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The Valle Travel Stop is part of our travel services complex which includes the Grand Canyon Inn, the Native American Art & Jewelry Gallery, the Southwestern Gift Store, and the Grand Canyon Inn Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge. We offer visitors to the Grand Canyon the convenience of shopping, staying, and dining with us! Located just 23 miles south of Grand Canyon National Park, we are closer to the Park than Williams and Flagstaff. Stay and shop with us and spend more time at the Grand Canyon! The Valle Travel Stop is an Official Grand Canyon National Park Pay Station. You can purchase your gate passes with us and save time at the Park entrance by using the express lane. In
addition to the fuel and tourist services we offer, the
Valle Travel Stop has an out-
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2013
2013
2012
2011 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------NPS Releases New North Rim Sunrise Video posted 04/20/2013
Grand Canyon National Park: Sunrise on the North
Rim (Time-lapse) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Grand Canyon to Recognize National Park Week with Earth Day Celebration and Fee-Free Entry posted 04/15/2013 Grand Canyon National Park will kick off
National Park Week with a weekend of Earth Day activities and
then will join national park units around the country in waiving
entrance fees on April 22 - 26, 2013. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Purified drinking water is usually available year-round at
Bright Angel and Indian Garden Campgrounds and at Bright Angel
and South Kaibab trailheads. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Annual Turbidity in Water Caused by Spring Snow Melt at Grand Canyon posted 04/10/2013 Each year in the spring (April - June) water
turbidity increases in the drinking water within Grand Canyon
National Park. This increased turbidity is caused by snow melt
and spring rains recharging the aquifer, as well as by increased
water flows through rock formations to the point of supply for
Grand Canyon National Park's water supply system supplied from
Roaring Springs. As water flows through these rock formations,
very small particles of inorganic material are dissolved from
the rock and are held in suspension in the water. This suspended
inorganic material is too small to be removed by the centrifugal
separation process used at Roaring Springs and remains in the
potable water. These particles of dissolved rock and minerals
appear in the potable water as a slight tint or a noticeable
cloudiness. The extent of the turbidity is directly proportional
to the amount of snowmelt and rainwater that flows through the
rock formations. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Purified drinking water is usually
available year-round at Bright Angel and Indian Garden
Campgrounds and at Bright Angel and South Kaibab trailheads.
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Clear Creek
Natural History Backpack The Clear Creek Trail is a wending 10-mile trail that takes hikers from the relative hustle and bustle of Phantom Ranch on the canyon floor to its namesake Clear Creek, a delightful desert stream fed by springs and a seasonal waterfall that have filtered through a vertical mile of rock to nourish this lush oasis. During the moderate-intensity backpack, participants will learn about the canyon's incredible biologic and geologic history. Side hikes from a base camp beside Clear Creek will provide ample opportunity to discuss flora, fauna, geologic processes and the life-giving water sources that sustain the amazing biodiversity of Grand Canyon. Though the focus will be on natural history, no hike would be complete without discussing those who came before, from ancestral Puebloans to pioneers. A series of evening tales will highlight the lives of these hardy forebears. The class will begin and end on the South Rim and use the historic South Kaibab and Bright Angel Trails to get in and out of the canyon, respectively. Two nights of camping along picturesque Bright Angel Creek near Phantom Ranch will bookend the multiday foray to Clear Creek itself. Comparable backpacking experience is required of all participants. Itinerary:
* * * Havasu Canyon
Natural History Backpack Of the numerous indigenous populations that have been drawn to the Grand Canyon, only the Havasupai people continue to thrive beneath the lofty rims of the grandest of canyons. Like the largely rim-dwelling Hualapai people nearby, the Havasupai's centuries-old connection to the Grand Canyon is a fascinating story. Against a backdrop of towering waterfalls and lush vegetation, participants will not only learn about the culture of our Havasupai hosts, they will also explore the geologic and ecologic history of the Grand Canyon itself. The class will begin with an eight-mile backpack through an impressive series of telltale rock strata to the inner-canyon village of Supai. After a brief visit, participants will continue several miles down the trail to the campground at the base of picturesque Havasu Falls. From this base camp, subsequent days will be spent hiking, swimming and sharing the beauty of this storied locale. Participants will learn about the history and ways of their host tribe, and study the numerous plants, birds and other animals found in this amazingly diverse riparian drainage. The final day will include a retracing of steps back to the South Rim for closing discussions and departure. Itinerary:
* * * Take a Load Off:
Mule-Assisted Backpacking With a little help from four-legged friends, participants in this class descend into the heart of the Grand Canyon for a two-night camping adventure beside picturesque Bright Angel Creek. This class begins with a thorough morning orientation after which camping gear is taken to the nearby mule corral for next-day delivery to the canyon floor. The afternoon is spent on an educational walking tour along the breathtaking South Rim. On the second day of class, participants hike seven miles down the South Kaibab Trail, enjoying a combination of sweeping views and intriguing facts about geology, ecology and human history. Because pack mules are hauling the bulk of the group's camping gear and food, participants can devote more time and energy to uncovering the canyon's secrets. Upon retrieving their camping gear at historic Phantom Ranch, the class will set up camp for a two-night stay at Bright Angel Campground. For the remainder of the day and all of the next, the focus will be on learning about the geologic formation of the canyon from the inside out. The diverse flora and fauna of the canyon, and the human inhabitants it has sustained for millennia, will also be discussed at length. Destinations will likely include the refreshing pools of Phantom Creek, ancient archaeological sites and the tranquil shoreline of the Colorado River. The class will return to the South Rim via the 10-mile Bright Angel Trail, which reveals its own array of biotic communities and geologic wonders. Itinerary:
For more information on pricing and hike difficulty levels please visit the Grand Canyon Field Institute's section on the Grand Canyon Association website at www.grandcanyon.org ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hosted each year by the Grand Canyon Association, the Grand Canyon Celebration of Art is an annual event that includes 6 days of art-related events followed by a 3-month long exhibition in Kolb Studio on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The exhibit opens with a reception on September 21, 2013 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, which is free and open to the public. The Celebration of Art features 26 artists from around the country who engage in a plein air competition and exhibition. Park visitors have the opportunity to watch the artists paint as they seek to represent the shifting light and shadow, amazing land forms, and vibrant colors of this vast landscape. Each artist brings a completed studio piece with them and then creates more artwork on the South Rim, on the North Rim, at Phantom Ranch and at Indian Garden during the "Plein Air at the Canyon" and Quick Draw events that take place in the historic district of Grand Canyon Village. During the auction that follows the Quick Draw event on September 20, 2013, park residents and visitors have the opportunity to bid on the work and to bring a piece of the Grand Canyon home. Proceeds from this event will support the goal of funding an art venue at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. This permanent home will ensure that future generations of park visitors will be able to view the stunning art collection in the Grand Canyon National Park Museum and Grand Canyon Association collections. Plein Air at Grand Canyon - Along the Rim, Saturday, September 14 - Saturday, September 21. Plein Air at Grand Canyon is a week-long event, open to the general public, that provides an opportunity to observe over 20 artists painting at various locations along the North and South Rims, at Phantom Ranch and at Indian Garden in Grand Canyon National Park. Throughout the plein air event select artists will conduct live painting demonstrations showcasing their unique style and technique and answering questions from the crowd. Quick Draw Auction - North Lawn of El Tover, Friday, September 20th. 9:00am to 12:00pm Watch as artists paint for two hours from empty canvas to finish, followed by an exciting auction of the final pieces! Grand Opening Reception - Kolb Studio, Saturday, September 21, 2013 - Monday, January 20, 2014. Gallery is open to the public to view and purchase paintings from the event.
5th Annual Celebration
of Art Artists.
