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December 29, 2009 Grand Canyon Winter Weather and El Nino
Grand Canyon - Tue, 12/30/2008 - 13:56
Hi there, this is Ranger Haley with Grand Canyon’s Winter Weather Podcast on December 29th, 2008. For Grand Canyon visitors and residents, the most anticipated winter visitor isn’t Santa Clause: it’s El Nino. The big question on everybody’s lips is "will this be an El Nino winter?"
The weather phenomenon El Nino has become big news since the epically destructive winter of 1997, but this little fellah has been around for much longer. El Nino was first recognized by indigenous Peruvians centuries ago. Every few years, right around Christmas, coastal Peruvians are visited by a warm tide that brings a welcome break from frigid ocean temperatures and is often accompanied by heavy rains followed by bountiful crops.
In 1957, oceanographers realized that this little Peruvian tide was actually a pretty big deal. These scientists documented El Nino’s warm waters stretching nearly all the way across the Pacific Ocean, creating a pool of warm water that was larger than the entire United States! Meteorologists snapped to attention, because the ocean and the atmosphere are intrinsically linked. Warm waters lead to thunderstorms, and El Nino’s massive oceanic warming creates a thick band of heavy storms across the tropical Pacific.
These storms in the Pacific have the power to alter weather patterns around the globe. Imagine a creek running smoothly with no obstacles in its path: that’s how the atmosphere normally functions. But if you throw a big rock into that creek, the water will have to divert around the obstacle, creating ripples downstream. The El Nino tropical thunderstorms act like that rock and create atmospheric ripples that are felt around the world.
So, how does El Nino affect Grand Canyon? El Nino strengthens the jet stream running across Northern Arizona, leading to longer storm periods, and both wetter and warmer winters, such as the infamous winter of 1997 in which the nearby city of Flagstaff recorded over 136 inches of snow.
Well, will El Nino be visiting Grand Canyon this winter? The National Weather Service says No: he’s staying out of town. Oceanic temperatures in the Pacific are actually slightly colder than normal, suggesting that if anything, this winter will be a bit on the cold and dry side.
Still, El Nino or not, the South Rim of the Grand Canyon stands at 7,000 ft in elevation, and even in our driest winter years, we still receive plenty of snow and ice. Anyone visiting the Grand Canyon between now and April should be prepared for winter conditions. Dress in warm, waterproof layers, including a hat, and think about using instep crampons to help navigate icy sidewalks, parking lots, and trails. Because, even though El Nino isn’t expected this year, snow storms and cold temperatures always visit Grand Canyon. This has been Ranger Haley with your Winter Weather Podcast, wishing you a warm and cozy Grand Canyon vacation.
Categories: Grand Canyon Feeds
Winter 2008-09 Trail Conditions Update 20081230
Grand Canyon Hiking Podcast feed - Tue, 12/30/2008 - 13:28
Major winter storms have brought heavy snow and cold temperatures to the Canyon. The last storm was packing 2 feet of snow so you can assume slick, possibly icy conditions will extends at least 2 to 3 miles down Canyon before starting to moderate. Several experienced groups have aborted backpacking trips on both the Tanner and New Hance Trails within the last few days. Both trailheads are covered in deep drifts of snow 3 feet or more deep that have completed obscured the trail. The daily freeze/thaw cycle is already starting to change snow to ice and as time passes this conversion will only become more complete, quickly producing trails that resemble a bobsled run of hard water ice. Most Canyon trails face north and as the result get very little sun during winter months so once an icy coating is established it usually remains in place for weeks, if not months. As the result, the Backcountry Office staff recommends that traction devices such as instep crampons be carried and used as conditions dictate. Trekking poles will add an additional layer of security. Other hazards await Canyon hikers in winter. Hypothermia is a major issue this time of year and hikers must take active steps to combat its effects. This includes proper waterproof foul weather gear and insulation that will keep you warm even when wet. Other critical gear includes a warm hat, a sleeping bag adequate for expected nighttime temperatures, a stove to produce hot food and possibly a tent. Food and water intake over the entire course of the hike are critical to maintenance of core body temperature and energy levels so plan your meals carefully to include plenty of calories. Winter is not the time to pack light.
Other concerns today:
As you probably know, Highway 67 from Jacob Lake to the North Rim of the Canyon is closed for the winter and all North Rim facilities are closed for the winter except for the campground and the Unit Office. As in previous years, hikers and cross-country skiers will be permitted to use the campground throughout the winter months if they have obtained a permit prior to departure. Drinking water and assistance is available at the Unit Office throughout the winter. The Highway 67 and the North Rim will reopen May 15, 2009.
