Key Messages-Week of Feb. 13, 2023

COVID Updates

As of February 16, Coconino County has remained at LOW CDC Community Level. Masks remain optional in all public buildings.

Total new COVID cases in Arizona for the week of February 9-16, AZ was 3,379 which is a slight increase from the week before. There were two new cases reported 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.

Messages and Grand Canyon News

Pile burning continues this week

On Tuesday, February 14, NPS fire managers began a large pile burn approximately one mile west of the Hwy. 64 corridor on the South Rim, near mile marker 239 (Vann Avenue, also known as the W-1 service road).

Multiple large piles composed of woody debris have been collected over the last year from thinning projects and Firewise initiatives throughout the South Rim residential areas. Fire managers anticipate smoke impacts, especially with the amount of green slash and the abundance of pine needles. Smoke may be visible within the area and traffic signs will be posted along the roadway advising visitors of the operations.

Tip Off composting toilet facility on South Kaibab Trail closed Feb. 23-March 27

February 23 through March 27, 2023, the Tip Off composting toilet facility will be temporarily unavailable on the South Kaibab Trail. Hikers should plan ahead before entering the canyon and use either the restroom facilities at Cedar Ridge or at Phantom Ranch.

Grand Canyon trail crew staff, along with contractors, will close the Tip Off composting toilet facility on the South Kaibab Trail for much needed maintenance and evacuation.

For updates on trail status, please visit Grand Canyon’s Critical Backcountry Updates webpage here: https://go.nps.gov/trailstatus .

Cultural Demonstrator this weekend at Grand Canyon Visitor Center

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 17, 18, and 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., stop by and meet Zuni fine art painter, Anthony Gchachu. He will discuss how he conceptualizes and executes his paintings.

Watch him work and learn how Zuni culture and art have influenced his unique painting style that uses layered acrylic paints to create texture, depth and movement to generate emotions.

This series is made possible with grants from Grand Canyon Conservancy.

Leadership Spotlight

Brandi Stewart—Education Specialist

Division of Interpretation and Resource Education

I grew up near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and moved out west to complete an M. Ed. in Environmental Education and Non-profit Leadership through the North Cascades Institute’s residency program. After completing graduate school in 2011, I started with the National Park Service as an education specialist at Mount Rainier National Park, helping launch standards-aligned programming in the park and a residential environmental education program park partnership. Since then, I have worked at Devils Postpile National Monument, Stephen Mather Training Center, and Death Valley National Park. I continue to serve as a Public Information Officer (PIO3) on incidents, including wildland fires in California and Idaho.

How long have you worked at GRCA? Where are you based out of?

I have worked at Grand Canyon since December 2022, when I was hired as a Canyon District interpretation ranger. I started as an education specialist in January 2023, and I’m based out of the South Rim Headquarters building.

What have you enjoyed the most about working and/or living at GRCA so far?

As a canyon interpretation ranger, I enjoyed having an “in depth” experience at Grand Canyon in which I was immersed in the nuances of the corridor—from geology to plants to different visitor interactions at every elevation. This experience really prepared me for my new role in exploring the park with students from gateway communities and around the greater Grand Canyon region. It’s a stark contrast from working with inner canyon visitors who planned their trips for a long time–to now working with students who may not have visited Grand Canyon if the NPS and its partners, like GCC, didn’t put energy into funding for staff, technology, and transportation. I also greatly appreciate working with such a highly skilled team of permanent educators, which allows the program to be sustainable and build relationships with teachers.

Where is your favorite vacation spot? or What is your favorite winter sport?

Well, I’m going to visit Death Valley National Park this weekend to trade snow mounds for sand dunes. So, I’d say I’m growing tired of the snow and winter activities, and I’m excited to go back to Death Valley as a (winter) tourist!

Students at the Grand Canyon School recognize National School Resource Officer Day on Wednesday, February 15 (Photo courtesy of Lori Rommel)

Grand Canyon Community Corner

Youth Soccer coming to Grand Canyon—summer 2023

Grand Canyon School is looking to have an American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) Summer Soccer League in 2023. The organization is looking for volunteers for coaching and also a local coordinator for Grand Canyon. For more information on these opportunities, see the attached flyer here.

In addition, there will be a Challenger Soccer Camp hosted at the school from June 5-9, 2023 for children ages 2-14. For more information on this program, see the attached flyer here.

Current Operational Hours

*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, 7 a.m.-12 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, 8 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.

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.

Photo Credits (in order of appearance)

A small break in the clouds during a winter storm this week at Havasupai Gardens (NPS Photo/D. Yurcik)
Pile burning on February 14 near the W1 Road (NPS Photo)
Tip Off resthouse and toilet facility (NPS Photo/C. Chenevert)
Anthony Gchachu with his paintings (Photo courtesy of A. Gchachu)
Brandi Stewart, Training Specialist (Photo courtesy of B. Stewart)

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.

Grand Canyon National Park

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior