Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: March 25-29, 2024

Spring Break is here!

As Spring Break continues for the next several weeks, we can expect long lines and full parking lots throughout the South Rim. As a result, traffic regularly backs up at all entrance stations, with wait times of up to one to two hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Parking lots begin reaching capacity by 12 p.m. and shuttle bus wait times will be prolonged.

Thankfully, our fees program is fully staffed and have been working diligently towards expediting wait times by moving traffic into specific lanes. Visitors with pre-paid passes are still encouraged to go to Lane 1 to reduce wait times in line.

Parking continues to be a challenge, especially near the Visitor Center and along Pipe Creek Overlook, and our law enforcement staff are routinely patrolling these areas and assisting with towing as necessary.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Promote Alternative Times and Routes: Encourage visitors to explore the park during off-peak hours or to visit lesser-known areas to alleviate congestion in popular spots. Provide information about alternative trails and viewpoints that offer stunning views without the crowds.

• Use Sustainable Transportation: Encourage visitors to use sustainable transportation options such as shuttle buses, bicycles, or walking whenever possible. Promote carpooling and parking in designated areas to reduce traffic congestion and emissions.

• Provide Feedback to Park Management: Share your observations and suggestions with park management regarding visitor management strategies or other issues affecting the park experience. Your input can help inform decision-making processes and improve visitor satisfaction. To do so, send an email to: grca_public_affairs@nps.gov.

Thank you for your continued patience as we navigate this recent spike in visitation!

Damon began making pottery around 2003. He is mostly self-taught and uses the local, native clay to coil-build his pottery. Each piece is traditionally fired using wood as the heat source, instead of a kiln. He often uses pinon-pitch to finish the exteriors. Damon is known for raised designs that flow around his pieces and has won numerous awards for his pottery over the years.

Jonah Hill, Hopi metalsmith, is known for his neo-traditional sterling silver jewelry, made by using traditional techniques. He will demonstrate how he creates jewelry from copper, brass and silver, by pouring molten metal into design molds hand-carved from tufa stone (a volcanic rock). In addition to being a metalsmith, Jonah has been a river guide, and is an environmental educator.

Cultural Demonstrations will take place at Desert View Watchtower through November 2024. A schedule for the next two weeks can be found in the attached flyer here or on the park website.

South Rim District Report Available

Read what South Rim Patrol has been up to lately by reading the latest South Rim District Report below!

• South Rim District Report ending 3-9-2024

Kimberly Chamales

Park Ranger (Interpretation)

Hi there! My name is Kim Chamales, and I grew up in the Chicago suburbs. I got my undergraduate degree in Atmospheric Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and my master’s degree in Meteorology and Physical Oceanography from the University of Miami. After realizing that my passion for science was in outreach (not research), I began to apply for internships with the NPS. I began my park service career in the winter of 2016 at Joshua Tree National Park as a Climate Change Communication Intern. Since then, I’ve worked at Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Oregon Caves National Monument, Crater Lake, and Mesa Verde.

In my free time, I enjoy doing yoga and reading, and I love to hike, backpack, and camp with my husband and our rescue dog, Malta. We’ve spent a lot of time exploring the San Juan mountains and Southwest Colorado, and we’re excited for many Arizona adventures.

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

I have been working here for about a year, and I’m based out of the Village.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The best part about my job is having the opportunity to work with an amazing team of wonderful humans, who also happen to be talented and inspiring interpreters!

Is there a specific visitor interaction or educational program that stands out to you?

My favorite visitor interactions are the ones that occur after I give an interpretive program. It feels really good when a curious visitor comes up to me after a program to further discuss the topic or ask a thoughtful question. I know I am doing my job well when something I say sparks curiosity in a visitor, and those are the moments when I really love my job!

Kaibab Learning Center Pancake Breakfast and Easter Egg Hunt tomorrow, March 29

The Kaibab Learning Center and the Grand Canyon Rec Center will host its annual Pancake Breakfast and fundraiser on Friday, March 29 at the Grand Canyon School.

Breakfast will be served from 7-11 a.m. with the easter egg hunt beginning on the soccer field at 11 a.m. Children of all ages are welcome to participate, and a special guest appearance will be made by the Easter Bunny.

​A full flyer for the event can be found here.

Grand Canyon Rec Center Announces April Calendar of Events

Check out all the fun events planned by the Rec Center for the month of April! Painting on the rim, a full moon hike, karaoke, and a solar eclipse booth are just a few of the activities planned for this month.

The full calendar for April can be viewed here.

South Rim

Xanterra

• Maswik Lodge Cafeteria, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Maswik Pizza Pub, 4-9 p.m.
• Canyon Coffee House at the Bright Angel Fountain, 7-11 a.m.
• Bright Angel Fountain grab and go, 7 a.m.- 4 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Burger, Breakfast 7-10 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.- 3 p.m., Dinner 4-8:30 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Tavern, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Arizona Steakhouse (at Bright Angel Lodge), Lunch 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Dinner 4:30-9 p.m., reservations are not required at this time.
• El Tovar Dining Room and Lounge – Breakfast, 7-10 a.m., Lunch, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Dinner, 4:30-9 p.m., Lounge, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (Food until 9 p.m.), Patio closed until spring 2024.
• The Grand Canyon Kennel, 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, 12-9 p.m., Yavapai Lodge Coffee Shop, 7 a.m. -2 p.m., beginning March 11, Coffee Shop/Cafe will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Yavapai Dining Hall: TEMPORARILY CLOSED
• Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Deli 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Camper Services laundry and shower: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

Other

• Grand Canyon Clinic: Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Bright Angel Bikes, Rental: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Café 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC): 7 days a week from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Conservancy stores: Visitor Center Plaza, Kolb Studio, Verkamps and Yavapai Geology Museum 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily
• The Grand Canyon Community Library: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Food Pantry: Monday 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesday 5:30-7:30 p.m., Saturday 2-4 p.m.
• Canyon Closet: Every Wednesday from 12-2 p.m., first and third Saturday of each month from 12-3 p.m.
• Canyon Community Yoga & Wellness (at the Rec Center)- Yoga: Mondays & Wednesdays 6:30 p.m., Fitness Classes: Strength Training Sundays 9 a.m., Core Strength Thursdays 6:30 p.m. View full schedule here: https://www.canyoncommunityyoga.com/schedule

Rim Trail detour reopening

• Beginning Thursday, April 4, contractors will be removing the barriers surrounding the construction project near the Bright Angel Lodge.

Desert View

• Desert View Trading Post Coffee and Ice Cream and Market, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Desert View Watchtower, 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. daily
• The Desert View Deli, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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

• Moon rise on Saturday, March 23 (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
• Crowding along the upper section of the South Kaibab Trail on Wednesday, March 27 (NPS Photo/D. Ferron)
• Damon Tso and Jonah Hill with their respective pieces of art (NPS Photos)
• Kimberly Chamales, Interpretation Ranger (Photo courtesy of K. Chamales)