Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — April 29-May 3, 2024

Reminder: Trail Alert QR Codes at Bright Angel and South Kaibab Trailheads

In order to streamline essential hiking information for visitors, in July 2023, in collaboration with the Grand Canyon Office of Communication, the Preventive Search and Rescue (PSAR) team launched the QR Code Program at key corridor trailheads.

Visitors can simply scan the Trail Alert QR code using a digital device that will take them to the park’s Key Hiking Messages webpage. This page is updated daily by park staff from the Office of Communication, Interpretation, and the Backcountry Information Center. Information on this page includes trail alerts, weather, heat advisories, safety messages, and how visitors can hike smart.

If you interact with the public, please help share this message and feel free to disseminate this flyer that contains the QR code. You can also visit the Key Hiking Messages webpage through this link.

Integrated Pest Management Training May 6 and 7

Next week, the park is hosting an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) training session, taking place on May 6 and 7 at the Shrine of the Ages on the South Rim. The training will be from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day.

This training will cover essential topics related to pest management, focusing on the prevention, mitigation, and reporting of pests and related diseases. The sessions are tailored to accommodate various staff groups, ensuring that all employees receive the necessary knowledge and skills to contribute to maintaining a healthy and safe environment within the park.

The Regional IPM Coordinator, Adam Strong, and GRCA Wildlife Biologist, Brady Dunne, will be presenting information for two different audiences. The first sessions for each day will be a more technical training for NPS, DNC, Xanterra Building/Housing Staff while the second sessions will be more informative for GRCA Residents and Staff (NPS/Concessions.

For more details, see the attached training agenda for May 6 and 7 here.

Inner Canyon Water Status

This weekend, the park’s water utilities crew successfully repaired a broken section of pipeline in the vicinity of Phantom Ranch. As of Sunday, April 28, water is now on at the Bright Angel Campground, Phantom Ranch Canteen, Manzanita Rest Area, and the North Kaibab Trailhead. Cottonwood Campground and Supai Tunnel water remain off until further notice.

Water also remains off at One-and-a-Half and Three-Mile Resthouses along the Bright Angel Trail. The targeted date for water being back on at these locations is Thursday, May 16.

For the most up to date information on water status, visit the Key Hiking Messages webpage.

Upcoming Park Programming!

*Check the park’s website for more details on park programs and special events.

South Rim: Village

• Astronomy Nights: Constellation Talks start at 8:45 p.m., Telescope viewing between 8:30-10 p.m., Friday 5/3 & Sunday 5/5, meet at Grand Canyon Visitor Center Theater (follow the red rope lights).

• Summer Programming, including Daily Ranger Programs, will begin Saturday, May 11.

South Rim: Desert View

• Grand Canyon Speaks (45min): 6:15 p.m., meet at the Desert View Amphitheater.
• Tuesday, 5/7: with Zuni Youth Enrichment Project Artists
• Thursday, 5/9: with Zuni Youth Enrichment Project Artists
• Tuesday, 5/14: with Ed Kabotie, Hopi

• Cultural Demonstrations: Tuesday-Thursday, May 7-9, 9 a.m.-4p.m., Desert View Watchtower. With the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project: Chasady Simplicio (Zuni Weaver), Keely Bobelu (Zuni Sewing), Breydon Othole (Zuni Painter)

North Rim

•    Summer Programming will begin when the North Rim opens on Wednesday, May 15.

Special Events

• Astronomy Night: In collaboration with the town of Tusayan. Constellation Talk start at 9 p.m., Telescope viewing between 8:30-10 p.m., Saturday 5/4, meet at the Sports Complex in the town of Tusayan.

Invitation: Public Heath in Parks 100-Year Partnership

Please join Deputy U.S. Surgeon General Rear Admiral Denise Hinton and Superintendent Ed Keable on May 10 at 4 p.m. at the Shrine of the Ages to commemorate the 100-year partnership between the United States Public Health Service and the National Park Service to protect, promote, and advance the health and safety of the nation.

Details can be found in the attached invitation.

Order of Events:

4:00 p.m. – Ribbon Cutting of America’s Invisible Health Responders Exhibit

5:15 p.m. – Viewing of the new documentary Invisible Corps

6:45 p.m. – Sunset Hike for Health and Healing

May events at the Grand Canyon Rec Center and Community Softball League!

Check out all the great events planned for May at the Grand Canyon Rec Center! A Renaissance Fair Fundraiser, shuffleboard tournament, a photo contest, and much much more. For the full schedule of May events, see the attached flyer here.

