Welcome to Grand Canyon where we have snow on opening day at the North Rim on May 15th, 2015. Last year it was in the 90s.
Thursday, the day before opening, it was bitter cold with rain, snow, hail and graupel. All our staff had the day off and I stayed inside all day. After a brief morning view the canyon was nonexistent as fog and clouds filled the great abyss.
Woke up Friday to a blanket of white but that didn’t slow down our visitors much. They came in droves wondering when and if they’d see the canyon. Rangers just hate the “When will it stop?” question. But really, most everyone was just happy to be at Grand Canyon.
If they have patience, and watch the canyon fog it will drift in and out providing window views that provide the most spectacular show.
I’m sure there were a few cancellations at the Lodge and campground especially. One woman camping in a tent asked if there is a shelter to block the wind so she could cook dinner. Sadly there is not. People arrive with shorts and T-shirts only expecting all of Arizona a desert. I’ll bet a lot of sweatshirts and jackets were sold.
Opening day is really big for rim to rim hikers. I spoke to many who said it rained on them the last seven miles up from Cottonwood camp and the trail was a muddy mess.
I gave my first Condor talk of the season in the afternoon, quickly scanning my notes beforehand. After 6 months gone I always feel like I’ve forgotten everything. Although I had to check for one date, when I opened my mouth it just all fell out.
Saturday started off with a thick sky.
When I left for work in the morning the trees wore a frosty coat. But the sun worked hard to break through and it was drippy all day.
At the lodge clouds drifted in and out of the canyon.
By afternoon the view was clear with fantastic clouds sliding over the canyon and the snow was gone except for the distant peaks.
And the sunset was divine, although a little cluttered in the foreground which is part of my Imax window’s view. All in all, a magical start to the 2015 season with snow on opening day at the North Rim Grand Canyon.