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Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — March 13-17, 2023

by Community Contributor • March 17, 2023 • Comments Off

Key Messages-Week of March 13, 2023

COVID Updates

As of March 16, Coconino County has remained at LOW CDC Community Level. Masks remain optional in all public buildings. Total new COVID cases in Arizona for the week of March 10-16 was 4,262 compared to 3,850 cases from the week prior.

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

Grand Canyon Trails Update and Flash Flood Safety

Possible flash flood and rockfall activity this week and throughout the next month

Increased precipitation and seasonal snow-melt may lead to enhanced flood risk along creek drainages in the inner canyon. Backpackers and hikers should be especially aware of elevated flows in rivers, creeks, washes, and low water crossings. Low water crossings may become impassable due to flooding or flood damage.

As snow-melt runoff continues over the coming weeks and months, expect greater frequency of localized rockfalls in the inner canyon, especially on northern slopes. The National Weather Service Flagstaff Office, has created a flash flood safety rack card that helps remind those traveling in canyons of safety reminders. For a flyer of the rack card (pictured left), see the attached flyer here.

For a more comprehensive list of backcountry trail updates, visit our park website here.

Bright Angel temporary trail closure due to rockfall beginning March 17

Beginning Friday, March 17, NPS trail crew will be implementing temporary trail closures along the upper 1-1.25 miles of the Bright Angel Trail to remove a rockfall area.

We anticipate the work to take one to two days to complete, with temporary trail closures between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. The duration of the closures will vary between 30-60 minutes as crews need to close the switchback areas to safely operate and clear the rockfall. NPS employees will be positioned at each upper and lower extreme of the fault switchbacks to hold and coordinate traffic.

TCWL Construction Contract Announcement

This week, the NPS officially announced a construction contract for the new Transcanyon Waterline, totaling an estimated $208 million. Initial activity in late spring and summer of 2023 will focus on establishing construction infrastructure and staging areas in the Grand Canyon Village area on the park’s South Rim.

Some of the initial activities will include tree removal work near the helibase and South Rim Water Tank area. Additional details about the work will be forthcoming. A project schedule will be approved in the near future and every effort will be made to schedule work to reduce impacts to visitors and residents. We understand there’s great community interest in this project. The NPS does not anticipate restrictions or closures in 2023 that would impact visitors. The TCWL replacement is slated for completion in late 2026 or 2027.

The contract was awarded to Stronghold Engineering, Inc. of Perris, California and future construction timelines will be posted on the park’s Transcanyon Waterlineand projects page.

Cultural Demonstrator at the Desert View Watchtower March 21-23

Stop by the Watchtower from 9 am to 4 pm, on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, March 21, 22, 23 to meet Ola Eriacho, Zuni Silversmith.

Ola has been creating beautiful jewelry for over 40 years – first on her own as an individual jeweler, and then together, with her late husband, Tony Eriacho.

“Our styles were very different. Over the years, they blended together,” says Ola. She has always specialized in working with stones, cutting and inlaying them in the classic Zuni styles. It is the precision inlay and dramatic designs that distinguishes her work. “I mostly use the traditional materials that the Zuni are known for — shell, turquoise, coral and jet,” says Ola. In addition to being a fine jeweler, she is also a strong advocate of Native-made art.

For more information and to view the spring schedule, visit the park’s website or the attached flyer here. This program is funded through generous support from the Grand Canyon Conservancy.

NPS Interpretation spring and summer schedule

Due to staffing shortages, Interpretation staffing and programming will look very different during spring and throughout summer of this year.

March 12 – April 1, the Grand Canyon Visitor Center will be open 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Thursday through Monday; and will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Ranger programs will be held Thursday through Monday at 2 p.m. and will meet at the Verkamps Visitor Center (attached flyer here). Each program will last for approximately 30 minutes with rotating topics.
April 2-15, the Grand Canyon Visitor Center will be closed for seasonal interpretation training. No ranger programs will be held during these dates.

April 16 – September 30, the Grand Canyon Visitor Center will be open 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Thursday through Monday and closed every Tuesday and Wednesday. The summer program schedule will begin on April 16 with specific locations to be determined.

Employee Spotlight!

Pat Dahlen—Historical Architect

This is my first Park Service position but working for NPS is something I’ve wanted to do. Just prior to coming to Grand Canyon National Park, I was the architect for the Arizona State Historic Preservation Office in Phoenix, and previously worked at Arizona State University and for private architectural firms. I’ve been involved in many types of architectural projects throughout my career, but my primary professional interests are historic preservation and sustainable design (particularly renewable energy). In addition to a Bachelor of Architecture degree, I hold a M.S. in Energy Efficient Building Design and a Ph.D. in Environmental Design & Planning (sustainable design). I’ve also taught college courses in passive solar design, solar & renewable energy, and energy conservation. I’ve lived in Arizona for over 30 years and am originally from Minnesota.

How long have you worked at GRCA? Where are you based out of?

I started at Grand Canyon National Park in May 2022 and am based at the South Rim.

What have you enjoyed the most about working and/or living at GRCA so far?

I enjoy the beauty of the Grand Canyon and the commitment of those I work with to protect and preserve the cultural and natural resources of Grand Canyon National Park for current visitors and future generations. The NPS preservation mission is close to my heart.

Spring is just around the corner! Any upcoming plans for nicer weather?

Hiking the inner canyon once the snow and ice are gone from the trails!

Grand Canyon Community Corner

Community Blood Drive at Rec Center on March 17

The Rec Center will again be hosting a community blood drive through Vitalant on Friday, March 17 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Appointments are suggested. To schedule ahead of time, individuals can visit www.donors.vitalant.org with blood drive code: “grandcyn.”

Vitalant is the sole supplier to 96% of AZ Hospitals including the Flagstaff Medical Center. More information can be found in the attached flyer here.

Native Taco Sale Senior Class Fundraiser to be held March 22

The 2023 Senior Class will once again be hosting a fundraiser to support the annual senior class trip. On Wednesday, March 22, stop by the Grand Canyon School’s multi-purpose room between 4:30-7 p.m. OR place a delivery order ahead of time.

More information is included in the attached flyer.

Kaibab Learning Center to host annual pancake breakfast fundraiser April 8

Join the fun on Saturday, April 8 at the Grand Canyon School Cafeteria for the annual KLC Pancake Breakfast. Live music by Juniper Hill will be featured beginning at 9 a.m. at the Grand Canyon School Cafeteria. An easter egg hunt on the school grounds to follow!

More details, including a full flyer is available here.

North Country Healthcare to sponsor breast and cervical cancer screening event

On Thursday, April 27 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., North Country Healthcare will be hosting a breast and cervical cancer screening event. Call to schedule at 928-522-9404.

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 is back for the season and will be stationed outside of the Train Depot. Hours for the food truck will be from 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, 8 a.m.-4 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., Canyon Closet will be closed during spring break March 11-19. The closet will reopen on Monday, March 20. For assistance during this period, please email: canyon_closet@grandcanyonschoolpta.org
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.

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

Photo Credits (in order of appearance)

A rare Desert View rainbow in between storms on March 10 (NPS Photo/J. Campbell)
Bright Angel Creek is experiencing large volumes of water and periodic flash flood activity, March 15, 2023 (NPS Photo/J. Barden)
Rockfall along the Bright Angel Trail (NPS Photo)
Kmax helicopter at the NPS helibase transporting materials into the inner canyon (NPS Photo)
Ola Eriacho, Zuni Silversmith, and her jewelry (NPS Photos)
Grand Canyon Visitor Center (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
Pat Dahlen, Historical Architect (Photo courtesy of P. Dahlen)

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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