Below are some examples of artwork created for last year's Grand Canyon Celebration of Art.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2013 Grand Canyon Star Party posted 04/01/2013 Grand Canyon's 23rd Annual Star Party will be held on both South and North Rims from June 8-15, 2013. For eight days in June, park visitors will explore the wonders of the night sky on Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim with the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association and on the North Rim with the Saguaro Astronomy Club of Phoenix. Amateur astronomers from across the country will volunteer their expertise and will offer free nightly astronomy programs and free telescope viewing. Visitors will have the chance to view the planet Saturn along with a wide assortment of star clusters, galaxies, and nebulae by night, and the sun and planet Mercury by day. Grand Canyon is one of the best night sky observing sites in the United States because it has some of the darkest skies and cleanest air in the country. Participants will experience spectacular views of the universe! Everyone dress warmly, since temperatures drop quickly after sunset - even during the summer months.
On the South Rim, events will include a slide show nightly at 8:00pm, followed by telescope viewing behind the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. Parking is available in lots 1 through 4, and the Village Route shuttle bus runs every half-hour until 11:00 pm. To make sure you get a seat at the slide show, arrive a few minutes early. On the North Rim, telescopes will be set up on the porch of the lodge every evening, with some possibility of daytime scopes available as well. Bulletin boards at the Visitor Center will list additional events such as star talks and special slide show programs in the Grand Canyon Lodge auditorium The event is free (other than paying the park entrance fee of $25 per vehicle and good for 7 days of coming and going to either rim.) To save time at the gate, you may purchase your entry pass at the Valle Travel Stop!
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The Amazing Kolb Brothers, A Grand Life at the Grand Canyon exhibit continues through April in Kolb Studio, located in the historic Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim. Open daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm, this exhibit is free and open to the public, and an essential part of any visit to the Grand Canyon. The Kolb Brothers are legend at the Grand Canyon for their pioneering spirits and treasure trove of photographs. Ellsworth and Emery arrived at the South Rim in the dawning years of the 20th century, long before the Grand Canyon was designated a national park. Stories of their adventures, their family, and their enduring photography business on the rim are told for the first time in exhibit form and displayed in their historic studio. Presented by the Grand Canyon Association, Northern Arizona University's Cline Library Special Collections and Archives, and Grand Canyon National Park. Additional funding is provided by Pink Jeep Tours Las Vegas and Sedona, and Ms. Penny Schultz. At first glance, Kolb Studio is just a house perched on the rim of the Grand Canyon, but if you look behind the doors or see it from the Bright Angel Trail after a long hike from the river, you realize it is much more than that. It is the place where the Kolb Brothers created a lasting legacy of adventure, family love and amazing Grand Canyon photography that will last as long as the Canyon itself. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Enjoy Grand Canyon's Earth Day Celebration Weekend - April 19-21, 2013 posted 03/25/2013
Grand Canyon National Park will celebrate the 43rd anniversary of Earth Day with a weekend of activities April 19-21, 2013. The weekend will include a film about conservationist Aldo Leopold, a keynote presentation by author Mary Ellen Hannibal, and a day of fun and educational activities. Everyone is invited to take part. A free screening of the film Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time will kick off the weekend on Friday, April 19, at 5:30pm in the Grand Canyon Visitor Center theatre. This award-winning, one-hour documentary recounts the life and legacy of Aldo Leopold and explores the many ways in which his land ethic and philosophy shaped conservation and the modern environmental movement. On Saturday, April 20, at 7:30pm, Grand Canyon's Green Team is proud to host environmental author Mary Ellen Hannibal, who will be talking about recent studies of landscape connectivity as well as her new book "The Spine of the Continent." Hannibal's free presentation will explore the critical nature of wildlife corridors which include natural habitats found within national parks along the Rocky Mountains and into the Southwest. She will also review the history of America's native wildlife habitats and share what scientists are doing to combat the gradual loss of these important lands along the spine of the continent. On Sunday, April 21, the weekend will culminate in an open-house style event at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center plaza from 10am to 2pm. Agencies and organizations from throughout northern Arizona will join park staff, partners, and concessioners in offering educational activities, demonstrations and games, samples, and information on local and national environmental initiatives. From demonstrations of composting and grinding coffee using a bicycle-powered generator, to informational handouts and samples of sustainable foods, there will be activities for all ages. "Grand Canyon became a Climate Friendly Park in 2010, and the community here is continually working to decrease its environmental footprint. Earth Day is an excellent opportunity for park staff, concessioners and partners to share their hard work in making Grand Canyon a greener more sustainable place to live, work and play," said Superintendent Dave Uberuaga. All of the weekend's activities are family friendly and free of charge. Grand Canyon National Park's 2013 Earth Day celebration is a collaborative effort between the National Park Service; Xanterra South Rim, LLC; Grand Canyon Railway; Delaware North Companies; Bright Angel Bicycles; U.S. Forest Service; Arizona Public Service; Flagstaff Artist's Coalition,; Arizona Department of Environmental Quality; Willow Bend Environmental Education Center; Keep Arizona Beautiful; Grand Canyon Trust; Sierra Club; Clean Cities of Arizona; Grand Canyon Wildlands Council; and the park's cooperating association and fundraising partner, Grand Canyon Association. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bright Angel Trail has small, occasional patches of ice. Over-the-shoe traction devices optional. South Kaibab Trail and Hermit Trail have no snow or ice. Grandview Trail and Tanner Trail might have some small ice patches. Over-the-shoe traction devices suggested just in case. North Kaibab Trail (between Roaring Springs and the trailhead) has issues with rock fall, debris on the trail, and sections that are slumping away. Trail damage was caused by a warm winter storm in late January 2013 where rain accelerated snow melt and led to rock falls and mud slides. The trail is open and passable, but hikers should plan for degraded trail conditions and loose rock until mid-May when the National Park Service trail crew is expected to complete repairs. Keep in mind that winter conditions can cause additional issues, anyone hiking the trail must be prepared to assess the conditions they see and determine their own course of action based on risk and their skills. Be aware the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is currently closed to vehicle access. Access to Bill Hall / Thunder River Trails is currently okay, however we recommend hikers check on road conditions prior to their hike. North Bass Trailhead and Point Sublime are usually not accessible by car until late May / early June, in a heavy snow year access may be even later. Over-the-shoe traction devices available for purchase at various locations in the park (including at the Backcountry Information Center). Hikers without a permit can stop by the Backcountry Information Center to request a last minute permit. Last minute permits and waitlist numbers are issued by the Backcountry Information Center, located inside the park on the South Rim. The South Rim Backcountry Information Center is open daily, year round, for walk-in visitors from 8am to noon and 1-5pm Mountain Standard Time. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Join park rangers at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center to learn more about people who lived here long ago. Family-friendly activities take place from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Try your hand at making clay pinch pots and split-twig figurines; sift for artifacts and plant corn, beans and squash. There will also be cultural dance and handicraft demonstrations throughout the day, and a special evening program at 7:30pm at the Shrine of Ages Auditorium.
Special Evening Program All activities and programs are free of charge.
