Today I got in 8 miles of hiking, keeping an eye on storm clouds. There was a sprinkling of rain at 12:30, with some lightning. Then a heavy downpour 2 hours later. It is still raining at 5:30, so I am charging the Tesla instead of hiking.
It takes a lot of employees and volunteers to support visitors like me. Today I saw several crews repairing the trail, which I have seen on previous visits. This year the trans canyon water pipeline is being refurbished. This pipeline provides water to the lodges and other buildings on the south rim, the rest stops along the trail, the Phantom Ranch cabins and dining hall at the base of the canyon, and more. The stone building near Havasupai Gardens is a water treatment plant and booster pump station.
Wranglers lead mule trains down and up the canyon, carrying supplies or visitors.
Wildlife biologists track bighorn sheep, mule deer and other critters using motion detecting cameras.
Geologists analyze the 1.7 billion years of layered rocks, and try to make it comprehensible to the public.
And vast numbers of workers staff the lodges, restaurants and services along the rim, including the Maswik lodge pizza pub employee who poured me a refreshing pint of Wanderlust Brewing 928 Local ale. And since some of the workers are parents, there's a school and library in the village. Also a medical clinic, post office, stables, visitor center, and more. I am grateful for all of it, as the efforts of hundreds allow me to hike truly magical trails.
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