What you can do to help

HIKE SAFELY

Last update: January 14, 2006 - 12:15 PM

HIKE SAFELY

More than 250 people had to be rescued from the canyon in 2004, and nine died. Most were young men who thought they could hike to the river and back in a day. Don't underestimate the desert's dangers.

Read and heed safety information you get as you

enter the park. More info: www.hitthetrail.com

BE INFORMED

Information about ongoing management plans

and proposals can be found at www.nps.gov/grca.

The Grand Canyon Field Institute runs learning vacations and publishes books: www.grandcanyon.org/

fieldinstitute or call 1-866-471-4435 for a catalog.

CONSERVE WATER

The Colorado River is barely a trickle by the time it reaches the Sea of Cortez, and reservoir levels have steadily dropped during a five-year drought.

A variety of battles loom as cities grow. More info: www.water-ed.org/coloradoriver.asp

TRAVEL WISELY

Visitation to the Grand Canyon is concentrated in time (summer) and space (South Rim). Lighten the load on the park: Go off-season, and try the less-

visited North Rim (but not in winter; it's snowed in). Also, park your car and use the free shuttles that run frequently.

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