Activities for Kids at Visitor
Center:
Regularly Scheduled Ranger Programs - Saturday March 23 (With a focus on Archaeology)
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Purified drinking water is usually available year-round at Bright Angel and Indian Garden Campgrounds and at Bright Angel and South Kaibab trailheads. Seasonal water stations are usually turned off for the winter sometime between October 10th and 30th depending on location and associated temperatures. Water available (year round) on the South Rim at the Backcountry Information Center in the lobby. Water available (year-round) on the North Rim outside the Backcountry Information Center. Additional water bottle filling stations can be found on the Go "Green" and Refill Your Water Bottles web page. Plan Ahead and Prepare: A backup method to treat water, should the pipeline break, must always be included as part of your first aid kit. Backcountry hikers should always carry extra water. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grand Canyon National Park Recently Celebrated Black History Month and Healthy Parks Healthy People with Darryl Haley posted 03/15/2013
On Friday, February 22, Grand Canyon National Park and special guest Darryl Haley kicked off a weekend celebration of Black History Month and Healthy Parks Healthy People. This groundbreaking event was a part of the Grand Canyon Diversity Council's effort to increase diversity and inclusivity in Grand Canyon National Park. Haley is a former New England Patriot, Ironman Triathlete, and world-renowned fitness trainer. He also hosts WHUR's (Howard University Radio) Fitness Friday on the Steve Harvey Morning Show. Haley participated in the celebration in order to experience the Grand Canyon first-hand and to spread the word that there are a wide range of opportunities for people of varying fitness levels to experience their national parks. On Friday, Haley was introduced to the park by participating in a ranger-led walk along the Rim Trail. On Saturday, he joined a hike down the Bright Angel Trail, 3.2 miles and 3,800 feet to Indian Gardens for an overnight stay. Throughout their adventure the group shared their views on diversity and inclusion, national parks, fitness and health, as well as exchanging personal stories. On Monday, Haley concluded the weekend's events and his personal experience at Grand Canyon with a public presentation at the Shrine of the Ages Auditorium. Black History Month is celebrated each year in February and commemorates the lives and accomplishments of African Americans. The National Park Service Healthy Parks Healthy People program promotes the fact that all parks are cornerstones of health, for people and the environment, and encourages everyone to seek the benefits of physical and mental health, healing, and social well-being in their national parks. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Work began September 2012 and is currently in progress. Construction will be ongoing through April 2013. For more information visit www.nps.gov/grca/parkmgmt/const.htm Significant progress has been made on the Bright Angel (BA) Trailhead rehabilitation project. Reconstruction of two masonry walls, one near Kolb Studio and one along the BA Trail has been completed. In addition, the accessible trail from Village Loop Road to the southwest BA trailhead, the identity sign at the southwest trailhead, the shade shelters, and paving of the parking lot between the BA cabins and the southwest trailhead have also been completed. The two restroom buildings are substantially complete; and the overall project is on schedule. Completion is currently expected by mid-May, 2013. The next major milestone is completion of the underground burial of utilities and a critical tie-in to the Kolb Studio. Remaining site work includes site grading, setting boulders, and paving of the concrete plaza and asphalt Rim Trail. Beginning Tuesday, March 12, the southwest BA trailhead (located near the mule corral) will once again be open to all hiker and mule access. Towards the end of the week, the northeast BA trailhead (located near Kolb Studio) will be closed in order to complete the burial of utilities, and to reclaim the path, which was modified to accommodate mule traffic. Fencing will be erected and detour signs posted, directing all BA Trail access to the southwest trailhead, near the corral. The closure of the northeast trailhead is anticipated to be in effect through mid-April. Access will be maintained to Kolb Studio from the Rim Trail to the east. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We are pleased to announce that the Grand Canyon Inn has opened for the 2013 season and is again accepting reservations. During our off-season winter hiatus, we completely remodeled all the bathrooms in the Inn. We look forward to accommodating you and being a part of your Grand Canyon Vacation this year! For more information and to make a reservation, please visit our Grand Canyon Inn website at www.grandcanyoninn.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The new South Rim Village Transit Map for Spring 2013 (March 1 - May 22) is now available. To download a printable pdf document, you may click here. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Interpretive Ranger Programs South Rim Spring Schedule Available posted 03/05/2013 Grand Canyon Ranger Programs: The current program schedule may be downloaded below. All programs are free of charge. All outdoor programs are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather or when lightning danger is present. Spring months at Grand Canyon may bring a variety of weather conditions. It is still possible to receive snow, and you may encounter icy walkways and trails. Please dress for the weather and consider over-the-shoe traction devices for your comfort and safety. Note: Children must be accompanied by an adult on all programs. Download the South Rim Spring 2013 Program Schedule by clicking here. March 1 - May 22, 2013. Includes the South Rim Village and Desert View / Tusayan Ruin, and inside the canyon at Phantom Ranch and Indian Garden. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Canyon Condor" Puppet Show Returns to the Grand Canyon posted 03/05/2013
The National Park Service and Great Arizona Puppet Theater are proud to again present Canyon Condor, a fun and educational puppet show. Free performances will be offered daily, March 11-16, at 1pm in the Shrine of the Ages Auditorium on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Canyon Condor is the story of "Boo," a California condor who hatches and grows up at the Grand Canyon. Through story and song, Boo and the audience learn about the four stages a condor goes through before becoming an adult scavenger, and the importance of condors to the Grand Canyon ecosystem. The hour-long puppet show was written and produced by Nancy Smith of Great Arizona Puppet Theater (GAPT) especially for Grand Canyon National Park. GAPT was established in 1983 and specializes in puppet shows that educate children and celebrate the rich culture, heritage, and ecology of Arizona. Funding for this event is provided by the park's cooperating association and fundraising partner, Grand Canyon Association. For more information, please contact Judy Hellmich-Bryan, Chief of Interpretation and Resource Education, at 928-638-7760 or via e-mail. To learn more about GAPT, please visit http://www.azpuppets.org/ . ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Usually the Grand Canyon Inn is closed for the winter season, but this year all bathrooms in the Inn are being remodeled. Rooms are available now (until March 6) on a walk-in basis only for a very special rate of $49.99! No other discounts may apply to this special off-season rate. You may call 1-800-635-9203 with any questions but please, no reservations. Take advantage of the opportunity to lodge only 23 miles from the South Rim and spend more time at the Grand Canyon! As always you can purchase your Park Entry Pass at the Valle Travel Stop, located just across the street from the Grand Canyon Inn. The Grand Canyon Inn will officially re-open for the season on March 7, 2013. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On Saturday, March 23, 2013, Grand Canyon National Park will host its sixth annual Archaeology Day celebration, commemorating Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month. Special programs, activities and demonstrations will be held at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center throughout the day, with a special evening program at the Shrine of the Ages. Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month was created 30 years ago to inform the public about archaeology in the state of Arizona. In Grand Canyon National Park alone, over 4,300 archaeological sites have been recorded to date, and archaeologists estimate that the park may have as many as 50,000 - 60,000 sites. Some of the artifacts found in the park date back almost 12,000 years, testimony to the vast extent of the human history of the area. That history lives on as the descendents of those ancient peoples continue to utilize the area today. Grand Canyon National Park's Archaeology Day is intended to help park visitors learn more about those who lived here long ago and to gain a greater understanding of the work that archaeologists do and what can be learned from their research. The event will feature opportunities for visitors to try their hands at making clay pinch pots and split-twig figurines; creating rack art using scratch art paper; sifting for artifacts; and planting corn, beans and squash seeds - traditional foods of the park's native peoples. Additionally, there will be cultural demonstrations of Hopi Kachina carving and basket making, as well as Navajo hoop dances and a weaving demonstration. All activities are free of charge and family friendly and will take place between the hours of 10am and 4pm at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. Archaeology Day will conclude with a special evening program by Ellen Brennan, Grand Canyon National Park's Cultural Resource Program Manager, entitled "My Eyes Were Opened: Historical Memory and the Canyon's Traditionally Associated Tribes." This program will begin at 7:30pm at the Shrine of Ages Auditorium located on the South Rim near Parking Lot A. Activities for Kids at Shrine of Ages Auditorium Join the rangers at the Shrine of Ages to learn more about people who lived here long ago. Family-friendly activities take place from 10:00am to 4:00pm
