Phantom Ranch, Grand Canyon, Sedona, & the Southwest
After a tinder dry Autumn, the first significant snowfall of the year is blanketing northern Arizona with a welcome dose of precipitation. From canyon cliffs to conifers, a pristine coat of powder is already gracing either rim—and more is on the way. The winter wonder comes with a bit of a trade-off. Park visitors and locals …
Viewing the official orientation film has long been a part of the visitor experience in many of the national parks, monuments and historic sites. It’s a great way to get your bearings, fine-tune your plans, and gain a greater understanding of what makes the park you’re visiting unique (and worthy of protection). In April of …
If you have enjoyed this column over the years, then you owe a tip of your hat to the Grand Canyon Field Institute (GCFI), a leading outdoor education program that has kept this writer gainfully employed for the past eighteen years. As director of GCFI, I have been afforded many opportunities to explore the far …
In a national park that is home to a landscape often described as “foreboding”, it is astonishing to this longtime resident that there aren’t a plethora of “credible” ghost stories (I’ve heard a number that I would place in the “tall tale” category). Heck, even our high school mascot is a Phantom. With Halloween just …
The name Eddie McKee has long been synonymous with science at Grand Canyon National Park. As the park’s first official naturalist, McKee helped research and catalog the diverse flora and fauna during a career that spanned decades. He also was among the first to systematically study the complicated geologic history of the Grand Canyon. On …
With average global temperatures on the rise, large wilderness areas such as Grand Canyon National Park will become increasingly important to the well being of the planet’s biotic communities. As both plants and animals work out their new dynamic with a quickly changing environment, the park will continue to serve as refuge, proving ground, and …
With much of the country in drought, it feels a bit indulgent to remark at what a wet and wonderful summer rainy season we’ve had in the park. Though the monsoonal bounty is only slightly elevated by historical standards, the forests on either rim are as green and lush as anyone can remember; including rare …
One of the signature sounds along the South Rim during autumn is the nocturnal bugling of the male elk. Their plaintive “whistles” attract female attention during the mating season (or “rut” as its known), and serve as a warning to would-be challengers. On rare occasions, one can even witness these titans clashing antler-to-antler in the …
Not unlike the bugling of elk, the flocking of jays, and the switch to gold for the aspen leaves, the annual Celebration of Art has become one of the rites of autumn at Grand Canyon National Park. 2012 marks the fourth year for this plein air painting festival whose purpose is to further the understanding …
Longtime readers of this column have asked on occasion if I have a Grand Canyon book in print. I’m pleased to report that my standard response has changed from “some day” to “yes indeed!” A fun collaboration with the amazing team at Farcountry Press has resulted in “Going to Grand Canyon National Park”, a richly-illustrated …
If you enjoy canyon photography, prose, poems, and paintings, then make a beeline for an art exhibit that showcases the work of ten teenage artists who recently ran the Colorado River through Grand Canyon. This annual journey, entitled Grand Inspiration (GRIN), represents a collaboration between Grand Canyon National Park’s Environmental Education team, and the Grand Canyon …
The Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce will be conducting a day of festivities on July 4th to celebrate the country’s 236th birthday. This annual event includes a parade, music, food, and plenty of chatter about the mile-deep chasm that weaves together a crowd of locals and park visitors alike. Though historically this event does not include fireworks due …
The month or two between the end of the spring rains and the beginning of the summer monsoon is not-so-affectionately referred to as the “fire season” among NPS resource managers and locals alike. The forests on both rims are starved for moisture, the seasonal winds pick up, and the danger grows daily that a conflagration …
If you’re a fan of the deserts and canyons of Arizona and beyond and are looking to compile a summer reading list; start here. The Secret Knowledge of Water by Craig Childs is a hydrological tour de force by an author who, through his many backcountry exploits in the name of research, left plenty of …
After a routine six month closure for winter, the North Rim officially opens on May 15. The “other side” historically gets a fraction of the visitation that the South Rim enjoys; but most agree that this is primarily a function of proximity to major highways and urban centers. There are great rewards for those willing …
For those of you that have been waiting for a good reason to visit Grand Canyon National Park, the National Park Service has just announced three. Endangered Species Day, Celebrate Wildlife Day, and the events surrounding an annular eclipse will occur on consecutive days from May 16-18. After two days learning about, and interacting with, …
What began as a mechanism to highlight environmental causes nationwide, Earth Day has grown into an international celebration of the planet we all share. Originally conceived by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson, a staunch defender of the natural world, the tradition marks its 42nd “birthday” on April 22, 2012. Grand Canyon National Park will be doing …
The Navajo Nation recently released details of a planned development on the eastern boundary of Grand Canyon National Park, including: a rim-based resort; an aerial tramway that will transport visitors to the floor of the canyon; and a half-mile walkway near the confluence of the Colorado and Little Colorado Rivers (all on Navajo land, the …
European immigrants were a major force in the 19th century exploration of the Grand Canyon. Civil War photographer Timothy O’Sullivan, a native of Ireland, was the first to photograph the Grand Canyon. Equipped with one ton of clumsy gear, O’Sullivan made over 300 negatives during an 1871 survey of the lower Grand Canyon led by …
If you’ve ever had your backcountry buzz killed by stumbling upon a discarded plastic bottle or two, good news is on the way. A recent announcement by National Park Service Intermountain Regional Director John Wessels declared an end to the sale of plastic water bottles in Grand Canyon National Park. The move will have immediate …
Take a fresh two inches of winter powder, add an exquisitely sculpted cloud bank, and throw a few rays of pinprick sunlight on the signature rock formations, and…voila! You have a valentine greeting from the canyon that would be hard to top. The sunrise on February 14th went a long ways towards setting the mood …
It’s the rare visitor to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park that fails to chance upon one of the iconic structures designed by maverick architect Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter. Over the span of three decades (1905-1935), the chain-smoking perfectionist completed twenty one projects for the Fred Harvey Company, a park concessioner that operated …
From painters and photographers to yodelers and folklorists, Grand Canyon National Park has played host to artists of all stripes since 2003 as part of its Artist-in-Residence (AiR) program. The multi-week visits are designed to allow the artists to draw inspiration for their work from the park’s iconic views, intriguing people, and unique flora and …
The New Year has arrived, and it’s time to make a resolution or two. If you’re scratching your head in search of a way to push (or pamper) yourself in 2012, the Grand Canyon can help fill up your dance card. Here are a few suggestions: I resolve to explore the arts! A number of …