Grand Canyon National Park
Key Messages – Week of June 14, 2021
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This week’s numbers at a glance:
- Local, State, and National COVID trends continue to improve.
- Nationally
- New cases decreased 10% this week, the lowest number since March 2020.
- New confirmed COVID-19 hospital admissions decreased 18% this week
- There are no new COVID cases in the park this week.
- Since the pandemic began, we’ve had 47 total positive COVID-19 cases in the park. To date, and as reported, none of the positive cases resulted from interaction with park visitors.
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Public Health Contacts
If you test positive for COVID-19, immediately inform your supervisor and our NPS Public Health Consultant. This is to ensure proper public health protocols are followed and that any exposure is minimized.
- Ronan King, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Public Health Service
- Mobile: (202) 891-8599
- Email: ronan_king@nps.gov
- For all email correspondence, please also cc: Chris Glime, Captain, U.S. Public Health Service
- Mobile: (202)641-3518
- Email: christen_glime@nps.gov
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Clinic Vaccine Event
Friday, June 18
On Friday, June 18 the Grand Canyon Clinic will host a COVID-19 vaccine event. Registration is required ahead of time and the full flyer for the event can be found here. To schedule an appointment for the event or at any other time, call the clinic directly at 928-638-2551.
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COVID-19 Testing Details
- The Grand Canyon Clinic has testing available Monday-Wednesday.
- In Flagstaff, COVID testing is available at Coconino Community College at 2800 South Lone Tree Road, the NAU Fieldhouse at 1050 Knoles Drive and many other locations around town.
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Messages and Grand Canyon News
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CUA, Concessions & Partner Changes this Week
- Xanterra Mule Rides transition to the Bright Angel Trail
- Due to the current construction and trail conditions on the South Kaibab Trail, Xanterra mules and mule riders are exclusively using the Bright Angel Trail. Pack mules continue to take the South Kaibab. Guided mule rides will return to normal patterns after the trail work is complete. We would like to thank the trail crew for their hard work during these hot and challenging conditions!
- Xanterra Kennels are anticipating opening in early July. Stay tuned for more detailed information soon!
- The Xanterra Rec Center is now open and new events, outings, and socials are being planned for June and July, including a Father’s Day social at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 20. Check out the full Rec Center calendars on their page here.
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All-Employee Wellness Survey Closes June 20!
The Employee Wellness Program Surveycontinues to be open this week. The results from this survey will help the Employee Safety, Health, and Wellness Committee develop effective health and wellness programming. Grand Canyon invites all employees to take the survey and want to remind staff that the survey will close at the end of the day on June 20. This survey was developed as a collaborative effort with Albright Training Center and GRCA employees from many different divisions. It is intended to be inclusive and broad in its scope, and it was intentionally developed to be mindful of the specific needs of our employees and geographic locations. Please click this link to take the survey and have your voice heard!
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Stage 2 Fire Restrictions & Extreme Fire Danger
As of June 11, Grand Canyon National Park, along with Coconino County, City of Flagstaff, and the Kaibab and Coconino National Forests have transitioned into Stage 2 fire restrictions. As a reminder, Stage 2 restrictions prohibit any outdoor wood burning and charcoal fires. This does not include liquid petroleum or LPG fueled devices that can be turned on and off such as stoves, lantern, or heating devices. Stage 2 also prohibits outdoor smoking except within an enclosed vehicle. We use five different color-coded levels to help the public understand fire potential. The purpose of this is for visitors to understand the current conditions and help mitigate their actions to prevent human-caused wildfires. The five levels are low, moderate, high, very high, and extreme.
When the fire danger is “extreme” (like it presently is here in the park and throughout much of Northern Arizona), all fires are potentially serious and can spread very quickly with intense burning. Small fires become big fires much faster than at the “very high” level. These fires are very difficult to fight and may become very dangerous and often last for several days.
One question we’ve heard is “under Stage 2 fire restrictions, can I run a chainsaw in the park?”
The answer is we strongly discourage the use of chainsaws or any internal combustion engine between the hours of 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. These hours are considered ‘peak burning period’ or the hottest part of the day.
Park residents need to be diligent when running internal combustion machines or any device that has the potential to start a fire. No matter what type of project you are working on, it is the operator’s responsibility to make sure they do not accidentally start a fire.
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Basic Technical Rescue Class Ongoing
This week our Emergency Services program is hosting its annual Basic Technical Rescue class. This year, 20 students from multiple divisions are participating in an intensive (and hot!) five-day training seminar on the South Rim.
This class gives students an in-depth opportunity to learn basic technical rope rescue skills, concepts, and techniques. A huge thank you to the volunteers and staff that covered trails and ranger stations to help make this year’s technical rescue course happen!
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Juneteenth this Saturday, June 19
Juneteenth: “the [anniversary of the] oldest known US celebration of the abolition of the chattel slave system, and the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in Texas.”
