Tag Archives: Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon to Celebrate President’s Day Weekend with Free Entry

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Grand Canyon open for free President's Day Weekend.

Grand Canyon open for free President’s Day Weekend.

GRAND CANYON – If you guys are looking for somewhere to take your honey this weekend, the Grand Canyon National Park will be open free in honor of Presidents Day Saturday, February 14, 2015 through Monday, February 16, 2015.

Park visitors are reminded that fee-free designation applies to entrance fees only and does not affect fees for camping, reservations, guided tours, or use of concessions. Park entrance stations will have the Interagency Senior and Annual Passes available for those who wish to purchase them. Visitors who plan to spend time in the park beyond February 16th will need to pay the regular entrance fee for the remainder of their stay.

Grand Canyon’s South Rim sits at approximately 7,000 feet. As a result, visitors should be prepared for winter weather and driving conditions, and should be aware that road closures and temporary suspension of shuttle service may occur with little or no notice if winter weather passes through the area.

The long-range weather forecast, however, is predicting temperatures in the 60s with lows around 40 with some cloudiness. Water is always something visitors do not think about.

Dogs are also welcome but are required to be on a leash at all times.

Search for missing Texas man scaled back

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GRAND CANYON – Twenty-one year old Drake L. Kramer remains missing at Grand Canyon National Park and a six day search by the National Park Service has turned up no additional clues as to his whereabouts.

Kramer was last seen on Sunday, February 1 in the vicinity of the Bright Angel Lodge on the South Rim. He had spent the previous night as a guest at the lodge and checked out on the morning of the 1st. He was reported missing by members of his family on Monday, February 2nd.

For the past six days park rangers have extensively searched the South Rim developed area stretching from Hermit’s Rest on the west side to Grandview on the east. Teams of searchers have walked miles along the canyon rim, searched heavily forested areas, utilized dog teams, performed several over the rim technical searches, and conducted multiple aerial reconnaissance missions to support ground searchers.

Kramer is described as 5’7, 140 pounds, brown hair and blue eyes. He is last known to be wearing blue jeans and an olive green sweatshirt.

With no additional clues to guide search efforts on land, the search will be scaled back to a continuous, but limited mode in which rangers and pilots will continue to search for clues when in the area.

In addition, flyers with Kramer’s picture and description remain posted at various South Rim locations and anyone who may have information regarding his whereabouts is encouraged to call National Park Service Silent Witness Line at 928-638-7840. Any additional clues collected will guide future search efforts.

Search Area Expands for Missing San Antonio Man at Grand Canyon National Park

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GRAND CANYON – (Feb. 6) Today National Park Service Search and Rescue crews expanded the search area for missing San Antonio man, Drake L. Kramer. Kramer, 21 was reported missing by family on Monday, February 2.

The search area was expanded east from the South Rim developed area along Highway 64 towards Grandview. National Park Service personnel assigned to the search have walked dozens of miles along the rim of the canyon, covered several miles of wooded area, traversed along the edge of the canyon walls, and in some instances completed technical rappelling searches over the edge. The park helicopter continues to provide aerial supervision and reconnaissance.

Drake L. Kramer of San Antonio, TX was reported missing by a family member on February 2. His last known location was at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. Kramer spent the night of January 31 at the Bright Angel Lodge and checked out on the morning of February 1. He is described as 21 years old, 5’7, 140 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes. It is unknown what he was last wearing, it is known that he favors dark colored clothing and typically wears a backwards baseball hat.

The National Park Service is currently conducting a Search and Rescue operation. A missing persons investigation is on-going. No further information is available at this time.Any individual who may have had contact with or has with information on the location of Drake Kramer should contact the National Park Service Silent Witness Line at 928-638-7840.

Grand Canyon National Park Opens 2016 Noncommercial River Trip Permit Lottery

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lellouch_3767GRAND CANYON – Grand Canyon National Park will open the permit lottery for 2016 Noncommerical River Trip launch dates. Applications will be accepted online through noon Mountain Standard Time on February 24, 2015. A nonrefundable fee of $25 is required to enter the permit lottery. A total of 472 permits will be available for 12- to 25-day river trips launching on specific dates in 2016. Eligible individuals may apply online at the lottery web site located at http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/whitewater-rafting.htm.

The Noncommercial River Trip lottery is held in February to assign launch dates for river trips occurring the following calendar year. Due to the high demand for Noncommerical River Trip permits in Grand Canyon the lottery is weighted in favor of individuals who have not been on a trip in recent years. Public notifications regarding main lotteries are made by both email and news release. In addition to the annual main lottery, follow-up lotteries are held as needed throughout the remainder of the year to reassign canceled and/or left-over river trips. Public notifications for these follow-up lotteries are made through email, an RSS feed, and Twitter (twitter.com/GCRiverPermits).

The Noncommercial River Trip lottery web site can be accessed year-round to create or modify an account and to sign-up to receive email notifications. Individuals who are interested in a future Noncommercial River Trip permits are strongly encouraged to create an account. Lottery applications are accepted through the Noncommercial River Trip lottery web site only when lotteries are open.

