Exposed pipeline in the "Box", North Kaibab Trail, July 16, 1999. NPS Photo
NEWS RELEASE September 15, 1999
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
(520) 638-7885
LOWER HALF OF THE NORTH KAIBAB TRAIL REOPENS
September 15, 1999
Trail repair work on the lower half of the North Kaibab Trail in Grand Canyon National Park has been completed and the trail reopened to the public today, Wednesday, September 15, 1999. Cottonwood Campground has also reopened to the public with limited sites available due to continuing campsite repairs. The lower half of the North Kaibab Trail and Cottonwood Campground have been closed since mid July due to extensive damage caused by heavy monsoon rains.
On July 14th, approximately 1.52 inches of rain fell within Grand Canyon causing severe flash flooding along the Bright Angel and North Kaibab Trails, including Cottonwood Campground. In addition, the Trans Canyon Pipeline that carries water from Roaring Springs on the North Slope of the canyon to the South Rim was damaged.
An Interagency Incident Management Team was brought in for ten days to initially help the park bring the washed out trails and damaged sections of pipeline as close as possible to their pre-flash flood condition. Agencies involved included the National Park Service, USDA Forest Service (both Kaibab and Coconino Forests), Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Arizona State Land Department, and Flagstaff Metro Fire Department. When the Interagency Team returned to their home units, management of the flood incident transitioned back to the park.
The popular Bright Angel Trail was reopened from the South Rim to Phantom Ranch on July 23rd, following diligent work by trail crews. The North Kaibab Trail and Cottonwood Campground, which received the heaviest damage during the flood, required extensive repair work, including pipeline repairs, reconstructing major sections of trail and retaining rock walls, and removing loose rock and debris. Crews have been commended for their safe and efficient work getting the trails re-opened and the pipeline stabilized under conditions that included intense heat and additional monsoon rains.
Heavy rains and flooding in the inner canyon, such as this Monsoon '99 incident, can seriously effect the Trans Canyon Pipeline, the sole water source for Grand Canyon National Park. The pipeline supplies water from Roaring Springs to the South Rim Village, Desert View, and Inner Canyon developed areas. A separate pipeline supplies water to the North Rim developed area from Roaring Springs. The Trans Canyon Pipeline's exposed sections and the large sections buried under the North Kaibab Trail are subject to damage from flash flooding, rockslides, and stress due to ground shift. Repairs are difficult due to rough terrain and inaccessibility, and the urgency to initiate repairs is always critical since downtime during repairs can result in serious water supply deficiencies.
With the opening of the lower half of the North Kaibab Trail, hikers are reminded that hiking in the Grand Canyon requires careful planning and assessment of potential dangers. During flash floods, which can occur at any time of the year, hikers may have only seconds to take immediate action to save their life. The following common sense advice is recommended:
For additional information about trail conditions and general park information, call 520-638-7888 or visit our web sites at www.nps.gov/grca/ or www.thecanyon.com/nps/
For information about backcountry permits, call 520-638-7875.
September 15, 1999
NEWS RELEASE August 16, 1999
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
(520) 638-7885
MONSOON ’99 FLOOD UPDATE
August 16, 1999
Management of the Monsoon '99 flood incident continues at the park level. The out-of-park personnel, who had stayed on after the Northern Arizona Team demobilized, have returned to their home units. These personnel, who assisted the park in supporting the crews working on trail repairs, included a Helitack crew, Division Supervisor, Risk Manager, EMT, camp and food service managers and the Hopi Crew stationed at Cottonwood Campground.
The lower section of the North Kaibab Trail remains closed from Roaring Springs to just above Phantom. The Cottonwood Campground also remains closed. Grand Canyon's Trail Crew will complete the remaining trail and campground work. The closed section of the North Kaibab Trail and a portion of the Cottonwood Campground are tentatively scheduled to reopen on September 15, 1999.
