National Park Service (NPS) employee Bill Dabney leads a pack of mules loaded with tools and supplies on June 9, 2009 into in Grand Canyon, Arizona. The NPS Tuesday launched its largest trail reconstruction project in the Grand Canyon since the 1960's, using federal stimulus funds given by Congress to help jump-start the U.S. economy.
National Park Service trail crew supervisor Bill Allen speaks to his crew before beginning a federal stimulus-funded trail project on June 9, 2009 in Grand Canyon, Arizona
Tourists watch as National Park Service trail crew members lead a string of mules loaded with material for a federal stimulus-funded trail project on June 9, 2009 in Grand Canyon, Arizona
National Park Service trail crew member Stan Sloan ties jack-hammers on to a mule to transport materials June 9, 2009 for a trail repair project in Grand Canyon, Arizona
National Park Service trail crew member Eric Gray rides in a string of mules loaded with material for a federal stimulus-funded trail project on June 9, 2009 in Grand Canyon, Arizona
National Park Service trail crew member Stan Sloan (2nd R) ties trail-building material on to mules to begin a stimulus-funded trail repair project on June 9, 2009 in Grand Canyon, Arizona. The NPS Tuesday launched its largest trail reconstruction project in the Grand Canyon since the 1960's, using federal stimulus funds given by Congress.
National Park Service trail crew member Adam Dockery ties loads of supplies to be packed on to mules to begin a trail repair project on June 9, 2009 in Grand Canyon, Arizona. The NPS Tuesday launched its largest trail reconstruction project in the Grand Canyon since the 1960's, using federal stimulus funds given by Congress.
National Park Service trail crew member Adam Dockery ties supplies to be packed on to mules to begin a trail repair project on June 9, 2009 in Grand Canyon, Arizona. The NPS Tuesday launched its largest trail reconstruction project in the Grand Canyon since the 1960's, using federal stimulus funds given by Congress.
A tourist approaches the precipice June 8, 2009 at the Grand Canyon, Arizona. The NPS Tuesday launched its largest trail reconstruction project in the Grand Canyon since the 1960's, using federal stimulus funds given by Congress. The Grand Canyon park received $10.8 million in the stimulus and began using it Tuesday to rehabilitate the scenic South Kaibab Trail. As part of the project, 28 trail crew employees are avoiding furlough due to the fresh funds. National parks around the country are using the money to fund deferred maintenance as well as begin fresh development projects
National Park Service trail crew members take in a string of mules loaded with material for a federal stimulus-funded trail project on June 9, 2009 in Grand Canyon, Arizona. The NPS Tuesday launched its largest trail reconstruction project in the Grand Canyon since the 1960's, using federal stimulus funds given by Congress. The Grand Canyon park received $10.8 million in the stimulus and began using it Tuesday to rehabilitate the scenic South Kaibab Trail. As part of the project, 28 trail crew employees are avoiding furlough due to the fresh funds. National parks around the country are using the money to fund deferred maintenance as well as begin fresh development projects.
: A tourist looks down on to the South Kaibab Trail on a red-colored ridge on June 8, 2009 at the Grand Canyon, Arizona. The NPS Tuesday launched its largest trail reconstruction project in the Grand Canyon since the 1960's, using federal stimulus funds given by Congress.
Tourists look over a railed precipice June 9, 2009 at the Grand Canyon, Arizona. The NPS Tuesday launched its largest trail reconstruction project in the Grand Canyon since the 1960's, using federal stimulus funds given by Congress.
National Park Service trail crew members prepare to repel down the side of a cliff while repairing a trail on June 10, 2009 in the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Work began this week on a major federal stimulus funded project to repair the scenic South Kaibab Trail at the park.
: Workers carry heavy rocks used in repairing a trail on June 10, 2009 in the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Work began this week on a major federal stimulus funded project to repair the scenic South Kaibab Trail at the park
: National Park Service trail crew member Adam Gibson repels down the side of a cliff while repairing a trail on June 10, 2009 in the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Work began this week on a major federal stimulus funded project to repair the scenic South Kaibab Trail at the park.