The Community Softball League season will start on Monday, June 3. Team registration deadline is on May 10 and umpires are still needed. For more information, including registration, see the attached flyer here.

Town of Tusayan Weekend of Festivities—May 3-5

The Town of Tusayan is sponsoring several astronomy events and a Cinco de Mayo festival May 3-5.

On Friday, May 3, there will be a free showing of ‘Deep Sky’ an IMAX film on the images from the Webb telescope, and the ‘Grand Canyon Rivers of Time’ at the IMAX theater at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, May 4, there will be a drone and light show after dusk at the Tusayan Sports Complex with telescope viewing available.

Tusayan’s second annual Cinco de Mayo celebration will take place on Sunday, May 5 at the Squire Resort. The fiesta takes place from 4 to 9:30 p.m., is family-friendly, free, and open to the community. There will also be lawn games, Mexican music and dancing, and a variety of authentic Mexican foods for guests to enjoy.

A full flyer with more details on the event can be found here.

Phantom Arts Festival to be held Friday, May 3 at Grand Canyon Rec Center

The Grand Canyon School will be hosting the annual Phantom Arts Festival on Friday, May 3 starting at 5 p.m. at the Grand Canyon Rec Center. The event will feature a young artist reception, a lineup of live music, and an enchilada dinner fundraiser.

For more information, see the attached flyer here.

Senior Class sponsors pancake breakfast fundraiser Saturday, May 4

The Grand Canyon School Senior Class is hosting a pancake breakfast fundraiser on Saturday, May 4 from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Tusayan Fire Department. Funds will be used towards a Senior Class field trip.

For more information, see the attached flyer here.

Grand Canyon Food Pantry hosts volunteer training May 4

Join volunteers at the Grand Canyon Food Pantry for an orientation training on Saturday, May 4 starting at 12 p.m. The pantry is currently looking for volunteers who are available 2-3 hours per month to help distribute food to the Grand Canyon Community. There will be an additional training on Tuesday, May 14 at 5:30 p.m.

More information can be found in the attached flyer here.

South Rim

Xanterra

• Maswik Cafeteria, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Maswik Pizza Pub, 4-10 p.m.
• Bright Angel Fountain, 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Harvey House Cafe/Fred Harvey Burger Restaurant, Breakfast 6:30-10:30 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Dinner 4-9 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Tavern, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
• Arizona Steakhouse, Lunch 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Dinner 4:30-9 p.m.
• 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.-10 p.m. (Food until 9 p.m.), Patio closed until further notice.
• Fred Harvey Food Truck (parked at shuttle bus bay at visitor center)
• The Grand Canyon Kennel, 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
• Grand Canyon Rec Center, 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.

Delaware North

• Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 12-9 p.m., Yavapai Lodge Coffee Shop, 7 a.m. -2 p.m., Cafe, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Yavapai Dining Hall: TEMPORARILY CLOSED
• Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Deli 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Camper Services laundry and shower: 7 a.m.-6 p.m.

Other

• Grand Canyon Clinic: Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Bright Angel Bikes, Rental: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Café 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC): Sunday, April 7 through Saturday, April 20: The visitor center will be open 5 days per week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays). Also, because of the reduction in staff, ranger programs will not be presented during this time.
• Grand Canyon Conservancy stores: Visitor Center Plaza, Verkamps and Yavapai Geology Museum 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily, Beginning, Monday, May 6, Kolb Studio will be closed until further notice due to staffing limitations.
• The Grand Canyon Community Library: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Food Pantry: Monday 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Wednesday 5:30-7:30 p.m., Saturday 2-4 p.m.
• Canyon Closet: Every Wednesday from 12-2 p.m., first and third Saturday of each month from 12-3 p.m.
• Canyon Community Yoga & Wellness (at the Rec Center), May and June schedule: Fitness Classes (under the ramada): Sunday 9 a.m., Tuesday & Thursday 6 p.m. Yoga (in the SPR): Monday & Wednesday 6:30 p.m. Use discount GCLOCALS @ checkout.

Desert View

• Desert View Trading Post Coffee and Ice Cream and Market, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Desert View Watchtower, 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. daily
• The Desert View Deli, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The Desert View convenience store has reopened for the 2024 season. Hours of operation: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

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

• Prickly Pear in bloom along the South Kaibab Trail on April 30 (NPS Photo/J. Baird)
• Mouse photo (Adobe Stock), Ranger photo (Adobe Stock), Injured worker (Adobe Stock)