North Rim to reopen June 2 with limited services available

The North Rim will open as scheduled, on June 2, with limited visitor services and water conservation measures due to a break in the North Rim water pipeline. As some of you are already aware, a landslide from repeated winter storms has destroyed more than 300 feet of the North Rim water pipeline.   

The Grand Canyon Lodge will operate day-use services with limited food and beverage service beginning June 2, with overnight accommodations delayed at least through July 23, 2023. 

Trail repair work on the North Kaibab Trail continues with some additional modifications. The North Kaibab Trail closure is in effect at least through June 15.The closure area will be from north of Manzanita Rest Area to the North Kaibab Trailhead. Following June 15, the North Kaibab Trail will reopen with intermittent trail closures to clear remaining rockfall areas. To see photos of trail damage sustained on the North Kaibab, see Grand Canyon Conservancy’s Flickr album here. 

Beginning June 15, Cape Royal and Point Imperial Roads will reopen to the public.Snow removal, damage assessment, and road repairs necessitate the closure of these roads until this date to ensure visitor and worker safety. 

Thank you to all the North Rim and Facilities staff who continue to work to repair facilities, trails, and key infrastructure to support the North Rim operations! Photos showing the North Rim Entrance Station and the surrounding meadows can be found on the Grand Canyon Conservancy’s Flickr album here.

Pile burning along South Entrance Road Friday and Saturday

Grand Canyon Wildland Fire staff will be conducting pile burning along Highway 64/South Entrance Road on Friday, May 19 and Saturday, May 20. Work will start around 9 a.m. in the vicinity of Vann Avenue/W1 and continue north along Hwy. 64.

Light to moderate smoke may impact the roadway. Fire managers will take advantage of moisture to minimize the chance of fire spread and potential spotting from the piles. The piles will be ignited by firefighters and monitored until the piles are completely out. For more information, please contact Justin Doyle at 507-380-2056. A map outlining the pile burning areas is available here.

May 11 was an unusually busy day for the Grand Canyon Emergency Services team!

Around 2:30 p.m., units were dispatched to Moran Point for a man that had fallen approximately 50 ft. over the edge. Patrol rangers responded immediately while Fire/EMS/Rescue teams mobilized. Rangers confirmed the patient was in serious condition with a head injury and several other injuries.

Paramedics rappelled to the patient and while rescue operations were beginning, an air ambulance was requested to land at the Desert View parking lot. Desert View Interpretive staff came to assist and secure the landing zone. By 4:30 p.m., the patient was raised by rope system to the parking lot and taken to Desert View where he was flown to Flagstaff Medical Center.

While the crews were returning from that incident, they were dispatched to a cardiac arrest in Trailer Village. Staff from patrol, fire, EMS, and PSAR responded. Responders began CPR and advanced cardiac life support measures. Care providers worked to resuscitate the man and after almost 30 minutes were able to get a pulse back. They began transporting the patient to Grand Canyon Airport to meet an incoming air ambulance. Unfortunately, the patient went back into cardiac arrest during transport and did not survive.

Later that evening, EMS crews were dispatched to South Entrance for another cardiac arrest.  Responders to this call also performed CPR and advanced cardiac life support measures, but these efforts were unsuccessful, and the man did not survive.

For these calls, there were almost 30 responders involved. This includes EMS providers, PSAR rangers, Firefighters from NPS and Xanterra, dispatchers, interpretation and education staff, law enforcement rangers, and helicopter crews from Guardian Air. Calls like this take a toll on responders, physically and mentally.  Next time you see one of your park’s first responders around the park, rest assured they are some of the best in the service!

Inner Canyon Water Status

Due to ongoing turbidity issues within the Transcanyon Pipeline, water availability along the Bright Angel Trail at One and a Half Mile and Three-Mile resthouses will be delayed until further notice. NPS water utilities staff are continually evaluating turbidity levels at these locations and anticipate being able to turn water on in the coming weeks, as conditions allow.  

For the most recent water availability status in the inner canyon, please visit the park’s Critical Backcountry Updates page here.

Special Agent, Heidi Hall, receives award for work with victims of crime 

Congratulations to Heidi Hall, special investigator and former GRCA ranger, for receiving the “Heart of Gold Award” for the Department of the Interior, NPS, from Northern Arizona Victim Witness Services.

Heidi has been an advocate and family liaison for crime victims and crisis survivors throughout her NPS career. She demonstrated a strong commitment to the care of a domestic violence victim in the Grand Canyon area. Her extraordinary care of a domestic violence victim in the area was noted by a local advocate, particularly Heidi’s communication timeliness and style with the victim. Heidi has worked closely with the local advocate and consistently uses a team approach when dealing with victims who need resources beyond a report.

Employee Spotlight!

James Shaffer

Concession Management Specialist, North Rim

Commercial Services Division

I came to GRCA last October from Mount Rainier National Park, where I was a Maintenance Mechanic Supervisor in Buildings and Utilities for the last three years. Prior to Mount Rainier, I became a permanent employee for the NPS at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, where I was a Maintenance Mechanic and Maintenance Mechanic Work Leader. Before becoming a permanent NPS employee, I worked as a summer seasonal at Denali National Park and a winter seasonal at Great Sand Dunes National Park. Prior to my current role and division, I have always been in Facilities Management, and primarily worked historic preservation projects and hazardous material abatement.

Before my 2015 start with the NPS, I worked a lot of different careers in construction, retail, and the outdoor recreation industry. What’s the saying? “Jack of all trades, Master of none”….Yeah, that’s been my life prior to the NPS. I have been a laborer in most building trades, commercial maintenance foreman, a dog sled guide, raft guide, fishing guide, ski shop manager for Vail Resorts, rock climbing store manager, managed grocery store departments for Whole Foods, Safeway, and Natural Grocers, and I used to be the general manager of a USFS concession resort and canoe outfitter in the Boundary Water Canoe Area wilderness.

I have a BS in Business Management and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin, and was fortunate to have the opportunity to do my business internship in the former Yugoslavia, primarily Bosnia and Herzegovina.

I would not trade any of these experiences, good or bad. They all led to the position I currently have at GRCA. Many of the questionable work activities I did prior to the NPS led me to my collateral role as an Operational Leadership facilitator for the NPS and an active promoter of workplace safety.

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

My favorite part of working at GRCA has been the park staff. This park has a lot of wonderful, high functioning, friendly, and creative staff. I have been a part of some major projects and problems since I have arrived, and the optimism and cooperation between divisions is an example for the NPS. I can’t say enough about the staff here.

Any summer adventures you’re looking forward to this year?

Well, I am a winter person. It’s my favorite season for so many reasons, but mainly because my recreation has been based on snow and mountains for so many years. Honestly, I am going to be doing my best this summer to explore this area and the ecosystems that are new to me, while not dying of heat stroke! I am always looking for adventure friends! Hint, hint, GRCA staff!

Grand Canyon Food Pantry seeks Americorps VISTA member

The Grand Canyon Food Pantry is pleased to announce a Food Pantry Development Coordinator Americorps VISTA position that is looking to be filled in the near future.  

The Food Pantry Development Coordinator VISTA project is dedicated to the continued development of the Grand Canyon Food Pantry along with the new development of the Tusayan Pantry. In this role, the VISTA member will address the food insecurity needs of the community by enhancing fundraising and grant writing efforts to build a steady funding stream, create meaningful volunteer outreach and training, and support the GCFPI’s organizational ability to sustain the two pantries. Additionally, this project will seek to strengthen the natural ties between the Grand Canyon Village and Tusayan residents by coordinating food relief efforts within the two communities.

More information on this position and how to apply are available in the attached flyer here.