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Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — June 26-30

by Community Contributor • June 29, 2023 • Comments Off

Messages and Grand Canyon News-Week of June 26, 2023

Fire restrictions go into effect across Northern Arizona; Grand Canyon NP remains in stage 1

Beginning Thursday, June 29, Stage 1 fire and smoking restrictions will be in effect on the entirety of the Coconino National Forest and the Tusayan and Williams Ranger District of the Kaibab National Forest. Additionally, all undeveloped areas of Coconino County, the Town of Tusayan, and the City of Flagstaff will also be in fire restrictions on this date.

Grand Canyon National Park will remain in Stage 1 fire restrictions, as it is year-round, which means fires, campfires, charcoal, coal and wood stoves are prohibited, except within a developed campground site.

We are beginning to see elevated fire conditions and are currently in High Fire Danger. When the fire danger is “high”, fires can start easily from most causes and small fuels (such as grasses and needles) will ignite readily. More information on current fire danger, as well as fire information can be found on the Grand Canyon Fire page here.

Now is a great time to review the Ready-Set-Go evacuation plans and procedures for you and your family. For NPS employees, it is also a great time to sign up forEverbridge notifications from the park (NPS employees only) and for all residents in the Grand Canyon, the Coconino County emergency notifications. As conditions become warmer and drier in the coming weeks, please help us in becoming prepared and ready for a wildland fire.

Hull Fire update

The Hull Fire, located near Lower Hull Tank along the Kaibab National Forest (KNF) and Grand Canyon National Park boundary just northeast of the Grand View Lookout and east of Grandview Point, is 1,491 acres spreading at a low-to-moderate pace in ponderosa pine forest within the planning area.

At this time, all firing operations are complete and the fire is being monitored by fire personnel. Grand Canyon National Park is co-managing this fire with the KNF. Twenty-five personnel are currently assigned. We thank all the crews who have been working on this fire and continue to manage naturally caused wildfires across the landscape with a goal of restoring the forest to a healthier condition.

More information on the Hull Fire can be found on the Inciweb site here.

Exploring Our Night Sky: The Diné (Navajo) Universe

We are happy to announce a special event happening on Friday, June 30, for the Grand Canyon Speaks Series in the South Rim Visitor Center Plaza.

The program will begin at 8:15 p.m. and will be one hour long. The presenters are two of our current cultural demonstrators, Albert and Dawni Laughter.

Join us in spreading the word and attending the program to learn about the Diné (Navajo) Universe through storytelling, singing, and demonstration.

More information can be found in the attached flyer here. We hope to see you there!

Grand Canyon Midair Collision to be commemorated on June 30

On Friday, June 30, the Patrons of the 1956 Grand Canyon Midair Collision and the Grand Canyon Historical Society will present its annual commemoration program of the 128 people who lost their lives during the 1956 Grand Canyon Aviation Accident. This year’s event marks the 67th anniversary of the collision of two commercial aircraft over Grand Canyonn. The commemorations will be held at the Grand Canyon Pioneer Cemetery on the South Rim and the Citizens Cemetery in Flagstaff. Everyone is invited to attend.

The program will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Pioneer Cemetery and feature a eulogy and comments about the Swiss Mountain Climbers who participated in the recovery efforts of the mid-air collision.

South Kaibab intermittent closures beginning July 6

There will be temporary, intermittent closures on the South Kaibab trail above Cedar Ridge during several weeks in July. Dates of this project work will be from July 6-12 and July 19-26.

Frequent 15 minute closures from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. will occur in order to ensure fall protection for trail crew staff as they work to repair sections of the trail.

Cultural Demonstrators next week at the Desert View Watchtower

Join us Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, July 6 -8, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Desert View Watchtower, for a chance to meet Darren Seweyestewa- Hopi Silversmith, and Evanette (Eva) Sockyma – Hopi Basket Weaver.

Darren has been making jewelry since the late 90’s; he relates, “I am self-taught and started out making copper jewelry and progressed to sterling silver. I enjoy making jewelry and I usually use traditional symbols in my jewelry-making, such as water, cloud, feathers, and animal designs. I get the most satisfaction from being able to make pieces that bring joy and happiness to whoever acquires a piece.”

Eva was introduced to the art of creating handmade yucca sifter baskets by her mother, when Eva was ten years old. Eva draws the inspiration for her baskets from Hopi culture. Eva creates both traditional baskets made with natural dyes and tamarack, as well as more contemporary baskets made with commercial dyes and steel rings. Eva says, “Each variety has their place, with the traditional baskets used in everyday work life and contemporary baskets sold for display.”

Volunteer work at the Grand Canyon Pioneer Cemetery

On Saturday, June 24, several volunteers from the NPS Facilities and Maintenance Division rebuilt the log fencing at the Grand Canyon Pioneer Cemetery. Volunteers made fence repairs, set several new fence posts, hauled away debris, and did general grounds clean-up.

This work was done to prepare the cemetery for the upcoming Commemoration of the 1956 Midair Collision on June 30 and the Fourth of July. The volunteers were Devon Bradley, Jeremiah Campbell, Csaba Conner, Matt Dalton, Bill Lysen, Marshal Page, Patrick Perry, Zachery Reid, Kaitlyn Rimmer, Laura Wlody, and Treacy Stone.

COVID Updates

Total new COVID cases in Arizona for the week of June 15 through June 21, is 1,153 —a decrease of 24 cases from the previous week. The seven-day rolling average is now 164 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

Town of Tusayan Fourth of July celebration

Join community members from the Town of Tusayan and Grand Canyon for the annual Fourth of July celebration from 3:15-10:30 p.m. The parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. and other events and activities include: live music from local bands, food, a bike decorating contest, Native American dancers, kid’s games, and a drone and laser show at 8:30 and 9:30 p.m.

More information on this event can be found on the Town of Tusayan’s website 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., 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. dailywith 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 CLOSED until further notice
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)

Advanced high angle technical rescue training this week was conducted by the Branch of Emergency Services. More photos of this training can be found here. (NPS Photo/J. Stebbins)
A firefighter monitors the Hull Fire (USFS photo)
Grand Canyon Midair Collision commemoration ceremony in 2014 (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
The “chimney” section of the South Kaibab Trail (NPS Photo)
Photos of Darren Seweyestewa- Hopi Silversmith, and Evanette (Eva) Sockyma – Hopi Basket Weaver and their traditional crafts (NPS Photos)
Volunteers from FMD outside the Pioneer Cemetery on June 24 (NPS Photo)

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.