All seasonal sources of drinking water along the Corridor trail system has been turned off for the winter. Drinking water is normally available at Indian Garden campground and Bright Angel campground year-round. We recommend hikers make a last minute check to confirm current water availability prior to departure and that some form of water purification be carried as a backup option should problems with the pipeline develop during the hike. And, as always. the South Kaibab trail is bone dry-not water of any kind along the South Kaibab trail.
:
Hikers can access the South Kaibab Trailhead by one of two shuttle systems. You can park at the Visitor Center and ride the Kaibab Trail Shuttle. The Kaibab Trail Shuttle bus will depart the Canyonview Visitor Center every 15 minutes throughout the daylight hours. Or you can ride the hiker express. The special “hiker express” shuttle will leave the Bright Angel Lodge at 8 and 9 am through Feb. 28, 2009. The hiker express picks up passengers
at the Backcountry Office a few minutes after departing the Bright Angel Lodge before going on to the South Kaibab Trailhead.
And lastly today, the Hermit Road to the Hermit trailhead is open to private vehicle traffic and will remain so until Feb. 28, 2009. The regular Hermit Shuttle Bus system will commence operations for the summer on March 1.
Anyone needing additional information about these or other concerns can contact the Backcountry Office at 928 638 7875 Mon-Fri, 1-5pm for current information. This is a busy information phone line and you may have to try more than once to get through
Categories: Grand Canyon Feeds
Early Winter 2008 Corridor Trails Update
Grand Canyon Hiking Podcast feed - Thu, 11/20/2008 - 11:28
Patrick: Hey Elysha you’ve got your coat on, I bet that means we’re going to discuss the onset of winter. . . Elysha: Patrick, you are so perceptive! (Not bad for a guy whose 40th birthday is today!)Yep, it’s getting chilly outside so this go ‘round we will be chatting mostly about winter’s impact on changing trail conditions and trailhead access. Plus, we’ll discuss the reopening of the historic Hermit road. So let’s get started! Patrick: In terms of winter weather, nighttime lows on the rim have dipped into the teens and even the Canyon floor is starting to cool off, with daytime highs in the 70s, and nighttime lows in the 30s. Elysha: Those are actually great backpacking temps, and we haven’t gotten any snow yet. However, it is likely that in the next few weeks winter will set in in the Grand Canyon region. So, especially with trails like Tanner, Grandview and New Hance, where the trails are in partial shade, conditions can quickly go from bad to worse. In fact, first time hikers on the New Hance trail should reconsider hiking out the New Hance right after a heavy snow fall due to route finding difficulty. To make matters worse, if the snow melts during the sunny day, then refreezes. . . voila a super slippery slope! . . .
Categories: Grand Canyon Feeds
Early Winter 2008 Backcountry (Non-corridor) Trails Update
Grand Canyon Hiking Podcast feed - Thu, 11/20/2008 - 11:25
Patrick: Hey, Elysha, how about that cold front we got a couple of days ago! CHILLY! I bet we’re going to talk about winter hiking conditions here at Grand Canyon National Park. Elysha: What’s that? Oh, sorry Patrick. Couldn’t hear you, had to take my earmuffs off. Yeah, we’re going to talk about winter hiking, trail conditions and trailhead access. We’ll also touch on water access in the cross canyon corridor. So, let’s get started! Patrick: In terms of winter weather, nighttime lows on the rim have dipped into the teens and even the Canyon floor is starting to cool off, with daytime highs in the 70s, and nighttime lows in the 30s. Elysha: Those are actually great backpacking temps, and we haven’t gotten any snow yet. However, once the snow starts to fall, trail conditions can go from bad to worse pretty quickly. The snow melts during the sunny day, then refreezes and voila a super slippery slope. Patrick: That’s when, traction devices such as instep crampons and trekking poles will become critical. Another piece of handy equipment for winter hikes is a good book. With the short days, and plummeting temps after sunset, I often find myself curled up in my sleeping bag much earlier than bedtime. . .
Categories: Grand Canyon Feeds
October 28, 2008 - Phantom Ranch Fall Podcast
Grand Canyon - Wed, 10/29/2008 - 12:13
After yet another sweltering summer with temperatures regularly reaching over 110 degrees, we’re now beginning to get a bit of relief. Fall temperatures generally hover in the 70’s and 80’s during day and drop to the 40’s and 50’s overnight. Be sure and check the weather before you come down as we’ve already had our first Pacific storm of the year come through dropping about a half inch of rain down here. Another sign that fall is here is the moon climbing higher and higher in the sky. During the summer the moon is sitting too low on the horizon for us to get direct moonlight on the boat beach but it has now climbed high enough for the beach to be fully illuminated. If you are fortunate enough to be down here during a waxing gibbous or full moon, I encourage you to enjoy the bright nights down on the beach. With the beautiful weather, both Phantom Ranch and Bright Angel Campground are full just about every night during the fall so be sure and make reservations at the rim before making the trek down here. If you don’t have reservations and you’d like to come down, stop in at the backcountry office upon reaching the park and check on availability for Bright Angel Campground or, for lodging reservations at Phantom Ranch, stop by Bright Angel Lodge. For those of you who do stay down here, we are happy to announce that the ranger programs will be running a full month longer this season with our last programs being offered on November 30th. Program times are 4:00 pm and 7:30 pm and cover a wide range of topics including bats, the Civilian Conservation Corps, nightlife, astronomy, geology, river management, and many more. If you’re spending time on the beach during your visit you may notice that the water level isn’t changing during the month of October. A steady release from Glen Canyon Dam is being used to see how this type of release will preserve the beaches throughout the canyon. Beginning in November, motorized river trips will cease until the spring so there will be a bit less congestion at the boat beach, as only private trips will be stopping by the ranch.
