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Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — March 20-24, 2023

by Community Contributor • March 23, 2023 • Comments Off

Key Messages-Week of March 20, 2023

COVID Updates

As of March 23, 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 2,656 compared to 4,262 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

Rockfall frequency increases; flash flood warnings remains in effect throughout Northern Arizona

Recent storm impacts have created near impassable road conditions throughout much of Coconino County, especially in flooded roadways adjacent to creeks. Although these areas are limited within park boundaries, please be aware of the increased likelihood of rockfall and flash flood activity within the inner canyon as temperatures rise and active snowmelt occurs.

This week there were three reported sizeable rockfalls along the Bright Angel Trailreported by staff at the Backcountry Information Center. The trail remains passable to hikers. It is likely these events will occur on a routine basis in the coming weeks/months.

If you observe an active rockfall along a trail, please notify Grand Canyon dispatch as soon as possible at 928-638-7805. If you have a camera or phone, photos of the rockfall can be helpful to staff on Trails and the Backcountry Information Center.

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

Tuweep vehicle closure in effect beginning March 23

Due to heavy precipitation, regional flooding, and area conditions, Tuweep (including Kanab Plateau) is closed to motor vehicle access until further notice.

For the latest information on Tuweep status and day use permits, please visit the park’s Tuweep webpage.

Additionally, due to persistent hazardous conditions including snow, rain, ice, rockfall, and/or flooding travel to/from the North Rim is not recommended at this time. Shoe traction devices, snowshoes, and/or skis are recommended in the high country.

‘Behind the Scenery’ podcast selected as a finalist for national Golden Post Award

The Golden Post Awards program recognizes outstanding use of social media by government agencies in the U.S. This year, Grand Canyon National Park’s ‘Behind the Scenery’ podcast was selected as a finalist for the category “Best Podcast.” This category honors a government agency’s efforts in producing an exceptional podcast that connects with outsiders through storytelling and compelling conversation.

The primary goal of the ‘Behind the Scenery’ podcast is to give multiple perspectives space on air through narrative storytelling driven by curiosity for new perspectives. The podcast offers listeners a new way to explore the park to discover fresh conversations about why the Grand Canyon matters.

Nearly 400 entries were received for the 2023 competition. Winners in each category will be announced during the Government Social Media award ceremony on May 3, 2023.

Listen to the latest ‘Behind the Scenery’ podcast on Apple Podcasts or the nps.gov website. Congratulations to the North Rim and Canyon Interpretation teams for this incredible work!

Dr. Hoffman presents evening program on March 25 as part of Astronomer in Residence Program

Dr. Jennifer Hoffman is interested in how astronomical objects change over time, especially over short times that humans can experience.

On Saturday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m., join Dr. Hoffman at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center Theater as she talks about her research on stars. Specifically, stars that dance together and stars that explode, as well as cycles and changes in the sky that you can discover from the Grand Canyon or even your own backyard. For more information on this program, see the attached flyer here.

Employee Spotlight!

Rocky Burrows—Emergency Services Paramedic

Originally from New Mexico, I have a bachelor’s degree in Rangeland Management from New Mexico State University. I was Sacramento Hotshot for six years and during that time I got my paramedic license and worked on an ambulance for three years in the winter. I was flight paramedic for 8 ½ years until last year when I joined the park service.

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

I have worked here about a year now. I am based out of the South Rim at the Emergency Services Building (Station One).

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

Honestly my co-workers. Most everyone here has been kind and I am enjoying working for them. Most visitors are grateful for the service we provide them as well.

Favorite quote?

Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive. – Elbert Hubbard

Grand Canyon Community Corner

Grand Canyon soccer summer camps for 2023

Grand Canyon School is looking to have an American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) Summer Soccer League in 2023. The organization is still looking for volunteers for coaching and a local coordinator. If interested in volunteering, please email: AysoFlagstaff257@gmail.com.

For more information on these opportunities or to register a child in the program, see the attached flyer here.

The Story of Leadership and the Wisdom of the Wolf evening program at Shrine of the Ages—March 28

The Grand Canyon Wolf Recovery Project will host a special event featuring the traditional Diné/Navajo winter story about leadership and the wisdom of the wolf (Mai Tso) told by storyteller and folklorist Sunny Dooley at the Shrine of the Ages auditorium at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at 7 pm.

Appropriate for all ages, this Navajo tale shares culturally grounded lessons of leadership and demonstrates that nature is a powerful teacher for humankind. This event is free and open to the public. More information, including a flyer for the evening program is available here.

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

On Thursday, April 27 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., North Country Healthcare will be hosting a health and wellness event as well as a breast and cervical cancer screening event. Free baseline blood tests, health screenings, and mammograms will be available.

Information on the breast and cervical cancer screening event is available in the attached flyer here. Information on the health and wellness event 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, 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.
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.
The Cultural Demonstration Program will return in late April to the Desert View Watchtower
- Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, April 25, 26, and 27, 2023-Phyllis Coonsis – Zuni Silversmith/Cluster Jewelry, Cameron Nastacio – Zuni Fetish Carver

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

Photo Credits (in order of appearance)

North Rim Entrance Station, March 2023 (NPS Photo/R. Evans)
Bright Angel rockfall photos taken on March 22 (NPS Photos/J. Hogan)
Vehicle at Tuweep stuck in the mud (NPS Photo)
Dr. Jennifer Hoffman is this spring’s Astronomer in Residence (Photo courtesy of J. Hoffman)
Rocky Burrows, Emergency Services Paramedic at Station One (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.

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