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Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — Sept. 4-8, 2023

by Community Contributor • September 8, 2023 • Comments Off

Messages and Grand Canyon News-Week of September 5, 2023

Water conservation measures remain in place for South Rim as tanks fill

On Tuesday, September 5, park managers implemented mandatory water conservation for the South Rim due to diminished water supplies in the South Rim holding tanks. This week, crews began to successfully pump water from Roaring Springs to the South Rim to replenish water stores. If tanks continue to fill, the NPS Water Utilities team anticipates being able to lift water conservation measures as early as next week. As a reminder, the following measures are in place for residents and all facilities on the South Rim.

Mandatory water conservation measures include:

No watering lawns/plants
No washing cars, boats, bikes, or any outside vehicle
Run dishwashers or washing machines with only full loads (in eco mode if available)
Utilize dry precleaning methods to scrape off food items before thoroughly washing dishes.
Fill the sink with water while washing dishes to avoid running water
Take shorter or less frequent showers
Turn water off while you shave or brush your teeth
Use low water cleaning techniques and reduce toilet flushing to the minimum necessary
Camper Services may implement limited hours for showers and laundry services
Employee and concessionaire laundromats may implement limited hours
Report drips, leaks, or other water loss to appropriate offices
Remove outside hoses from spigots when not in use

As of Wednesday, September 6, the boil water advisory for Phantom Ranch and along the North Kaibab Trail has been lifted. Testing has confirmed that water is safe to consume and cook with and meets all Safe Drinking Water Act regulations. Water remains ON at all inner canyon locations with the exception of Supai Tunnel along the North Kaibab Trail.

For a list of current water status in the inner canyon, please see the Critical Backcountry Updates webpage here.

Public Informational Meetings Scheduled for Construction Project Updates September 18-19

Join project management staff members at the Shrine of Ages Monday, September 18 from 7-8:30 p.m., or Tuesday, September 19 from 8-9 a.m. to learn about the current status of construction projects at the South Rim, including the construction schedule for the Transcanyon Waterline. There will be an opportunity for attendees to ask questions.

Village Interpretation Fall Programming

Interpretation programs will remain in the village from September 7-October 7, Thursday–Monday. Interpretation staff will continue to offer the 11 a.m. Critter Chat, 2 p.m. Geology Talk, and 3:30 p.m. Ranger’s Choice, but the fossil walk and Junior Ranger program ended this week.

Several Night Sky Programs have also begun and will be offered over the next couple of weeks. Please see the attached Night Sky Event! flyer and help spread the word. These flyers are reusable QR-codes that you can leave up in your buildings in perpetuity. They link visitors to this webpage, which we update regularly with new programs: Upcoming Night Sky Events – Grand Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Have a look at the webpage for program date, time, location, and topic details. Thanks for supporting Grand Canyon’s dark skies!

Grand Canyon Music Festival continues into second weekend

Like the Grand Canyon? Like music? Check out the Grand Canyon Music Festival!

Tune in for the second weekend of the Grand Canyon Music Festival’s 40th season,September 8 and 9, featuring the Manhattan Chamber Players with guests, Connie Kupka and Brendan Speltz, violin; Luke Fleming, viola; David Speltz and Jacob Fowler, cello; with Clare Hoffman, flute; Robert Bonfiglio, harmonica; and the Newman and Oltman Guitar Duo.

To learn more about the music festival, access concert videos, and more, visit the Grand Canyon Music Festival’s website here.

Grand Canyon Conservancy welcomes new Artist in Residence, Terry Jenoure

Please join our Artist-in-Residence, Terry Jenoure, as she brings her improvised jazz violin and vocals to Grand Canyon audiences!

Terry began studying classical violin at age 8 and attended the acclaimed High School of Music and Art in New York City. After college, she became a protégé of the Free Jazz movement, touring, performing, and recording with some of the most exemplary musicians of the genre. With a career spanning four decades, Terry performs as composer, electric violinist and vocalist trained in jazz and musical improvisation.

During her residency, Jenoure will utilize her surroundings and translate them into music. She hopes to convert the sensations of Grand Canyon into a music experience that can be shared not only with immediate visitors who will witness on-site performances, but also with online viewers from around the world.

Her public outreach will include a workshop for artists and musicians this Friday, September 8 from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Shrine of the Ages Auditorium, and two electric violin performances in conjunction with Celebration of Art events on September 15 and 16.

Please see the attached flyer for more details!

South Rim District Report now available

Rescue boats…in Tusayan? See what South Rim Patrol has been up to the last few weeks by reading the latest South Rim District Report here:

South Rim District Report ending 8-26-2023

Operational Updates

Fall shuttle bus hours begin this weekend

The fall bus schedule will run from September 10-November 30, 2023. The last day of service for the Tusayan (Purple) Route Shuttle will be Friday, September 8. The Fall shuttle bus schedule will be available on the park website and the NPS Mobile App beginning on Saturday, September 10.