Categories: Grand Canyon Feeds
October 12, 2008 - Indian Garden Fall Podcast
Grand Canyon - Sun, 10/12/2008 - 13:23
This is our autumn podcast from Indian garden. This green and lush oasis 4.5 miles below the South Rim began as a tourist camp in the 1890’s and continues today as a popular destination for day hikers and thru hikers heading to Phantom Ranch or the North or South Rims. The weather has been perfect. It could not be better for our canyon hikers and rim to rimmers. The average highs have been in the 80’s and the lows at night in the 50’s; perfect sleeping temperatures. You can feel and smell the autumn in the air. The local flora and fauna are preparing themselves for the winter ahead too. The squirrels are fattening up eating the hack berries and parts of the silver leaf nightshade so please don’t feed them. They may look cute begging for food but they have plenty here and don’t need to depend on food from humans. Soon our local trees will turn their vibrant autumn colors. Some of our wildflowers are blooming and the prickly pear cactus has given up its fruits to the tanagers, sparrows and rock squirrels. We have seen quite a few Grand Canyon pink rattlesnakes and as long as you give them their space they usually are not aggressive and won’t bother you. September is the time of year that they give birth to live young, so be on the lookout. You may know of the endangered California Condors as well, that call Grand Canyon home. We have been very lucky to have two successful nests this year. There are two young birds in the park that are just waiting to take that first step and fledge form the nest. They are expected to fledge or fly - any day now. The beautiful swallowtail butterflies are flittering around showing off their beautiful yellow and black coloring. Just last night we found a fantastic male tarantula in the ranger station. We very carefully collected it and put it outside. There are a lot of exciting things going on down here. And I have been very busy doing whatever I can to get things up and running for our visitors. We are offering daily programs and we will be opening up our Visitor Information Station in late October. The new station will be open daily for hiking information, maps a library to borrow books and a little bit of shelter, shade and comfort. You can come on in and chat with a ranger and plan your day or just relax in this Garden oasis. I hope to see you down here soon, stop by the Ranger station to say hi and remember no matter what time of year please hike smart by drinking plenty of fluids, electrolyte drinks and eating lots of salty foods. Hiking here in the canyon is not a good time to be on a diet. Take your time, rest in the shade. Enjoy the view and don’t forget to breathe. Thank you for visiting your national parks and until next time this is Ranger James with another podcast from Indian garden.
Categories: Grand Canyon Feeds
Helicopter Rescue of Stranded Boaters from Havasu Canyon, August 17, 2008
Inside Grand Canyon - Sun, 08/24/2008 - 10:42
Late in the afternoon on Saturday, August 16, Havasu Canyon, a popular side canyon of the Grand Canyon, flash flooded as a result of heavy, localized, monsoon rains.
That evening, the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received word that five unmanned rafts had been seen floating down the Colorado River with supplies and personal floatation devices aboard. Initial investigation by the National Park Service (NPS) indicated that these rafts belonged to a single, private boating party of 16 individuals whose itinerary would have put then in the vicinity of Havasu Canyon at the time of the flood.
At approximately 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, August 17, an NPS helicopter found the party of 16 stranded on a ledge at the confluence of Havasu Creek and the Colorado River. The NPS used a short haul rescue technique to move group members, one at a time, from the ledge to the shore of the Colorado River where they could be picked up by helicopter and flown to Hualapai Hilltop. From there, the group was transported by bus to a Red Cross shelter in Peach Springs, Arizona
To ensure the safety of park visitors, NPS river rangers contacted groups who were still upriver from the confluence of Havasu Creek and the Colorado River to inform them of the conditions at the confluence.
The group's five rafts and three kayaks were found approximately 35 miles downstream of Havasu Canyon. The boats were secured to shore by other river trips. The River Ranger Crew then towed the boats to Diamond Creek where they were returned to their outfitter.
Categories: Grand Canyon Feeds