On July 14, 1999 approximately 1.52 inches of rain fell within Grand Canyon causing severe flash flooding along the Bright Angel and North Kaibab Trails. In addition, the Trans-Canyon Pipeline that carries water from Roaring Springs on the north slope of the canyon to the south rim was damaged. The Northern Arizona Zone Interagency Incident Management Team, which consisted of personnel from various federal and state agencies throughout Northern Arizona, was brought in to help the park bring the washed out trails and pipeline as close as possible to their pre-flash flood condition. Agencies involved included USDA Forest Service (both Coconino and Kaibab Forests), Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Arizona State Land Department, and Flagstaff Metro Fire Department.
Bright Angel Trail reopened from the South Rim to Phantom Ranch on July 23, following diligent work by trail crews. At one phase of the incident, Hot Shot Crews, which are elite fire fighting crews, were brought in to assist NPS crews with trail and pipeline repair. All crews are to be commended for their safe and efficient work getting trails re-opened and the pipeline stabilized under conditions that included intense heat and long hours.
Heavy rains and flooding in the inner canyon, such as Monsoon '99, can seriously effect the Trans-Canyon Pipeline, the sole water source for Grand Canyon National Park. This pipeline supplies water from Roaring Springs to the South Rim Village, Desert View, and Inner Canyon developed areas. A separate pipeline supplies water to the North Rim developed area from Roaring Springs. The Trans-Canyon Pipeline's exposed sections and the large sections buried under the North Kaibab Trail and River Trail, are all subject to damage from flash flooding, rockslides, and stress due to ground shift. Repairs are difficult due to rough terrain and inaccessibility, and the urgency to initiate repairs is critical since downtime during repairs can result in serious water supply deficiencies.
For additional information about trail conditions and general Park information, call (520) 638-7888.
For information about Backcountry Permits, call (520) 638-7875.
NEWS RELEASE JULY 29, 1999
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
(520) 638-7885 or (520) 638-7931
Monsoon & Trails Update - July 29, 1999
The Northern Arizona Team that was here for 10 days managing the Monsoon ‘99 flood incident has left the park. Management of the incident is once again at the park level, although some Team personnel remain on to assist the park in supporting the crews that are still working on the trail. These include a Helitack crew, Division Supervisor, Risk Manager, EMT, and camp and food service managers.
On July 14, 1999 approximately 1.52 inches of rain fell within Grand Canyon causing severe flash flooding along the Bright Angel and North Kaibab Trails. In addition, the Trans-canyon pipeline that carries water from Roaring Springs on the north slope of the canyon to the south rim was damaged. The Northern Arizona Zone Interagency Incident Management Team, which consists of personnel from various federal and state agencies throughout Northern Arizona, was brought in to help the park bring the washed out trails and pipeline as close as possible to their pre-flash flood condition. Agencies involved included USDA Forest Service (both Coconino and Kaibab Forests), Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Arizona State Land Department, and Flagstaff Metro Fire Department.
Of the twelve crews that were working on various phases of trail repair, one crew, the Hopi Crew, will remain in the Cottonwood area on the North Kaibab Trail assisting Grand Canyon National Park Service (NPS) crews. The Hopi crew remains on to assist in building stone walls for washed out sections of the trail and with pipeline stabilization. However, the North Kaibab Trail remains closed between Phantom Ranch and Roaring Springs and is not expected to open for another one to two weeks.
Bright Angel trail reopened from the South Rim to Phantom Ranch on July 23, following diligent work by trail crews. At one phase of the incident, Hot Shot Crews, which are elite fire fighting crews, were brought in to assist NPS crews with trail and pipeline repair. All crews are to be commended for their safe and efficient work getting trails re-opened and the pipeline stabilized under conditions that included intense heat and long hours.
For additional information about trail conditions and general Park information, call (520) 638-7888. For information about Backcountry Permits, call (520) 638-7875.