African Americans are undoubtedly connected to Grand Canyon, especially through the integrated CCC companies 818 and 819, who were responsible for constructing the stone wall along the rim between El Tovar Hotel and Bright Angel Lodge. They also improved the Bright Angel Trail, landscaped the Grand Canyon Village area and constructed the Community Building. The photo above shows members of company 819 in the inner canyon constructing a trail along the Tonto in the 1930s.
On Saturday, June 19, the Biden-Harris administration will commemorate Juneteenth and call on the nation to reflect on the shameful and enduring legacy of slavery in this country. This afternoon the President signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, establishing June 19 as a federal holiday. As June 19 falls on a Saturday, the holiday will be recognized by the federal government tomorrow, Friday, June 18, for federal employees.
Since the abolition of slavery, African Americans have continued to struggle with being treated differently despite their freedom. While there is more work to do, Juneteenth is a time to celebrate the end of slavery in the Confederacy, and reflect on the steps we all can take toward a more equitable future.
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Summer Kids Café Launches this Week
The St. Mary’s and Grand Canyon Food Pantry Kids Summer Café kicked off on June 14 and will run through July 30. Any child under 18 years of age is eligible to receive a FREE and healthy lunch every day, Monday-Friday!
In the Grand Canyon Village, the Grand Canyon Rec Center will serve meals Monday-Friday from 12-1 p.m. The Grand Canyon Food Pantry will also serve meals Monday, 11-11:30 a.m., Wednesday 12-2 p.m. and Friday 11-11:30 a.m.
In Tusayan, meals will be served at the Stilo Office on Monday and Friday, from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Also, at the Sport Court on Monday and Friday, from 1:15 – 2 p.m.
In Valle, distribution will be at three locations: the Basketball Court, the Catholic Chapel, and on Woodland Ranch Road lot #10. All three will have pick-up times on Monday from 11:45 am – 12 pm, Wednesday from 12:10 – 12:30 pm, and Friday from 12:45 – 1:10 pm.
For more information on the Summer Cafe program, including locations and times listed above, please see this flyer:
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Welcome to Monsoon Season!
The North American Monsoon is a seasonal wind shift from a dry, westerly flow to a moist, south or southeasterly flow.
Prior to 2008, the Arizona monsoon season was considered to start when there were three consecutive days that the dew point averaged 55 degrees or higher, but in 2008 the National Weather Service decided to take the guesswork out of monsoon start and end dates. After all, since monsoon season is a season, most people should not be concerned with whether or not a particular dust storm is defined as a monsoon storm. Beginning in 2008, the National Weather Service established June 15 as the first day and September 30 as the last day of the state’s monsoon season, allowing visitors and residents alike to pay attention to monsoon safety rather than the technicalities of the season’s start and end dates.
Monsoons bring common hazards such as lightning, damaging winds, and flash flooding. Please stay safe by being aware of the weather, and let’s hope for a good monsoon season with plenty of rain.
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Local Hiring Opportunities: Help Spread the Word!
Grand Canyon Unified School District
1) Teachers: PreK, 1st and 4th grade. Applicants must be Arizona Certified and have an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card. A flyer on these opportunities can be found here. Apply online at: www.grandcanyonschool.org. 2) Volunteer to facilitate the Girls on the Run program this fall. Applicants must have Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card. Contact Lori Rommel for more information at: lrommel@grandcanyonschool.org3) Volunteer to coordinate a Grand Canyon AYSO (Arizona Youth Soccer Organization) program for next summer, 2021. Contact Lori Rommel and she will coordinate with the Flagstaff AYSO Office that runs the summer soccer program for our region.
Kaibab Learning Center (KLC)
Center Director: Application deadline is June 21 with interviews being conducted on June 23. Submit your resume and cover letter to KaibabLearningCenterBOD@gmail.com or drop off at the Kaibab Learning Center.
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Current Operational Hours
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South Rim
- Maswik Lodge Cafeteria: 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Bright Angel Fountain and Coffee House, 7-10 a.m.
- Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 12-9 p.m.
- Yavapai Lodge Coffee Shop, 6 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Deli-7 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Bright Angel Bikes, Rentals: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Cafe: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Desert View
- Desert View Watchtower retail store (Kiva Room) open Friday-Monday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; only the ground level is open to the public; the tower itself remains closed until further notice
- Desert View Trading Post Coffee and Ice Cream and Market, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
- Desert View Campground is open. Reservations can be made via www.recreation.gov.
North Rim
- Roaring Springs Overlook Kiosk, staffed from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. daily
- North Rim Lodge dining, 4:30-9:30 p.m. daily
- Deli in the Pines, 5 a.m.-9 p.m. daily
- Rough Rider Saloon, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily
The following park closures remain in place:
- All residential areas
- South Rim Visitor Center (indoors), information table staffed 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. daily
- Headquarters Information Desk
- Kolb Studio
- Yavapai Lodge Restaurant
- Grand Canyon Kennel
- Maswik Pizza Pub, Arizona Steak House, and Fred Harvey Burger
- Xanterra bus tours (suspended)
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