Grand Canyon in winter

[pmg]

Any of you guys been on the South Rim in the Winter? I'm thinking of stopping off on my way back from California this Xmas. I know what the nps says about it: nps.gov
Just looking for first hand accounts.

 

[Lone Star]

We headed out there before the 2005 Rose Bowl. So the day we are out there a storm blows in from Southern California and, in the morning, we could not see 10 feet into the Canyon. And still it was great and we could not see the ANY of the Canyon. Recommend staying at El Tovar (decorated by Mary Colter) and reserve a table in the dining room next to the big window. Check out the Hopi House and other South Rim sites.

The weather should be nice and you can hike down to one of the overlooks. If it snows, stick around and wait for the storm to clear and you will see the canyon covered in snow. Monument Valley is 2 hours away and also worth a trip.

One other note, if you are traveling from the East, an overnight at La Posada in Winslow is also highly recommended (another Mary Colter design).

 

[pmg]

Thanks, I'm planning on camping. I guess I should have clarified that.

 

[blkshoes]

plan on freezing your *** off

 

[Brak]

In reply to:

---

---

 

[pmg]

In reply to:

---

---

 

[Summerof79]

Is the glass walkway on the South end?

I alway thought it woudl be fun to go out and do jumping cacks in golf shoes and watch people freak out!

 

[Brak]

In reply to:

---

---

 

[pantone159]

I camped once on the S Rim, about a week before Thanksgiving. It was cool at night, maybe low 20's, but I was perfectly ok with that. (One of our group had a very inadequate sleeping bag, and wasn't so happy.) We then headed down into the canyon, where it is considerably warmer. It was actually about perfect temps down in the canyon then, good hiking weather.

 

[Ankf00]

In reply to:

---

---

 

[happy fun ball]

Very envious, that will be a great trip.

 

[pmg]

Update.
I camped there Sat night and Sunday night, left Monday 1/1.
I enjoyed it, and plan to do it again to get some more hiking in. I learned a few things, too.

Mainly, I was surprised at the crowds. I will never, ever, go there in the summer, I don't think. (Well, I was there once in the summer, but that was 1968 and things have changed a bit.) When I arrived Sat afternoon, all the lanes at the entrance station were full; took about twenty minutes just to get in. I did note, however, when I left around noon on Monday there were no lines at all.

Only one campground is open in Winter. And in that one, Mather, only one loop is open. Yet there were not many used; I had a few sites open on each side of me. There is an automated self-check-in station there, no humans; at least after hours. There was about 4 inches or so of snow on the ground in many places, from earlier snowfall, mostly in shade or north facing slopes. The weather was beautifully clear my whole stay, low temps 9 degrees Sat and 11 on Sunday night.

Although you may drive your own vehicle, I preferred to take the shuttle and not fuss with the traffic, which was heavy on the Rim.

The Rim is about a mile from the campground, so I hiked there in the mornings for pics (my digital broke 2nd night but mainly used my film 35mm). There were few people there at sunrise, around Grandview. But walking along the rim eventually leads to many, many people, especially near parking areas. I took the shuttle to Bright Angel Lodge in the afternoon, and it looked like Disneyland. Literally thousands of people, wandering around, kids, strollers, dogs, folks wandering on and off the train, very loud. Beautiful views, if you like hanging out at, say, ski resorts you'll probably feel at home here. The hotels, the food/beverage availability, gives it a definite amusement park feel. Maybe Yosemite in the Valley is a better comparison.

I had planned on hiking down Bright Angel trail but didn't. At the top of the trail were hundreds of folks, many in tennis shoes. I made a *big mistake number one* here, I should have had crampons. There was substantial snow/ice on the trail and I didn't feel like risking it; not fearful of falling over the edge, but fearful of breaking a bone in a slip. I saw several folks slip and fall.

I made *big mistake number two* by not visiting the official visitor center until Monday a.m. I should have gone there the previous day, as it was completely empty when it opened and I got good hiking advice from one of the rangers. I found out I could have purchased instep crampons for only $11 at the village store there. I also found out that New Year's is apparently a popular time for backpacking, and all the backcountry sites at the bottom were full up that night.

Unfortunately, it's kind of noisy. From late at night to early in the a.m. you can hear in the background vehicles on the roads, in the village, trucks and buses in particular. (And idiot campers at times, but only one group of those.)

For car-camping, the setup was ideal, as the village market/grocery store is within walking distance or a short drive. Prices were really not bad, considering, and next time I won't rely so much on bringing my own food. The store was not crowded either; I can't imagine what it would be like in the summer.

There is also a lodge next door which has a cafeteria for anyone, which I used for hot coffee a few times. Again, not crowded this time of year.

I underestimated the number of hiking trails available and also the amount of ice on the upper trails. I don't mind hiking in snow, rain, cold, but am gettin wary in my old age of hiking, especially steep descents, where ice patches are present. I want to go back in the winter again, but next time will be prepared for that.

The visibility is generally higher in Winter than Summer, as does the fact that a cold front had come through and the air was clear and cold, and one morning I was there, Sunday, they measured visibility at 291 miles. Even for an old Big Bend hound like myself that is impressive.

 

[Longhorn_94]

i have been to the Grand Canyon several times in both winter and summer.

i have always been surprised when people complain about the crowds. i have never found the grand canyon to be overly crowded. i have been during every season and on several holidays and there is always plenty of room to enjoy the canyon. are there lots of people there at times? sure. but is it too crowded where you cant enjoy it? not in my opinion. if you stay away from the areas behind the south rim lodges and hike down into the canyon you will find a very back to nature type of experience.

i hiked down to the bottom of the canyon this past summer on July 4th weekend. we always stay at Bright Angel in a cabin. we found no other cars at the entrance and never saw any traffic or car congestion. i hiked down to the bottom with my two boys, 9 and 7, and we had a great, great time!! the crowd thins out really quick as you go down the trail. and by the time you get to the bottom, it is rare to see other people.

crowds dont bother me. maybe we have a different idea as to what a crowd is.

after traveling to grand canyon, we headed to Yosemite, my favorite place on earth.

the last time i was at the Canyon in Winter was 2000 when my mom and i were snowed in during the presidential election. it was great! we hated it when the storm cleared and we could leave.


jason

 

[hornphil]

we camped there on new year's eve on the way to the rose bowl in 2005. it started snowing and we ran out of firewood at 8:30, so we counted down the new year at 8:35. we thought that was fun, so we counted down again at 8:40 on videotape and went to bed.

still.. great stop on a great trip. no crowds, and crisp, clear views in the morning.