Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: December 1-5, 2025

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South Rim Water Update – December 2, 2025

Grand Canyon National Park continues to address the significant breaks along the Transcanyon Waterline (TCWL). As announced, additional water restrictions and a temporary suspension of overnight guest lodging on the South Rim will begin Saturday, December 6.

This short-term measure will help conserve limited water supplies while repairs continue. The park remains open for day use, and overnight lodging in Tusayan and other gateway communities is unaffected.

TCWL Repair Work – Current Schedule

• Thursday, Dec. 4: Utilities crews will complete weld repairs and begin flushing the line in the afternoon/evening.
• Friday, Dec. 5: Crews plan to begin repressurizing the system.
• Saturday, Dec. 6: If repressurization holds, crews will charge the borehole and begin pumping to the South Rim.

Xanterra Operational Changes (Dec. 6–9)

• El Tovar —Dining Room: 4:30–8 p.m. (Last seating), Lounge: 11 a.m.–8 p.m.
• Bright Angel —Retail: 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Harvey House Café, Arizona Steakhouse, Bright Angel Tavern: Closed.
• Maswik— Food Court: Open; stations close at 7 p.m., Pizza Pub: Closed., Retail: 9 a.m.–7 p.m.

Delaware North Operational Changes (Effective Dec. 6 until restrictions ease)

• Canyon Village Market: 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Deli: Closed
• Yavapai Dining Hall: Closed, Yavapai Tavern: 12 p.m.–7 p.m., Coffee Shop: 7 a.m.–12 p.m., Yavapai Gift Shop: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Trailer Village Kiosk: Closed, Camper Services Laundry & Showers: Closed
• Desert View Deli: 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Trading Post & Trading Post Coffee and Ice Cream: 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

We extend our sincere appreciation to residents and employees for their continued water conservation, and to our Water Utilities team, who are working in extremely challenging field conditions to restore water delivery as quickly as possible. More updates will be shared as repair work progresses.

A Life in the Canyon: Reflections on 32 Years at Grand Canyon National Park

Written by Michael Quinn, recently retired park photographer and Visual Information Specialist

I grew up in Albuquerque, and my first trip into the canyon was with my Boy Scout troop in 1970. Descending into that huge, quiet landscape—so different from city life—was a real turning point for me. While studying at the University of New Mexico, I managed the student union theater and later a small repertory cinema nearby. I graduated with a BFA in still and cinematic photography, with a minor in English.

The canyon called me back. I spent several summers working for Fred Harvey Retail on the South Rim, and in 1976 I joined their employee recreation staff, booking and showing movies in the Community Building —a job I held for 6 seasons. Winters were slow at the park, so I headed to Los Angeles and Seattle to work in audio-visual labs, building skills in film processing, printing, and early digital imaging.

Before joining the National Park Service in 1992, I also worked with Fred Harvey Training and Development, served as lead photo processor at the Yavapai Lodge one-hour lab, and volunteered with Albright Training Center on audiovisual projects.

Once I became an NPS employee, I spent 14 years as the park’s museum photographer and photo archivist, updating methods as imaging technology rapidly evolved. By 2003, digital requests outnumbered traditional film. I helped digitize the park’s photo archives by scanning negatives and prints. I photographed museum objects and helped to create the collection’s digital catalog. I also photo-documented park events, facilities and special needs, and made the images available to park staff at Collections, and to the public on the park’s website and Flickr.

In 2007, I accepted a job with the Interpretation Division as a visual information specialist and became the park’s Web Coordinator. I was in charge of moving legacy content into the new servicewide Content Management System (CMS) template, maintained the park’s high-traffic NPS.gov pages, and worked with the park’s Grand Canyon Guide newspaper staff and concessioners to insure consistency of visitor information. I also continued my photo and video documentation work for the park.

The past 18 years have been an amazing journey, being on the ground floor of the NPS digital world as it has evolved and expanded with forays into podcasting, social media, b-roll video, structured databases, and the NPS Mobile App.

A few key moments in my career.

2010-2013: Worked with the IRE Creative Media team on the Visitor Center exhibit redesign, the construction and opening of the Visitor Center Theater, and the creation and replacement of the wayside exhibits on South and North Rims.

