Update on Grand Canyon National Park Trail Closures
Source: Grand Canyon National Park
Feb 2, 2008 - 12:47:58 PM
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Grand Canyon, AZ – At this time, two trails—the Tanner Trail and the North Kaibab Trail—in Grand Canyon National Park are closed or restricted due to damage caused by normal erosional processes.
The South Rim’s Tanner Trail was closed on October 22 after a rock fall caused significant damage to the trail. The damage occurred approximately one mile below the trailhead and includes about 1500 linear feet of trail and numerous switchbacks. Because of the steepness of slope, extent of damage, dangerous footing and unstable rock, the trail was closed until repairs could be made.
Original estimates were that repairs would take about four weeks. However, due to extreme weather conditions and the unique topography of the area, crews have repeatedly had to delay their work.
At this time, the Tanner Trail is under several feet of snow and ice. These unanticipated conditions have caused the park to suspend all work on the trail, and there is no time-line for when repairs might be completed. The Tanner Trail will remain closed to all traffic until further notice.
The North Rim’s North Kaibab Trail was restricted to foot traffic only on January 10 after a 20 foot section of trail was damaged by a rock slide. The damage occurred approximate 3 miles north of Phantom Ranch. It was determined that trail conditions allowed for continued hiker access, but that the damaged section of trail was too narrow for stock use. Private, cross-canyon stock use was suspended until the trail could be repaired.
Repairs to the North Kaibab Trail are scheduled to begin on February 8. Due to the nature of the repairs, unsafe conditions will exist when the work is in progress. As a result, the National Park Service will periodically close the trail for up to one week at a time from the trailhead on the North Rim to the damaged area approximately 3 miles north of Phantom Ranch. The rest of the North Kaibab Trail, from Phantom Ranch north approximately 3 miles to the damaged area, will not be affected and will remain open to foot traffic. Private, cross-canyon stock use will not resume until all repairs are completed.
To plan a trip into Grand Canyon’s backcountry, please visit our on-line backcountry trip planner by clicking here. For the most up-to-date information on trail closures and temporary closure dates, please call Grand Canyon’s Backcountry Office at 928-638-7875.
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