Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Sept. 19-23, 2022

Community level LOW–masking requirement indoors OPTIONAL

On Thursday, September 12, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the Coconino County Community Level and it remains LOW. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask. For the most up-to-date information check at the following website.

Mark your calendars!

Next local vaccine event slated for October 18

The Coconino County Health and Human Services Mobile Vaccine Team will be coming to the park on October 18 for the next vaccine event. COVID-19 and Flu Vaccines will be available, including the new COVID-19 Bivalent Vaccine.

More details on vaccine types, age group recommendations, and a location will be shared when it becomes available.  Please consider getting your flu shot while the team is here. A flyer to help promote this event will be available in the coming weeks.

There was 1 new COVID-19 case reported in the park this week. This week’s new case brings the park total up to an estimated 373 cases, with 449 cases in the 86023 zip code since the beginning of the pandemic.

Total COVID cases in Arizona for the week of September 15-21 was 3,999  a decrease of 2,120 cases from the previous week. For the seven-day rolling average, the state is averaging 571 cases per day. Covid-19 is still very active and we need to continue to protect ourselves.

We had a fantastic week working with the Grand Canyon Conservancy on the 14th annual Celebration of Art. Twenty-five artists spent last week at Grand Canyon, capturing its essence through their paint and pastel. Their exceptional works are now on display and available for purchase at Kolb Studio and on GCC’s website.

This year’s award winners are Michelle Condrat– People’s Choice, John Coganand Bill Cramer tied for Best of Show, and Margaret Larlham-Artists’ Choice. Throughout the weekend GCC sold 93 paintings valued at $100,390 and an additional 20 auction paintings for $31,000.

A HUGE thanks to the GCC Team and all the volunteers for their hard work and dedication to continuing the legacy of art in our parks!

Weekly Pipeline and Water Update

What level are we again?

We are happy to report that water delivery to both the South and North rims has been restored and our team is beginning a phased approach to easing water restrictions. The amount of water in reservoir tanks is increasing daily (currently we’re at 18’ for the South Rim, 32’ for the North Rim) and once sustainable levels are reached the park will continue to ease water restrictions.

Water restrictions remain in place on the South Rim. Until tanks reach a level that provides sufficient water storage when we have other water outages, South Rim visitors and residents must continue to take steps to reduce water consumption. These steps are as easy as selectively flushing the toilet; taking shorter showers; only washing clothes or dishes with full loads and in eco-mode, if available; and turning off the sink while brushing teeth, soaping hands, or shaving.

Want to know more on the different levels and what they all mean? Please read the Grand Canyon National Park’s Official Water Restriction Order which outlines more details.

What about inner canyon water?

Water has been turned back on at Supai Tunnel, Manzanita Rest Area, Cottonwood, and all water locations at Phantom Ranch. Water will remain off at Mile and a Half and Three Mile Resthouse until the line is repressurized. FMD Water Utilities is hoping to begin re-pressurizing the Bright Angel pipeline beginning Monday, September 26.

Join us this Thursday and Friday, September 22 and 23, 2022, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Desert View Watchtower, for a chance to meet Navajo artists Gloria and Leo Chee.

Gloria will be demonstrating both wood carving and beading. She makes folk art and Navajo Ye’ii dolls. Her art is a continual learning process. She says art can teach one how to be patient and positive. When she demonstrates her work to the public, she encourages children to experiment, to imagine, to invent and use new materials to grow creatively.

Leo is a self-taught carver and silversmith and has been creating silver jewelry, with natural turquoise and other semi-precious stones for over 20 years. His jewelry has a contemporary look; however, he often includes traditional Navajo rug designs and very simple settings.

We are excited to announce that the Cultural Demonstration Program will continue to run through the week of Thanksgiving 2022 and will change to three days per week beginning October 23 (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays). For more information on this program, please visit the park’s website here.

AMC Over-the-Edge Cleanup returns for 32nd year

This weekend will mark the 32nd consecutive year that the Arizona Mountain Club (AMC) will participate in the ‘Over the Edge’ Cleanup event on the South Rim and for the first year ever, on the North Rim. This Saturday and Sunday, volunteers from the AMC will be rappelling over the edge of the canyon at popular overlooks on both rims to collect trash and debris.

At the 2021 event, volunteers collected approximately 1.2 cubic yards of trash weighing 48 pounds!

We would like to thank these volunteers for the invaluable service they provide each year in keeping our canyon clean, safe, and healthy for wildlife and the visiting public.

