Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — Aug. 8-12, 2022

Community level moves to LOW–masking requirement indoors OPTIONAL

On Thursday, August 11, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the Coconino County Community Level to LOW. People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.

Please note that this standard is flexible depending on conditions in Coconino County. It is possible that we may return to a mask requirement under this guidance if conditions in Coconino County returns to a HIGH community level.

Updates on local community levels for Coconino County will be posted and updated on the main nps.gov/grca webpage under the ‘Alerts’ section.  This information will be updated weekly on Thursdays by the CDC.

We will keep employees, our stakeholders, and the public informed of any new developments as soon as they become available. For those wishing to post this signage outside of buildings and in workspaces, please see the attached signage.

There were 8 new cases reported in the park this past week. This week’s new cases bring the park total up to an estimated 350 cases, and 444 cases for the 86023 zip code, since the beginning of the pandemic.

Total COVID cases in Arizona for the week of July 29 to August 3 was 15,034. For the seven-day rolling average, the state is averaging 2,148 cases per day.

Water restrictions update

Earlier last week, water restrictions were lifted. However, on Friday, August 5, park management implemented mandatory water conservation measures on the South Rim due to diminished water resources and storage. Water conservation measures require all South Rim park residents and visitors to conserve and reduce water usage wherever possible in homes, hotel rooms, and at the campgrounds.

Mandatory water conservation includes:

• 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 scrap 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 off the water 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

Though the Park has entered water restrictions, park staff continue to encourage frequent hand washing for at least 20 seconds using soap and water to prevent the spread of disease.

For a full flyer of the flyer above, click here.

This week, the water utilities crew are working on multiple pipeline breaks along the North Kaibab Trail to restore water delivery to the North Rim. As of Thursday, water is now ON at Supai Tunnel and the holding tanks on the North Rim are refilling.

Repairs to the pipeline break at Mile-and-a-Half Resthouse will be delayed until early next week, and water remains off at this location as well as Three-Mile Resthouse. For the most updated water availability updates in the inner canyon, please visit our Critical Backcountry Updates page.

Activity on the Dragon Fire on the North Rim has increased slightly over the last several days. However, recent monsoon activity has minimized the spread of the fire. Our fire management staff are aware that as the weather and fuels gradually dry out, fire activity may increase.

The Widforss trail as well as the Widforss use area has reopened to the public as of last week, while other closures for the Dragon Fire remain in effect.

Provided by Emily Wong, North Rim Interpretation

The highlight of Heritage Days 2022 was the pre-show performance on Thursday by the Diné Tah’ Dancers (shown above), where director Shawn Price talked about the importance of cultural education. He was an articulate and skilled public speaker, setting the tone, and discussing difficult topics.

Through Heritage Days weekend, we had 293 visitor contacts at the park’s information table, along with a total of 1,121 visitor contacts during special programming throughout the four days of the event. Between the participants and their families, there were 39 people representing most of Grand Canyon’s 11 associated tribes.

Our interpretive staff got to know the participants, and many perspectives and stories were shared. We received useful feedback from everyone who participated. Next year, we hope to expand the program with even more representation. We would like to thank our North Rim teams who organized and coordinated the event, as well as to the Desert View team who helped support the event.

Welcome to Astronomer in Residence, Lauren Camp!

As an award-winning poet, Lauren Camp was selected as Grand Canyon’s next Astronomer in Residence to explore, through the written word, the subtle emotions, aesthetic qualities, and complex thoughts we all feel under the vastness of the night skies.

Lauren will give an evening program entitled, “The Poetry of the Stars,” where she will present a short poetry reading under night skies. Her reading will be followed by an informative constellation talk with a park ranger. The program will be presented on Sunday, August 21, Wednesday, August 24, and Sunday, August 28. To take part in this program, meet in front of Grand Canyon Visitor Center at 8:30 p.m.

To learn more, visit Grand Canyon Conservancy’s Astronomer in Residence page here.

Hazardous Materials Storage – External Audit Prep – Things to Know

1. Use only OSHA compliant Safety Cans, not residential grade plastic cans.

2. Keep an updated chemical inventory for the park (also a Hazardous Communications requirement)

3. Ensure chemicals are stored in their proper storage locker (flammable, corrosive, etc.) and that the lockers are operable and properly labeled.

4. Do not store incompatible materials in the same locker (biggest finding is cardboard (combustible) inside of a flammable locker.

5. Store propane cylinders in well ventilated cages, do not store them in flammable storage cabinets.

6. Oxygen and Acetylene cylinders should be stored separately unless they are going to be used for a welding operation within the next shift.

7. Know where your satellite communication point(s) are to properly store oily rags, universal waste (fluorescent bulbs), etc.

There are a lot of rules when it comes to storing hazardous materials. OSHA Manual 2236 has some very helpful information to help you ensure you are storing your hazardous materials correctly – use it to check out your storage areas!

For more information, please contact christina_ryan-miller@nps.gov or deirdre_hanners@nps.gov, or kim_park@nps.gov.

Within the past several weeks, there have been multiple reports of wasp and bee issues in the park, including at the Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim, Santa Maria Springs along the Hermit Trail, Supai Tunnel on the North Kaibab Trail, and the volleyball court at the Grand Canyon Rec Center.

