Grand Canyon National Park
Key Messages – Week of August 16, 2021
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New NPS guidance this week amid nation-wide surge
On Monday, August 16, NPS Acting Director, Shawn Benge, issued an update for masking requirements for shared indoor and designated outdoor spaces. Outdoor mask zones have been identified for all people regardless of vaccination status (see NPS Memo here). These are the same zones that previously required mask-wearing for unvaccinated people due to the crowded nature of the area and the inability to effectively socially distance. The outdoor zones where masks are now required for all people, regardless of vaccination status include:
- All entrance stations
- All bus stops
- South Rim: Mather Point, Hopi Point, Grand Canyon Visitor Center Plaza and trails north to the rim, Desert View north of the parking lot, Rim Trail from Verkamps Visitor Center to the Bright Angel Trailhead
- North Rim: Bright Angel Point, Cape Royal, and Point Imperial (including access trails), trails and viewpoints around the North Rim Lodge and North Rim Visitor Center, North Kaibab trailhead and parking lot
New NPS guidance requires masking in these areas regardless of community transmission levels because transmission levels are high across the country and we have people coming here from many locations.
As a reminder, masks are required in all NPS buildings and on all forms of enclosed public transportation, regardless of location, vaccination status, or level of community transmission. Additionally, masks must be worn in outdoors spaces where physical distancing cannot be maintained, such as narrow or busy trails and overlooks.
Additional COVID Updates
The number of cases nationally and locally continue to increase.
- The rolling 7-day average for Arizona increased to 2,802 new cases per day this week, which is an increase over last week’s average number of cases of 2,408.
- According to the CDC, Coconino County as well as most of the counties nationwide remain in high community transmission status.
Reporting exposure to COVID and COVID-like symptoms is critical to limiting transmission
- If you think you may have been exposed to COVID, regardless of your vaccination status, immediately isolate and report your situation to your supervisor and Public Health Consultant Ronan King, and await their instructions.
- Following this protocol and Ronan’s instructions is extremely important so that any community spread can be contained.
The CDC is recommending an additional shot for immunocompromised people
- The CDC now recommends that people whose immune systems are compromised moderately to severely should receive an additional dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine after the initial two doses.
- The NPS will be working with the clinic to understand requirements for the third dose and will share that information as soon as it becomes available.
- More information is available at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/immuno.html
The Navajo Nation has implemented additional COVID precautions
- Maximum 50% occupancy in most facilities, including schools
- Gatherings are limited to 15 people or less, with some exceptions for training and drive-in or vehicle gatherings for ceremonies
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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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North County Healthcare COVID-19 Testing & Vaccinations
Saliva testing is available at the Grand Canyon Clinic Monday-Wednesday before 11 a.m. at no cost. Please call to schedule a time and pre-register with the ASU testing portal before coming to the clinic. Those without appointments or without portal accounts may face long waits or may be rescheduled for the following day, depending on clinic workload. Nasal swab testing is available 7 days a week, with results expected within approximately 48 hours for swab samples collected before 2 p.m. Please call ahead for appointments.
Individuals who appear to be having moderate to severe symptoms may be required to have an additional assessment before testing will be completed. More than 90% of our clinic’s recent positive tests have been in unvaccinated individuals.
The clinic continues to offer vaccines every other Thursday, subject to increase or decrease based on demand.
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Messages and Grand Canyon News
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Powerhouse Updates
With potential funding from the Great American Outdoors Act, we’ve brought on a contractor to do a feasibility study of the area, looking at the ways in which the area could be used and how to reduce the maintenance burden on the park in a sustainable manner. We have asked the contractor to evaluate the possibility for increased visitor and resident services, including business and partnership opportunities that are consistent with the park’s General Management Plan and Strategic Plan. You may see folks walking around the area over the next six months, looking at the buildings and surrounding land for potential new uses. Be sure to tell them ‘hello,’ and thank them for the work they are doing to move this project forward.
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National Aviation Day-August 19
National Aviation Day is August 19th, and we would like to take a moment to thank the pilots and crews of the aircraft that venture into the skies above Grand Canyon.