National Public Lands Day this Saturday, September 24

This Saturday, September 24th marks Public Lands Day and a Fee Free Day on all NPS lands.

The public is invited to celebrate National Public Lands Day at 1 p.m. (Mountain Daylight Time) September 24 by observing the release of captive-bred California condors into the wild at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument.

The event also will be live streamed via The Peregrine Fund’s YouTube channelbeginning at 12:30 p.m. (MDT). Viewers can set a reminder to join the release, which is scheduled for 1 p.m. (MDT) noon local time in northern Arizona (Mountain Standard Time) but ultimately depends on when the birds choose to leave their release pen. There will be a picture-in-picture set up with a camera trained on the release pen; videos and interviews with condor biologists and conservationists who work with these massive birds will be included. Viewers also will be able to have their questions answered live by the team.

The historical California Condor population declined to just 22 individuals in the 1980s when the greater California Condor Recovery Program was initiated to save the species from extinction. As of May 2022, there were 113 condors in the rugged, canyon country of northern Arizona and southern Utah. The total world population of endangered California condors numbers more than 550 individuals, with more than half of them winging across the skies of Arizona, Utah, California and Mexico.

— Matt Nordin, Captain/Grand Canyon FD

Nature Cat visits Grand Canyon on Friday, September 23

PBS’s Nature Cat will be at the Grand Canyon Train Depot and at Verkamp’s Visitor Center tomorrow, September 23 from 11:20 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

A flyer for the event can be found here.

National Bike Your Park Day-September 24

This coming Saturday, September 24, Coconino County Health and Human Services, in partnership with the South Rim Chamber of Commerce, will be hosting a ‘Bike Your Park Day’ from 9 a.m.-11 a.m.

More information is available in this flyer.

Town of Tusayan Fall 2022 events

The Town of Tusayan has recently released a calendar of events for Fall 2022.

Check out the full flyer by clicking here or visit the Town of Tusayan website.

North Country Healthcare announces Health and Wellness Fall Festival on Thursday, October 27

On October 27 from 4-7 p.m., North Country Healthcare is hosting a Health and Wellness Fall Festival at the Grand Canyon Rec Center. Fun activity stations, balloon artists, face painting, affordable health insurance assistance, behavioral health, free dental screenings and much more!

For more information, check out this flyer here.

Updated Services of Worship for 2022-2023 at Grand Canyon

Please reference this updated flyer for Winter 2022-2023 Services of Worship on the South Rim. Please note, the NPS does not encourage, discourage, or endorse any religious group or message.

Xanterra

• Maswik Lodge Cafeteria, 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Canyon Coffee House at the Bright Angel Fountain, 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.
• Xanterra’s Arizona Steakhouse in Bright Angel Lodge, now is open 7 days a week for lunch only from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
• 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, has relocated to the Train Depot area Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (weather permitting)
• Maswik Pizza Pub, located inside Maswik Lodge, is open Friday through Tuesday from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. The pizza pub is closed weekly on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

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 now OPEN with the hours of 7 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
• The Yavapai Dining Hall, breakfast, 7 a.m.-10:45 a.m., dinner, 5 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Other

• Grand Canyon Clinic: Beginning Tuesday, September 6, the Grand Canyon Clinic transitioned to its winter hours. New hours are, Monday through Friday from 8a.m. to 5 p.m.  Grand Canyon Clinic is closed on weekends and holidays.
• 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 now indoors. Beginning October 23, operations will transition from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.
• Grand Canyon Conservancy stores: Visitor Center Plaza, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily, beginning Sunday, Sep. 25 hours will transition to 8 a.m.-6 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.-6 p.m. daily
• Desert View Watchtower, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.
• The Desert View Deli, 11 a.m. to 6 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 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., planning on closing October 15, 2022 for the winter season
• North Rim Service Station, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• GCC Bookstore/Visitor Center, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
• Roaring Springs Kiosk information, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

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

• Sunset from the South Rim on September 20, 2022 (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
• Collage of GCC Celebration of Art artists and paintings en plein air and displayed at Kolb Studio (NPS Photos/M. Quinn)
• Crafts created by Leo and Gloria Chee (NPS Photo)
• AMC Volunteer rappels over the edge at the 2021 event (NPS Photo/B. Maul)
• Two condors perched on the rim (NPS Photo/J. Olsen)
• Xanterra Fire and Security staff give t-shirts to staff at the Grand Canyon Rec Center (Photo courtesy of Matt Nordin)