Park Begins to Empty as Winter Approaches

In any given year, the shortening days of autumn herald in a seasonal repositioning of the canyon’s many sentient beings. Elk, condors, tarantulas, pinion jays, and others prepare to relocate or hunker down as temperatures drop, and the snow begins to fly. Even the tourists head for the door as the year-end holidays approach.

As a farewell from a local who will be enduring his seventeenth Grand Canyon winter, I’ve put together a slideshow of a these fair weather friends. We are already looking forward to their return next March when the thaw begins in earnest. Safe travels one and all.

Children looking out from the North Rim | Photo by Mike Buchheit

About Mike Buchheit

Mike Buchheit was the director of the Grand Canyon Conservancy Field Institute for over 25 years, a professional landscape photographer and instructor, a freelance travel writer, and a popular lecturer on a wide variety of Grand Canyon-related topics. As a long-time resident, 3,000-mile hiker, and frequent river runner, the Iowa native has gained an intimate knowledge of the park that he called home.

As a long-time resident, 3,000-mile hiker, and frequent river runner, the Iowa native has gained an intimate knowledge of the park that he calls home. You can see some of his beautiful work on his Grand Canyon Prints website.