The Grand Canyon Mule Dilemma
Take a hike down Bright Angel Trail on any given day of the year, and you’re likely to witness an iconic testament to history, a Grand Canyon mule train complete with tourists. Take a hike down the South Kaibab Trail, and you probably won’t see any.
That’s because all recreational mule travel on that trail has been banned, while the Park Service is engaged in major trail repairs and improvements. The mules are beloved by many Grand Canyon visitors, but their rugged method of travel routinely damages trails and hastens the process of trail erosion.
The Park Service is currently conducting an environmental assessment of mule operations below the rim. Revenue generated by mule rides only accounts for about 5% of Grand Canyon’s trail maintenance budget; while that includes a number of trails that experience no mule use, the financial damage they inflict on trails is still not being recuperated.
The administrative use of mules for hauling supplies and equipment will not be affected. Some of the recreational alternatives under consideration are:
- Decreasing the overall number of annual mule passengers.
- Limit mule travel to certain trail(s) to mitigate the need for large-scale trail maintenance.
- Reduce the number of mule rides below the rim, while initiating mule trips along the rim.
