Back on the Wall: My Grand Canyon Photography Finds a New Home

I'm happy to announce that I'm back in the gallery scene after a one-year hiatus. I've recently joined a number of other featured artists at the Flagstaff Piano Clock & Fine Art Gallery. A selection of my best large-scale Ilfochrome and giclee-on-canvas prints are on display (and for sale) in this funky little haunt located in one of Flagstaff, Arizona's charming historic buildings. 

Be sure to swing by next time you're en route to the Grand Canyon (one hour and change up the road), or visit their website at http://flagstaffpianoandclock.com. My work is yet to be posted on the site, but you'll get to see the eclectic artistic company my Grand Canyon images will be keeping. 

"America's Best Idea" Coming Soon

Each Memorial Day weekend a gathering of conservationists, extreme sports enthusiasts, and advocates for Tibetan independence descends upon Telluride, Colorado, for MountainFilm, a long-running documentary film festival that kicks off a busy summer season in this high-altitude hamlet.

I've been attending for several years and have rarely been more excited than during the most recent festival which featured the premier of "The National Parks: America's Best Idea." This latest collaboration between award-winning filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan is a sprawling project was ten years in the making. It highlights the history of the National Park System through the lens of the visionaries who championed the preservation of America's amazing natural and cultural heritage.

I caught two installments of the six-part series, and was deeply moved by what I saw. As a longtime resident and educator at Grand Canyon National Park, I walked away with a renewed sense of respect for the park I call home, and for public lands everywhere.

Don't miss this series when it airs on PBS in September (2009). In my opinion it should be required viewing for every citizen of our fine country.

Park's Carbon Footprint Drops a Size

From its natural gas shuttle buses to a robust recycling program, Grand Canyon National Park has been hard at work in recent years adopting "green" business practices. The latest bright idea has the park turning to the sun for a helping hand. In partnership with Arizona Public Service (APS), Grand Canyon National Park has installed eighty-four photovoltaic solar panels at the Visitor Center at Canyon View Information Plaza.

A recent ceremony marked the new initiative which will offset thirty percent of the facility's power needs indefinitely, and double as a springboard to discuss energy efficiency with park visitors and staff (the latter achieved through interpretive wayside exhibits and assorted literature).

The sun was not on the guest list, but crashed the party with crowd-wilting temperatures that sent attendees scrambling for shade and refreshments following speeches by Superintendent Steve Martin, APS President and Chief Executive Officer Don Robinson.

Buzz From Canyon Raft Trip Hard to Shake

It's been a few months since my nine-day whitewater rafting trip in the Grand Canyon, and I still find myself struggling to readjust to the “real” world. Along with twenty-three others I participated in a Grand Canyon Field Institute-sponsored, oar-powered trip from the Phantom Ranch Boat Beach, to Diamond Creek.

This one hundred-plus stretch of the fabled chasm features enormous rapids, remarkable side canyons, towering waterfalls, peculiar wildlife, and sandy beaches.

Indeed, one of the biggest challenges for the 25,000 lucky ducks who take on the Colorado River through Grand Canyon each year is trying to convey their experience upon returning home. It remains elusive to all but the most eloquent of writers and indescribable for those with a mere website column as their vehicle. My advice is to experience the magic firsthand. With the sagging economy, the commercial river running companies are holding their prices, and the days of waiting two years to snag an available spot are gone. So go ahead and break the piggy bank and treat yourself to the trip of a lifetime!

Giving Back: Volunteer Opportunities at Grand Canyon

In the course of my fifteen years residing Grand Canyon National Park I have heard countless stories from visitors for whom the Grand Canyon has forever changed their lives. The list includes a school teacher from Taipei, a retired banker from Paris, an opera stage manager from Venice, and dozens of weekend warriors from neighboring communities like Flagstaff and Sedona that hike the canyon any chance they get.

Many have found a way to channel their energy and enthusiasm into volunteer programs as a way to express their gratefulness (if not devotion) to the canyon they hold dear. From removing non-native plants, to counting migrating raptors, the opportunities are many. The outings are fun, informative, and a great way to meet likeminded outdoor enthusiasts.

The Grand Canyon Trust is a great place to start for those looking for ways to give back. Check out their website for more details http://www.gcvolunteers.org/

Big Changes Afoot for Mather Point

Ask just about anyone where they caught their first glimpse of the Grand Canyon and chances are they’ll answer Mather Point. Due to its close proximity to the busiest park entrance station, the lofty overlook is a typical first stop for visitors. Mather Point was named after the first director of the National Park Service, Stephen Mather, and never fails to dazzle the throngs that brave the guardrail-encased precipice.

Beginning this April, the National Park Service will begin a multi-phase construction project that will dramatically alter the Mather Point experience. Roads will be re-aligned, new parking areas will be developed, trailside exhibitry installed, and visitor amenities will be expanded at the nearby visitor center.

