Pre-trip planning would also have given them the info that the North Rim was closed.
Park Road Conditions & Closures
Quote:
Park Road Conditions & Closures
Direct-dial recording: call 928-638-7496

South Rim Road Conditions
Driving Directions to South Rim Grand Canyon National Park.

Updated: Tuesday, December 27, 2016 - 11:01 am (Updated when road conditions change)

Caution: South Rim roads are snow-packed and icy from a major winter storm.

As of this update,
South Entrance Road is open.
Highway 64 (Desert View Drive - also called East Rim Drive) is open
Hermit Road (West Rim Drive) is open.
Both Desert View Drive and Hermit Road may be closed after dark - if hazardous driving conditions develop.
Call 928-638-7496 for updated road conditions recording.

(Unlike the North Rim, the South Rim remains open all year)

Call 928-638-7496 for current park road condition information recording.
Please drive with caution and at speeds appropriate to the road conditions.
Watch for deer and elk in the roadway.
You may also view the Arizona Dept of Transportation Road Conditions and Closures Map: http://www.az511.com/adot/files/traffic/ to learn where statewide road closures are.


North Rim Road Conditions

Driving Directions to North Rim Grand Canyon National Park.

Updated: Wednesday, November 30, 2016 - 6:00 pm (Updated when road conditions change)
* Highway 67 to the North Rim of the park is closed for the winter.
* The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is CLOSED FOR THE WINTER.
* The North Rim will open on May 15, 2017 for the 2017 Season


Call 928-638-7496 for current park road condition information recording.

* Please drive with caution and at speeds appropriate to the road conditions.
* Watch for deer in the roadway.


The South Rim was open, but that's not where they were. It took all of three minutes to find out that this time of year you had better be going to the South Rim.