2017-2020: Enjoyed the free-form days of social media, before restrictive algorithms and large-scale commercialization set in. We did Periscopes and Facebook lives and had 3000 followers tune into impromptu interpretive talks; one ranger answering questions on camera while another read them from the chat. The result was some surprisingly lively virtual discussions.

The last few years have been especially challenging for me. With staffing cuts, we lost the positions devoted to social media, along with mobile app and digital calendar updating —just as NPS Digital kept rolling out new features and tools. Then, this year, the Dragon Bravo fire and the North Rim closures/reopenings made things even busier, and much of my time shifted to keeping the website and app updated, managing the calendar, and creating social posts to point visitors to the latest information on the website.

The existing structure of NPS websites, along with my frame of reference, comes from a slower, more predictable time. Today’s digital world seems to be shifting constantly with new platforms, new devices, evolving accessibility standards, and audiences who expect instant answers. As I retire I am looking forward to seeing how the next group of park digital authors meets those challenges and builds on what we started.

For the next three months I will be Volunteering at the Museum Collection, completing unfinished projects and cataloguing and making photos and other archived materials available to staff and the public. I feel honored to have worked with Grand Canyon National Park for 32 years and to have been involved in the development of its website and online presence.

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We will be celebrating Michael’s retirement this upcoming Wednesday, Dec. 10 at the Park Headquarters Building (20 S. Entrance Road) from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

This will be a potluck-style gathering and community members and staff who have known or worked with Michael over the past 30+ years are encouraged to attend and bring a dish to share.

Expressing Gratitude to NPS Staff

Grand Canyon Conservancy recently collected messages from visitors sharing how much they appreciate the knowledge, care, and guidance NPS staff provide. From helping with river trips and backcountry safety to creating unforgettable educational programs, these small gestures have a lasting impact on the people who visit the park.

“From the bottom of my heart, I want every ranger to know how much you are appreciated. Your dedication to serving the natural world – and balancing that with those who want to enjoy it on many different levels – is the backbone of our parks system. Your job is not easy and often goes unnoticed. Thank you.” – Janet M

“Rangers have contributed to our Grand Canyon experience over many decades, and I can’t imagine the park without you. Everything from interpretive stories, cleaning up after people, putting up with the same questions over and over, and protecting the land, to making the trails safe and even rescuing those who didn’t listen to your advice makes you all special people. You deserve to be treated like the rock stars you are.” – Nancy T

“The Grand Canyon is my happy place. Thank you for protecting this national treasure. Please know that you and your service are valued.” – Katherine R

View more comments on GCC’s webpage here.

New Research Expands Understanding of the Cambrian Tonto Group

A recently published study—co-authored by Grand Canyon National Park Paleontologist Anne Miller—offers important new insights into the Cambrian-age Tonto Group exposed throughout the park. By examining more than 50 trilobite species from both newly collected specimens and historic museum collections, the research team significantly refined the fossil record and geologic age of this iconic rock sequence.

The study identifies three major unconformities (gaps in the rock record) within the Cambrian layers, helping clarify how the region’s early geologic history unfolded. It also describes two new trilobite species, Kootenia barensis and Albertella nebeli, adding to the park’s already impressive paleontological legacy.

These findings place the Tonto Group within Series 2, Stage 4 through early Furongian time (~514–497 million years ago), strengthening global correlations with other Cambrian rock units and expanding our understanding of early life preserved in the Grand Canyon.

Congratulations, Anne! The full paper can be downloaded through this link here:(PDF) Sundberg et al 2025 cambrian-trilobites-and-biostratigraphy-of-the-grand-canyon-and-vicinity-usa

Trilobite photo above: Albertella nebeli – new trilobite species named after Dr. Mark Nebel, previous Geosciences program manager at GRCA, for administrative and logistical support for research on the Cambrian in the park and for his patience to sit and collect several new specimens of the species (including this one).

Employee Spotlight!

Ken Andrews, Housing Manager

I grew up mostly in coastal North Carolina, after spending my early childhood on a dairy farm near Okeechobee, Florida. After high school, I joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC, serving during Panama and Desert Shield/Storm. Following my military service, I attended the Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy and served with local and state law enforcement agencies in North Carolina for over 15 years.

