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This afternoon, clouds and a few minutes of rain took some of the haze out of the air and lowered the temperature about 10 degrees, from 95 °F, to about 85 °F. (Friday, June 18, 2021).

The view is from Yavapai Point on the South Rim. (NPS/Photo) At this time there is no shuttle bus service to Yavapai Point, so you will need to drive there in your vehicle, or walk along the Canyon Rim Trail from the Visitor Center Plaza (1.4 miles/2.25 km round trip), or from the Village Historic District (2.8 mile/4.6 km round trip).

Since we are in the middle of a heat wave, it is best to avoid the midday sun and walk before 10 am or after 4 pm.

From Yavapai Point on the South Rim, the drop to the Colorado River below is 4,600 feet (1,400 m). The elevation at river level is 2,450 feet (750 m) above sea level. Without the Colorado River, a perennial river in a desert environment, the Grand Canyon would not exist.

#GrandCanyon #Arizona #PlanAheadAndPrepare #RecreateResponsibly #ExcessiveHeatWarning

How would you feel hiking up this in 100+°F heat?

Exactly…looks pretty terrible. There are NO EASY HIKES INTO Grand Canyon. They are steep, hot, and long.

We encourage visitors to #PlanAheadAndPrepare by checking the park website, weather forecasts, and assessing what shape they are in before hiking into the canyon. It is very easy to get lulled into a false sense of security on descent, only to turn around and face a series of steep switchbacks, like this image shows.

We are currently experiencing extreme heat, which will decrease only a few degrees when the current heat advisory ends. Consider planning longer hikes for the spring or fall.

Be safe, be smart, do you research: https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/hike-smart.htm

NPS Photo/A. Rehkopf
#ImageDescription A steep and narrow red dirt trail ascends to a cliff above.

Hazy, lazy days of summer…?

Not quite! Parks including Grand Canyon are seeing a huge uptick in visitation. We understand how antsy folks are to get out and enjoy the parks, but it is so important to plan ahead and know any restrictions that may be in place.

Visitors here have certainly noticed that canyon views have been somewhat obscured from a fire burning nearby, which serves to remind us all of the Stage 2 Fire Restrictions that are in place throughout the area, including Grand Canyon National Park.

Stage 2 Fire Restrictions prohibit the following:

🔥 All wood burning and charcoal fires, including campfires, warming fires, and charcoal barbeques are prohibited. The use of liquid petroleum or LPG fueled devices that can be turned on and off, such as stoves, lanterns, or heating devices are allowed if used in an area that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.

🚬 Outdoor smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle.

💥 Using explosives or any incendiary device; fireworks are always prohibited on public lands.

As our friends the at the Forest Service would say, “Only YOU can prevent forest fires.”

For more information visit: https://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/grand-canyon-national-park-implements-stage-2-fire-restrictions.htm

#RecreateResponsibly

NPS Photos/A. Rehkopf
#ImageDescription 2 photos of a deep canyon surrounded by rocky cliffs. The sky is filled with smoky haze, limiting visibility.