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As of January 12, Coconino County has transitioned to LOW CDC Community Level. Masks remain optional in all public buildings.
Total new COVID cases in Arizona for the week of January 5-11 was 7,374, an increase from the week before at 6,187. There are no new cases in the park this week.
As a reminder, be sure to promptly report any illness, to include possible COVID-19 symptoms, COVID exposure, or a positive COVID test to your supervisor and our Public Health Consultant, Ronan King. Ronan can be reached at: 202-891-8599 or Ronan_King@nps.gov. |
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Winter Weather Returns; National Weather Service issues Travel Risk for impending weekend storm
According to the National Weather Service-Flagstaff, winter weather returns to the area this weekend, with periods of heavy snowfall likely beginning Saturday night across the high country. Snow levels will gradually fall from 6000–7000 feet Saturday evening to 4000–5000 feet Tuesday. One to two feet of snow is possible in the high country by the end of next week.
Prepare for an extended period of poor travel conditions next week!
REMEMBER – PLEASE KEEP ROADWAYS CLEAR OF VEHICLES; PARK IN YOUR DRIVEWAY AND FOR THOSE ON APACHE ST, PARK IN THE ALLEY. ALLEYS AND RESIDENTIAL ROADWAYS WILL BE PLOWED
Get the weather forecast
- Change your travel plans if hazardous weather is expected.
Check road conditions
- Grand Canyon Dispatch would like to remind all residents, locals, and visitors that road information can be reached at 928-638-7496. This line is updated with real-time information directly from units opening and closing the roads.
- For State Route closures and other road closures within the state of Arizona, call Arizona DOT at 888-411-7623 or visit them at AZ511.gov.
Ready your vehicle
- Check your battery, wipers, coolant, and other systems affected by cold temperature. Make sure your tires have good tread. Clear snow, ice, or dirt from your windows and lights.
Pack an emergency supply kit
- Stock your vehicle with a mobile phone, charger, batteries, blankets, flashlight, first-aid kit, high-calorie, non-perishable food, candle to melt snow for drinking water, sack of sand or cat litter for traction, shovel, scraper, and battery booster cables.
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New episode of ‘Behind the Scenery’ podcast now available
We are the rangers my friends.
And we’ll serve the park till the end.
Have you ever contemplated a mid-life or post-retirement career change? What did you want to be when you grew up? What is it really like living and working at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park? The park ranger profession is often romanticized. What (if any) are the downsides and challenges to a park career?
Join us for a fun look into some park ranger careers in the latest episode of the Behind the Scenery podcast:
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Cultural Demonstrators this weekend at Grand Canyon Visitor Center
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, January 13, 14 and 15, 2023, from 10 am to 4 pm, meet Daryl Shack, Zuni stone carver/painter and Benina Kallestewa, Zuni stone carver/silversmith. They will share their culture and history, along with the skills, knowledge, and efforts involved in creating their handicrafts.
Daryl has over 44 years of experience. His fetish carvings are made with various stones that are found locally, and from around the world. For his paintings, he uses Acrylic and Enamel paints on canvas. Zuni Culture and Traditions have influenced his art.
Benina has been working on carvings and creating jewelry for more than 20 yrs. Her father showed her the techniques of cluster work in traditional Zuni squash blossoms, necklaces, pins and bracelets. The techniques for carving animals she taught herself with help from various friends over the years.
For more information on the Cultural Demonstrator Program for the weeks of January 13-22, please see the attached flyer here.
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Changes to Village Ranger Program schedule starting Sunday, Jan. 15
Sunday through Wednesday, a ranger program will be presented at Yavapai Geology Museum at 3 p.m.
Thursday through Saturday, a ranger program will be presented at the Visitor Center at 3 p.m.
Join a ranger, or a park volunteer, for a program that is geared toward that particular presenter’s favorite topic or theme here at Grand Canyon. Some of the recent Ranger’s Choice talks have featured programs about: Geology, Wildlife, History, Grand Canyon’s Trails, Astronomy, and California Condors —to name a few.
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South Rim District Report available
Mountain lion tracks, oh my!
See what South Rim Patrol has been up by reading the latest South Rim District report:
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Leadership Spotlight!
Nate Powell
Logistics Support Technician
Division of Planning, Environment & Projects (PEP)
This position is relatively new and especially new to me! I started in early December and am LOVING it! We provide logistical support and coordination for design and construction projects throughout the Park. We provide efficiency, reduce costs, and streamline the work; if there is a logistical “need,” we assist however we can, keeping the project smoothly moving forward.
As the “field person,” I escort various groups (contractors, project partners, etc.) during site visits; especially when they require access to non-public areas of the Park and below the Rim. I also reserve housing space, schedule inner-canyon flights, and build, hook, & receive sling loads. It’s a lot of coordinating between folks in the field and the folks on the Rim – keeping everyone in the loop. Safety and communication are paramount.
Where are you from, and what’s your background?
I grew up in the suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio, and graduated with a Parks & Rec. degree from Eastern Kentucky University. In 2008, I met my future wife, Aly, during my first season as an Interp. Ranger at Upper Delaware S&RR. I followed Aly to GRCA in 2011; we’ve been here on the South Rim since!