Education:

• Community College of the Air Force: Survival and Rescue Associate Degree
• Craven Community College: Criminal Justice Associate Degree

In 2004, I went to Iraq for seven years, participating in the Iraqi Police training mission and doing security contract work. After returning in 2011, I joined the Park Police in Washington, D.C., and later the Department of Veteran Affairs Police. Around 2015, due to arthritis and surgery, I was medically unable to continue in that role and cross-trained into supply work with the VA.

In 2018, I came to the Grand Canyon as a Material Handler with the NPS Facilities Maintenance Division. In 2020, I worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at Lake Mattamuskeet, NC, as a Program Support Specialist. During that time, I also served as Security Manager for fire management at Willow Creek, Hayfork, and Sequoia National Forests in California.

In 2022, I went to northern Alaska with the NPS as an Administrative Officer in Kotzebue, overseeing the 9 million acres of the Brooks Range supported by the NPS. I really enjoyed meeting the local native communities and spending countless hours snowmobiling hundreds of miles across the arctic, not seeing another person, fence line, or town—just wide-open ranges. I get a little of that feeling on my motorcycle when I ride, but it’s not even close in comparison.

How long have you worked at GRCA? Where are you based out of?

I’ve been with GRCA for over 2.5 years, including my time prior to my current role. I’m currently the Housing Manager in the Facilities Maintenance Division. I really enjoy working with the FMD staff—it’s always busy, which I like. I enjoy the challenges, problem-solving, and working at a fast pace.

What’s something people might be surprised to learn about your job?

My career has always been centered on public service and helping people—preserving wildlife, habitats, and nature for future generations. I have two grandsons, so that part is especially meaningful to me. I enjoy what I do, and if I can make a difference in any way, it’s all worth it.

Any final thoughts?

I’m here to assist in any way possible with your housing needs. I feel we have a great housing team and a solid support structure that helps get people into homes they’ll enjoy—not just housing. Please feel free to stop by and talk with me or any of my team members with any concerns or needs—we’re here to support you.

Grand Canyon Visitor Center Hours and Winter Programming

Beginning this Sunday, Dec. 7, Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC) operating hours will be from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

Village Interpretation Staff will also be offering three daily interpretive programs:

Canyon Connections:

• Time: 11:00 – 11:30 am – 30 minutes
• Topic: Ranger’s choice program where the topic changes daily.
• Location: Grand Canyon Visitor Center

Geology Talk:

• Time: 1:30 – 2:00 p.m. – 30-minutes
• Topic: Geology of Grand Canyon
• Location: Yavapai Geology Museum

Ranger Rendezvous:

• Time: Changes daily – 60-minutes
• Topic and location: Changes daily
• Topic, time and location will be advertised on the park website and at GCVC.

A flyer for winter programs can be found here.

TONIGHT — Town of Tusayan Holiday Festival and Drone & Light Show

On Thursday, December 4, the Town of Tusayan will be hosting a Holiday Festival and Drone and Light Show beginning at 5 p.m. at the Tusayan Sports Complex located along Long Jim Loop Road. Santa will be present and hot chocolate and soup will be offered. The holiday lights will be on display each evening at the Tusayan Sports Complex from Thanksgiving to New Years.

All community members are welcome, and more information can be found in the attached flyer here.

Residential Holiday Lights Walk — Dec. 5

Residents of Randy Thompson Circle and Bob Mahn Street are announcing the fourth annual Holiday Lights Walk. The event will occur on Friday, December 5 from 6–8 p.m. and will feature holiday lights, hot cocoa, and more.

All community members are welcome, and more information can be found in the attached flyer here.

KLC Virtual 5k and ‘Rim-to-Rim’ Challenge open through Dec. 6

Lace up your shoes for the Canyon Dash Virtual 5k and Rim-to-Rim Challenge, a fundraiser from Nov. 23- Dec. 6 benefiting Kaibab Learning Center, a non-profit childcare center located here in the park. Whether you run, walk, or hike your miles, you’ll be helping KLC provide high-quality early education and care for the families who live and work in the Grand Canyon community.

More details, including sign up information can be found on KLC’s website here.

Christmas Bazaar Vendor Fair at Squire Resort — Dec. 6

The Grand Canyon Community Church is once again hosting its annual Christmas Bazaar market. The event will be held at the Squire Resort Navajo Room in Tusayan from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. on Saturday, December 6. Arts and crafts will be available for sale from local vendors here in the community.