Rock Art on Bright Angel Trail Special Archaeology Programs on March 23 & 24, 2013. 10am & 2pm, Friday, March 23 11am, Saturday, March 24 1:30pm, Saturday, March 24 3:30pm, Saturday, March 24 Regularly Scheduled Ranger
Programs - Saturday March 24 9:30am Rim Walk, Verkamp's Visitor Center Ethnobotany with Ty Karlovetz, Park Guide 11am Mather Point Talk, Mather Point Amphitheater with Becky Beaman, Park Guide 11am & 1:30pm Tusayan Ruins Walk, Tusayan Museum 2pm Porch Talk, Verkamp's Visitor Center with Jennifer Onufer, Park Ranger Evening Program Saturday March 24, 2012 Navajo Artist Shonto Begay The park's Master Artist-in-Residence (March 19-31, 2012) Shonto Begay, will present the recent work that he has created at Grand Canyon in an evening program artist talk. A professional artist since 1983, Shonto spends his time painting and speaking to audiences of all ages. His art has been shown in more than 50 shows in galleries and museums. His impressionistic brushstrokes depict moments in time. Shonto's art balances the harsh realities of reservation life with the amazing beauty found among its people, canyons and mesas. This free evening program takes place in the Shrine of Ages Auditorium at 7:30pm on Saturday March 24, 2012. Shrine of the Ages is located at Parking Lot A near Park Headquarters. Additional Programs During March (Archaeology Month), Shrine of the Ages Auditorium, 7:30pm. Wednesday, March 21 Friday, March 23 Saturday, March 31 Why do we celebrate Archaeology Day at Grand Canyon National Park? Native people have lived in the Grand Canyon area for thousands of years and have left behind clues about their lives. The oldest artifacts are from the Paleo-Indian period and are nearly 12,000 years old. Did you know that Grand Canyon has over 4,300 archaeological resources with nearly 5% of the park surveyed? This gives us just a glimpse into the vast human history of the area. Hands-On activities for all ages will take place at Grand Canyon Visitor Center from 11am to 4pm on Saturday, March 24th. Join a ranger to make a split-twig figurine, similar to artifacts that have been found in remote caves of the Grand Canyon. These split twig figurines may resemble a deer, or perhaps a bighorn sheep, and are thought to be a hunting talisman. You could also make a pinch pot out of clay and compare your work to thousand year old pots which were used for cooking, serving or storing food. Obtaining and preparing food used to take a lot more time for people of the past than it does for us today. If you want to pretend to be a modern archaeologist, you can participate in the artifact sifting activity. When you find bits of evidence, perhaps you can discover what they are and what they were used for. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Introductory
Backpack A Grand Canyon hike from rim to river spans millions of years in geologic time and takes hikers from a high-altitude forest to desert lowlands in very short order. Along the way there is much to intrigue the curious traveler. Big views, ancient fossils, amazing plants, archaeological sites and pioneer structures are all in plain view, and provide a wide range of topics for your expert instructor to address. Our introductory backpack begins with a thorough orientation, pack check and afternoon stroll along the scenic South Rim. The following day includes a 4.5 mile descent of the Bright Angel Trail to the towering cottonwood trees of Indian Garden Campground, home for a two-night camping adventure. A sunset visit to nearby Plateau Point with its commanding view of the Inner Gorge will cap the group's inaugural day below the rim. The following day will feature a backpack-free day hike to the sandy beaches of the Colorado River for a glimpse at the forces that carves this marvel of a canyon. Depending on group hiking strength and weather, an optional visit to historic Phantom Ranch (several miles upriver) may also be an option. The final day of class includes a return to the South Rim on the Bright Angel Trail at each hiker's own pace and a proud look back at the canyon that doubled as class room and playground for three splendid days. Itinerary: Day 3 - Exploratory
day hike to Colorado River and Phantom Ranch * * * Take a Load Off:
Mule-Assisted Backpacking With a little help from four-legged friends, participants in this class descend into the heart of the Grand Canyon for a two-night camping adventure beside picturesque Bright Angel Creek. This class begins with a thorough morning orientation after which camping gear is taken to the nearby mule corral for next-day delivery to the canyon floor. The afternoon is spent on an educational walking tour along the breathtaking South Rim. On the second day of class, participants hike seven miles down the South Kaibab Trail, enjoying a combination of sweeping views and intriguing facts about geology, ecology and human history. Because pack mules are hauling the bulk of the group's camping gear and food, participants can devote more time and energy to uncovering the canyon's secrets. Upon retrieving their camping gear at historic Phantom Ranch, the class will set up camp for a two-night stay at Bright Angel Campground. For the remainder of the day and all of the next, the focus will be on learning about the geologic formation of the canyon from the inside out. The diverse flora and fauna of the canyon and the human inhabitants it has sustained for millennia, will also be discussed at length. Destinations will likely include the refreshing pools of Phantom Creek, ancient archaeological sites and the tranquil shoreline of the Colorado River. The class will return to the South Rim via the 10-mile Bright Angel Trail, which reveals its own array of biotic communities and geologic wonders. Itinerary: Day 4 - Ascend Bright Angel Trail to the rim and wrap-up session * * * Hermit to Bright
Angel Natural History Backpack The 26-mile Hermit Trail to Bright Angel Trail loop is one of the more popular hikes for experienced backpackers looking to get away from the crowds. This splendid route is home to a treasure trove of desert streams, big views, stunning geologic formations and botanical wonders. This class will incorporate wide-ranging topics and interpretive points of interest to weave the story of the canyon's past, present and future. Participants will learn about ecosystem dynamics and functions, and a variety of resource-management issues pertaining to this vast landscape, focusing primarily on the biotic communities of the inner canyon. After a thorough orientation, the class will descend the historic Hermit Trail and then use the Tonto Trail to proceed upcanyon on subsequent days. Campsites will include picturesque Hermit Creek, Monument Creek and Indian Garden Campground. Side hikes will descend through the two-billion-year-old Vishnu Schist en route to the fabled Colorado River, where Hermit and Granite Rapids bear testament to the power and significance of this iconic southwestern waterway. A final sunset at Plateau Point with a commanding view of the inner canyon will provide a dramatic finale to this classic journey through the grandest of chasms. On the final morning the class will ascend the historic Bright Angel Trail for a wrap-up session and farewells. Itinerary: Day 1 - Introductions and orientation For further information on gear lists, syllabi, fees, and information, visit the Grand Canyon Field Institute online at https://www.grandcanyon.org/learn/grand-canyon-field-institute
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2013 Grand Canyon Star Party posted 03/01/2013 Grand Canyon's 23rd Annual Star Party will be held on both South and North Rims from June 8-15, 2013. For eight days in June, park visitors will explore the wonders of the night sky on Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim with the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association and on the North Rim with the Saguaro Astronomy Club of Phoenix. Amateur astronomers from across the country will volunteer their expertise and will offer free nightly astronomy programs and free telescope viewing. Visitors will have the chance to view the planet Saturn along with a wide assortment of star clusters, galaxies, and nebulae by night, and the sun and planet Mercury by day. Grand Canyon is one of the best night sky observing sites in the United States because it has some of the darkest skies and cleanest air in the country. Participants will experience spectacular views of the universe! Everyone dress warmly, since temperatures drop quickly after sunset - even during the summer months.
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The 2013 Grand Canyon Celebration of Art (South Rim) will be held from September 14, 2013 through January 12, 2014. Hosted each year by the Grand Canyon Association, the Grand Canyon Celebration of Art is an annual event that includes 6 days of art-related events followed by a 3-month long exhibition in Kolb Studio on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The exhibit opens with a reception on September 21, 2013, from 11am to 1pm, which is free and open to the public. The Celebration of Art features 26 artists from around the country who engage in a plein air competition and exhibition. Park visitors have the opportunity to watch the artists paint as they seek to represent the shifting light and shadow, amazing land forms, and vibrant colors of this vast landscape. Each artists brings a completed studio piece with them and then creates more artwork on the South Rim, on the North Rim, at Phantom Ranch and at Indian Garden during the "Plein Air at the Canyon" and Quick Draw events that take place in the historic district of Grand Canyon Village. During the auction that follows the Quick Draw event on September 20, 2013, park residents and visitors have the opportunity to bid on the work and to bring a piece of Grand Canyon home. Proceeds from this event will support the goal of funding an art venue at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. This permanent home will ensure that future generations of park visitors will be able to view the stunning art collection in the Grand Canyon National Park Museum and Grand Canyon Association Collections. For more information about the 2013 Celebration of Art, please visit the official Grand Canyon National Park website.