NEWS RELEASE JULY 24, 1999
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Connie Birkland (520) 638-7885 or (520) 638-7931
BRIGHT ANGEL TRAIL OPEN TO PHANTOM RANCH
The Grand Canyon National Park is pleased to announce the Bright Angel Trail is once again open from the South Rim to Phantom Ranch. The trail was closed July 14 following intense rainfall, which created flash flood damage, washing away multiple sections of the trail.
Over the past several days, crews worked diligently to finish the lower section of the Bright Angel Trail, which parallels the Colorado River. Crews worked long hours, under intense heat conditions to complete this last segment. Larry Anderson, Incident Commander for the flash flood incident, says "Even though there is a lot of work yet to be done on the North Kaibab Trail, we've made great headway in accomplishing our mission by getting the Bright Angel Trail open and back to it's pre-flash flood condition."
Now that the Bright Angel Trail is open, trail re-construction efforts are being focused on the lower portion of the South Kaibab Trail. Hikers are encouraged to use the Bright Angel Trail, until additional repair work is completed. The trail is expected to be completely open by Sunday, July 25.
The North Kaibab trail remains closed between Phantom Ranch and Roaring Springs as work progresses to backfill washed out sections of the trail which cover the trans-canyon pipeline. The trail is not expected to be open for one to two more weeks.
For additional information about trail conditions and general Park information, call 520-638-7888. For information about Backcountry Permits, call 520-638-7875.
NEWS RELEASE JULY 23, 1999
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Connie Birkland (520) 638-7885 or (520) 638-7931
BRIGHT ANGEL TRAIL TO REOPEN
The Bright Angel Trail is open Friday morning down to Indian Garden and Plateau Point. By Saturday, it should be open all the way to Phantom Ranch. On the South Kaibab Trail, day hiking is limited to approximately 3.5 miles below the Rim for the next few days as additional repair work is completed. The North Kaibab trail, however, remains closed from Roaring Springs to Phantom Ranch as work progresses to backfill exposed sections of the trans-canyon pipeline.
Firefighting crews from the Hopi and Navajo tribes arrived today to relieve Forest Service Hotshot crews, to assist Grand Canyon National Park trail crews in making the final push to repair the trails. They've been closed since July 14 when intense rain fell in a short period creating flash flood conditions in Grand Canyon National Park, washing away multiple sections of trail, part of a campground and threatening the water pipeline.
J. T. Reynolds, Deputy Superintendent, expressed thanks on behalf of the National Park Service. "From the park staff and volunteers, to the folks from Fred Harvey concessions, the Northern Arizona Incident Management Team, and especially the crews on the trails, we appreciate the exceptional effort put forth to repair the trails in such a short time frame."
For additional information about trail conditions and general Park information, call 520-638-7888. For information about Back Country Permits, call 520-638-7875.
NEWS RELEASE JULY 21, 1999
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Connie Birkland (520) 638-7885 or (520) 638-7931
MONSOON FLOOD UPDATE
Crews working on repairs to the Bright Angel and North Kaibab Trails have made remarkable progress in the aftermath of last week's flash flooding. In addition to two Grand Canyon Park trail crews and six Forest Service hotshot firefighting crews, Fred Harvey wranglers and mules have been brought in to help haul fill dirt on the trails. Today a Skycrane helicopter airlifted the Park's small bulldozer to work on backfilling a portion of the North Kaibab Trail in the box. Use of heavy equipment is necessary at the site of the most severe washout that exposed the trans-canyon water pipeline.
Hotshot crews will leave Grand Canyon today to be available for wildland fires, and other crews will be brought in to continue the trail repair work.
The South Kaibab Trail is experiencing triple the average use. Some reconstruction work will be done on the South Kaibab, making it necessary to limit day hiking to approximately 3.5 miles below the rim. Overnight hikers heading to Phantom Ranch can expect some brief delays along the lower South Kaibab trail. Hikers are asked to cooperate with trail workers for their safety. Interpretive Rangers will continue to provide visitor information at the Bright Angel and South Kaibab Trailheads and along the South Kaibab Trail.