From dropping the necessary gear and materials to trail crews, hauling out trash and equipment (almost 1 million pounds of cargo each year), to providing a necessary and speedy exit to critical patients in the canyon—our operations would be exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, without your hard work.
Risk management and safety are paramount to any flight at the canyon. There are dozens of important considerations and preparations that go into each flight. Not only do we prioritize the safety of the people in the aircraft, but we also seek to preserve the soundscape of the canyon for all of those below. Our helicopters use quiet technology to minimize sound impacts on visitors and wildlife. Helicopters and other aircraft are used only when necessary for mission accomplishment. We are grateful to the crews that work hard every day to keep operations running smoothly and safely!
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‘Coffee with a Cop’ Event – August 20 at the Rec Center
Members of the Grand Canyon law enforcement, emergency services, and victim witness services teams will be at the Rec Center to meet community members and answer any questions you may have. Please stop by if you are able and meet your local fire fighters, law enforcement, and medics, and learn information about local community resources.
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Want to hear all the interesting things South Rim Patrol has been up to the last few weeks? Find out more below by reading the South Rim District Reports below:
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Leadership Spotlight
Park management is working to ensure key leadership positions are filled as quickly as possible so National Park Service (NPS) employees have the support they need to get their jobs done. Over the next several weeks we’ll be spotlighting some of our new leaders here at the park.
North Rim District Ranger
Matt Jenkins is the new North Rim District Ranger where he manages the law enforcement, emergency medical services, and structural fire programs. His responsibilities also include coordinating long-term planning efforts in the district, building relationships throughout the region, collaborating on the management of Tuweep/Western Grand Canyon, bison removal, and winter operations.
Matt holds a bachelor’s degree in Percussion Performance from Oberlin Conservatory, a Master’s Degree in Percussion Performance from University of California, and a Master’s Certificate in Wilderness Management from the University of Montana. He began his career with the NPS in 2009 as an Student Conservation Association (SCA) Intern for the Grand Canyon Vegetation Volunteer Program, which inspired him to pursue a career with the NPS due to the complexity, scope, and vastness of the park.
He has held positions as a seasonal Protection Ranger at Island in the Sky (Canyonlands), a seasonal Protection Ranger on the North Rim (Grand Canyon), a permanent Protection Ranger with Canyon District (Grand Canyon), and Acting River Patrol Supervisor (Grand Canyon). He was on the Intermountain Region Special Event Team (SET Team) for three years; and, currently, he is a canyoneering, climbing, SAR, technical rescue, LE, swiftwater, and packrafting instructor. In 2015-16, he and his wife, District Interpreter Elyssa Shalla, walked the length of the Grand Canyon during a 700+ mile, continuous, self-supported, thru-hike of the canyon from Pearce Ferry to Lees Ferry.
Beyond the canyon, you can find Matt chasing ‘big wall’ free climbing routes, hard sport climbs, long runs, a good story, and beautiful light throughout the American West.
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Current Operational Hours
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South Rim
- Maswik Lodge Cafeteria: 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Bright Angel Fountain and Coffee House, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 12-10 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.-8 p.m.
- Bright Angel Bikes, Rentals: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Cafe: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Kolb Studio: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Grand Canyon Visitor Center information table: 8a.m.-5p.m.
Desert View
- Desert View Trading Post Coffee and Ice Cream and Market, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
- Desert View Watchtower, staffed by GCC Friday-Tuesday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The Watchtower will be closed to the public on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
- Desert View Information Table (staffed by NPS), 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. The table is located on the north side of the main parking lot, in front of the building on the left side of the Orientation Plaza.
- Desert View Campground is open. Reservations can be made via www.recreation.gov.
North Rim
- General Store, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily
- Roaring Springs Overlook Kiosk, NPS staffed from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. daily
- North Rim Visitor Center, GCC staffed from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
- North Rim Lodge dining, 4:30-9:30 p.m. daily
- Deli in the Pines, 6 a.m.-7:30 p.m. daily
- Rough Rider Saloon, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily
The following park closures remain in place:
- South Rim Visitor Center (indoors), information table staffed 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. daily
- Headquarters Information Desk
- Yavapai Lodge Restaurant
- Maswik Pizza Pub, Arizona Steak House, and Fred Harvey Burger
- Xanterra bus tours (suspended)
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