This is from the Arizona Trail Association's (ATA) latest newsletter:
Grand Canyon to stop offering walk-up backcountry permits
The ATA is looking into recent news that the Grand Canyon National Park is changing the system for getting backcountry permits. This could create a very difficult problem for AZT users who have been on the Arizona National Scenic Trail for many days. Starting Feb. 1, 2010, the park has announced that it will consider only written requests for backcountry permits (details are at http://www.azcentral.com/php-bin/clicktrack/email.php/9029892). Requests can be sent up to four months in advance of trips. Let us know your thoughts on this action please at [email protected] .