The objectives of repairing storm damage to the pipeline and to the trails, and restoring canyon recreational opportunities as soon as is safe and practical remain high priorities with Grand Canyon National Park and the Northern Arizona Incident Management Team. The Bright Angel and South Kaibab trails are expected to reopen in several days.
While flashfloods are a part of the natural processes that made the Canyon grand, the Park's water system and trails are vulnerable to the affects of rockslides and erosion. The National Park Service continues to look for solutions to the unique problems of providing water for the Park's South Rim facilities.
NEWS RELEASE JULY 20, 1999
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Connie Birkland (520) 638-7885 or (520) 638-7931
INCREASED TRAFFIC ON SOUTH KAIBAB TRAIL
Foot traffic on the South Kaibab Trail on the south rim has more than doubled since closure of the Bright Angel Trail at Grand Canyon National Park. The increase is due to significant damage to the Bright Angel Trail when intense rain fell creating flash flood conditions in the Park on the evening of July 14.
By 7:00 a.m. July 18, over 1,100 visitors had begun hiking on the South Kaibab trail. This figure is significantly higher than the 300 hikers the trail normally receives by this time of the day. The South Kaibab trail, which starts at Yaki Point and meanders for seven miles down to Phantom Ranch, is a more strenuous trail for the casual hiker, given its steep grade and lack of shade and water. With the increase in traffic and the difficulty of the trail, the Park has placed additional staff at the trailhead and along the trail in order to answer questions and provide information. In addition, the Park has placed 50-gallon caches of water and erected tarpaulins to provide shade at Cedar Ridge, Mormon Flat, and Tipoff Point. According to Pat Hattaway, River District Ranger, "Because of the tremendous increase in the use of the trail, extra precautions must be taken to insure our visitors are prepared and aware of potential heat-related conditions when hiking on the South Kaibab Trail."
In the meantime, good progress is being made on rebuilding the Bright Angel and North Kaibab trails. Trail crews are currently working reconstructing surfaces on these trails, as well as rebuilding support walls near Cottonwood Campground, assembling and filling gabions at Phantom Ranch, and covering exposed pipeline and conduit on the River Trail.
NEWS RELEASE JULY 18, 1999
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Connie Birkland (520) 638-7885 or (520) 638-7931
WORK CONTINUES ON BRIGHT ANGEL & NORTH KAIBAB TRAILS
Over 140 personnel are now working to rehabilitate and rebuild many sections on the Bright Angel and North Kaibab trails in Grand Canyon National Park. Stabilization work also continues on the trans-canyon water pipeline and the sewage line at Phantom Ranch. The trails and pipelines received extensive damage when intense rain fell on the evening of July 14.
Six hotshot firefighting crews are working on the trail under Park trail crew direction moving large rocks, re-building trail that was washed out, and clearing debris left behind when the flash flood waters subsided. Many of the rocks being moved are in excess of five feet in height and width and can weight as much as several hundred pounds. Rock walls being rebuilt are as high as twelve feet and twenty-feet wide. In addition to the hard work required to rebuild the trail, work crews also have to contend with daily temperatures in the 90's and little to no shade to hide from the sun. As a result, all work crews have been, directed to follow strict hourly work/rest guidelines of 45 minutes of work and 15 minutes of rest.
Park maintenance personnel continue to stabilize the trans-canyon water pipeline and the sewage line at Phantom Ranch. Personnel found several small holes in sections of the pipe, as well as sections where the pipeline bedding was undercut. Water is currently flowing through the line at a lower pressure.
Current and forecasted weather indicates a dry spell over the area for the next several days allowing work crews to make good headway in bringing the trail back to it's pre-flash flood condition. Larry Anderson, Incident Commander for the interagency management team working with the Park, states "Although it is important that we get the Bright Angel and North Kaibab trails open for public access as soon as possible, it is imperative that we provide for the safety our work crews."
