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Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — May 22-26, 2023

by Community Contributor • May 25, 2023 • Comments Off

Messages and Grand Canyon News-Week of May 22, 2023

Secretary of Interior, Deb Haaland, visits Grand Canyon

Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, and her team were in the park this past weekend to meet with the Grand Canyon Tribal Coalition and community leaders about the efforts to create the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Grand Canyon National Monument.

This effort, spearheaded by the tribal coalition and supported by Representative Raul Grijalva and Senator Krysten Sinema, is a continuation of efforts to provide permanent protection from new uranium mining on over 1 million acres of land surrounding Grand Canyon National Park.

In addition to the meetings with the coalition and local stakeholders, the Secretary held separate informal meet and greets with staff from the Horace Albright Training Center and Grand Canyon National Park. Members of the park leadership team also had the opportunity to talk to her about our big infrastructure projects (trans–canyon waterline) and provide an aerial tour for she and Rep Grijalva of the area and proposed boundaries of the new national monument. Thanks to all the staff who helped support the Secretary’s visit and who came out to meet her on Saturday afternoon!

Fats, Oils, and Grease—a message from the Grand Canyon Water Utility Team

The Water Utility Team would like to remind residents to please keep fats, oils, and grease (F.O.G.) out of drains at home and at work. F .O.G. can harden and build up in pipes, causing blockages in the sewer lines and in-home plumbing. This leads to sewer overflows and costly repairs.

Here’s what to do instead of pouring F.O.G. down your drain:

Use cans and jars with lids to pour cooled, leftover oils and grease
Scrape pots and pans to remove fats, oils, and grease before washing
Put fatty and greasy food scraps and the containers with leftover oils and fats into the garbage for disposal
Pour liquid oils and greases into cat litter (if available) and dispose of in the
garbage

The Water Utility Team thank you for your cooperation! More information can be found in the attached flyer here.

Shuttle bus changes beginning this weekend

The park’s shuttle bus system will transition to the summer schedule beginning Saturday, May 27 and run through September 9, 2023. Key changes include:

Buses run every 30 minutes during the early morning hours, then every 15 minutes during most of the day.
The Village (Blue) Route begins service at 4 a.m. The last bus does the loop at 10:30 p.m. Riders need to be at a bus stop no later than 10:30 p.m.

The Kaibab (Orange) Route and the Hermits Rest (Red) Route both begin service at 4 a.m. The last bus on both routes is 30 minutes after sunset. Riders will need to be at a bus stop no later than 30 minutes after sunset.
The Hiker’s Express Bus, from Bright Angel Lodge and the Backcountry Information Center — to South Kaibab Trailhead, finishes out May with village departures at 5, 6, and 7 a.m. During the months of June, July, and August, the Express departs at 4, 5, and 6 a.m.
Tusayan (Purple) Route buses, with service from Grand Canyon Visitor Center to the gateway community of Tusayan, run every 20 minutes from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Visitors riding the bus from Tusayan into the park must present a valid park entrance pass when boarding the bus.

For more information on the shuttle bus system, see the park website here.

Summer ranger programming kicks off today!

Beginning Thursday, May 25, summer ranger programs in the village will be in full swing for the season. Fossil Walks and Evening Programs will be presented Friday, Saturday, and Sunday unless otherwise noted.

Critter Chat, Junior Ranger Program, Geology Talk, and Ranger’s Choice will be presented Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

The Grand Canyon Visitor Center hours will remain as they are now: Thursday—Monday, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. The Visitor Center remains closed Tuesday and Wednesday

A flyer on daytime programs is available here; a flyer on evening programs now through June 3 is available here.

Local Firewise Cleanup: June 8-11

The next Firewise Residential Cleanup weekend will be held June 8-11. We need your help in preventing wildfire severity!

Crews from the Fire and Aviation branch will be collecting fuels from this past winter’s blowdown and will also continue Firewise initiatives throughout residential areas. As we move forward on making the village a safer place from wildland fire, we ask that Grand Canyon residents assist in this effort.

Here’s how you can make a difference:

Clear dead woody debris from around your residence, up to 30 ft.
Rake pine needles and leaves (please minimize collection of dirt and rocks-this will inhibit effective pile burning in the future)
Move firewood away from contact with structures (more than 10 ft is recommended)
Please do not collect industrial lumber; this material will be left.

Please pile all pine needles and woody debris in an area accessible to vehicles for the crew to pick up. Park staff will be transporting all debris to the dry dump the week of June 12.

Trash bags and loaner tool are available at the South Rim Wildland Fire Base by calling Fire and Aviation staff—Nate Martone at 928-379-0817 or Kacie Dodds at 707-359-8744. More information, including a full flyer on the event is available here.