This week, Science and Resource Management staff are treating ground nests and hanging lure wasp traps in developed and high traffic areas. Treatments may take a week or more to be effective. These insects, while bothersome, are useful pollinators and help clean up rotting material from the landscape. Individuals who have sensitivity to stings should avoid areas where bees and wasps are present.

All pesticides used on national park lands must be approved prior to their use. This includes products that you might use in your residence and at work sites. The NPS strives to manage pests using effective low-risk methods that are proven to protect park resources, and visitor and staff health and safety. Currently, only PT Wasp Freeze II is approved for use on wasps and hornets at Grand Canyon (product link here). Passive wasp traps do not need approval, and are a very effective way to prevent nests and draw wasps away from human activity.

Residents and visitors should continue to report any problematic bee or wasp areas to the GRCA wildlife emailat or to Dispatch at 928-638-7805.

Free STD Testing at North Country Healthcare

The STD and HIV Programs at Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) are holding a low-cost STD testing event at the Grand Canyon Clinic on Saturday, August 13.

They will be offering screening for HIV, Syphilis, Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. In addition, the CCHHS team will provide harm reduction education and STD counseling. A flyer for the event and a fact sheet about STDs are available here.

Grand Canyon Food Pantry

Grand Canyon Food Pantry continues to seek volunteers to support its total of four shifts throughout the week.

For more information on signing up to volunteer or questions, please see the attached flyer.

Canyon Closet new hours!

The Canyon Closet is a free clothing exchange that welcomes community members to donate or receive infant to adult clothing. The Canyon Closet is located on the north side of the Community Library is now open three days per week, Mondays, 4:15-6 p.m., Wednesdays, 12:15-2 p.m., and Saturdays from 3-5 p.m.

The Canyon Closet is staffed by volunteers so the hours are subject to change based on availability. Any extra hours or reduced hours will be communicated via the Canyon Closet Facebook page.

Arrowhead windshield stickers for local vehicles

While not required by law enforcement, some locals may prefer to have an arrowhead sticker for their vehicle. If you are a local, please contact: grcaremit@nps.gov and be prepared to provide your place of residence, employer (if applicable), and how best to contact you.

A member from the NPSFee Management staff will be in touch with you for pickup/dropoff details.

Xanterra

• Maswik Lodge Cafeteria, 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Bright Angel Coffee Shop, 7 a.m.-11 a.m.
• Bright Angel Fountain grab and go, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Burger, breakfast 8:00-10:30 a.m., lunch 11 a.m.- 3 p.m., dinner 4-9 p.m.
• The Arizona Steakhouse, Tuesday-Saturday from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Tavern, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Kennel-daily from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
• The Grand Canyon Rec Center, 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.
• El Tovar Dining Room and Lounge
• Breakfast, 6:30-10:00 a.m.
• Lunch, 11:00 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.
• Fred Harvey Food Truck, located in front of the El Tovar/Hopi House Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (weather permitting)

Delaware North

• Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 12-10 p.m.
• Yavapai Lodge Coffee Shop, 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Deli-7 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Camper Services: Laundry and shower hours, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• The Yavapai Dining Hall, breakfast, 7 a.m.-10:45 a.m., dinner, 5 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Other

• Grand Canyon Clinic: 7 days a week, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Bright Angel Bikes
• Rental: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Cafe-8 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC): Daily from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., operations held outside of the GCVC building
• Grand Canyon Conservancy stores: Visitor Center Plaza, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily, Yavapai Geology Museum, Verkamps, and Kolb Studio 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.,
• Kennel Operations: Overnight boarding is only available from Friday through Sunday nights. Pick-ups and day boarding are available on Mondays. Contact Xanterra Switchboard or Xanterra Fire and Security for afterhours pick-ups.
• Grand Canyon Community Library: Monday-Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 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.-6 p.m. daily.
• The Desert View Deli, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The Desert View Service Station Retail Store, daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Desert View Information Table (staffed by NPS), 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (as staffing levels allow).

North Rim

• North Rim Lodge Dining Room, Breakfast: 6:30-10 a.m., Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Dinner: 4:30-9:45 p.m.
• In addition to regular breakfast service in the dining room, the Grand Canyon Lodge at North Rim is now offering a breakfast buffet daily from 6:30-8:00 a.m.
• Deli in the Pines, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Roughrider Saloon, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
• Coffee Saloon, 5:30-10:30 a.m.
• North Rim General Store: 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
• North Rim Service Station, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• GCC Bookstore/Visitor Center, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Roaring Springs Kiosk information, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The following closures are in place:

• Maswik Pizza Pub

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

• Grand Canyon Lodge veranda (NPS Photo/L. Cisneros)
• North Rim pipeline break (before and after) (NPS Photo/K. Brown)
• Diné Tah’ Dancers participate in North Rim Heritage Days (NPS Photo/L. Cisneros)
• Astronomer in Residence, Lauren Camp (Photo courtesy of Grand Canyon Conservancy)
• Coned off area near the North Rim Visitor Center (NPS Photo/J. Donohue)