Grand Canyon recovery continues after deadly flooding
Recovery from last month’s deadly flash flooding at Grand Canyon National Park has entered a new phase, with major inner-canyon trails and facilities still closed and no timetable announced for reopening them.
As reported in the SUN last week, the August 29 flood swept through Bright Angel Canyon and the Phantom Ranch area, killing two hikers and leaving a third missing. Dozens of hikers were evacuated or rescued as the National Park Service responded to flooding and debris flows.
Since then, the Park Service has expanded closures while crews assess damage and begin stabilization and repair work.
The entire North Kaibab Trail remains closed, along with Cottonwood Campground, Phantom Ranch, Bright Angel Campground and the Black and Silver bridges across the Colorado River. On the South Rim, the South Kaibab Trail is closed below the Tip-Off and the Bright Angel Trail below its intersection with the Tonto Trail.
The closures effectively eliminate the park’s traditional rim-to-rim routes for the time being. The Park Service has not announced an estimated reopening date for the affected trails and facilities.
Damage to the Transcanyon Waterline also continues to affect South Rim operations. The park remains under Stage 4 water restrictions, with overnight lodging inside the park suspended and restrictions on camping. The South Rim remains open for day use, but visitors and residents are being asked to conserve water.
The North Rim remains open, although access into the canyon via the North Kaibab Trail is closed and water is not available on the rim.
Park officials say recovery is complicated by conditions left by the Dragon Bravo Fire, which burned across portions of the North Rim earlier this summer. Burned watersheds are more susceptible to rapid runoff, debris flows and flash flooding during heavy rain.
With the Southwest monsoon season continuing, officials warn that additional flooding and debris flows remain possible while crews work to assess and repair damaged infrastructure.
