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Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: July 10-14, 2023

by Community Contributor • July 14, 2023 • Comments Off

Messages and Grand Canyon News-Week of July 10, 2023

New Trail Alert QR codes posted at trailheads

This week, in collaboration with the Grand Canyon Office of Communications and the PEP Division, the Preventive Search and Rescue (PSAR) team launched new QR codes posted to trailhead signs. Visitors can simply scan the Trail Alert barcode using a digital device that will take them to our trails webpage that is updated daily. Information on the webpage will include trail alerts, weather, safety messages, and tips on how visitors can hike smart.

If you interact with the public, feel free to disseminate and use this flyer that contains the QR code. Visit the new webpage here: https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/key-messages.htm.

Desert View pathway regrading and detour from July 19-Sep. 14

NPS Trail crew have been hard at work on improving the walking pathways in the Desert View area. As they continue to bring certain sections of the trail up to ADA grade code, the crew will need to close a section of pathway leading to the Watchtower.

A detour for visitors will be provided with the pathway closure expected to occur July 19-September 14.

a man with long hair, a beard, and sunglasses looks straight ahead

Cultural Demonstrator next week at the Desert View Watchtower

Join us Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, July 18 -20, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Desert View Watchtower, for a chance to meet Milton Tso, Navajo musician and storyteller.

Milton is from Cameron, Arizona and has been playing flute for over 10 years. He is passionate about his culture, the environment, and developing a sustainable economy for his community.

The Grand Canyon Speaks series will also present two sunset talks with Milton Tso at Desert View Amphitheater. Each program will start at 6:45 pm and last one hour.

Tuesday, July 18, will feature an interview with Milton about his experiences as a musician and community leader.

The program on Wednesday, July 19 is a concert of traditional and original flute music.

Celebration of Life for Lionel Reliford to be held August 4

A Celebration of Life Event will be held for NPS Fee Supervisor, Lionel Reliford on Friday, August 4 from 5-8 p.m. at Shoshone Point.

Lionel had been bravely fighting a terminal illness for quite some time, and despite the pain, he remained an instrumental part of the Grand Canyon Recreation Branch Team. We would love for any staff or those who were close with Lionel to join and share your stories and favorite memories. Feel free to bring food to share or a favorite game you played with Lionel.

Dogs on leash are welcome — Parking is limited — Please carpool. If you have accessibility needs to drive to the point (high clearance recommended) or have other questions, please contact Grace Lilly at 360-989-6731. A flyer for the event can be found here.

COVID Updates

Total new COVID cases in Arizona reported for the week of July 6 through July 12, is 943 —a decrease of 364 cases from the previous week. The seven day rolling average is now 134 cases per day.

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.

Grand Canyon Community Corner

NPS and Xanterra Fire respond to Red Feather Lodge for structure fire

On July 9 at approximately 1 a.m., NPS and Xanterra fire were requested by the Tusayan Fire Department to the Red Feather Lodge for an attic fire. NPS and Xanterra fire took command and quickly extinguished flames and secured the scene without incident. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Mutual aid response for law enforcement, fire, and EMS remains key to ensuring safe, timely, and efficient incident management.

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., Maswik Pizza Pub, 4-8 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.
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.
The Grand Canyon Kennel is open seven days a week with hours from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
Grand Canyon Rec Center, 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.

Delaware North

Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 12-10 p.m., Yavapai Lodge Coffee Shop, 6:30 a.m. -3 p.m., The Yavapai Dining Hall, breakfast, 7-10:45 a.m., dinner, 5-9 p.m.
Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Deli 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Camper Services laundry and shower is now open from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. daily with the last laundry load at 8:30 p.m. and the last shower at 9:45 p.m.

Other

Grand Canyon Clinic: open daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Bright Angel Bikes, Rental: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., 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, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily., Kolb Studio has reopened with hours of 9-5 p.m. most days
The Grand Canyon Community Library is expanding its hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. The schedule Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturdays will remain from 10:30 a.m.-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, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily
Desert View Watchtower, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily
The Desert View Deli, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

North Rim

North Rim Visitor Center (GCC), 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
NPS Backcountry Information Center, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-5 p.m. daily
Camper Store by campground (Aramark), 7 a.m.-7 p.m. daily
Campground will be reopening for the season Friday, June 9
Grand Canyon Lodge Gift Shop (Aramark), Sunday-Thurs. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday and Saturday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
The North Rim saloon, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily.

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

Photo Credits (in order of appearance)

A sacred datura unfurling in the inner canyon (NPS Photo/C. Brennan)
Desert View pathway project from September 2022 (NPS Photo)
Milton Tso, Navajo storyteller and musician (Photo courtesy of M. Tso)
NPS and Xanterra fire outside of the Red Feather Lodge in Tusayan (NPS Photo/L. Hendy)

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.

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