Once completed, the new and improved Mather Point area will provide an even more dramatic experience for those that have travelled near and far to gape at one of the natural wonders of the world.

 

Grand Canyon Hiker Symposium: Campfire Stories without the Smoke

Hikers generally need a very good reason to linger indoors, and the Grand Canyon Hiker’s and Backpackers Association is providing a dandy in the form of the third annual Grand Canyon Hikers Symposium.

The event will consist of short presentations by some of Grand Canyon’s elite backcountry enthusiasts, and a few mere mortals, on the twists and turns of a particularly memorable hike. Given the hardships and hallelujahs that the canyon can serve up under even the best of conditions, these hard won tales are certain to entertain both hikers and rim dwellers alike.

Here are the particulars:

When: 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday, April 4, 2009

Where: Shrine of the Ages, Grand Canyon Village, Grand Canyon National Park

Cost: free and open to the public. Bring a friend!

Follow this link for a map to Grand Canyon Village.

The Shrine of the Ages is located adjacent to Park Headquarters and a short walk from Market Plaza. The Shrine of the Ages is conveniently located within a mile or two of the Bright Angel and South Kaibab Trails if the spirit moves you.

Thank you for tuning into "All Things Grand Canyon". GrandCanyonPrints.com offers the grandest in Grand Canyon photographs.

Twin Ceremonies Celebrate Park’s History and Future

February 26^th was a day of speeches, ribbon cutting, and cake for all on the South Rim. The date marked the 90^th anniversary for Grand Canyon National Park. With the stroke of a pen on February 26, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson added Grand Canyon to the growing list of national parks in the fledgling National Park System. A small ceremony was conducted in the Canyon View Information Plaza, including a rousing interpretive program by NPS ranger Dave Smith in period garb.

 The celebration then moved down the rim to the official opening of the Verkamp’s Visitor Center. Readers of this column will recall that the Verkamp family sold its interest in their century-old family business to the park service in 2008. Three of the family members were in attendance, each giving emotional speech about growing up along the rim. Other dignitaries included a representative from Arizona Congressman Grijalva’s office, and Phyllis Kachinhongva, a Hopi woman who grew up as a neighbor of the Verkamp’s family, and served as an NPS interpreter before retiring recently.

 Phyllis gave a traditional Hopi blessing for the new Visitor Center. As she uttered her final words a California condor flew low over the gathering, much to the delight of the overflow crowd. The new Verkamp’s Visitor Center will be opened all year, with ranger programs beginning on the doorstep throughout the day.

 Follow this link for more information on the historic day’s events http://www.nps.gov/grca/parknews/2009-02-02_90th.htm

 

Craig Childs' "House of Rain" A Must Read

During a visit to the Heartland over Christmas I brought along Craig Childs' latest book "House of Rain." It's a sprawling read that covers the rise and fall of the Anasazi—ancestral puebloan people that inhabited the Four Corners region of the Colorado Plateau for centuries before....(ah, ah, ah, don't want to give it away!). Though my beloved Grand Canyon receives only a passing mention, many of the other places such as Chaco Canyon, Cedar Mesa, and Keet Seel that figure more prominently are also near and dear to my heart. Craig speaks with the authority of one who is intimate with nearly every step on the serpentine trajectory of this fabled culture. "House of Rain" served as an indispensable tether to my adopted home in northern Arizona, even as I rambled about the snow-clad familiarity of my native Iowa. This is required reading for anyone enchanted by the human response to one of the planet's most intriguing landscapes. The book can be purchased onAmazon.com http://www.amazon.com/House-Rain-Tracking-Civilization-Southwest/dp/0316067547/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231384236&sr=8-1

A Glance Back at 2008

Before marching headlong into the New Year, you may enjoy a snap recap of 2008 at Grand Canyon National Park. It was a dynamic year indeed. The National Park Service celebrated both the 100^th anniversary of Grand Canyon being declared a national monument (national park status would follow in 1919), and the 75^th anniversary of the amazing contributions of the depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps. 

Flooding also made the headlines. Once in the form of an experimental "high flow event" on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon (the third of its kind), and the other in a devastating, storm-fueled flash flood that ravaged the Havasu Creek drainage – home to the Havasupai tribe and their majestic waterfalls. 

The park service completed an extensive construction and repair project on the historic Hermit Road, reopening with pomp and circumstance in November. 

Among the "firsts" the park service and their partners conducted a wildly successful "Celebrate Wildlife" day, and a marathon footrace that attracted hundreds of eager runners from around the country. 

The Verkamp family ended their century-long presence on the rim in Grand Canyon Village as purveyors of Native American handicrafts and other souvenirs. The NPS has converted their landmark structure into a visitor center in partnership with the Grand Canyon Association who will operate a retail outlet as well. 