All community members are welcome, and more information can be found in the attached flyer here.

Angel Tree donations being accepted through Dec. 12

The Delaware North Angel Tree Program aims to support local children in need. DNC invites community members to participate by dropping off gifts at the Canyon Village Market customer service desk.

Donations will be accepted now through Thursday, December 11. For more information, see the attached flyer here.

Save the Date — Community Blood Drive Dec. 19

The Grand Canyon Rec Center will host a community blood drive with Vitalant on Friday, Dec. 19, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Appointments are suggested, and to schedule, individuals can visit Vitalant’s website here.

Vitalant is the sole supplier to 96% of AZ Hospitals including the Flagstaff Medical Center. In appreciation for helping patients this holiday season, all donors will receive a $15 rewards gift card, and a free pizza slice and soda from Fratelli Pizza in Flagstaff.

More information can be found in the attached flyer here.

Updated Services of Worship for Grand Canyon

Please reference this updated flyer for Services of Worship for Winter 2025-2026.

Please note, the NPS does not encourage, discourage, or endorse any religious group or message.

South Rim

Xanterra (see above for operational hours beginning Dec. 6)

• Maswik Food Court, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Maswik Pizza Pub, 12-9 p.m.
• Bright Angel Fountain, 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Harvey House Café/Fred Harvey Burger Restaurant, Breakfast 7-10 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Dinner 4-9:30 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Tavern, 11 a.m.- 9:30 p.m.
• Arizona Steakhouse – Lunch 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Dinner 4:30-9 p.m.
• El Tovar Dining Room and Lounge – Breakfast 7-10 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Dinner 4:30-9:30 p.m., Lounge 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (food until 9:30 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 (see above for operational hours beginning Dec. 6)

• Yavapai Dining Hall, breakfast 7-10 a.m., dinner 5-8 p.m.
• Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 11-9 p.m.
• Coffee Shop, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
• The Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Deli 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
• Camper Services, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. daily (last laundry load at 5 p.m., last shower at 5:45 p.m.)

Other

• Grand Canyon Clinic: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Canyon Adventures Cafe: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., bike tours suspended until spring 2026
• Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC): 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily from November 15 to 30
• Grand Canyon Conservancy stores: Yavapai Geology Museum: 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Visitor Center Plaza: 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Kolb Studio and Verkamp’s: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
• The Grand Canyon Community Library: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Tuesday and Thursday 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.
• Grand Canyon Yoga provides trauma-sensitive yoga for our community. View the class schedule and learn more at www.grandcanyonyoga.com.
• Winter Shuttle Bus Schedule (Dec. 1, 2025-Feb. 28, 2026)
• Hermits Rest (Red) Route: Suspended (open to private vehicles)
• Village (Blue) Route: 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route: 8 a.m.-7:20 p.m.
• Hikers’ Express: Daily departures from Bright Angel Lodge at 8 and 9 a.m.
• Inner Canyon:
• CLOSED: River Trail east of River Resthouse to South Kaibab Trail junction through Dec. 31, 2025
• CLOSED: Silver Bridge through Dec. 31, 2025
• CLOSED: Plateau Point Trail through May 2026
• CLOSED: North Kaibab Trail north of Clear Creek Trail Junction

Desert View (see above for operational hours beginning Dec. 6)

• Desert View Trading Post, ice cream, and coffee shop, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
• Desert View Watchtower and store, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. with the last tower access at 4:30 p.m.
• The Desert View Deli and Market, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
• Desert View Gas Station (24 hours via pay at pump), retail closed for the 2025 season

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

• Snow on the East Rim on Dec. 3 (NPS Photo/D. Pawlak)
• Broken section of pipeline north of Manzanita Rest Area, Dec. 2025 (NPS Photo)
• Michael Quinn in the late 1990s at Santa Maria Springs (NPS Photo)
• NPS Staff assisting in snow removal on Dec. 3 (NPS Photo/J. Baird)
• Mikaela Pulsipher looking for trilobites in the Bright Angel Formation with Fred Sundberg and Anne Miller (NPS Photo)
• Close up of Albertella nebeli, a newly discovered trilobite species (NPS Photo)
• Ken Andrews, NPS Housing Manager (Photo courtesy of K. Andrews)
• Grand Canyon Visitor Center during winter (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)