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The Amazing Kolb Brothers, A Grand Life at the Grand Canyon, Exhibit will continue to be hosted by Kolb Studio on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park through the month of March 2013. This exhibit is open daily from 9:00am to 5:00pm and is free and open to the public. The Kolb brothers are legend at the Grand Canyon for their pioneering spirits and treasure trove of photographs. Ellsworth and Emery arrived at the South Rim in the dawning years of the 20th Century, long before the Grand Canyon was designated a national park. Stories of their adventures, their family and their enduring photography business on the Rim are told for the first time in exhibit form and displayed in their historic studio. At first glance, Kolb Studio is just a house perched on the rim of Grand Canyon, but if you look behind the doors or see it from the Bright Angel Trail after a long hike from the river, you realize it is much more than that. It is the place where the Kolb Brothers created a lasting legacy of adventure, family love, and amazing Grand Canyon photography that will last as long as the Canyon itself. Kolb Studio was once the home and business site of the Kolb Brothers, pioneering photographers and filmmakers at the Grand Canyon. This rambling, Victorian-era building (1905) has been restored to its original splendor, and currently houses an exhibit of artifacts and historic Grand Canyon photography by the Kolb Brothers. During your visit, be sure to visit Kolb Studio and shop in the bookstore, located in the Village Historic District at the Bright Angel trailhead. The exhibit is open through Tuesday, September 3, 2013. This exhibit is presented by the Grand Canyon Association, Cline Library, and Grand Canyon National Park. Additional funding is provided by the Babbitt Foundation, Pink Jeep Tours Las Vegas & Sedona, and Ms. Penny Schultz. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Park Road Conditions & Closures As of this update, all South Rim Roads are open, but there may be a few icy places on Desert View Drive. Please drive with caution. Additional snowstorms or freezing conditions may result in future road closures that can happen with little or no advance notice. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grand Canyon National Park Tourism Creates over $467 Million in Economic Benefit posted 03/01/2013 According to a peer-reviewed report released by the National Park Service, Grand Canyon National Park's 4.3 million visitors spent $467,257,000 and supported 7,361 jobs in Arizona in 2011. "Grand Canyon National Park is one of the 22 national parks in Arizona. These national parks are exceptional places - the jewels in America's crown where we relax, get exercise and learn about America's story," said Dave Uberuaga, Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent. "And the people who live and work in communities near these national parks are invested in the parks. Whether they visit a park, own or work at a business that serves local or long distance visitors or provides services for a park or park employees, the money visitors spend on national park trips has a positive impact on local economies, the economy of Arizona, and on our national economy." This week the National Park Service also released its 2012 visitation numbers showing an increase of 3.8 million over the previous year for a total of 282.8 million visitors to the National Park Service's 398 parks. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grand Canyon National Park to Host Archaeology Day on March 23, 2013 posted 02/25/2013 On Saturday, March 23, 2013, Grand Canyon National Park will host its sixth annual Archaeology Day celebration, commemorating Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month. Special programs, activities and demonstrations will be held at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center throughout the day, with a special evening program at the Shrine of the Ages. Arizona Archaeology and Heritage Awareness Month was created 30 years ago to inform the public about archaeology in the state of Arizona. In Grand Canyon National Park alone, over 4,300 archaeological sites have been recorded to date, and archaeologists estimate that the park may have as many as 50,000 - 60,000 sites. Some of the artifacts found in the park date back almost 12,000 years, testimony to the vast extent of the human history of the area. That history lives on as the descendents of those ancient peoples continue to utilize the area today. Grand Canyon National Park's Archaeology Day is intended to help park visitors learn more about those who lived here long ago and to gain a greater understanding of the work that archaeologists do and what can be learned from their research. The event will feature opportunities for visitors to try their hands at making clay pinch pots and split-twig figurines; creating rack art using scratch art paper; sifting for artifacts; and planting corn, beans and squash seeds - traditional foods of the park's native peoples. Additionally, there will be cultural demonstrations of Hopi Kachina carving and basket making, as well as Navajo hoop dances and a weaving demonstration. All activities are free of charge and family friendly and will take place between the hours of 10am and 4pm at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. Archaeology Day will conclude with a special evening program by Ellen Brennan, Grand Canyon National Park's Cultural Resource Program Manager, entitled "My Eyes Were Opened: Historical Memory and the Canyon's Traditionally Associated Tribes." This program will begin at 7:30pm at the Shrine of Ages Auditorium located on the South Rim near Parking Lot A. Additional special evening programs focusing on archaeology topics will be held throughout the month of March. For more information, call Supervisory Park Ranger Libby Schaaf at 928-638-7641. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As of this update, all South Rim Roads are open, but there may be snow-packed and icy places. Please drive with caution. Additional snowstorms or freezing conditions may result in future road closures that can happen with little or no advance notice. Call 928-638-7496 for current park road condition information ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Darryl Haley To Help Grand Canyon Celebrate Black History Month & "Healthy Parks Healthy People" posted 02/20/2013 This weekend, Darryl Haley, former New England Patriot, Ironman Triathlete, and world-renowned fitness trainer, will be joining Grand Canyon National Park's Diversity Council in celebrating Black History Month and enjoying the Grand Canyon as a place to have fun, learn something, and get healthy at the same time. On Friday, February 22, 2013, Haley will join an hour-long, ranger-led walk along the Rim Trail which will begin at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center (Located on the South Rim) at 3pm. Then, on Monday, February 25, Haley will share his health and fitness expertise and his Grand Canyon experiences during an evening program at 7pm at the Shrine of the Ages Auditorium. Both programs are free of charge and are open to the public. Through his experiences at Grand Canyon, Haley, a health and fitness enthusiast who hosts WHUR's (Howard University Radio) Fitness Friday on the Steve Harvey Morning Show, hopes to show that parks are places diverse audiences can and should enjoy, and that there are a wide range of opportunities for people of varying fitness levels to experience and recreate in their national parks. Black History Month is celebrated each year in February and commemorates the lives and accomplishments of black Americans. The National Park Service Healthy Parks Healthy People program promotes the fact that all parks are cornerstones of health for people and the environment and encourages everyone to seek the benefits of physical and mental health, healing, and social well-being in their national parks. For more information about these special park events, please contact the park's Diversity Program Manager Mariah Cisse at mariah_cisse@nps.gov or 928-638-7375. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grand Canyon Goes High-Tech In Order To Reach Students Nationwide posted 02/15/2013 Do you live hundreds or thousands of miles away from Grand Canyon? Why not let Park Rangers bring Grand Canyon to your classroom? Recently, the park unveiled its new, high tech, Virtual Studio for Kids. The new studio replaces a temporary one that had been in use since 2006. Improvements include the addition of green-screen technology and an integrated system that allows for high definition, live, multi-camera video production. In addition, schools now have the option of connecting via Skype or through a dedicated IP address, allowing for flexibility for those who would like to take advantage of the programs offered. Using the studio, environmental education rangers at Grand Canyon National Park offer five different, free, curriculum-based, interactive classroom presentations, each appropriate for a different age range. Topics include ecology, geology and human history. Teachers can choose the particular presentation they want for their students and can even sign up for several different presentations, but each presentation requires its own timeslot of about an hour. In addition to the virtual fieldtrips, lesson plans, pre- and post-assessments and other materials have been developed for each of the presentations to help build background knowledge on the topic of study before students even "meet" the rangers. