Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Aug. 29-Sept. 2, 2022

Community level LOW–masking requirement indoors OPTIONAL

On Thursday, September 1, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the Coconino County Community Level to LOW. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.

Grand Canyon management has received updated information from the DOI and NPS on COVID guidance. We are reviewing this information and hoping to apply changes soon.

Additionally, the NPS Washington office has submitted new COVID guidance for concessionaires that removes mitigations that have been in place for building capacity, social distancing, and masking. We are working with the park’s concessionaires on these changes and expect most facilities to increase capacity indoors. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

There were 5 new cases reported in the park this week. This week’s new cases bring the park total up to an estimated 368 cases, and 446 cases for the 86023 zip code, since the beginning of the pandemic.

Total COVID cases in Arizona for the week of August 18 to August 24 was 8,505, a decrease of 3,739 from the previous week. For the seven-day rolling average, the state is averaging 1,215 cases per day.

Bat and Human Encounters– What you Should Know

This past week NPSr wildlife biologists received positive confirmation of rabies detected in a deceased bat found along the Colorado River near river mile 44 (President Harding Rapid). All individuals who have had physical contact with a bat are advised to seek medical attention and be assessed for appropriate medical treatment. Rabies is a serious but preventable viral disease that can be lethal to animals and humans. Humans can contract rabies through contact with an infected animal’s saliva, such as a bite or scratch.

In a healthy colony, typically less than 1% of bats are sick with rabies. Grand Canyon National Park is working with the National Park Service Office of Public Health and the Wildlife Health Branch to protect the health and safety of visitors and wildlife in the park by testing any sick or dead bats reported to the park.

Did you know Grand Canyon has the highest diversity of bats within the National Park Service, with 22 documented bat species ranging across the park? The species occupy a diverse habitat from the forested rims to the desert scrub along the river. Bats in the Park employ different life strategies to cope with seasonal changes, including hibernating, migrating, migrating to hibernate, and remaining active throughout the winter.

Most of our bats are insectivorous, serving as natural pest control agents. Others play important roles as plant pollinators. Bats take advantage of the Grand Canyon’s diverse geology, roosting primarily in cracks and crevices, but also in caves, abandoned mines, and trees.

Hikers’ Express Shuttle Schedule for September

Beginning Thursday, September 1, the Hikers’ Express buses will depart from the Bright Angel Lodge at 5, 6 and 7 a.m. en route to South Kaibab Trailhead. Shuttle buses will also stop at the Backcountry Information Center, the Visitor Center Shuttle Bus Terminal, and the South Kaibab Trailhead.

The Tusayan Shuttle will discontinue service on Saturday, September 10. A complete fall schedule for shuttle buses will be provided in next week’s issue and will be posted on the park’s shuttle bus page soon.

Safety Program Review – External Audit Prep

Core Elements of a Successful Safety Program:

• Personnel Assessment and Development
• Worker Participation
• Hazard Identification and Assessment
• Hazard Prevention and Control
• Education and Training
• Program Development (written and approved) and Evaluation
• Communication and Coordination

No team is perfect but take some time to evaluate your team against these criteria. Where can you use some improvement? How can you help?

For a more detailed look at these elements, please contact christina_ryan-miller@nps.gov for the full power point presentation provided by the Regional Safety Office.

South Rim District Report Available

Curious what South Rim Patrol has been up to the past few weeks? Read the latest South Rim District Report for period ending 8-27-2022.

South Rim District Report ending 8-27-22

Grand Canyon Music Festival begins this weekend

The Music Festival is entering its 39th season at the park this weekend through September 17. Please join the wonderful world of music when the Manhattan Chamber Players take the stage at the Shrine of the Ages auditorium.

Concerts will be held Friday and Saturday evenings, with doors opening at 7 p.m. and the concerts beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The Manhattan Chamber Players bring three cellists, beloved classics, and new music by the exciting young composer Chris Rogerson. Check out the festival website for more information.

Community Blood Drive at Rec Center on September 16

The Rec Center will again be hosting a community blood drive through Vitalant on Friday, September 16 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Appointments are suggested, and to schedule, individuals can visit www.donors.vitalant.org with blood drive code: “grandcyn.”

More information on this event can be found in the attached flyer and also through the Grand Canyon Rec Center.

Xanterra

• Maswik Lodge Cafeteria, 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Bright Angel Coffee Shop, 7 a.m.-11 a.m.
• Bright Angel Fountain grab and go, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Burger, breakfast 8:00-10:30 a.m., lunch 11 a.m.- 3 p.m., dinner 4-9 p.m.
• The Arizona Steakhouse, Tuesday-Saturday from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Tavern, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Kennel-daily from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
• The Grand Canyon Rec Center, 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.
• El Tovar Dining Room and Lounge
• Breakfast, 6:30-10:00 a.m.
• Lunch, 11:00 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.
• Fred Harvey Food Truck, located in front of the El Tovar/Hopi House Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (weather permitting)

Delaware North

• Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 12-10 p.m.
• Yavapai Lodge Coffee Shop, 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Deli-7 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Camper Services: Laundry and shower hours, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• The Yavapai Dining Hall, breakfast, 7 a.m.-10:45 a.m., dinner, 5 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Other

• Grand Canyon Clinic: 7 days a week, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Bright Angel Bikes
• Rental: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Cafe-8 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC): Daily from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., operations held outside of the GCVC building
• Grand Canyon Conservancy stores: Visitor Center Plaza, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily, Yavapai Geology Museum, Verkamps, and Kolb Studio 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.,
• Kennel Operations: Overnight boarding is only available from Friday through Sunday nights. Pick-ups and day boarding are available on Mondays. Contact Xanterra Switchboard or Xanterra Fire and Security for afterhours pick-ups.
• Grand Canyon Community Library: Monday-Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Desert View

• Desert View Trading Post Coffee and Ice Cream and Market, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
• Desert View Watchtower, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.
• The Desert View Deli, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• The Desert View Service Station Retail Store, daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Desert View Information Table (staffed by NPS), 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (as staffing levels allow).

North Rim

• North Rim Lodge Dining Room, Breakfast: 6:30-10 a.m., Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Dinner: 4:30-9:45 p.m.
• In addition to regular breakfast service in the dining room, the Grand Canyon Lodge at North Rim is offering a breakfast buffet daily from 6:30-8:00 a.m.
• Deli in the Pines, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Roughrider Saloon, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
• Coffee Saloon, 5:30-10:30 a.m.
• North Rim General Store: 7 a.m.-8 p.m., planning on closing October 15, 2022 for the winter season
• North Rim Service Station, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• GCC Bookstore/Visitor Center, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
• Roaring Springs Kiosk information, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The following closures are in place:

• Maswik Pizza Pub

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

• View from the Boucher Trail at sunset this week (NPS Photo/D. Yurcik)
• Medevac mission to Supai Tunnel along the North Kaibab Trail on August 30 (NPS Photo/L. Cisneros)
• Bat at Grand Canyon (NPS Photo)
• Hikers’ Express Shuttle departs the Backcountry Office (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
• Manhattan Player Chambers photo (Photo courtesy of GCC)