Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: June 24-28, 2024

Special Singing and Dance Performances by the Little Wranglers on July 1 & 2

Please join us for special singing and dancing performances by the ‘Little Wranglers’ (Markell Boy Mariano and Tyelane Becenti), Ariah Amy Sunshine Vallo, and Snowflake Blackwell from the Dine Tribe on Monday and Tuesday, July 1 and 2.

The performances on Monday, July 1 will begin at 6:45 p.m. and take place at the Desert View Amphitheater. On Tuesday, July 2, the performances will kickoff at 6:30 p.m. at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center Plaza.

We hope to see you there! More information on these events can be found in the attached flyer here.

Summer Hiking at the Grand Canyon: Arizona Highways Podcast

In the sixth episode of the all-new Arizona Highways podcast, host Steve Goldstein and Arizona Highways editor Robert Stieve talk about hiking safety with Meghan Smith, Preventive Search & Rescue Supervisor at Grand Canyon National Park.

Listen on Apple Podcasts or through the Arizona Highways website here.

Upcoming Park Programming

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

South Rim: Village

• Fossil Walk (30min): 9 a.m. daily, meet at Bright Angel Trailhead.
• Geology Talk (30min): 3 p.m. daily, meet at Yavapai Geology Museum.
• Exploring the Endangered (60 min): 4:30 p.m. daily, meet at Village Amphitheater.
• Evening Program (60 min): 8 p.m. every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, meet at McKee Amphitheater.
• 6/28: Sharing Stories, Making History
• 6/29: Plight of the Bat
• 6/30: Ancient Ecosystems
• Constellations over the Canyon (60min): 9 p.m. on 6/27 & 7/1-7/3, meet at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center.
• Astronomy Night: Drop in between 9- 11 p.m. 6/28-6/30 & 7/4-7/7, meet at Grand Canyon Visitor Center.

South Rim: Desert View

• Grand Canyon Speaks (45min): 6:30 p.m., meet at the Desert View Amphitheater.
• Thursday 6/27: with Cory Ahowenwa (Hopi Kachina Carver)
• Cultural Demonstrations: 6/27-6/29, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., located at the Desert View Watchtower.
• Bill Thomas Jr. (Diné Moccasin Maker), Cory Ahownewa (Hopi Kachina Carver) and Gloria Quanimptewa (Hopi Basket Weaver)
• Sunset Talks (45 min): 6:45 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday, meet at the Desert View Amphitheater.

North Rim

• Nature Walk (90 min): 8:30 a.m. Friday and Sunday, meet at Roaring Springs Overlook Kiosk.
• Behind the Scenery (30 min): 11:30 a.m. daily, meet at Bright Angel Point Amphitheater.
• Colorado River Connections (30 min): 2:30 p.m. daily, meet at Cape Royal Trailhead.
• Beneath the Canopy (30min): 3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily, meet at the Campground Amphitheater
• Evening Program (45 min): 7:30 p.m, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, meet at Grand Canyon Lodge Auditorium.
• July 6^th (North Rim) Community Speaker Series: 7:30 p.m. with Author of Brave the Wild River, Melissa Sevigny. Meet at Grand Canyon Lodge Auditorium.

Employee Spotlight!

Doug Joseph

Supervisory Program Analyst-Commercial Services Asset Branch Manager

I have worked at the park since July 2020 and am based out of the South Rim. This is my first park, but I am prior civil service DOD with the Navy NAVFAC/NAVSEA and Army IMCOM. Some of the bases I worked at were MAGTFTC Twentynine Palms, NWS Seal Beach, NWS Fallbrook, NSWC Norco, Fort Hunter Liggett and the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey.

Could you share a memorable experience or achievement from your time working in commercial services? During the height of COVID, the Maswik South Hotel project was paused. When I arrived, we remobilized the project and completed the $35 million dollar project within two years. We were challenged with a depleted skilled labor market, supply chain shortage and high-cost escalation. The four new hotels are top notch and were built to LEED standards.

When you’re not at work, how do you like to spend your time? We are just finishing building our new home/farm in Valle, which is located a stones through from the Chevron 64-180 intersection. My project list never seems to end…lol.

I really enjoy adventure motorcycle riding on my KTM 350 EXC, but lately I have been consumed with our new Mammoth Donkey Noah, our Fell Pony Rory, which are both just 2 years old, we also have 3 skittish Shetland sheep and host of new very friendly chickens. I’m sure my wife Abby has something else coming soon…

Town of Tusayan Fourth of July Celebration

Join community members from the Town of Tusayan and Grand Canyon Village for the annual Fourth of July celebration from 3:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Kid’s bike decorating begins at 3:30 p.m., parade line-up starts at 3:45, and the parade will begin at 4:30. Additional events and activities include: live music from local bands, food, auction items, Native American dancers, kid’s games, and a drone show after dark.

For more information on this event and to register to be in the parade, visit the town’s website here.

Cultural Demonstration Program 10-Year Anniversary Celebration-July 6

On Saturday, July 6, we’re commemorating 10 years of the Cultural Demonstration Program with a day filled of demonstrations and events at Desert View! Experience traditional demonstrations from 20 talented artists representing 9 of the 11 Associated Tribes of Grand Canyon.

The Cultural Demonstration Program, launched in 2014 by the Grand Canyon Intertribal Working Group, has grown from 4 to over 200 demonstrators, showcasing diverse skills and traditions. To mark this achievement, the park welcomes demonstrators from across the region for a day filled with celebration and cultural immersion. More information can be found in the attached flyer hereor on the park’s website.

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 Café/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.
• 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 Dining Hall: Breakfast 7-10:30 a.m., Dinner 5-9 p.m., Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 12-10 p.m., Coffee Shop: 6:30 a.m. -5 p.m.
• Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Deli 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Camper Services laundry and shower: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Trailer Village Kiosk: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Other

• Grand Canyon Clinic: Open 7 days a week, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Bright Angel Bikes, Rental: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Café 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC): Open daily from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Conservancy stores: Verkamps and Yavapai Geology Museum-8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily, Visitor Center Plaza-8 a.m.-8 p.m., Kolb Studio-8 a.m.-6 p.m.,
• 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 Community Yoga & Wellness (at the Rec Center) 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 at checkout.

Desert View

• Desert View Trading Post and ice cream and coffee shop, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Desert View Watchtower, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m. daily. Stairs and tower access available until 6 p.m.
• The Desert View Deli, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The Desert View convenience store, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

North Rim

• North Rim Visitor Center (GCC), 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
• NPS Backcountry Information Center, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-5 p.m. daily
• Camper Store by campground (Aramark), 7 a.m.-9 p.m. daily
• Guest Laundry and Showers, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. staffed, unstaffed from 7-10 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Lodge Gift Shop (Aramark), 8 a.m.-9 p.m. daily

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

• Sunrise along the South Rim this week (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
• Grand Canyon Visitor Center plaza (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
• Doug Joseph, Supervisory Program Analyst (Photo courtesy of D. Joseph)
• Desert View Watchtower at sunset (NPS Photo)