Grand Canyon National Park Officials Find Route Around Washed-Out Section Of North Kaibab Trail

You can attempt a rim-to-rim hike at Grand Canyon National Park now that a detour around a washed-out section of the North Kaibab Trail has been provided, but park officials caution that it's pretty narrow and "hazardous conditions exist."

Causing the 45-foot wash-out was a pipeline break -- the third last week -- in an aged water line. Park officials say the latest break occurred Thursday morning about a half-mile above the Cottonwood Campground. The break resulted in the closure of a one-mile section of the North Kaibab Trail between Roaring Springs and Cottonwood Campground.

Since that initial report park officials have figured out a detour around the washed-out section. However, they add that hikers should use "extreme caution" when negotiating the trail.

As trail crews work on the trail and pipeline additional temporary closures will be necessary and delays could occur for hikers on this section of trail, according to park officials. These temporary short-term closures could occur with little or no advance notice.

Potable water will not be available at Roaring Springs or Cottonwood Campground until the pipeline is repaired. Hikers should be prepared to access and chemically treat or filter creek water.

For additional information about trail access, permit changes and water availability in the inner canyon, please contact one of the Backcountry Information Centers within Grand Canyon National Park at 928-638-7875 (South Rim) or 928-638-7868 (North Rim), or visit the park's backcountry web pages.