I started as a seasonal VUA at South Entrance, got permanent status in 2014, moved to Remit, then Admin Assistant (Fire & Aviation), Backcountry Visitor Tech at the BIC, to finally, Logistics!
What have you enjoyed the most about working and living at GRCA?
I get to hike, fly, and float this fantastic resource – for my JOB! I love our community and the wildlife, plus it’s fun to say, “I have 1.2 million acres in my backyard.”
What’s your favorite winter activity?
For the last few winters, it’s been watching the Cincy Bengals WIN! I’m lucky to hike a bunch for work, but backpacking GRCA in the winter is the BEST. I also tie a lot of flies for fly fishing in the winter but try to sneak in a few day trips when I can – usually Lees Ferry, Sedona, or stillwater outside Williams. |
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NPS seasonal job opportunities for local residents!
Are you a local within a 90-mile commuting distance of Grand Canyon? Our Science and Resource Management Division at Grand Canyon National Park is currently seeking applicants for condor monitoring and work with native plants. This Biological Science Aid announcement is now open through Wednesday, January 18 on usajobs.gov.
Under the local hire program, only persons who have either lived or worked in or near Grand Canyon for the past two years may apply for consideration (excluding Flagstaff). These individuals, by virtue of having lived or worked in the area, have special knowledge and expertise concerning the natural and cultural resources of the public land and its management. Local hire eligibility will be determined by the hiring official via the job interview and the resume submitted by the applicant. *Minimum age requirement is 16.
For more information, check out the link to USAjobs or see the attached flyer here.
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KLC Board Meeting open to the public on January 18
The Kaibab Learning Center (KLC) will be hosting a board meeting that will be open to community members at the Albright Training Center within Classroom #1 on Wednesday, January 18 from 6-7:30 p.m.
For more information, please see the attached flyer or contact KLC at klccanyonkids@gmail.com. |
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Native Taco sale announced for January 27
Support the Grand Canyon School 8th Grade Washington D.C. Field Trip by grabbing a native taco on Friday, January 27. Sales will begin at 11 a.m. until sold out with pre-order/delivery available.
For more information, see the attached flyer here. |
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*Please note: new changes to operations are indicated in bold/italic
South Rim
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 8-10:30 a.m., lunch 11 a.m.- 3 p.m., dinner 4-9 p.m.
- Arizona Steakhouse within Bright Angel Lodge is now offering dinner service from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. daily. Lunch service is from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
- Fred Harvey Tavern, 11 a.m.-10 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 a.m., Lunch, 11 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.
- Maswik Pizza Pub is open daily from 4-8 p.m.
- The Grand Canyon Kennel is open seven days a week with hours from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
Delaware North
- Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 12-9 p.m., Yavapai Lodge Coffee Shop, 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m., The Yavapai Dining Hall, breakfast, 7 a.m.-10:45 a.m., dinner, 5-8 p.m.
- Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Deli 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Camper Services laundry and shower, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
Other
- Grand Canyon Clinic: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (clinic is closed on holidays)
- Bright Angel Bikes, Rental: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (weather permitting), Café 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC): 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Operations indoors for the winter season.
- Grand Canyon Conservancy stores regular hours: Visitor Center Plaza, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, Yavapai Geology Museum, Verkamps, and Kolb Studio 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.
- Grand Canyon Community Library: Monday-Saturday from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Canyon Closet (located behind Community Library): Mondays 4:15-6 p.m., Wednesdays 12:15-2 p.m., Saturdays 3-5 p.m.
- Grand Canyon Food Pantry: Mondays 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesdays 6-8 p.m., Saturdays 2-4 p.m. Effective Feb 7, 2023the Grand Canyon Food Pantry will suspend Tuesday night, 6-8 pm distributions. The pantry plans to restart when volunteer availability increases.
Desert View
- Desert View Trading Post Coffee and Ice Cream and Market, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
- Desert View Watchtower, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
- The Desert View Deli, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Please visit the Grand Canyon National Park website for a complete list of closures and available amenities.
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Photo Credits (in order of appearance)
- A ski along Transept Canyon this week (NPS Photo/M. Jenkins)
- View from Trailview Overlook on January 11 (NPS Photo/J. Baird)
- Visitors shovel out their cars in 2019 during an intense Thanksgiving weekend storm (NPS Photo)
- North Rim Rangers, Hannah and Doug, are featured in the newest ‘Behind the Scenery’ podcast episode (NPS Photo)
- Daryl Shack and Benina Kallestewa with their stonecarving and jewelry (Photos courtesy of D. Shack and B. Kallestewa)
- Ranger Connie gives a program to visitors near the Grand Canyon Visitor Center (NPS Photo)
- Nate Powell, Logistics Technician (Photo courtesy of N. Powell)
- A snow-packed Desert View Drive (NPS Photo/J. Campbell)
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Grand Canyon National Park, in northern Arizona, encompasses 278 miles (447 km) of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands. Located on the ancestral homeland of 11 Associated Tribes, Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world—unmatched in the incomparable vistas it offers visitors on the rim. Grand Canyon National Park is a World Heritage Site. The National Park Service cares for the special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage. |
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