Individuals must be 18 years or older to apply for a river trip permit. Noncommercial river trips must be self-guided, and technical whitewater experience is mandatory on each trip. Individuals may participate on a maximum of one recreational river trip per calendar year (commercial or noncommercial).

Individuals interested in professionally-guided river trips should not apply through the lottery, but instead request space on a commercial trip. A list of commercial companies offering guided trips can be found by visiting www.nps.gov/grca, selecting “River Trips/Permits”, then “3 to 18 Day Commercial Trips”.

For more information about the 2016 weighted lottery, please visit the Grand Canyon National Park web site at http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/whitewater-rafting.htm, contact the River Permits Office at 1-800-959-9164 or 928-638-7884, or email us at grca_riv@nps.gov

 

 

Missing Man at South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park

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sm-02-03-15-KramerGRAND CANYON – On Monday, February 2, 2015 the Grand Canyon Regional Communications Center received a phone call reporting a missing individual last known to be at the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park.

Drake L. Kramer of San Antonio, Texas was reported missing by a family member. Kramer was a guest at Bright Angel Lodge on the evening of Saturday, January 31 and checked out on Sunday, February 1. Kramer is described as 21 years old, 5’7, 140 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.

The National Park Service is currently conducting a Search and Rescue operation. A missing persons investigation is on-going. No further information is available at this time.Any individual with information on the location of Drake Kramer should contact the National Park Service Silent Witness Line at 928-638-7840.

State Route 67 to North Rim of Grand Canyon closing for winter season

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The Arizona Department of Transportation will close State Route 67 between Jacob Lake (US 89A) and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park for the winter season beginning Monday, Dec. 1.

The road could be closed earlier if heavy snowfall occurs in the area prior to the closure date. ADOT does not clear snow from SR 67 during the winter since the visitor accommodations at the North Rim are closed. The highway reopens each spring, usually around mid-May. US 89A will remain open at the junction with SR 67.

Before heading out on the roads, drivers are encouraged to call 511 or visit ADOT’s Traveler Information Center at az511.gov for the latest highway conditions around the state. The website features camera images along state highways that give drivers a glimpse of weather conditions in various regions.

Be prepared for winter driving by checking for weather conditions prior to your travels on Arizona roadways.

Injured hiker rescued from the Grand Canyon Monday

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Photos courtesy of the Coconino County Sheriff’s Department.

640-GC-Rescue-03GRAND CANYON – Elements from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, Arizona DPS, Flagstaff Fire Department and National Park Service performed a dramatic rescue at the Grand Canyon in the early morning hours Monday. A 68-year-old Tuscon woman was injured when she fell from a trail while hiking.

The female hiker was hiking with two others along the Clear Creek Trail on Sunday, November 2 when about 7 p.m. she slipped and fell down a slope off of the trail. The hikers fall stopped with her head down slope and about three feet from a cliff’s edge that dropped down 80 feet to the creek bed below. When the hiker attempted to recover and move, she would slide further down slope due to very loose soil and rocks. The victim, fearing that she would slide over the cliff edge, lay still as her two friends activated a satellite emergency notification device or SPOT device.
640-GC-Rescue-02The National Park Service at the Grand Canyon’s South Rim was advised of the emergency notification and sent a ranger to area of the SPOT alert. The park service ranger hiked for six hours from Phantom Ranch, reaching the victim around 3:00 a.m. Rangers determined the victim had suffered some type of injury to her leg. Due to the dangerous and unstable ground, the Park Service requested assistance from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit and the Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue helicopter, who have the capability to conduct night operations.

The DPS helicopter flew two heli-rescue members, one from the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office and the other from the Flagstaff Fire Department into the canyon where they were able to land about a mile away from the victim. Rescuers hiked to the area where they had to secure ropes and rappel down to the victim. The victim was secured by a harness and then “short hauled” or flown out with a rescuer.

The victim was flown to the Grand Canyon Heli-base at the South Rim where she was transferred to a ground ambulance and taken to the Grand Canyon Clinic. She was treated for a fractured ankle and hypothermia and later released.

Williams dresses up for Halloween

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tarantulaWILLIAMS – It must be October in Williams. The trees are turning and the turantulas are out and running about. Williams residents and businesses are dressing up for the Halloween. You also have the chance to win a fall basket through the Williams Chamber of Commerce.

On the weekends you have the chance to ride Pumpkin Patch Train. The train runs Saturday and Sunday at 11am, 1 & 3pm. The cost is only $20 per adult and $15 for children.

Bearizona Photo

Bearizona Photo

The other big event is the Bearizona Howly Growly Owly fall festival. The event is included in the price of admission. Do not get so wrapped up in the event, however, that you forget to drive through the park to see the animals.

Of course if you want to do something a little less scary, the weather is still great for a Marvelous Marv Grand Canyon Tour.

A really scary decoration.

A really scary decoration.

On Halloween the First Baptist Church and Family Harvest Church are hosting family friendly, safe events. Both churches are located across the street from Safeway along Grant street.

The Tainted Angel LLC will host a Zombie Prom at the Sultana Theater to benefit SAVE Meant to Rescue. The $10 per person event will include a brain eating contest, Cash Bar, photo booth, 80’s theme dance, contest and prizes and more.

