KP and Grant Creek often are not passable in May, before the trail crew gets in there. I'd call the Alpine Ranger District, and try to talk to someone who actually knows, not the front desk person. Myron used to be the trail crew boss, but I suspect he's retired by now. I haven't lived in the area f...

@ShatteredArm
I've lived mostly in Arizona for 33 years, lived, camped and hiked all over the state, and have never been to Scottsdale. I guess I can keep avoiding it for awhile.

@chumley
Well. Wonders will never cease. I'm sure you are equally happy I lived to chat with you again!

@chumley @DixieFlyer Phones are too fragile, in my experience. My Garmin Oregon 450t survived my near-drowning with pinned kayak in the spring-flooded San Juan river last June. I got out quickly, (or we wouldn't be chatting right now), but the boat was pinned for several hours. The GPS unit was sti...

@Alston_Neal
Uh oh.

40 was closed all the way from Winslow to Kingman until yesterday afternoon. I'm in Flagstaff, and had a nice time going snowshoeing on the Urban Trail.

Has anyone tried snowless snowshoeing? I hear it's the latest fad in Phoenix. You can do it while wearing shorts and fishing for sand trout.

If it snows they may close the road. Call ahead.
Be prepared for nights in the 20's. You could luck out and hit a warm spell, but night will be chilly.

@Chuy First I'd heard of a free campsite within the park. There are certain areas where you can do backcountry car camping, such as at Swamp Point on the North Rim. Also, you can car camp at the top of the South Bass Trail. But you are supposed to get a backcountry car camping permit for that. Very...

They reserve some permits for walkups. Also consider a different trail. The rangers will also suggest that. The night before, camp for free on dirt roads in National Forest before getting to Tusayan. You don't need Mather.

Over-inflated headline. Very common in journalism. Got your attention, though! ;) Personally, I don't give a rat's tail about the topic. Just thought others might.

This wil probably upset some people.

https://www.americancanyoneers.org/marb ... n-closure/

@CannondaleKid
Haha! Great story!

CannondaleKid wrote:7 stitches on the top of the skull as a result of an outboard motor prop incident took top honors.

Let me guess: Darwin Award?

@Reddroxx
Very sorry to hear about the loss of the pilot. But those are some cool videos. I plan to go to DV for the first time, this coming winter, so will be sure to check that out if it's happening.

People who live in Bullhead City, AZ, would be very unlikely to take their RV out to Kelbaker Road, CA, to "hike" in the middle of a heat wave. It doesn't add up. A lot of us from that area think he offed her somewhere else, and then drove over to Kelbaker. (Mojave National Preserve.) I bet where he...

191 thru Springerville, Nutrioso, Alpine, Hannagan Meadow. Side trip to Big Lake, Lee Valley, etc. Most within the Apache Sitgreaves National Forest.

Advanced Elements

Good info!

The reason I mention Lake Mohave is because, although its western shore is all in Arizona, it's virtually unknown to most Arizonans. With almost 200 beaches, there are plenty of places to camp and swim if you have a kayak or other type of boat. The water is clear, and is often an aqua blue color sim...