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grand Canyon National Park Soon To Be 94 Years Strong! posted 02/10/2013 On Tuesday, February 26, Grand Canyon National Park will celebrate the anniversary of its designation as a nation park 94 years to the day after An Act to Establish the Grand Canyon National Park in the State of Arizona was signed into law. "Protection of this spectacular landscape actually started long before Grand Canyon became a national par," said Grand Canyon Superintendent Dave Uberuaga. "People started trying to protect the canyon as early as the 1880s; and its first official protection and recognition came in the 1890s when it was set aside as a national forest reserve by President Benjamin Harrison." Harrison wasn't the only President to take an interest in the Canyon's protection. In the early 1900s, after saying of the canyon, "Leave it as it is. You cannot improve it. The ages have been at work on it and man can only mar it. . .", President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed Grand Canyon a national game preserve. Two years later, after passage of the Antiquities Act, he established it as Grand Canyon National Monument. Arizona achieved statehood four years later in 1912, just five years before Grand Canyon was designated a national park in 1919. "On February 26, the National Park Service will host the park's 94th birthday with cake and a small ceremony at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. . .," continued Uberuaga, ". . .but it might surprise people to know that for years, the U.S. Forest Service hosted Grand Canyon's birthday celebrations. The Forest Service administered Grand Canyon from the time it became a forest reserve until it became a national park. This place really does have a fascinating and sometimes complicated history." Everyone is invited to join in the park's birthday celebration. A small ceremony will be held at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center on the South Rim of the canyon at 11am on Tuesday, February 26. Birthday cake will be served immediately afterward. Cake will also be served at the Verkamp's Visitor Center in Grand Canyon Village. The Grand Canyon in 277 river miles long, averages 10 miles across, and its walls rise almost a mile above the Colorado River. Designated a national park on February 26, 1919, Grand Canyon National Park is now a World Heritage Site, as well. Visitation to the park in 1919 was just under 38,000 and in 2012 was almost 4.5 million. Grand Canyon National Park is one of 22 national park units in the state of Arizona which collectively contribute over $700 million in economic benefits to the State. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Application Now Open for Grand Canyon's Artist-in-Residence Program posted 02/10/2013 Grand Canyon National Park's Artist-in-Residence (AiR) program is now accepting artist applications for the upcoming North and South Rim AiR seasons. The artist opportunities are for May - October 2014 on the North Rim, and for October 2013 - September 2014 on the South Rim. The Grand Canyon AiR program welcomes applications and proposals from professional artists working in all genres and traditions. In exchange for three weeks in residence, the artists are required to present three, family-friendly, one-hour programs of their own design while at the Canyon, and one program in their home community after their residency. Artist accommodations are provided for free. There is no stipend for the artists at this time. This year's AiR application can be found at the WESTAF cafe web site. Artists must register with the CaFE program in order to access the application. This service is free and allows access to many other artist opportunities. Artists will use the CaFE site to upload their work samples and answer specific questions about their projects. We will only accept electronic applications this season. There is a $30 per rim application fee, accepted through the CaFE site. This year we have created two identical but separate Calls for Artists - one for the North Rim and one for the South Rim. Artists are welcome to apply to both programs. Artists should be aware that this year's application will close automatically at midnight on March 1, 2013. To learn more about Grand Canyon's Artist-in-Residence program including the park's themes, please visit the AiR web site at http://www.nps.gov/grca/supportyourpark/air.htm . If you have additional questions about the AiR program or the application process, please contact the park's AiR Coordinator Rene Westbrook at 928-638-7324. Finally, you can learn the schedule of events for the current AiR by calling the South Rim AiR Hotline at 928-638-7616 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
South Bass / FR 328 road conditions are near impassable (even with 4-wheel drive). Bright Angel Trail is snowpacked and icy to 3-mile Resthouse. South Kaibab Trail is snowpacked and icy to Skeleton Point. North Kaibab Trail has about 20 inches of hardpack/settled snow extending from the trailhead to near Roaring Springs. The trail has been hiked and packed sufficiently so that no snowshoes or post hole-ing on the trail is required. However, because the snow is so packed, there is a greater slipping danger. Traction devices are HIGHLY recommended. (Be aware the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is currently closed to vehicle access. Access to Bill Hall / Thunder River Trails is currently okay, however we recommend hikers check on road conditions prior to their hike. North Bass Trailhead and Point Sublime are usually not accessible by car until late May / early June, in a heavy snow year access may be even later. During this time of year expect trails to be snow-packed and/or icy. Over-the-shoe traction devices are strongly recommended and available for purchase at various locations in the park (including at the Backcountry Information Center). It is not uncommon for Hermit Road (access to Hermit and Boucher trails) and Desert View Drive (access to Grandview, New Hance, and Tanner trails) to close intermittently throughout the winter due to ice on the road. Call 928-638-7496 for updated road conditions. Finally, remember to have extra supplies in your vehicle in the unlikely event that roads are closed or snowed in when you hike out. If in doubt, back out. Be safe, plan accordingly, and enjoy your winter hike. Hikers without a permit can stop by the Backcountry Information Center to request a last minute permit. Last minute permits and waitlist numbers are issued by the Backcountry Information Center, located inside the park on the South Rim. The South Rim Backcountry Information Center is open daily, year round, for walk-in visitors from 8am to noon, and 1-5pm Mountain Standard Time. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Transcanyon Pipeline is undergoing repairs above Cottonwood immediately adjacent to the North Kaibab Trail. The tank at Phantom Ranch was filled before the repairs began, however backpackers should be prepared to boil or otherwise treat creek water to serve their needs. During pipeline repair and trail rehabilitation, backcountry users are asked to use caution when in the vicinity. Hikers should expect delays and detours and should be prepared to follow any direction provided by workers in the area. Purified drinking water is usually available year-round at Bright Angel and Indian Garden Campgrounds and at Bright Angel and South Kaibab trailheads. Seasonal water stations are usually turned off for the winter sometime between October 10th and 30th dependent on location and associated temperatures. Water available (year-round) on the South Rim at the Backcountry Information Center in the lobby. Water available (year-round) on the North Rim outside the Backcountry Information Center. Plan ahead and prepare: A backup method to treat water, should the pipeline break, must always be included as part of your first aid kit. Backcountry hikers should always carry extra water. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The 2013 Grand Canyon Celebration of Art (South Rim) is scheduled to run from September 14, 2013 through January 12, 2014. Hosted each year by the Grand Canyon Association, the Grand Canyon Celebration of Art is an annual event that includes 6 days of art-related events followed by a 3-month long exhibition in Kolb Studio on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The exhibit opens with a reception on September 21, 2013, from 11am to 1pm, which is free and open to the public. The Celebration of Art features 26 artists from around the country who engage in a 'plein air' competition and exhibition. Park visitors have the opportunity to watch the artists paint as they seek to represent the shifting light and shadow, amazing land forms, and vibrant colors of this vast landscape. Each artist brings a completed studio piece with them and then creates more artwork on the South Rim, on the North Rim, at Phantom Ranch, and at Indian Garden during the "Plein Air at the Canyon" and Quick Draw events that take place in the historic district of Grand Canyon Village. During the auction that follows the Quick Draw event on September 20, 2013, park residents and visitors have the opportunity to bid on the work and to bring a piece of Grand Canyon home. Proceeds from this event will support the goal fo funding an art venue at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. This permanent home will ensure that future generations of park visitors will be able to view the stunning art collection in the Grand Canyon National Park Museum and Grand Canyon Association collections. Please check back on our site for further updates, artist information, and program schedules. You may click the thumbnail graphics below to view larger photos.