Park workers and conservation volunteers file in to begin work on a trail rehabilitation project on June 10, 2009 in the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Work began this week on the major federal stimulus funded project to repair the scenic South Kaibab Trail at the park
Volunteer Fiona O-Malley from Westport, Ireland breaks rocks while working with team members to rehabilitate a trail on June 10, 2009 in the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Work began this week on a major federal stimulus funded project to repair the scenic South Kaibab Trail at the park
Park workers and conservation volunteers file in to begin work on a trail rehabilitation project on June 10, 2009 in the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Work began this week on the major federal stimulus funded project to repair the scenic South Kaibab Trail at the park
A National Park Service trail crew team repels down the side of a cliff while working on a federal stimulus funded project on June 10, 2009 in the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Work began this week to repair the scenic South Kaibab Trail at the park.
Volunteers wait for hikers to pass before moving a heavy rock while working on a federal stimulus funded trail rehabilitation project on June 10, 2009 in the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Work began this week to repair the scenic South Kaibab Trail at the park.
Volunteers move a heavy rock while working on a federal stimulus funded trail rehabilitation project on June 10, 2009 in the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Work began this week to repair the scenic South Kaibab Trail at the park.
Park workers move a heavy rock while working on a federal stimulus funded trail rehabilitation project on June 10, 2009 in the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Work began this week to repair the scenic South Kaibab Trail at the park
A volunteer helps a National Park Service trail crew use a jack hammer while working on a federal stimulus funded trail rehabilitation project on June 10, 2009 in the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Work began this week to repair the scenic South Kaibab Trail at the park.
Guy and Michelle Kroeger from Boonville, Indiana gaze over the Grand Canyon from Yavapai point early June 10, 2009 in the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Work began this week with federal stimulus money to repair the scenic South Kaibab Trail at the park
Sun rays shine over the Grand Canyon as seen from Yavapai point early June 10, 2009 in the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Work began this week with federal stimulus money to repair the scenic South Kaibab Trail at the park.
Shafts of light pass over the Bright Angel Fault inside the Grand Canyon early June 10, 2009 in the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Work began this week with federal stimulus money to repair the scenic South Kaibab Trail in the park.
Rays of light shine over the Grand Canyon as seen from Yavapai point early June 10, 2009 in the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Work began this week with federal stimulus money to repair the scenic South Kaibab Trail at the park.
Johanna Nowak, a volunteer from Dresden, Germany, carries tools for use on a federal stimulus funded trail rehabilitation project on June 10, 2009 in the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Work began this week to repair the scenic South Kaibab Trail at the park.
Volunteers move a heavy rock while working on a federal stimulus funded trail rehabilitation project on June 10, 2009 in the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Work began this week to repair the scenic South Kaibab Trail at the park
The upper Rim Trail overlooking the Grand Canyon sits closed to the public on June 09, 2009 in the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Many trails in the park are closed due to chronic funding shortage for upkeep. Work began this week to repair the scenic South Kaibab Trail at the park.
A tourist passes by the closed upper Rim Trail overlooking the Grand Canyon on June 09, 2009 in the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Many sections of trails in the park are closed due to chronic funding shortage for upkeep. Work began this week to repair the scenic South Kaibab Trail at the park
JUNE 10: Rays of light shine over the Grand Canyon as seen from Yavapai point early June 10, 2009 in the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Work began this week with federal stimulus money to repair the scenic South Kaibab Trail at the park. The project is the biggest trail reconstruction project in the Grand Canyon since the 1960s and the first there to use some of the $10.8 million in economic stimulus money granted by Congress for projects in the park. Some 4.5 million people visit the Grand Canyon each year, making it the most visited destination park in the United States. The six million year old canyon averages 10 miles wide and a mile deep and is considered my many the most spectacular national wonder in America.