NEWS RELEASE July 17, 1999
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Connie Birkland (520) 638-7885 or (520) 638-7931
PARK RECEIVES ASSISTANCE WITH MONSOON '99 INCIDENT
On July 14, 1999, approximately 1. 52 inches of rain fell within Grand Canyon causing severe flash flooding along the Bright Angel and North Kaibab trails. An assessment of the area immediately following flooding revealed extensive damage including numerous rockslides, washouts, and debris flows. In addition, approximately two thousand feet of the trans-canyon pipeline that carries water from Roaring Springs on the north slope of the canyon to the south rim has been exposed and undercut during the flash floods. The Bright Angel and North Kaibab trails have been closed from the south rim to Phantom Ranch and from Phantom Ranch to Roaring Springs.
An Interagency Incident Management Team, consisting of personnel from various federal and state agencies throughout northern Arizona, arrived July 16 and is currently overseeing all aspects of the incident. Accord' to Incident Commander Larry Anderson, there is "extensive damage to the infrastructure of the trail and it will take a considerable amount of time and work to bring the trail(s) back to their pre-flash flood condition." Six interagency hotshot crews have also arrived to assist Park personnel in clearing and re-building the trail.
The Backcountry Office will not issue any new backcountry permits for Indian Garden, Cottonwood, and Bright Angel Campgrounds during this closure period. For information on backcountry use permits, call 520-638-7875 Monday through Friday from 1-5 p.m. MST. For general park information call 520-638-7888.
The Trans-Canyon
Pipeline - Completed 1970
Provides
water to North Rim, Inner Canyon, and South Rim.
29 years Old
Suffers
frequent failure from:
Rockslides
Stress due to ground shift
Electrolytic deterioration
Exposed pipeline
in the "Box", North Kaibab Trail, July 16, 1999. NPS Photo
One to the North Rim
The second to Cottonwood, Phantom Ranch and Indian Gardens where water is pumped to the South Rim (25-Mile Trans-Canyon Line).
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DID NOT GET WASHED AWAY THIS YEAR. |
Gallons Per Minute from Roaring Springs = 750
Per Day = 1,080,00
Per Year = 400,000,000
Daily use per summer = Approximately 565,000 Gallons
Storage Capability on
So. Rim = 13,000,000 Gallons (2 weeks supply)
Roaring Springs is located at the mouth of a cave 3,000-ft. below the rim.
NEWS RELEASE
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
For Immediate Release July 15, 1999
Sandra Perl (520) 638-7885
MONSOON FLOOD DAMAGE UPDATE
July 15, 1999
Effectively immediately, the lower portion of the North Kaibab Trail is closed due to extensive damage caused by heavy rains that fell Wednesday night. The trail is closed from Roaring Springs to just above Phantom Ranch, a distance of 9 miles. The trail may be closed as long as three weeks for repairs.
The Bright Angel Trail remains closed from the South Rim down to the Colorado River, a distance of 9 miles. The South Kaibab Trail which runs from the South Rim to Phantom Ranch and the Bright Angel Campground is open.
The National Park Service (NPS) conducted an aerial reconnaissance of the North Kaibab Trail to determine the overall extent of damage. Park Engineers and Trail Crewmembers hiked the trail to further assess the damages in greater detail. The initial assessment revealed extensive washouts and numerous rockslides, which left the trail impassable in many places. In addition, the trans-canyon water pipeline is exposed and seriously undercut in three places along the trail in an area frequently called The Box, located above Phantom Ranch. The pipeline is still intact and continues to transport water to the south rim. Assessment of trail damages will continue on Friday, July 16, 1999. No injuries were reported.
The NPS Backcountry Office will not issue any new backcountry permits for Cottonwood Campground, located in the closed area on the North Kaibab Trail. Indian Garden Campground on the Bright Angel Trail remains closed. Bright Angel Campground is open but no new permits are being issued during these closures. Hikers who already have reservations at Cottonwood and Indian Garden Campgrounds are being contacted by the backcountry office and hiking itineraries changed as necessary.
