Some trails reopened in Grand Canyon after devastating flood
The National Park Service announced the reopening of several key areas deep inside the Grand Canyon below the South Rim. The South Kaibab Trail below Tipoff, the entire River Trail, and the section of Bright Angel between the Mile 1.5 Shelter and Havasupai Gardens have reopened to hikers. This section of Bright Angel is open to hikers only, while pack animals remain prohibited.
Repairs began after a devastating flash flood in late August severely damaged trails and infrastructure in Bright Angel Canyon and near Phantom Ranch. As crews continue to repair trails, temporary traffic disruptions and unexpected short-term closures are possible in open areas.
The main challenge for tourists remains the lack of drinking water: at the intermediate rest stations and in Havasupai Gardens the water supply will be turned off throughout the winter season. Travelers should bring a full supply of drinking water or portable filters for purification from natural sources. In addition, the bridges Black Bridge and Silver Bridge, Phantom Ranch and the entire trail North Kaibab Trail are still closed to visitors, and the arrival time of rescuers at the bottom of the canyon may be longer than usual.
Source: The Grand Canyon Reopens Major Trails but has Severe Warning for Hikers - https://travelhost.com/
Context
The water supply for hiking trails deep inside the Grand Canyon is directly dependent on the Transcanyon Waterline, a 12-mile-long system built in the 1960s. It pumps water from Roaring Springs on the North Rim, through the canyon, to the Havasupai Gardens Oasis, and then to the South Rim. Due to its age and rugged terrain, the system has suffered from decades of breakdowns, and extensive flooding has exacerbated the chronic problem of access to drinking water on the interior trails.