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Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — April 17-21, 2023

by Community Contributor • April 20, 2023 • Comments Off

Key Messages-Week of April 17, 2023

COVID Updates and removal of pandemic designation

As of April 20, Coconino County has remained at LOW CDC Community Level. Masks remain optional in all public buildings. Total new COVID cases in Arizonareported by Arizona Department Health Services for the week of April 6 -12, was 3,675.

On Monday, April 10, President Biden signed a bill ending the U.S. national emergency to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the public health emergency as declared by the Health and Human Services Secretary for COVID-19 remains in effect until at least May 11, 2023. All safety protocols outlined in DOI’s COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan and Implementation Guidance are still required and must be followed. The Safer Federal Workforce Task Force is reviewing all relevant COVID-19 policies and will issue further guidance, if necessary.

Even though the COVID-19 pandemic designation has ended, COVID-19 is still a problematic and serious disease. In the United States, on average more than 500 people a day are dying from COVID-19, about twice the number of deaths/day as during a bad flu season. We must be mindful of the lessons we have learned during the COVID-19 pandemic and stay home when feeling ill or are diagnosed COVID-19 positive. We will update everyone as soon as the DOI and NPS give us new guidance. For now, please continue to follow the current protocols that we have been following as it pertains to COVID-19 illness, symptoms, and isolation.

As a reminder, be sure to promptly report any illness, to include possible COVID-19 symptoms, COVID exposure, or a positive COVID test to your supervisor and our Public Health Consultant, Ronan King. Ronan can be reached at: 202-891-8599 or Ronan_King@nps.gov.

Messages and Grand Canyon News

California Condor Update

Free-flying California condors in Arizona continue to be confirmed with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).

As of April 17, 2023, 20 condors have died in the Arizona-Utah flock; HPAI has been confirmed for 10 of those condors. Eight birds were captured and brought in for supportive care. Four of those condors died shortly thereafter and are included in the total of 20 deceased birds. Four condors are still receiving supportive care and have shown improvement.

Report bird mortalities to NPS wildlife immediately so that bird die-offs can be investigated and tested for avian influenza. Report dead wild birds to Grand Canyon Dispatch at 928-638-7805 and they will call the on-call wildlife specialist to assist.

High Flow Event from Glen Canyon Dam slated for next week

The Department of the Interior, through the Bureau of Reclamation, will conduct a High Flow Experiment (HFE) release from Glen Canyon Dam April 24-27. The HFE will have a peak magnitude release of approximately 39,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) for 72 hours.

HFEs benefit the Colorado River ecosystem through Glen and Grand Canyons by moving sand in the river channel and re-depositing it downstream as sandbars and beaches. Sandbars are camping beaches for recreationists, and supply sand to protect archaeological sites.

This HFE is in compliance with the 1992 Grand Canyon Protection Act and will not affect the total annual amount of water released from Lake Powell to Lake Mead. The last time a HFE was conducted through Glen Canyon Dam was in 2018.

More information is included in this attached flyer.

Inner Canyon Trail Updates

Beginning last week, NPS trail crew began work to rebuild and stabilize the North Kaibab Trail. From now through June 2, the North Kaibab Trail from Cottonwood Campground to the North Kaibab Trailhead will be closed to all foot traffic in order to allow the crew to safely conduct repair operations. This is a hard closure of the North Kaibab Trail and no one, including thru-hikers and NPS employees on administrative travel, will be allowed to travel on this section of trail. Please help ensure the safety of trail crew and other staff by passing this message along to anyone expressing desire to bypass this closure.

Rockfalls following a hard winter season continue to be a regular occurrence on all trails in the inner canyon, including along the Bright Angel and Grandview Trails. The trail crew will continue to assess recent rockfalls on an individual basis and work to safely conduct removal and trail stabilization. Please continue to be vigilant and remain safe if hiking on the upper portions of all inner canyon trails.

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Roadway construction continues west of Clinic Road

Roadwork to the new APS substation continues west of Clinic and Center Roads. Paving is expected to occur within the next few weeks with road completion expected by late June 2023.When driving along Center Road or walking/biking the utility corridors, please be mindful of construction vehicles and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.

Interpretation Spring Hours and Programming

DESERT VIEW

Interpretive programming at Desert View will resume this spring on Monday, April 24.

The Desert View Cultural Demonstration Program will run Tuesday-Thursdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Watchtower on the first floor of the View Room (flyer available here).

A new program at Desert View titled, ‘Grand Canyon Speaks’ will invite speakers from Grand Canyon’s 11 Associated Tribes to share their rich history and culture through singing, storytelling, presentations, and hands-on learning (flyer available here).
Sunset Talks will take place Monday through Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. at the newly constructed Desert View Amphitheater. Topics will vary for this ranger-led program.

VILLAGE

This past Sunday, April 16, the Grand Canyon Visitor Center in the village reopened after being closed the past two weeks. Hours of operation are Thursday through Monday from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. The visitor center will remain closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Ranger programs have also returned and will feature four different programs from Thursday to Monday only (flyer on these programs available here).

Astronomer in Residence Dr. Jennifer Hoffman

Dr. Hoffman wrapped up her residency this week. During her residency, Dr. Hoffman conducted a sunset mapping project out at Hopi Point, provided a week of moon walks for hundreds of visitors, presented her research to a crowd of 200 in Grand Canyon Visitor Center Theater, presented a digital talk about night skies to over 400 Grand Canyon Conservancy members and followers, provided a talk about careers in astronomy to the 6th-8^th graders at Grand Canyon School, and wrapped up with two nights of constellation talks and telescope viewing down at Phantom Ranch to packed amphitheaters, among many other amazing accomplishments.

We thank Dr. Hoffman for her robust residency and dedication to Grand Canyon’s dark skies, and we look forward to continuing our relationship with her into the future!

