If you think you'd like to run the Colorado through Grand Canyon National Park next year, without paying a commercial operation for the privilege, now is the time to get your permit application filed with the park.

A total of 266 permits will be awarded for 12- to 25-day river trips. Eligible individuals can apply via the park's weighted lottery web site, found here.

Applications will be accepted online through noon on February 24, 2009.

Under the park's permitting program, each year in February a main lottery is held to assign launch dates for river trips occurring the following year. In addition to the annual main lottery, follow-up lotteries are held as needed throughout the remainder of the year to reassign canceled and/or left-over river trips.

Public notifications for these follow-up lotteries are made solely through e-mail, so it's a good idea for you to create an account in the park's system.

The weighted lottery web site can be accessed year-round to create or modify an account and to sign-up to receive email notifications. Lottery applications are accepted through the weighted lottery web site only when lotteries are open.

Individuals must be 18 years or older to apply for a river trip permit. Noncommercial river trips must be self-guided, and technical whitewater experience is mandatory on each trip. Individuals may participate on a maximum of one river trip per year (commercial or noncommercial).

For more information about the 2010 weighted lottery, either visit the park's web site or contact the River Permits Office at 1-800-959-9164 or 928-638-7884.