Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: March 3-7, 2025

Stay Informed with NPS Everbridge Alerts

Grand Canyon NPS Everbridge alerts are a great way to receive real-time updates about power outages, road closures, weather-related events, and other emergency situations. This free service ensures that you will stay informed when it matters most.

You can decide how you would like to receive notifications, whether this is through text, email, or by phone call. Sign up by following this link.

This Week’s Evening Programs by Stephen Hummel, GCC Astronomer in Residence

This week there are three opportunities to attend Astronomer in Residence, Stephen Hummel, outstanding evening program in the Visitor Center Theater: Sprites, Elves, Ghosts and More: The weird world of upper atmospheric lightning.

• Friday, March 7, at the Visitor Center – 7:30 pm (1 hour)

• Monday, March 10, at the Visitor Center – 7:30 pm (1 hour)

• Wednesday, March 12, at the Visitor Center – 7:30 pm (1 hour)

On rare occasions under dark night skies, high above powerful thunderstorms, strange flashes of red and blue light suddenly leap skyward to form dramatic, jellyfish-like shapes. Known to science as sprites, these strange lightning-related events are still poorly understood. In this talk, we’ll explore how these events form, how you can see them for yourself, and how you can contribute to NASA’s efforts to better understand them.

Weather permitting, the talk is followed by a constellation tour featuring the highlights in the night sky. This is both an indoor and outdoor presentation; please dress warm. For more details on Stephen’s programs, visit the park’s Upcoming Night Sky Programs webpage or the attached flyer here.

Next Week’s Cultural Demonstrators at Desert View

Tuesday through Thursday, March 11-13, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Next week at Desert View Watchtower, don’t miss two incredible cultural demonstrators who will share their unique art and traditions.

Bobby Silas, a Hopi potter, draws inspiration from ancestral Hopi pottery traditions that date back 500 years. From vases and bowls to ladles, he has made a wide range of pieces and actively shares his knowledge with community members, passing on the art of Hopi pottery to future generations.

Peterson Yazzie, a Diné painter, sculptor, and educator, creates art deeply influenced by his culture and personal journey. His paintings start with an intuitive splash of paint, evolving through experimentation, while his wooden wall sculptures, often embellished with feathers, embody his open and exploratory approach. For Peterson, art is a guiding force that brings balance to life’s energies and strengthens his connection to the world—a connection he holds with deep gratitude.

Employee Spotlight!

Shanoa Totherow, Division Management Analyst, Planning, Environment, and Projects (PEP)

I grew up just outside of Chattanooga, Tennessee and went to college in North Carolina. The west captured my heart once I started working summers for concessionaires in Yellowstone. I knew I wanted to dedicate my energy to protecting this sacred land, so I started pursuing a career with NPS.

After several rounds with USA Jobs, I landed my first seasonal gig in Glacier in 2018. I went back for a second season, then worked two on the Rogue River in Oregon before accepting my first permanent position here at GRCA (shoutout South Entrances Fees). In 2022, I moved to the Tetons for an admin assistant role. In August 2024, the canyon drew me back, and I’m settling into my new job as PEP’s Management and Program Analyst. It’s wonderful to be back here. I’m happy to see friends from before as well as meet new ones. I’m always down for Flagstaff runs, tabletop games, and evening walks along the rim, so hit me up!

Grand Canyon Rec Center Announces March Calendar of Events

Get ready for an exciting month at the Rec Center! Check out the fun lineup of events planned for March, including Zumba/Salsa nights, Disney Night, Karaoke, and several Flagstaff shopping trips.

Don’t miss out—details and additional information can be found in the attached flyer.

Kaibab Learning Center Pi Day Pie Sale Fundraiser on March 14

The KLC will be having a Pi Day Pie Fundraiser Sale on Friday, March 14 from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. at the DNC General Store. Pie flavors include apple, cherry, chocolate cream, and lemon meringue.

For additional information, see the attached flyer here.

Save the Date! Community Bood Drive on March 26 at Rec Center

The Grand Canyon Rec Center will host a community blood drive with Vitalant on Wednesday, March 26, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Appointments are suggested, and to schedule, individuals can visit www.donors.vitalant.org.

Vitalant is the sole supplier to 96% of AZ Hospitals including the Flagstaff Medical Center. Donations during the month of March will be entered for a chance to win a $5,000 gift card through Vitalant.

More information can be found in the attached flyer here.

South Rim

Xanterra

• Maswik Food Court, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Maswik Pizza Pub, 4-9 p.m.
• Bright Angel Fountain, 5:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Harvey House Café/Fred Harvey Burger Restaurant, Breakfast 6:30 a.m.-10 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Dinner 4-9 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Tavern, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily, (food until 9 p.m.)
• Arizona Steakhouse – Lunch 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Dinner 4:30 p.m.-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 9:30 p.m.)
• 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 a.m., dinner 5-8 p.m. Beginning March 14, dinner hours will be from 5-9 p.m.
• Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 12-9 p.m.
• Coffee Shop, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
• The Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Deli 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Beginning March 14, Deli Hours will be from 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
• Camper Services, daily from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Other

• Grand Canyon Clinic: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Canyon Adventures Bike Tours and Cafe: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC): 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
• Grand Canyon Conservancy stores: Verkamps 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Yavapai Geology Museum-8 a.m.-7 p.m., Visitor Center Plaza-8 a.m.-7 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 p.m., Saturday 2-4 p.m.
• Canyon Community Yoga & Wellness (at the Rec Center): Full class schedule can be found here. Use discount GCLOCALS at checkout.
• Shuttle Bus Spring Schedules (March 1 – May 23, 2025)
• Hermits Rest (Red) Route: 8:00 a.m. to one hour after sunset
• Village (Blue) Route: 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Kaibab Rim (Orange) Route: 6:00 a.m. to one hour after sunset
• Hikers’ Express: Daily departures from Bright Angel Lodge at 6:00, 7:00, and 8:00 a.m.
• Inner Canyon:
• Bright Angel Trail from Havasupai Gardens to Silver Bridge, closed Oct 21, 2024, to May 14, 2025
• Silver Bridge, closed Oct 21, 2024, to May 14, 2025
• Bright Angel Campground, closed Nov 4, 2024, to May 14, 2025
• Phantom Ranch (Lodging and Canteen), closed from Jan 2, 2025, to Mar 30, 2025

Desert View

• Desert View Trading Post and ice cream and coffee shop, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Desert View Watchtower and store, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the last tower access at 5 p.m.
• The Desert View Deli and Market, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Desert View gas station (24 hours)-pay at pump only

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

• Yavapai Geology Museum on Thursday, March 6 (NPS Photo/J. Baird)
• Lightning photo courtesy of Dan Pawlak
• Bobby Silas pottery (photo courtesy of B. Silas)
• Shanoa Totherow, Division Management Analyst (Photo courtesy of S. Totherow)
• Sunset from the South Rim on Tuesday, March 4 (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)