Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: March 4-8, 2024

Public Health Update on Respiratory Illness

On Friday, March 1, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new guidelines for respiratory illness, to include Covid-19. The CDC is updating its recommendations for Covid-19 to bring them in line with its advice for other kinds of respiratory infections, including influenza and RSV.

People who test positive for Covid-19 no longer need to routinely stay away from others for at least five days. The CDC now says people who have Covid-19 should stay home until they’ve been fever-free without medication for at least 24 hours and their symptoms have been improving for 24 hours.

However, the CDC still does recommend that people take additional precautions for an additional five days to lower the risk of spreading the virus. These precautions include improving ventilation indoors, masking, and limiting close contact with others.

These enhanced precautions are particularly important for people who are around vulnerable individuals, such as those who are elderly or have immune function that’s been blunted by medication or an illness. For more information on these recent changes, see the CDC’s website here.

The Water Utilities team at Grand Canyon National Park plays a crucial role in maintaining the Trans Canyon Waterline (TCWL). The TCWL, vital for public health, is currently in need of replacement, and a significant $208 million investment from the Great American Outdoors Act is addressing this issue.

The unique challenges faced by the team involve repairing the TCWL, which operates under extreme pressures exceeding 700 pounds per square inch (psi). Crews must navigate difficult logistics, including coordinating helicopter support for personnel and supplies, managing disruptions to inner canyon water systems during repairs, and temporarily suspending treatment systems. Collaboration with state compliance officials is essential for public health compliance.

Each repair operation requires careful planning, including risk management briefings and extensive repressurizing efforts involving multiple locations along the TCWL. The complexity of the task is heightened by the need to excavate, remove, fit, and weld sections of the failed aluminum pipe, often in temperatures exceeding 100 degrees within the canyon.

The significance of these repairs is underscored by the fact that the entire park operates on stored water during the outage, causing understandable concern. Despite facing seven such instances in the past year, each repair, averaging $25,000, demonstrates the team’s unwavering commitment to ensuring a safe and reliable water supply. Their dedication is vital to overcoming challenges and maintaining the park’s water infrastructure.

Photo above of Water Utilities Crew:

Back Row, L to R: Dewayne Wheeler, Blaine Anderson, Jason Wink, Renee Babiarz, Colton Lindbom, Chris Brabender, Jaru Velazquez, Jeffrey Smith, Sherryl Johnson, Brian Rhum, Lynn O’Dell, Zack Reid, Gary Lippard, Front Row, L to R: Tracy Stone, Scott Rommel, Katie Brown, Patrick Perry, Elizabeth Williams, David Gerome

Missing: Josiah Brown, John Civiello, Alan Bruner

Unleashing the Dangers: The Hidden Risks of Letting Indoor Cats Roam Outdoors

Recognizing outdoor domestic cats as strict carnivores, is crucial to understand the unintended consequences when these animals are allowed to roam freely outdoors.

Despite domestication, their continuous hunting instinct poses a threat to billions of native animals worldwide, including birds, reptiles, and small mammals.

Humans inadvertently contribute to these issues when allowing cats to roam freely, with documented cases of coyotes, foxes, and raptors preying on pet cats in Grand Canyon National Park.

The takeaway message is clear: Cats pose a considerable threat to local wildlife and can become part of the food chain. Keeping them indoors not only ensures their health and longevity but also protects them from predators and reduces exposure to diseases and parasites.

Grand Canyon Conservancy welcomes Dr. Ashley Pagnotta as the March Astronomer in Residence. Dr. Pagnotta is an Associate Professor of Physics & Astronomy at the College of Charleston. With a passion for exploding stars, Indigenous astronomical traditions, and science education, Ashley draws from her wealth of knowledge to curate unforgettable visitor experiences.

Below is a list of programming happening this weekend at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center. All programs begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Visitor Center Theater.

Thursday, March 7 – Pioneering Women Astronomers of the Early 20th Century.

• Many of the first professional women astronomers worked at the Harvard College Observatory in the 1900s. Learn about these women and their work, from figuring out what stars are made of, to discovering more precise methods of measuring cosmic distances.

Friday, March 9 – Cosmic Candles: How Dying Stars Are an Astronomer’s Best Yardstick.