Finally, although the world economic turmoil put a damper on park visitation, people still continued to arrive in droves to enjoy the grandest of canyons. Along with hundreds of my fellow Grand Canyon residents, I look forward to another wonderful year living on the edge, and would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year!

Changing of the Guard at Grand Canyon Landmark

On November 26, Grand Canyon National Park re-opened historic Verkamps Curios as a combination visitor contact station and retail outlet. Verkamps Curios had previously been the longest-running family owned concession in the National Park System before selling their operation and facility to the National Park Service earlier this year. The stately building sits on the edge of the South Rim in the Historic Village District. With its command view of the Grand Canyon, quality merchandise, and cozy fireplace, Verkamps Curios attracted tourists for over one hundred years. The NPS will use it's new facility to provide visitor information by way of interpretive rangers and the wide use of exhibitry. The retail outlet will be operated by Grand Canyon Association, a non-profit park partner that has been assisting Grand Canyon National Park in the areas of education and scientific research since 1932.

Hermit Road Comes out of Hiding after Months of Repairs

After nearly a year of construction, the South Rim’s Hermit Road is once again accessible to park visitors; and with it such popular scenic overlooks as Hopi, Pima, Powell and Maricopa Points.

For decades the seven-mile road, rim trail and parking areas that lie between Grand Canyon Village and historic Hermits Rest fell into disrepair due to a combination of heavy use and the elements. Even after restricting access to private vehicles the infrastructure continued to deteriorate.

In February of 2008 the park service began closing the area and embarking on an ambitious project to address the bucket list of needed repairs. To absorb the thousands of park visitors that were turned away, alternate park service bus routes were added on those roads that remained unaffected.

On November 15th, a newly-invigorated Hermit Road was opened to the public with both ceremony and celebration—just in time for the throngs of holiday travelers.

The Heavy Lifting: Exhibit Honors the Civilian Conservation Corps

In 1933, at the height of the Great Depression, the federal government under President Franklin Delano Roosevelt launched the Civilian Conservation Corps. This popular public works project put thousands of otherwise idle young men to work building and restoring infrastructure and trails in many of the nation's national parks. Grand Canyon National Park played host to as many as eight hundred of these industrious laborers. Among their many accomplishments were the construction of the Clear Creek Trail, the transcanyon telephone line, trailside shelters, and the stone-and-mortar protective wall that runs along the South Rim in the Historic Village District (providing peace of mind to not a few nervous mothers over the decades). At Kolb Studio in Grand Canyon Village, a free exhibit entitled “It Saved My Life, the CCC at Grand Canyon, 1933-1942" will run through October 19^th in celebration of the 75^th anniversary of the CCC's legacy at Grand Canyon. For more information follow this link http://www.nps.gov/grca/parknews/upload/2008-05-23%20CCC.pdf.

Song Sung Blue? Blame the Cow Birds

Few would argue that the Grand Canyon is a visual wonder. For many the view wouldn’t be the same without the ongoing soundtrack provided by the more than one hundred nesting species of birds found throughout the park. The multi-varied calls of the songbirds in particular are inextricable to the Grand Canyon experience (to the dwindling number of visitors not wearing earphones that is). One of the biggest threats to the songbird population is the brown-headed cowbird. These parasitic birds lay their eggs in the nests of non-cowbirds, and leave it to the host bird to hatch and raise their offspring, often at the expense of the host birds own young. The National Park Service will be conducting a survey of songbird nests throughout the park this summer in an effort to determine the severity of the problem. You can help. If you are aware of a songbird nest in the park, please contact wildlife biologist Rosa Palarino. She will do her best to include every known nest in the study. Ms. Palarino can be reached at rosa_palarino@nps.gov. 

From Russia with…Knapweed?

Grand Canyon National Park is home to over 1600 species of plants, demonstrating some of the greatest biodiversity of any national park. Unfortunately not all of these botanical residents were invited guests. Non-indigenous plants (otherwise known as “exotics”) have increasingly become a disruption to the park’s natural balance. Plants such as Russian knapweed and tamarisk have frustrated the parks vegetation specialists for years as they continue to spread despite concerted efforts towards eradication.

It was recently announced that the latest initiative to battle these non-native plants, including the use of herbicides, will be extended through the end of the year. With a little luck, the National Park Service Vegetation Program will gain the upper hand on a few of these unwelcome guests.