Condor nest confirmed and visible from Plateau Point and Yavapai Geology Museum

Wildlife staff have a confirmed condor nest that is visible from Plateau Point and from the Yavapai Geology museum (spotting scope required to see).

On the North side directly above the river, the nest is north of Havasupai Gardens. The parents are J1 (521)/ E3 (423). Wildlife staff suspect the egg hatched in the last few weeks and the parents are busy feeding and taking good care of it. It will likely not venture out of the cave for a few months. The parents have successfully raised 3 other chicks in the South Rim village region.

Any sightings or questions can be directed to Wildlife Biologist, Miranda Terwilliger or and Maggie Charek at 928-638-7904.

Cultural Demonstrators next week at the Desert View Watchtower

Next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, May 30 – June 1, meet Zuni potter, Noreen Simplicio, and Richard Graymountain, San Juan Southern Paiute basket weaver, at the Desert View Watchtower from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., as they demonstrate their crafts and share their cultures and history.

Noreen’s distinctive designs combine traditional Zuni pottery symbols with contemporary design elements of her own creation. She specializes in miniatures, bowls, seed bowls with lizards, and vases.

Richard, with family ties to the Ute, Navajo, and San Juan Southern Paiute tribes, has been weaving baskets since he was 13 years old. He creates traditional ceremonial designs and uses a very tight weave.

For more information on the Desert View Cultural Demonstration Program, visit the park website here. A flyer of Cultural Demonstration Program through June 1 can be found here.

Leadership Spotlight!

Kristin Gibbs

Superintendent, Albright Training Center (HOAL)

Kristin Gibbs started her career with the NPS as a Student Career Experience Program hire at Shenandoah National Park in 2003. Since joining NPS, she has worked in various positions in the Protection, Recreation Fees, and Interpretation/Education Divisions at Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park, Harry S. Truman National Historic Site, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

In 2016, Kristen joined the Learning and Development team as an instructor for the NPS Fundamentals Program at Horace Albright Training Center. Most recently, she served as the Training Manager at Stephen J. Mather Training Center where she provided support to the Visitor and Resource Protection Directorate.

Kristin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Parks and Resource Management and a Master of Education Degree focused on Environmental Education from Slippery Rock University. She is a certified facilitator for Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, CliftonStrengths, Crucial Conversations, and The Influencer and Emotional Intelligence.

She has two young children (Brooks and Truman) and enjoys long walks on the Grand Canyon rim and exploring the Colorado Plateau. Please congratulate Kristin on her new role as Superintendent of the Albright Training Center!

COVID Updates

As of May 11, COVID Data Tracker is no longer reporting aggregate cases and deaths, COVID-19 Community Levels, COVID-19 Community Transmission Levels, or COVID-19 Electronic Laboratory Reporting (CELR) data. Total new COVID cases in Arizona for the week of May 10 through May 16, is 2,343 —a small decrease from the previous week. As of May 23, we have 1 new COVID-19 cases reported in the park.

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.

Grand Canyon Community Corner

Memorial Day 21-gun salute at Pioneer Cemetery

On Monday, May 29, American Legion John Ivens Post 42 will hold its annual Memorial Day 21-gun salute ceremony at the pioneer cemetery. This special event is open to the public to honor Veterans buried in the cemetery.

The event will begin at 11 a.m. and residents here in the park can expect to hear blank rounds being fired on or around this time.

Grand Canyon School Booster Club seeks volunteers

Join the Grand Canyon School Booster Club, a parent organization that helps support middle and high school athletics for the Grand Canyon Phantoms.

More information on ways to help are available in the attached flyer here.

Grand Canyon Rec Center announces June Calendar of Events

The Grand Canyon Rec Center has announced its June Calendar of Events! Check out all the upcoming local and out of town events 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, 12-10 p.m., Yavapai Lodge Coffee Shop, 6:30 a.m. -3 p.m., The Yavapai Dining Hall, breakfast, 7-10:45 a.m., dinner, 5-8 p.m.
Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Deli 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Camper Services laundry and shower, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. daily

Other

Grand Canyon Clinic: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 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): 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, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily., Kolb Studio 9 a.m.-5 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.-7 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)

Secretary Deb Haaland stands with Grand Canyon employees near Park Headquarters on May 20, 2023 (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
The purple route in Tusayan (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
Condor nest sighting through a spotting scope (NPS Photo/M. Charek)
Kristin Gibbs, Superintendent of the Horace Albright Training Center (NPS Photo)
A flag on a gravestone at the Pioneer Cemetery commemorating those who served in the armed forces (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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