Village Blue Route: 5 a.m.-9:45 p.m. daily (every 10-15 minutes between peak hours of 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.)

Kaibab Orange Route to South Kaibab Trailhead, Yaki, and Mather Point: 5 a.m. until 30 minutes after sunset daily (September – 7:30 p.m.; October – 6:45 p.m.; November – 6 pm)

Hermit Red Route to Hermits Rest: 5 a.m. until 30 minutes after sunset daily (September – 7:30 p.m.; October – 6:45 p.m.; November – 6 p.m.)

Desert View closed to the public September 12-13

Desert View will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday, September 12-13, due to a paving project in the developed visitor area.

The closure area includes the Desert View parking area, Watchtower, restrooms, Trading Post, and the general store. The Desert View Campground and gas station will remain open. This closure will not impact access to the Desert View residential area.

Grand Canyon Community Corner

Community Blood Drive on Friday, September 8

The Rec Center will be hosting a community blood drive through Vitalant on Friday, September 8 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Appointments are suggested. To schedule ahead of time, individuals can visit the Vitalant website with blood drive code: “grandcyn.”

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.

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.

COVID Updates

Total new COVID cases in Arizona reported for the week of August 31 through September 6, is 2,476 —a decrease of 981 cases from the previous week. This is a 7-day rolling average of 354 cases per day for the week.

As a reminder, all COVID safety protocols outlined in DOI and NPS COVID Workplan Guidance are still required. Be sure to promptly report any illness, to include COVID-19 symptoms, COVID exposure, or a positive COVID test to your supervisor and our Public Health Consultant, Ronan King at ronan_king@nps.gov, or 202-891-8599.

Current Operational Hours

*Please note: new changes to operations are indicated in bold/italic

South Rim

Xanterra

Maswik Lodge Cafeteria, 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Maswik Pizza Pub, 4-10 p.m.
Canyon Coffee House at the Bright Angel Fountain, 7 a.m.-11 a.m.
Bright Angel Fountain grab and go, 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fred Harvey Burger, Breakfast 6-10:30 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.- 3 p.m., Dinner 4-9 p.m.
Fred Harvey Tavern, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Arizona Steakhouse within Bright Angel Lodge-dinner 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. daily, lunch 11:30 a.m. to 3 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), 1 p.m. – 7 p.m.
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, 6:30 a.m. -3 p.m., The Yavapai Dining Hall, breakfast, 7-10 a.m., dinner, 5-8 p.m.
Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Deli 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
Camper Services laundry and shower, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

Other

Beginning Tuesday, September 5, the Grand Canyon Clinic has transitioned to their winter hours. New hours are 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): 8 a.m.-12 p.m., Thursday-Monday (closed Tuesday and Wednesday)
Grand Canyon Conservancy stores: Visitor Center Plaza 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily., Verkamps and Yavapai Geology Museum 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily (beginning September 10 will transition to 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily), Kolb Studio 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Grand Canyon Community Library is now located at Market Plaza in the old Chase Bank building. Hours are 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: Mondays 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesdays 6-8 p.m., Saturdays 2-4 p.m.
Canyon Closet will reopen this Saturday, September 9 from 2-5 p.m. inside the old Chase Bank at Market Plaza. Stay tuned for future dates and times!

Desert View

Desert View Trading Post Coffee and Ice Cream and Market, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
Desert View Watchtower, 8 a.m.- 7p.m. daily (beginning September 10, will transition to 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily)
The Desert View Deli, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Desert View Convenience Store, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

North Rim

North Rim Visitor Center (GCC), 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
NPS Backcountry Information Center, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-5 p.m. daily
General Store, 7 a.m.-9 p.m. daily
Service/Outfitter Station, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily
- Gas pumps 24 hours
Shower/Laundry
- 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. daily
North Rim Lodge Café, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily
North Rim Lodge Dining Room
- Breakfast – 6:30 a.m. – 10 a.m., Lunch – 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Dinner – 4:45 p.m. – 9:45 p.m.
North Rim Lodge Saloon
- Coffeehouse – 5:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., bar – 11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Grand Canyon Lodge Gift Shop (Aramark), 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily

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

Photo Credits (in order of appearance)

Moonrise over the South Rim this past week (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
Chinook helicopter delivering connex box to Phantom Ranch (NPS Photo/D. Brenchley)
Oak leaves beginning to turn color on the South Rim (NPS Photo/J. Baird)
Manhattan Chamber Players (Photo courtesy of Grand Canyon Music Festival)
Trail crew staff build the walkway between the Trading Post and Desert View Watchtower to increase the accessibility at Desert View. 7/20/2023 (NPS/L. Daniels)
Terry Jenoure, GCC Artist in Residence (Photo courtesy of GCC)

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.

Grand Canyon National Park

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior

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