Find out how you can help by following this link
http://www.gcvolunteers.org/

Uranium Mines Proposed Within Sight of Grand Canyon

In recent years the mining industry has staged a dramatic comeback in the western states, driven primarily by rising oil prices across the globe. Natural gas exploration and drilling on public lands have perhaps garnered the most headlines, but the renewed hunt for uranium deposits holds the greatest consequences for the Grand Canyon region. A fifteen-fold increase in uranium prices in recent years has led to the filing of thousands of mining claims, many of which are within ten miles of the Grand Canyon itself. Environmentalists and like-minded politicians are mobilizing to exclude the lands adjacent to Grand Canyon from mining activities. The impending legal tug-of-war on the uranium issue has the potential to rival the high profile battle to prevent the damming of Marble Canyon in the 1950s and 60s. Read more by following this link, and let your voice be heard on the issue by contacting your congressional representatives.

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/mar2008/2008-03-13-01.asp

Hispanic Connection to Grand Canyon Grows

The first Europeans to lay eyes upon the Grand Canyon were Spanish soldiers under the command of Garcia Lopez de Cardenas. In search of safe passageways between Spanish missions in modern day New Mexico and California, the party reached the South Rim with their Hopi guides in 1540. Stymied by the expansive canyon, they abandoned their quest and eventually returned to Mexico where their quest began. It would be centuries before explorers, hunters, and prospectors would follow in their footsteps, ushering in the modern day fascination with the grandest of canyons.

The roots of the Hispanic connection to the Grand Canyon are about to grow even deeper as Grand Canyon National Park takes the first steps toward establishing a “sister park” relationship with a Mexican land reserve. An official gathering designed to strengthen this growing partnership between the National Park Service and their Mexican government counterparts took place at Grand Canyon National Park on February 25th. The “Shared Heritage, Shared Stewardship” conference represented another step toward strengthening ties between two countries that share common resources, such as the Sonoran Desert in the case of Grand Canyon, and environmental concerns.

Popular Hermit Road to Close for Repairs

Long term closures throughout most of 2008 are planned for Hermit Road, the seven-mile drive extending from Grand Canyon Village to historic Hermits Rest. Constructed by the Bureau of Public Roads and National Park Service in the mid-30s, this serpentine road with the big views is a favorite among visitors riding the park’s free shuttle bus, and hikers utilizing the adjacent Rim Trail.

Both road and trail have long been in need of structural improvements. To this end, a rolling rehabilitation schedule will begin in early April, and last through November. The park service will be diverting visitors to other points of interest during the construction period. One notable exception will be the morning shuttle for backpackers heading to the popular Hermit Trail. This user group will be allowed to descend the Hermit Trail, but will be required to exit the canyon by other routes such as the Bright Angel Trail.

If all goes as planned, the new and improved Hermit Road will be ready again next spring to host the thousands of visitors seeking the unparalleled beauty and relative remoteness of this breathtaking stretch of the South Rim.

For more information click here http://www.nps.gov/grca/parkmgmt/hermit.htm

New & Improved Yavapai Observation Station Opens

The National Park Service recently rededicated the historic Yavapai Observation Station (YOS) upon the completion of major interior renovations. Newly-installed interpretive exhibits focus on the geology of the Grand Canyon, and demonstrate the powerful geologic processes responsible for the carving (past and present) of the fabled chasm. Others serve to make the canyon’s ancient rock strata, nearly two billion years old by most accounts, comprehensible to both the scientific and lay audience alike.

Originally built in 1928, what was then called the Yavapai Point Trailside Museum was designed by architect Herbert C. Maier. In the tradition of the famed architect Mary Jane Colter, Maier took pains to blend the structure with the surrounding landscape. Located on the South Rim at the outer edge of Grand Canyon Village, YOS has since been visited by countless park visitors. Parking and admission are free, and a small bookstore operated by the Grand Canyon Association can be found within.

In a press release issued by the NPS, park superintendent Steve Martin said, “We are extremely excited about the renovation of Yavapai Observation Station, along with the new exhibits that tell the story of Grand Canyon’s geology. This is but the first step, as we continue to forge opportunities for connections between our park visitors and the incredible Grand Canyon.”

“The Man Who Walked Through Time” Reaches the End of the Trail

Another Grand Canyon hiking legend has passed away. In recent years canyon enthusiasts bid farewell to George Steck and Harvey Butchart, two intrepid backcountry travelers that wrote at length about their respective experiences. Joining them in that great wilderness in the sky is Colin Fletcher, author of “The Man Who Walked Through Time.” Fletcher’s account of his 1963 walk from one end of Grand Canyon National Park to the other fired the imaginations of readers at a time when camping and backpacking were gaining popularity across the country.

Perhaps ironically, Fletcher was severely injured in 2001 when he was struck by a car while crossing a rural road. These injuries plagued him until his death on June 12, 2007, at the age of 85. Since his Grand Canyon trek in 1963, the park has been expanded dramatically by absorbing Grand Canyon National Monument and Marble Canyon National Monument. End-to-end hikes are as rare now as they were in Fletcher’s time, with only a few dozen people having accomplished the feat. He will be missed.