Here is a Minute Out In It describing her sunset mapping project at Hopi Point, in case you missed it:

Minute Out In It: Astronomer in Residence – Dr. Jennifer Hoffman – YouTube

South Rim District Report available

See what South Rim Patrol has been up to by reading the latest South Rim District Report here:

South Rim District Report: 3-25-2023

Employee Spotlight!

2023 Preventive Search and Rescue Staff

The 2023 PSAR season is in full swing! Read the bios for this year’s PSAR team here.

Grand Canyon Community Corner

Seed to Supper Program at Tusayan Town Hall

Beginning this Wednesday evening, April 19, the Town of Tusayan will once again be sponsoring its “Seed to Supper” series of six gardening classes. Each class will meet on Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Tusayan Town Hall and virtually and will feature a different topic each week. A flyer with more information is available here.

The class is free and open to the public. Reservations will be taken ahead of time by contacting Sharon Sifling at 928-679-7257.

Live music this weekend at Fred Harvey Tavern and Maswik Pizza Pub April 19-23

The band Sacred Mirrors will be performing this weekend at Xanterra’s Fred Harvey Tavern and the Maswik Pizza Pub.

Dates and performance hours for the band are available in the attached flyer here.

Grand Canyon Food Pantry Open House April 22

On Saturday, April 22, the Grand Canyon Food Pantry will be hosting an open house at the Food Pantry, located at 87 Sunset, from 12-1:30 p.m. Free pizza and refreshments will also be provided.

The event is open to community members and anyone who might be interested in volunteering with the Food Pantry in the future. Questions on the event can be directed towards: gcpantryvolunteers@gmail.com.

More information, including a full flyer is available here.

North Country Healthcare to sponsor health and wellness/ breast and cervical cancer screening event

On April 27 from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., North Country Healthcare will be sponsoring a Health and Wellness event at the Grand Canyon Clinic. Baseline blood tests and a health fair outside for local resources available. Sign up for your FREE baseline blood test using this link: qrco.de/gcbaseline2023. Registration is required.

Information on the health and wellness event is available in the attached flyer here.

Community Potluck at Grand Canyon Rec Center announced for May 6

Join fellow Grand Canyon community members on Saturday, May 6 starting at 5 p.m., for a summer kickoff event at the Grand Canyon Rec Center Ramada featuring live music from local band, ‘Tha Yoties’ and a community potluck. All are welcome to attend!

More information is available in the attached flyer here.

Current Operational Hours

*Please note: new changes to operations are indicated in bold/italic

South Rim

Xanterra

Maswik Lodge Cafeteria, 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
Canyon Coffee House at the Bright Angel Fountain, 7 a.m.-11 a.m.
Bright Angel Fountain grab and go, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.
Fred Harvey Burger, breakfast 8-10:30 a.m., lunch 11 a.m.- 3 p.m., dinner 4-9 p.m.
Arizona Steakhouse within Bright Angel Lodge is now offering dinner service from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. daily. Lunch service is from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
Fred Harvey Tavern, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
The Fred Harvey Food Truck outside of the Train Depot: 11: 30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily, weather dependent.
The Grand Canyon Rec Center, 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.
El Tovar Dining Room and Lounge-Breakfast, 6:30-10 a.m., Lunch, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Dinner, 4:30-9:30 p.m., Lounge, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Patio (limited menu), 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Maswik Pizza Pub is open daily from 4-8 p.m.
The Grand Canyon Kennel is open seven days a week with hours from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily

Delaware North

Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 12-9 p.m., Yavapai Lodge Coffee Shop, 7 a.m.-2 p.m., The Yavapai Dining Hall, breakfast, 7 a.m.-10:45 a.m., dinner, 5-8 p.m.
Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Deli 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
Camper Services laundry and shower, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.

Other

Grand Canyon Clinic: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Bright Angel Bikes, Rental: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (weather permitting), Café 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC): 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Thursday-Monday (closed Tuesday and Wednesday)
Grand Canyon Conservancy stores regular hours: Visitor Center Plaza, Yavapai Geology Museum, Verkamps, and Kolb Studio 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily.
Grand Canyon Community Library: Monday-Saturday from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Canyon Closet (located behind Community Library): Mondays 4:15-6 p.m., Wednesdays 12:15-2 p.m., Saturdays 3-5 p.m.
Grand Canyon Food Pantry: Mondays 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesdays 6-8 p.m., Saturdays 2-4 p.m.

Desert View

Desert View Trading Post Coffee and Ice Cream and Market, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
Desert View Watchtower, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
The Desert View Deli, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
As of April 15, the Desert View Campground has reopened for the season. As in previous years, reservations can be made by visiting www.recreation.gov or (877-444-6777) Campsites are available by reservation only. There are no walk-in sites at Desert View, but it is possible for visitors to make same day online, or call in reservations.

Please visit the Grand Canyon National Park website for a complete list of closures and available amenities.

Photo Credits (in order of appearance)

Sunset from April 13, 2023 on the South Rim (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
Condor 97 and her chick, as seen below the rim in Grand Canyon Village on Sunday, April 16, 2023. (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
Last HFE in November 2018 from Glen Canyon Dam (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
Significant rockfall along the North Kaibab Trail (NPS Photo/A. Gibson)
A ranger gives a program at Yavapai Geology Museum (NPS Photo/J. Baird)
2023 PSAR Staff (see file for individual photos)

Grand Canyon National Park, in northern Arizona, encompasses 278 miles (447 km) of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands. Located on the ancestral homeland of 11 Associated Tribes, Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world—unmatched in the incomparable vistas it offers visitors on the rim. Grand Canyon National Park is a World Heritage Site. The National Park Service cares for the special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.

Grand Canyon National Park

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

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