With Grand Canyon's first snowfall remaining (disturbingly) elusive, short days, thin crowds, the random Santa hat, and a decked-out lobby in the historic El Tovar Hotel are the only signs that the … [Read more...]
Take Advantage of Winter Access to Hermit Road
The free shuttle bus service provided by the National Park Service on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park transports millions of visitors annually to viewpoints, trailheads, restaurants, … [Read more...]
Moving Downstream: Remembering Wild River Advocate Katie Lee, 1919-2017
Conservationists lost a true hero this month. Katie Lee was a feisty no-holds-barred champion of wild places in general, and western rivers in particular. Her main focus for the last half century was … [Read more...]
Tribute to Mike Buchheit
Since 2005, Mike Buchheit has been writing an article for Hit the Trail twice a month. So when Mike told me that he and his wife, Kim, were going to be taking a vacation to Italy to celebrate their … [Read more...]
Investing in Our Future with Grand Canyon Youth
There are plenty of nonprofit organizations doing great work in Grand Canyon country. The Grand Canyon Association (my employer for two decades), Grand Canyon Trust, Grand Canyon River Guides, the … [Read more...]
Back from the Abyss
Fresh off my first Colorado River trip through the Grand Canyon in several years, I am readjusting to life in the “real world.” The 10-day, one boat, motorized charter with Arizona Raft Adventures was … [Read more...]
North Rim Foliage Pageant About to Begin
Grand Canyon National Park is known for many things: geology; whitewater rafting; wildlife; botanical wonders; archaeology. However, it would be a stretch to add fall colors to this list, unless … [Read more...]
Dirty Birds in D.C. Fouling our Public Lands
The Trump administration wasted little time plucking the low hanging fruit that would appease both business interests and those of his supporters that hold a dim view of environmental protection. One … [Read more...]
Celebration of Art Returns this September
One week each fall, the very best Grand Canyon painters from around the country gather in the park for the Celebration of Art. They come here to capture the canyon on canvas, interact with visitors, … [Read more...]
Let’s Hear it for the Trail Crew
It’s been said that to really experience the Grand Canyon, one must venture below the rim by way of an established trail that tumbles off either rim. In the entire expanse of the 277-mile long canyon, … [Read more...]