Superintendent’s Corner: Potential Lapse in Appropriations

Elk Rut Safety Reminder

Please remember to be extra cautious around elk this time of year. From now through mid-October, male elk are in a period known as the rut. During this time, the male (bull) elk can be extremely aggressive. In addition to competing with other males and trying to mate with females (cows), they will fight to protect the group of cows (harems) from other bulls. 

People in close proximity may be perceived as threatening to territorial elk. Be alert at all times when outdoors. Pay attention to your surroundings when walking on greenways, paths, and trails in the park and surrounding areas. If you find yourself near a bull elk, try to keep a tree or some other large obstruction between you and him.

Please do not approach elk, stay a safe distance of 100 feet (30m) away, and never water or feed them for any reason. If you observe an aggressive elk within the community, please do not hesitate to call dispatch at 928-638-7805 and an on-call wildlife staff member will help you. For more information on elk safety during the rut, see the attached flyer here.

Water restrictions lifted for South Rim

On Monday, September 18, mandatory water restrictions were lifted for the South Rim. Park managers determined the holding tanks were above the level necessary to end restrictions.

Although restrictions have been lifted, please remember that water is precious in the desert, and we should always be conscientious of how much water we use and how we use it. A huge thanks to our crews in the Water Utilities Division who helped successfully restore water pumping to the South Rim!

National Public Lands Day September 23

Saturday, September 23, is National Public Lands Day, a day to celebrate and enjoy your public lands. National Public Lands Day began in 1994 to encourage people to volunteer, share their stories, or just get outside and recreate to remember the importance of establishing and maintaining our public lands. National Public Lands Day is also a fee-free day in Grand Canyon National Park, so expect longer lines and heavier traffic than usual.

This weekend for the 33rd consecutive year, the Arizona Mountaineering Club (AMC) will be on the South and North rims for the annual Over the Edge Cleanup. Volunteers with AMC will rappel over the edge of the canyon at popular overlooks to collect trash and debris. At last year’s event, the team collected 108 pounds of trash, 6.5 pounds of hats, and 13.5 pounds of coins. Thank you to the AMC for their cleanup efforts this year in helping keep the canyon safe, clean, and enjoyable for our visiting public!

Celebration of Art works now on display at Kolb Studio

The 2023 Celebration of Art has come to a close, but the work the artists produced in their time here is now on display and for sale in Kolb Studio.

Since 2009, Grand Canyon Conservancy has hosted artists from all over to paint the amazing scenery of the Grand Canyon. Their work is then sold at Kolb Studio and online on GCC’s website through January 15, 2024.

Paving completed near Desert View Watchtower

Great work and thank you to the park crews working on the Desert View pathway section between the Trading Post and Watchtower!

The Trail Crew built the pathway over the past couple of months, and the Road Crew paved it last week. A Vegetation Crew is conducting revegetation work in the area now.

Hawkwatch International in park through October 30

Every year around this time, hundreds of migratory birds make their way through the park as they fly south for the winter. Grand Canyon is part of what’s known as the “Intermountain Flyway,” so for several weeks from late summer to early winter, you can spot hawks, condors, and many other birds from the rim of the canyon.

If you want to learn more, Hawkwatch International will be at Yaki Point every day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. until October 30. Hawkwatch will also be presenting free educational programs there Fridays through Mondays at 11:30 and 2:30. A flyer on these events can be found here. You can also learn more about the Hawkwatch Site on the NPS website. If you go, remember to take advantage of the park shuttle bus.

Cultural Demonstration Programs this Week

Desert View

There will be two cultural demonstrators at Desert View Watchtower from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Sep. 26 through Thursday, Sep. 28. Henry and Maryetta Jackson are Navajo jewelers who have been practicing their craft for over 50 years.

Henry is a self-taught silversmith and goldsmith who works with local and exotic stones. Maryetta is both a jeweler and a beader. She started beading to center herself after working all day making silver jewelry. She says her popular wedding basket design came to her in a dream.

North Rim

Friday, September 22 through Monday, September 25, Hopi painter, carver, and sculptor Kevin Quannie will be at the North Rim Lodge from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Kevin specializes in carving contemporary kachina dolls using cottonwood roots. He has re-created some of his kachinas into bronze sculptures that capture the intricate textures of his original carvings. A flyer on these events can be found here.

Ranger Della retires after 25 years of service at Grand Canyon

Della Yurcik, Backcountry Ranger, will retire on September 29 after nearly 25 years at Grand Canyon National Park. Prior to becoming a ranger, Della worked at Grand Canyon at the Xanterra Transportation Desk as well as at Phantom Ranch.

Since 2004, Della has served as a backcountry law enforcement officer and an Advanced Life Support provider, flight medic, short-haul and technical rescuer. She has also served on high profile search and rescue missions, complex law enforcement cases, and provided life-saving medical care in the remote backcountry of Grand Canyon. In 2022, Della received the highest honor in rangering by being presented the National Park Service’s Harry Yount Award.

Della is widely known throughout the backcountry and river communities as being one the most knowledgeable, fair, friendly, and professional rangers Grand Canyon has ever seen. In 2015, her peers in the Canyon District were so weary of being asked by everyone if they knew “Ranger Della,” they had stickers created that read, “FWD-Friends with Della”. She is a treasure trove of good humor, stories, and phenomenal encouragement and support to those who meet her. Visitors regularly return to Grand Canyon and ask if Della is in the canyon so they can reconnect with her.

Congratulations, Della, on your retirement and service to Grand Canyon!

Vaccine Clinic at Rec Center and Tusayan on Oct. 9

On Monday, October 9, Coconino County Health and Human Services will be offering vaccines at the Grand Canyon Community Recreation Center from 9:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Immediately following this event, the mobile team will have a vaccine event at the Tusayan Fire Department from 1-3:30 p.m.

For more information on the Grand Canyon event, see the attached flyer here. More information on the Tusayan event can be found in the attached flyer here.

Canyon Closet announces new hours 

The Canyon Closet will now be open twice a week on Mondays from 12-2 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 12-2 p.m. The new location for the closet is within the Community Library (currently located in the old Chase Bank building at Market Plaza).

Additionally, one Saturday a month the closet will have a special event. On Saturday, October 7 from 12-3 p.m., there will be a special event with Halloween costumes for the community. Stay tuned for further information in the coming weeks!

Bike Your Park Day to be held September 23 in Tusayan

The Town of Tusayan is hosting National Bike Your Park Day on Saturday, September 23 from 9-11 a.m.A poker run activity will be set up and participants have the opportunity to win prizes during the event.

More information and registration details can be found in the attached flyer here.