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Wilderness First
ResponderRecertification Taught by expert instructors from the Wilderness Medicine Institute (a program of the National Outdoor Leadership School), this class teaches participants the standards for urban and wilderness care situations, and emphasizes decision making and injury prevention. Some of the topics covered include CPR, dehydration and heat-related injuries, shock, spine and head trauma, musculoskeletal injuries, wound management, environmental emergencies and common expedition problems. Most of the instruction takes place in a classroom setting or in nearby wooded areas. A practical exam will be conducted in a remote area of the park during a simulated rescue operation. Free group camping throughout the event is provided for all participants, and free Wi-Fi is available at various locations in the immediate area. This three-day skills-based class is for individuals who are current Wilderness First Responders with a valid certification through WMI, SOLO, NOLS, WMA, or WPT. Those with expired certifications are required to take the full 80-hour Wilderness First Responder in order to recertify. Notes:
For further information on program details, fees, and itinerary, please visit the Grand Canyon Field Institute (nonprofit partner of Grand Canyon National Park) at https://www.grandcanyon.org/learn/grand-canyon-field-institute * * * Women's Phantom
Ranch Natural & Cultural History Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter, a maverick architect in a male-dominated field, planned and constructed a number of her signature structures while employed by the Fred Harvey Company and Santa Fe Railway from 1902 to 1948. During her tenure, Colter built a tourist facility at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. She called this quaint complex of rustic buildings in the most unlikely of settings Phantom Ranch. This class will examine the legacy of Colter, the construction of Phantom Ranch and the long cultural history of Bright Angel Canyon, which reaches back for millennia before the arrival of the modern tourist. Of course, no visit to the canyon floor would be complete without an overview of the amazing geology and ecology encountered throughout this journey. This class will thus feature lively discussions on a wide variety of natural history topics. Participants will hike down the South Kaibab Trail and ascend via the Bright Angel Trail. Cabin, mule duffel service, and most meals at Phantom Ranch are included. Itinerary:
For further information on the hike, fees, gear list, and syllabus, please visit the Grand Canyon Field Institute (nonprofit partner of Grand Canyon National Park) at https://www.grandcanyon.org/learn/grand-canyon-field-institute ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2013 Grand Canyon Star Party posted 02/01/2013 The Grand Canyon's 23rd Annual Star Party will be held on both the South and North Rims of Grand Canyon National Park from June 8-15, 2013. For eight days in June, park visitors will explore the wonders of the night sky on Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim with the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association, and on the North Rim with the Saguaro Astronomy Club of Phoenix. Amateur astronomers from across the country will volunteers their expertise and will offer free nightly astronomy programs and free telescope viewing. Visitors will have the chance to view the planet Saturn along with a wide assortment of star clusters, galaxies, and nebulae by night, and the sun and planet Mercury by day. Grand Canyon is one of the best night sky observing sites in the United States because it has some of the darkest skies and cleanest air in the country. Participants will experience spectacular views of the universe! Everyone dress warmly, since temperatures drop quickly after sunset - even during the summer months. On the South Rim, events will include a slide show nightly at 8:00pm, followed by telescope viewing behind the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. Parking is available in lots 1 through 4, and the Village Route shuttle bus runs every half hour until 11:00pm. To make sure you get a seat at the slide show, arrive a few minutes early. On the North Rim, telescopes will be set up on the porch of the lodge every evening, with some possibility of daytime scopes available as well. Bulletin boards at the Visitor Center will list additional events such as star talks and special slide show programs in the Grand Canyon Lodge auditorium. The even is free (other than paying the park entrance fee of $25 per vehicle which can be purchased at the Valle Travel Stop, good for 7 days of coming and going to either rim.) No reservations are needed except for astronomers wishing to share their telescopes, who register through the astronomy clubs sponsoring the event. Come for a night, or for the whole 8-night event. Explore the Grand Canyon by day, and the universe by night! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
South Rim Road Conditions. As of this update, South Rim roads are open. Roads are snow-packed and icy in places. Please drive with caution. Additional snowstorms or freezing conditions may result in future road closures that can happen with little or no advance notice. Call 928-638-7496 for current park road condition information.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Historic artifacts and an exhibit of the photography of the famous Kolb Brothers continues through the month of February at Kolb Studio, on the South Rim of of Grand Canyon National Park. Open from 9:00am to 5:00pm daily, this exhibit is free and open to the public. The Kolb Brothers are legend at the Grand Canyon for their pioneering spirits, daredevil exploits to secure the perfect picture, and of course their vast treasure trove of historic photographs. Ellsworth and Emery arrived at the South Rim in the dawning years of the 20th century to establish Kolb Studio, long before the Grand Canyon was designated a national park. Stories of their adventures, family, and their enduring photography business on the South Rim are told for the first time in exhibit form, and displayed in their historic studio. Presented by the Grand Canyon Association, Northern Arizona University's Cline Library Special Collections and Archives, and Grand Canyon National Park. Additional funding is provided by Pink Jeep Tours Las Vegas & Sedona, and Ms. Penny Schultz.
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The Transcanyon Pipeline is currently undergoing repairs above Cottonwood immediately adjacent to the North Kaibab Trail. The tank at Phantom Ranch was filled before the repairs began and it is expected that this water will serve critical concession needs through Friday. However, backpackers should be prepared to boil or otherwise treat creek water to serve their needs. Repairs to the pipeline itself are expected to be completed on Friday, February 1. Repairs to the trail and rehabilitation of the surrounding area may take several weeks. During all of the repairs and rehabilitation, backcountry users are asked to use caution when in the vicinity. Hikers should expect delays and detours and should be prepared to follow any direction provided by workers in the area. Purified drinking water is usually available year-round at Bright Angel and Indian Garden Campgrounds and at Bright Angel and South Kaibab trailheads. Seasonal water stations are usually turned off for the winter sometime between October 10th and 30th dependent on location and associated temperatures. Water available (year-round) on the South Rim at the Backcountry Information Center in the lobby. Water available (year-round) on the North Rim outside the Backcountry Information Center. Plan ahead and prepare: A backup method to treat water, should the pipeline break, must always be included as part of your first aid kit. Backcountry hikers should always carry extra water.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On Friday, February 1, 2013, the National Park Service will begin accepting applications for noncommercial river trip permits to raft the Colorado River through Grand Canyon National Park. The permits will be for specific launch dates within calendar year 2014. Each year in February, a main lottery is held to assign launch dates for river trips occurring the next year. Public notifications regarding main lotteries are made by both e-mail and news release. In addition to the annual main lottery, follow-up lotteries are held as needed throughout the remainder of the year to reassign canceled and/or left-over river trips. For more information about the 2014 River Trip Permit Lottery, please visit the Grand Canyon National Park website. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you would like to make an advance reservation to camp in the Grand Canyon, the Backcountry Information Center will need at least three week's notice. If your planned hike is less than three weeks, come in person to the Backcountry Information Center and request a walk-in permit. Availability of last-minute permits is dependent on the season. The South Rim Backcountry Information Center is open year-round. The North Rim office is closed until mid-May. Permits for the North Rim and the Arizona Strip are available at Pipe Springs National Monument or the BLM Interagency Visitor Center in St. George, Utah. January and February: A construction crew is replacing an electrical line at Bright Angel Campground; there will be daytime noise and roughly half the campground is closed off. Permits are still available. Upper portions of trails are now snow-packed and icy. Over-the-shoe traction devices are strongly recommended. Access to South Bass Trailhead may not be possible when snowpack exists, from late December through mid-March. Permits for most areas are available. March: Bright Angel and Indian Garden Campgrounds are full the last three weeks; some availability between the 1st and 10th. Many sites in threshold and wild use areas are full the last three weeks. Typically spring arrives this month, and the trails tend to shake free from winter's icy grip. April: Spring is a delightful time of year for overnight hiking, and consequently most corridor, threshold and wild use areas are at capacity. May: Corridor campgrounds are full. Hiking outside the Corridor is generally not recommended due to extreme heat, especially later in the month. June: Submit a written permit request starting February 1st. Hiking outside the Corridor is not recommended due to the extreme heat. July: Submit a written permit request starting March 1st. Generally, reservations are available after the weekend of the fourth. Hiking outside the Corridor is not recommended. It's extremely hot!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grand Canyon National Park will join national park units around the country in offering fee-free entry for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Entrance fees will be waived for all visitors who arrive in the park on Monday, January 21. Visitors who enter (or re-enter) the park before or after January 21 will be charged the regular entrance fee. Park visitors are reminded that the fee-free designation applies to entrance fees only and does not affect fees for camping, reservations, tours, or use of concessions. Park entrance stations will have park passes such as Interagency Senior, annual and Access Passes, as well as the new Active Military Passes, available for those who wish to acquire them. Grand Canyon's South Rim sits at approximately 7,000 feet. As a result, visitors should be prepared for winter weather and driving conditions, and should bear in mind that road closures and temporary suspension of shuttle service may occur with little or no notice as winter weather passes through the area. This year additional Grand Canyon fee-free days will occur during National Parks Week (April 22-26), on National Park Service's Birthday (August 25), on National Public Lands Day (September 28), and over the Veterans Day Weekend (November 9-11).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On January 15, 2013, at 10:30am, the National Park Service will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Science and Resource Management building on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park across the street from Park Headquarters. Park Superintendent Dave Uberuaga and other special guests will dedicate the new state of the art facility which is on track to receive a Platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. When open next month, the new Science and Resource Management building will have numerous displays and readily available scientific information and will be available and used as an outreach opportunity for the public, visitors from local and distant schools, as well as volunteers and researchers that are members of the scientific community coming to learn of and study Grand Canyon's scientific relevance. This new 8,800 square foot building will include 16 offices, 15 large and 21 small cubicle offices, a large conference and training room, two science labs, a weather station, and a visitor lobby. Science and Resource Management staff is anxiously awaiting the dedication and opening of the new facility and will be on-hand to provide public tours throughout the day. The staff is currently co-located in antiquated facilities constructed in the 1960s and 1980s which were built to house maintenance and warehouse operations. The new facility provides professional space adjacent to a network of trails and nearby shuttle bus stops that will allow employees to walk, bike, or ride the park shuttle bus to and from work.