The Williams Chamber of Commerce is currently running a scarecrow contest as part of their Alpine Harvest Festival. Several of the businesses have put up scarecrows and you could win a fall gift basket simply by judging the entries.

You can obtain a form from the Williams Visitor Center or any of the participating businesses. Judge a minimum of nine of the scarecrows and rate them each from 1 to 5. Make sure you obtain a sticker from the participating business. Drop off your entry at the Williams Visitor Center by October 29 in order to win the gift basket. You need not be present to win.

Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe "El Muerto." Don't forget to try the pumpkin pancakes and latte during October.

Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe “El Muerto.” Don’t forget to try the pumpkin pancakes and latte during October.

Participating businesses are Bearizona Wildlife Park, Camp Civitan Thrift Store, Grand Canyon Coffee and Cafe, National Bank of Arizona, Pizza Factory, Old Glory Gifts, the Williams Depot, Pine Country Restaurant, Williams Veterinary Clinic, The Station 66 Italian Bistro, Elephant Rocks Golf Course, Williams Wear, The Gallery in Williams, Sultana Theater and Boutique 66.

"Night Rider" at Camp Civitan Thrift Store. The thrift store benefits Camp Civitan for special needs people.

“Night Rider” at Camp Civitan Thrift Store. The thrift store benefits Camp Civitan for special needs people.

"The Scared Crow" sits beside the GMO Corn crow at Williams Wear in the mall.

“The Scared Crow” sits beside the GMO Corn crow at Williams Wear in the mall.

Old Glory Gifts has "The Mother Road & the Kicks." Old Glory Gifts sells only American made products.

Old Glory Gifts has “The Mother Road & the Kicks.” Old Glory Gifts sells only American made products.

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Early risers form up for Cool Country Cruise-In

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ccci140808-04WILLIAMS – Some of the classics in for the Cool Country Cruise-In event on Route 66 in Williams started lining up about 7:30 today. The annual event brings classic cars from several States.

Drivers are reminded that the speed limit is reduced to 15-miles per hour from First Street east to the end of Bill Williams Avenue (Route 66) for the event. Drivers need to watch for pedestrians and photographers.

The Matthew J. Broehm VFW post will be selling raffle tickets for the tactical shotgun which will be drawn for today.

Cars are not the only events available this weekend. The Friends of the Williams Aquatic Center will host a free swim and party with pizza, snow cones and beverages on Saturday, August 9 from noon to 2 pm. The pool will then go to a reduced schedule open to the public only on Friday and Saturdays through August 30. The Friends are planning one more free swim and party on the last day of the season.
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Bearizona is always open from 8am to 7pm. Cars begin to line up for the drive-through wildlife park even before opening. You will probably find Marvelous Marv’s orange Volkswagen Beetle at the car show, but his orange van will be available to take visitors to the Grand Canyon for his world-famous private tour.

On the west end of town near Safeway, across the street from Memorial Park, the Kiwanis Club Route 66 Street Market will be open. The Route 66 Street Market replaced the Swap Meet which used to be held in the same area. Proceeds from this event benefit the Kiwanis scholarships offered to local students.

If you are not into the noise and bustle of the downtown activities, the Kaibab National Forest is open for hiking and camping. Anglers should be happy because the Buckskinner Park reservoir is up to its aspens in water. Although the aspens did not flourish this season, the recent monsoon has filled the reservoir to near capacity. It appears that it has recently been restocked as trout are jumping. It should be remembered that a trout stamp is required for fishing in our local lakes.

Aspens at Buckskinner park. Unfortunately they did not spawn leaves this year.

Aspens at Buckskinner park. Unfortunately they did not spawn leaves this year.


The Williams watershed is open for hiking which means the trail from Buckskinner park is open. Alternatively one could travel seven-miles out Perkinsville Road (continue up Fourth Street past Santa Fe dam) to the Benham trail. Both trails are about 4-1/2 miles so take plenty of water. The Benham trail will probably yield the most views of wild life.

The weather is expected to be clear today with a 10% chance of thunderstorms tomorrow and Sunday. The chance of thunderstorms rises to 50% on Monday. Winds are expected to be from 5- to 10-mph through the weekend.

Weather may not cooperate this Easter weekend.

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Williams Easter Egg Hunt 2012WILLIAMS – While there will be a lot to do this Easter weekend, many activities may have to move indoors because of the weekend weather. The Weather Service predicts rain Friday and Saturday clearing by Sunday.

The weather service predicts a 40% chance of rain Friday with gusts of wind possible up to 29 mph after 11 am. The chance decreases to 30% Friday night and Saturday after 11 am. Thunderstorms are possible both days. The last two predictions of rain brought very little wet weather into the area, however.

The weekend begins with Friday Good Friday service is at the church at the First Baptist Church and Saint Joseph Catholic Church.

On Saturday Williams Parks and Recreation will host the annual city Easter egg hunt at the Youth Center. The event will run from 11 am to 2 pm. In addition, the Grand Canyon National Park entry is free this Saturday the 19th.

Sunday of course Churches will probably host Easter egg hunts of their own after services.