• Measuring distances in space is hard. Learn how geometry and our knowledge of certain classes of stars, known as standard candles, can provide accurate distance measurements. Learn how measurements are made and how astronomers figured out they were possible.

Saturday, March 10 – Exploring Tonight’s Sky.

• See the highlights of the night’s sky such as the moon, planets, constellations, and star clusters, starting with a brief orientation inside the Visitor Center Theatre, followed by an outdoor constellation talk. In the event of bad weather, we will explore the night sky inside, using digital sky software.

South Rim District Report Available

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

• South Rim District Report ending 2-24-2024

Malerie Ernst

Internal Controls Analyst

If you don’t already know, or cannot tell from my Teams icon, mountain biking is my thing. If you haven’t heard me say “Ride Bikes Be Happy” we haven’t talked enough! If I’m not on my bike, I’m walking my dogs or buying fresh flowers and produce from the farmer’s market. Thanks to my 14 years with the NPS, I’ve lived in mountain bike accessible places, hello Southern Utah, Sedona, Durango and now Boise. Most of my 14 years I was a Dispatcher (ZION & YELL), then I jumped to an Admin Assistant (WASO) for 2 years and now into my current position with GRCA. Based on the needs of the park, my position morphed into an Internal Controls Analyst. Essentially, my job is audits, compliance, and policy, which I love, believe it or not. I am also the Charge Card Program Coordinator for Purchase and Travel cards. You could call me the policy police, but lets not.

I have worked at GRCA in the Admin Division for exactly two years this month. For the first year and a half, I lived on Park Circle. Then, in June 2023 an amazing opportunity came our way and we all packed up and moved to Boise, Idaho. Currently, I share my home office with two dogs, Grizzly & Keeva, and a cat, Gibbon, like the river not the monkey.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

What I enjoy most about my job is that I get to interact with GRCA employees in every division at any level. I really enjoy collaborating with employees across the board from the Trails Crew to Science to the Superintendent’s Office.

Can you share a memorable or rewarding experience you’ve had while working here?

While in this position at GRCA, I have been able to connect and work with the Regional Internal Controls team. In November, I was able to join them on a park-wide audit at Palo Alto Battlefield in south Texas. While there, we audited all their park programs, and I was able to meet all 15 employees (!! Can you imagine, just 15 employees, sheesh, what an eye-opener).

What’s the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had (besides your current one)?

I was a Tennis Instructor for 3 years as a City employee for the city I grew up in. I taught the 5–6-year-olds and the 55+ year olds. What a blast! During that same 3 years I was also a radio DJ for an alternative rock radio station in that same city. I had a 2-hour spot every Tuesday and Thursday when you could hear my voice across the state.

Community Blood Drive-March 15

The Rec Center will be hosting a community blood drive through Vitalant on Friday, March 15, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Appointments are suggested, and to schedule, individuals can visit www.donors.vitalant.org.

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.

Nutrition and Cooking Class survey

Are you interested in nutrition and cooking classes here in Grand Canyon? Coconino County Health and Human Services is interested in hearing from YOU on the best time to offer free adult nutrition and cooking classes at the Grand Canyon Rec Center.

A link to the survey is available here.

A flyer with more information can be found in the attached flyer 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) has reopened for the season
• Lunch 11:30 to 3 pm – Dinner 4:30 to 9 pm. Reservations for lunch or dinner 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.-5:30 p.m., beginning March 11 the Deli hours will expand to 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: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., beginning March 9 bike rentals will operate from 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. The Canyon Closet will be closed from March 11-16 due to spring break.
• 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

Desert View

• Desert View Trading Post Coffee and Ice Cream and Market, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Desert View Watchtower, 8 a.m.- 5 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.

• View from the South Rim on March 3, 2024 (NPS Photo/J. Baird)
• Grand Canyon NP Water Utilities Crew (NPS Photo/K. Morris)
• Outdoor cat with a bird in its mouth (Adobe Firefly)
• Dr. Ashley Pagnotta, March Astronomer in Residence (Photo courtesy of Grand Canyon Conservancy)
• Malerie Ernst, Internal Budget Control Analyst with a bike (Photo courtesy of M. Ernst)