured in a rock fall in a location known as “the box” near the North Rim. In March of 2011, two hikers were injured in a rock fall on the South Kaibab Trail below the South Rim.

You may be wondering, “What would cause a rock fall in the Grand Canyon?” To answer that question, let me reference the Park Service’s website, “Don’t be so committed to your hike that you refuse to recognize a dangerous situation….” They also add this advice:

Watch and listen for rock falls and slides, especially during and after downpours.
Do not stand at places where rocks have obviously fallen before.

Rock falls, usually caused by heavy rainstorms during the “Monsoon Season” are not the only weather-related danger in the Grand Canyon. Lightning and Flash Flooding are also very real dangers, especially during the summer months. For more information on what to do in case of these dangers, visit the Park Service website.

The hiker, referenced in the beginning of this article, was seriously injured but his hiking companions were able to get him to Phantom Ranch last night. The Park Rangers attended to him but the medical helicopter was unable to fly due to bad weather. This morning the helicopter was able to fly him out to Flagstaff Medical Center where he remains in critical condition. We certainly hope he fully recovers and is able to hike in the Grand Canyon again at some future date.

A section of the River Trail also sustained damage in the storm. It is still open to hikers but is temporarily closed to the Mule Rides. The mules are using an alternate trail.

Because the weather service has issued storm warnings for the next several days, be sure you take extra safety precautions. We want you to have a wonderful experience on your Grand Canyon Vacation!

Filed Under: Grand Canyon Hiking, Grand Canyon News Tagged With: grand canyon hiking, grand canyon weather, north rim

Grand Canyon River Rafting

August 4, 2012 By Sandy Leave a Comment

I just read a rather interesting article entitled “The Same River Twice – Changes In River Running Over The Last Forty Years” by Vince Welch. He talks about Grand Canyon river rafting as well as some of the other big rivers in the west. He makes several points concerning the changes that have taken place over the past forty years and establishes himself as an old, retired river runner. Following are just a few of the points he makes:

1. The Numbers – back in the early days of Grand Canyon river rafting, there were barely 500 people who took the trip annually – compared to around 20,000+ now.

2. The Cost – forty years ago a trip with Grand Canyon Dories cost $450 for 19 days; now a 16 day tour runs 5 grand or more. Most companies charge between $250 and $300 per person per day! (A side note: due to the exclusivity of the one-day white water tour, the cost per person is much higher.)

3. The Gear – forty years ago only the basics were required for a multiple day Grand Canyon river rafting trip; now there is “state of the art” stuff that seems to be a necessity. From tents and thick sleeping pads to toilet teepees, there seems to be a new mentality for “needing” much more than the basics.

4. The Regulations – forty years ago the guides were “self’-regulated” and needed to make sure operations were conducted safely and properly. By 2012 government regulations have been in place for several years to ensure safety for the passengers, the environment, etc.

5. The campfires – gone is the wood and the permission for campfires; the new way is the trusty campstove!

6. The River Apparel – Levi cut-offs have been replaced with quick drying river trunks and flip-flops have been replaced by specialty water sandals. You might say it has developed a style of its own.

7. The Food – basics in #10 tin cans have been replaced by multiple-course meals and even gourmet food!

There are a few things about Grand Canyon river rafting that have not changed. To find out what and to read more you can find the entire article here

Filed Under: Grand Canyon News Tagged With: grand canyon arizona, grand canyon river rafting, grand canyon white water rafting

Grand Canyon White Water Rafting

August 1, 2012 By Sandy Leave a Comment

I have learned a new word! I guess it has probably been around awhile and I have no idea who “coined” it but the word is “braincation”. The writer of the article I read, Wendy Rubicam, proclaimed that Grand Canyon white water rafting is the best way to take a braincation. This is because you can get completely away from the electronic distractions that so frequently interrupt our lives. You don’t have to worry about what to cook for dinner or any of the other daily decisions you usually have to make.

She even found a definition for each letter of the word!

“B is for the Brilliant blanket of stars that fills the Grand Canyon night sky

R is for the exhilarating Rapids of the mighty Colorado River…”

For the remainder you can visit this link.

She isn’t the only who is suggesting Grand Canyon white water rafting. I found a series of articles entitled “Al’tour’native Travel – Grand Canyon rafting trip. The series is just beginning so only parts 1 and 2 have been posted so far but the writer, Dixie Brunner, describes her experience. She talks about the extremes that are encountered on such a trip – extremes in temperature (hot rocks and cold water), in comfort (relaxed and tense) as well as the enjoyment of the night sky versus the discomfort of dealing with “those troublesome red ants!”

Dixie’s experiences are detailed. She talks about the cold waves of water that splash over you leaving you shocked and exhilarated at the same time. For the first in her series click here, for the second here. Next week there should be another post to tell you even more about the extremes of Grand Canyon White Water Rafting.

If you are looking for a Grand Canyon White Water multiple-day experience connect with Grand Canyon White Water.

If you want to experience the white water in the Grand Canyon but don’t have multiple days to spend, consider the http://grandcanyon.com/white-water-rafting-tour.html

Filed Under: Grand Canyon News, Grand Canyon Questions Tagged With: braincation, grand canyon national park, grand canyon white water rafting