Be careful of what you ask for! While the Southwest is still in the grips of a drought, the recent rains in Northern Arizona has brought some relief to the area. The summer monsoon season has been especially generous to us this year. But with all this moisture, something was bound to happen.
Monday morning, September 9th, as the Xanterra mule packers rode down below Cedar Ridge with their supplies, they came across a rock slide with huge boulders blocking their way. There was nothing to be done but turn around and head back up to the South Rim so they could use the Bright Angel Trail instead.
Chris Brothers, one of the hard-working trail crew guys, ran down to check the status of the rock slide and got these great photos. The report from Chris is that the rock slide is about a half mile below Cedar Ridge on the South Kaibab Trail. Currently, hikers are able to get through, but it is impassable by livestock. They will send crews in Tuesday the 10th to clear the slide. He estimates that it will take two days to have the trail ready for mule traffic.
This means that anyone taking a mule ride will be going down and up the Bright Angel Trail until the rock slide is cleared and the trail is repaired. Hikers are still able to take the trail at this time although the trail is obviously a bit rough through the slide area.
Thanks for the update, Chris. And thanks to you and the rest of the trail crew for all the work you do in all kinds of weather conditions!