January 15th dedication of new
Science & Resource Management building.
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Bright Angel Trail is snowpacked and ice to 3-mile Resthouse. South Kaibab Trail is snowpacked and icy to Skeleton Point. North Kaibab Trail has about 20 inches of hardpack/settled snow extending from the trailhead to near Roaring Springs. The trail has been hiked and packed sufficiently so that no snowshoes or post hole-ing on the trail is required. However, because the snow is so packed, there is a greater slipping danger. Traction devices are highly recommended. (Be aware the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is currently closed to vehicle access.) Access to Bill Hall / Thunder River Trails is currently okay, however we recommend hikers check on road conditions prior to their hike. North Bass Trailhead and Point Sublime are usually not accessible by car until late May / early June, in a heavy snow year access may be even later. During this time of year expect trails to be snow-packed and icy. Over-the-shoe traction devices are strongly recommended and available for purchase at various locations in the park (including at the Backcountry Information Center). It is not uncommon for Hermit Road (access to Hermit and Boucher trails) and Desert View Drive (access to Grandview, New Hance, and Tanner Trails ) to close intermittently throughout the winter due to ice on the road. Call 928-638-7496 for updated road conditions. Finally, remember to have extra supplies in your vehicle in the unlikely event that roads are closed or snowed in when you hike out. If in doubt, back out. Be safe, plan accordingly, and enjoy your winter hike. Hikers without a permit can stop by the Backcountry Information Center to request a last minute permit. Last minute permits and waitlist numbers are issued by the Backcountry Information Center, located inside the park on the South Rim. The South Rim Backcountry Information Center is open daily, year round, for walk-in visitors from 8am to noon, and 1-5pm Mountain Standard Time. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Grand Canyon Field Institute Schedule of Classes for 2013 is now available! Topics covered during the classes and guided educational tours include geology, ecology, history, archaeology, photography and more. The Institute offers guided educational tours at Grand Canyon National Park led by expert instructors while hiking, backpacking, camping, and whitewater rafting. Learning and lodging opportunities are also available. The Grand Canyon Field Institute and Xanterra South Rim, LLC, offer fun and informative Learning & Lodging Programs that combine lodging, meals, and two days in the field with an instructor. To download a printable pdf file of the Grand Canyon Field Institute 2013 Class Schedule, please click here.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grand Canyon Ranger Programs. During your visit this year, the National Park Service encourages you to participate in the programs listed in the schedule below. All programs are free of charge. All outdoor programs are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather or when lightning danger is present. Winter months at Grand Canyon can bring snow and ice. You may find walkways and the Rim Trail with icy conditions. Please dress for the weather and consider over-the-shoe traction devices for your comfort and safety. Note: Children must be accompanied by an adult on all programs. The South Rim winter 2012-2013 Program Schedule runs from December 1, 2012 - February 28, 2013. Includes the South Rim and Desert View / Tusayan Ruin. [No programs are given in the inner-canyon during the winter season.] Please click here to download a pdf file of the South Rim Winter 2012-2013 Program Schedule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2013 Grand Canyon Star Party! posted 01/01/2013 Grand Canyon's 23rd Annual Star Party will be held on both South and North Rims from June 8-15, 2013. For eight days in June, park visitors will explore the wonders of the night sky on Grand Canyon National Park's South Rim with the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association, and on the North Rim with the Saguaro Astronomy Club of Phoenix. Amateur astronomers from across the country will volunteer their expertise and will offer free nightly astronomy programs and free telescope viewing. Visitors will have the chance to view the planet Saturn along with a wide assortment of star clusters, galaxies, and nebulae by night, and the sun and planet Mercury by day. Grand Canyon is one of the best night sky observing sites in the United States because it has some of the darkest skies and cleanest air in the country. Participants will experience spectacular views of the universe! Everyone dress warmly, since temperatures drop quickly after sunset - even during the summer months. On the South Rim, events will include a slide show nightly at 8:00pm, followed by telescope viewing behind the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. Parking is available in lots 1 through 4, and the Village Route shuttle bus runs every half-hour until 11:00pm. To make sure you get a seat at the slide show, arrive a few minutes early. On the North Rim, telescopes will be set up on the porch of the lodge every evening, with some possibility of daytime scopes available as well. Bulletin boards at the Visitor Center will list additional events such as star talks and special slide show programs in the Grand Canyon Lodge auditorium. Bring a flashlight to make your way safely to the telescope area; red flashlights are best but a white flashlight pointed down and turned off when you get to the telescopes works too. Although many telescopes come down after 11:00pm, on nights with clear, calm skies, some astronomers will continue to share their telescopes well into the night. The event is free (other than paying the park entrance fee of $25.00 per vehicle, which can be purchased early at the Valle Travel Stop, good for 7 days of coming and going to either rim.) No reservations are needed except for astronomers wishing to share their telescopes, who register through the astronomy clubs sponsoring the event. Come for a night, or for the whole eight-night event! Explore the Grand Canyon by day, and the universe by night!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- New Winter South Rim Village Transit Map Available! posted 01/01/2013 The Winter (2012-2013) South Rim Village Transit Map has been released and is now available for download! To download a large pdf file, please click here.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After going on hiatus during the 2012 Grand Canyon Celebration of Art exposition, The Amazing Kolb Brothers exhibit returns to Kolb Studio, located on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, from now through September 3rd of next year. You are invited to visit Kolb Studio to learn more about the life and times of Grand Canyon's pioneering photographers, Ellsworth and Emery Kolb as told through photographs, stories, and artifacts. The exhibit is open from 9am to 5pm daily and is free and open to the public. The Amazing Kolb Brothers - A Grand Life at the Grand Canyon! The Kolb brothers are legend at the Grand Canyon for their pioneering spirits and treasure trove of photographs. Ellsworth and Emery arrived at the South Rim in the dawning years of the 20th century, long before the Grand Canyon was designated a National Park.
Stories of their adventures, their family, and their enduring photography business on the rim are told for the first time in exhibit form and displayed in their historic studio. At first glance, Kolb Studio is just a house perched on the rim of the Grand Canyon, but if you look behind the doors or see it from the Bright Angel Trail after a long hike from the river, you realize it is much more than that. It is the place where the Kolb Brothers created a lasting legacy of adventure, family love, and amazing Grand Canyon photography that will last as long as the Canyon itself. This exhibit is presented by the Grand Canyon Association, Cline Library and Grand Canyon National Park. Additional funding is provided by the Babbitt Foundation, Pink Jeep Tours, and Ms. Penny Schultz.
Below is a sampling of the exhibit. Click the thumbnail images to view larger photographs.
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