Mules in Grand Canyon National Park. They can be a bane, and they can be a beast of burden that makes your trek down into the chasm somewhat easier. Now park officials want to know if mules should continue to be utilized in the Grand Canyon.
Folks who have more than a few hikes down into the canyon can speak harshly of mules, largely for the mess they make with their urine on the trails but also for the spacing of steps in the trails to accommodate the beasts. But mules no doubt have made the canyon accessible for folks who otherwise wouldn't have ventured down the trail.
So what do you think? Grand Canyon officials are now accepting comments on mule operations and stock use in the park as they begin to develop an environmental assessment. The presence and use of mules in and around the canyon is a long-standing tradition and one that the park would like to continue.
But park officials also are interested in continuing to provide opportunities for stock use in a manner that is sustainable. This planning effort will address the following management objective identified in the park’s 1995 General Management Plan: “Where livestock and visitors share the same trails and areas, minimize conflicts and resource impacts, and enhance safety.”
The planning process will consider the following:
* Commercial and private stock use (including horses, mules, and burros) throughout the park.
* Appropriate levels of stock use on park trails.
* Appropriate locations for stock use in the park, which may include: keeping commercial stock use on the North Kaibab Trail down to Supai Tunnel; moving stock use to one of the South Rim corridor trails (Bright Angel or South Kaibab); keeping stock use on the Uncle Jim Trail, Whitmore Trail, and select corridor trails; initiation of a concession-operated day ride on the South Rim; the need for new stock facilities or modification to existing facilities on the North and South Rim, including compliance with laws and regulations for mule health and safety.
The Park Service encourages public participation through the National Environmental Policy Act (commonly known as NEPA) process during which the public has two opportunities to formally comment on the project – once during initial project scoping and again following release of the EA which is expected this fall. The NPS is currently in the scoping phase of this project and invites the public to submit their comments in a variety of ways during the next 30 days.
Three open house meetings are scheduled in June where Grand Canyon National Park staff will be available to answer questions and take comments on stock use in the park. Meeting dates and locations are as follows:
June 2, 4-7 PM (Arizona Time) – Flagstaff Public Library, 300 W Aspen Avenue, Flagstaff, Arizona
June 3, 4-6 PM (Arizona Time) – Community Building, Room B, South Rim Village, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
June 4, 4-7 PM (Utah Time) – Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument Kanab Visitor’s Center, 745 East Highway 89, Kanab, Utah
You may also submit written comments on this web site or by mailing them to: Steve Martin, Superintendent, Grand Canyon National Park, Attn: Mule Operations and Stock Use EA, P.O. Box 129 (1 Village Loop for express, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023 by June 22, 2009.
The park expects to prepare an EA this summer, with a decision document for this project anticipated in December, 2009. Additional information about this project can be found at this web site or by contacting Rachel Stanton, Project Planning Lead, at (928) 774-9612.
Comments
I wouldn't trade my mule ride down to Phantom Ranch for anything. If they want to cut cars from entering Grand Canyon National Park, cut down on the number of mule trains and hiking permits they can, but the park will just become even more exclusive. Back in '92 when I rode down it cost over $100 for one night af Phantom ranch (I forget how much) and we had to make our mule reservations over a year in advance. And this is just a typical family from inside the USA. But when we got to the Grand Canyon, we were amazed by the vastness of visitors from all over the world. Limiting or eliminating Mules/visitors/cars might be better for the environment but at the same time so sad that less people would be able to enjoy the Park in their lifetime. But if they do cut down, only the more affluent or hopefully more eco-minded people would go, making the overall park quality better long term. I hate to see ignorant people littering at such a beautiful place. I say keep the mules, but keep out people without common sense.
Years ago, I was hiking down the South Kaibab trail very early in the morning (3AM or so) and I walked right into a standing pool of mule urine. It was a bit dismaying, but it wasn't really that big a deal. Indeed, with the perspective of time, it was one of the more memorable events associated with that project and that trip (stabilization and excavation of the small pueblo along the trail between Phantom Ranch and the suspension bridge). I have made a fair number of trips in the Canyon, both line of duty and personal, and while the mules are a bit of a hassle, they really have tradition on their side. It is interesting to see some of the actual figures associated with mule use and trail upkeep. It is worth pointing out that hiking use also causes trail erosion and damage, especially at the volume incurred on the Bright Angel and Kaibab.
It is definitely true that mule free hiking cn be experienced on the many other trails in the park. They are much better bets for experiencing solitude, a rare commodity on the BA&K.
Tradition is on the side of the mules. I say keep them, pools of urine and all, but give serious thought to alternative scheduling, excrement cleanup, and other measures which will improve everyone's Grand Canyon experience.
Don, I certainly appreciate your sentiments and the work you did on the ruins near the Black bridge. The conversation in many circles and subjects often does not get past the I, me, wants missing the big picture. When I first came to the Canyon, the Canyon itself and the mules were a given but I never expected to truly enjoy the people that are (for many young and old) transformed to a better place by the experience of being in the Canyon, growing in confidence in their mule (and themselves), discarding emotional burdens and seeing the world in a different light. A very good light, indeed. And I got to hang out with the young and not so young that were humbled and grateful for the experience making them all better citizens. I also do a lot of hiking on the remote back country trails so I appreciate my feet also but I believe part of the transformation that riders experience is that they gradually put their confidence into something other than their own two feet and it seems almost biblical to watch it come over many. The handicapped in various ways both physical and mentally find a special partner in their mules as found in many therapy situations. Yes, the mules do have the edge in tradition and much, much more:). Again, I appreciate your sentiments and your contributions to the Canyon.
Unless they are going to start feeding these horses and mules and caring for their sore backs, they should be removed from the program. They are clearly abused, starved, and over used. So sad to see them and all the dead ones that are just rotting away or already skeletons. I will NOT be visiting Grand Canyon and will advise all friends thinking of it that animal abuse is rampant and they need to stay away.
Have you actually looked at these animals? Have you seen the sores on some of their backs and they ribs sticking out? A rough coat in summer means an unhealthy animal; probably worms. How would anyone want to put their weight on an animal who looks unhealthy and half-starved?
When we were there several years back, I noticed how thin the mules were and the sores on many backs from saddles rubbing. There is no way I would ever ride one of these poor animals.
Yes, what about the mules? So far it's all about the people and their experience and whether their
selfish little selves will get to go up and down a certain trail. Are the mules well cared for? Are they treated kindly? Are they well fed? Are they frequently checked by a veterinarian? Does this work shorten their lives? Yes, what about the mules?
I was part of the mule operation for twenty years. I have a couple of observations. Preceding this are a few comments talking about dead animals by the trail, sore backs, underfed and abused animals. These people clearly are not aware they are making observations from the havasupai trail. This is an operation conducted by the Havasupai tribe on the portion of the reservation within the grand canyon. This is not part of the national park and is not the subject of the restrictions that were instituted over a decade ago. I also saw a comment that suggested the non corridor trails were native routes and not built for stock use. This is misinformation. The non corridor trails such as the hermit trail, the grandview and the tonto were indeed constructed as stock use trails and to suggest otherwise is dishonest. The damage is done now, most of the mules are gone from the csnyon and what remain are administered in a less professional manner by people who are more interested in pleasing deep state elitists than operationg a serious back country outfitting operation. When I sounded the alarm way back in 2007, history now shows I was absolutely right. Our national heritage is now diminished is one more way.