Park Rangers successfully escorted 14 hikers from Indian Garden up the Bright Angel Trail. In addition, a total of 28 hikers from the Cottonwood Campground were successfully evacuated by helicopter from the Cottonwood Campground after a flash flood damaged the campground.
An Interagency Incident Management Team will arrive in the morning on July 16, 1999 to assist the park in managing this large project.
July 15, 1999 - Grand Canyon NP (AZ) - Flash Floods
Sustained moderate to heavy rainfall - about an inch-and-a-half fell over 24 hours - caused flash floods and led to a rock fall and trail washouts on the Bright Angel trail on the afternoon of July 14th. Forty people were stranded at the mile-and-a-half rest house, 15 at the three-mile rest house, and 30 at the Indian Garden campground. Four people were injured, including a park employee. One of the four, a hiker who was on the North Kaibab trail, reported having to dodge what he described as "head-sized" rocks; he was hit in the leg by one and sustained a fracture, but was able to walk another two miles on his broken leg before reaching help. Another severe storm cell with heavy rain and lightning passed through the area during the night, causing significant trail damage and a pipeline break on the North Kaibab trail. An additional inch of rain fell on Indian Garden. The incident management team is conducting a thorough damage assessment to determine how the park will make repairs. The Bright Angel and North Kaibab trails and Indian Garden campground are closed pending completion of a detailed assessment. [CRO, GRCA, 7/15]
July 10, 1999 - Grand Canyon NP (AZ) - Rescue
On the morning of July 7th, park dispatch received an urgent report of two visitor injuries near Roaring Springs on the North Rim. Park maintenance employee Bruce Aiken responded from the Roaring Springs pump house and advised that a father and son had fallen and that both had sustained multiple fractures. They had been part of a mule ride to the springs. During the lunch break, they walked over to the edge of a waterfall. The father evidently slipped on the wet rock and fell about 15 feet, landing on large boulders in the creek bed beneath the waterfall; his son fell an equal distance when he went to investigate. Phantom Ranch ranger Ivan Kassovic and park VIP Michael Polletta were flown to a helicopter pad near the pump house, then hiked to the scene. Rangers Ken Phillips, Matt Walls and Bill Vandergraff were then flown in from the South Rim. The son, was found to be wedged between large boulders directly beneath the cascade of a waterfall and suffering from a severely angulated humerus fracture. He could only be extricated after receiving morphine for his pain. A short-haul evacuation was initiated because of the difficult access, terrain and patient injuries. Three North Rim firefighters were flown in to assist, and medical equipment was transported to the site via sling load. The son and Phillips were short- hauled to the pump house pad, then flown to Flagstaff Medical Center in a Classic Lifeguard Air Ambulance helicopter. The father was then short-hauled out and flown to the center in the park helicopter with ranger/paramedic Phil Mennenoh. The operation was conducted in light rain and impending thunder storms. Spotters were placed at the head of Roaring Springs Canyon to warn of any flash flooding. Three helicopters and approximately 25 people were involved with the incident. Ranger Paul Downey served as incident commander. [Ken Phillips, GRCA, 7/10]
The monsoon season, which generally extends from mid-July through mid-to-late September, can produce intense rain showers and thunderstorms that can come without warning. Travel in drainages and washes during a monsoon rain are particularly hazardous. It is important to stay alert to your surroundings while hiking in the Grand Canyon and to anticipate known weather conditions during the time of year you are hiking.
For information on backcountry use permits, call 520-638-7875 Monday through Friday from 1-5 p.m. MST.
For general park information call 520-638-7888.
July 15 1999
Section of North Kaibab Trail bed washed away. Retaining wall intact. Pipeline exposed. |
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rock slide on the Bright Angel Trail. July 15, 1999 To view
updated photos of the trail repair work
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