Temporary closures along North Kaibab Trail beginning December 18

Portions of the North Kaibab trail, between Manzanita and Supai Tunnel, will be closed beginning at sunrise on Monday, December 18 and ending at sunset on Sunday, December 24. Closures will be in effect from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. to allow for contractors to install seismic survey nodes in Roaring Springs Canyon.

Work crews will be installing survey nodes in highly technical terrain above the trail, which may result in inadvertent and unpredictable rock fall onto the North Kaibab Trail. These survey nodes are small, wireless sensors that will be able to detect and record seismic activity in the area.

For the latest trail updates, please visit the park’s Critical Backcountry Updates page.

U.S. Supervisory Park Ranger Cori Oakes recognized for completing Chief Ranger developmental program

The Chief Ranger Development Program was designed to give new and aspiring Chief Rangers leadership training and opportunities to develop their understanding of the responsibilities of the Chief Ranger position and better position the participants for success at their first Chief Ranger job.

Inner canyon U.S. Supervisory Park Ranger, Cori Oakes, just completed this one year leadership program. She was recently recognized for this accomplishment at a Canyon District meeting held at Kolb Studio this past week. Congrats, Cori!

Next week, father and son Silversmiths, Henry and Ian Nez will be demonstrating their craft and sharing their Diné culture at Grand Canyon Visitor Center, from Tuesday, December 19 through Thursday, December 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Henry credits his uncle with teaching him the art of silversmithing, however, over the past 25 years he has developed his own personalized style. He has mastered a wide range of techniques and designs and is well known for his silver bracelets and rings that are inlayed with natural stones.

Stop by next week and watch Henry and his son Ian demonstrate how they make rings, earrings, pendants, and bracelets, from start to finish.

An attached flyer for the Cultural Demonstration Program through December 21, can be found here.

Holiday Mental Health

Though the holidays are often considered a time for family, togetherness, and celebration – these are not the feelings associated with the holiday season for everyone. It is incredibly important during this season to keep an eye on yourself and your feelings, and to check in with those around you.

ASKING FOR HELP IS A SIGN OF COURAGE AND CAN GET YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW THROUGH A DIFFICULT TIME.

Important resources with a handout version here:

Alexandra Lalor

Assistant Lead Fire Effects Monitor

Hello all! My name is Alexandra (Allie) Lalor. I’ve worked seasonally with Grand Canyon fire effects crew in 2020 & 2021, and I’m happy to return here as a perm! While I’ll be on the North Rim in the summer, I’m enjoying time on the South Rim in the winter. I’ve previously worked with fire ecology positions at Bandelier NM, North Cascades NP, and Sequoia-Kings Canyon NPs. I also recently graduated with a Masters in Fire Ecology at University of Arizona in Tucson, researching drought tolerance of tree seedlings in the Southwest.

This season I’m looking forward to learning how to ski and enjoying a true winter (not that California beach time surfing Santa winter that I grew up with). I’m also excited to go backpacking in the canyon and finding ways to continue practicing ceramics in my free time (any ceramicists out there who have some tips?). I’m excited to get to know everyone here at the park!

Angel Tree gift wrapping party slated for December 18

On Monday, December 18, community members of all ages are invited to help wrap the Angel Tree gifts that have been generously donated by the Grand Canyon, Tusayan and Valle Communities.

Wrapping supplies and snacks are provided. The times for the wrapping event will be from 2-5 p.m. at the Yavapai Lodge Restaurant. More information on this event can be found in the attached flyer here.

Holiday Food Basket packing event on December 20

Community members are welcome to participate in assembling holiday food baskets that will assist local families in Valle, Tusayan, and the Grand Canyon communities.

Stop by the Canyon Village Market (General) Store on Wednesday, December 20 from 3-4:30 p.m. to participate. More information can be found in the attached flyer here.

South Rim

Xanterra

• Maswik Lodge Cafeteria, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Maswik Pizza Pub, 4-9 p.m.
• Canyon Coffee House at the Bright Angel Fountain, 7-11 a.m.
• Bright Angel Fountain grab and go, 7 a.m.- 4 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Burger, Breakfast 7-10 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.- 3 p.m., Dinner 4-8:30 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Tavern, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Arizona Steakhouse, lunch 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., dinner 4:30-9 p.m.
• El Tovar Dining Room and Lounge – Breakfast, 7-10 a.m., Lunch, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Dinner, 4:30-9 p.m., Lounge, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (Food until 9 p.m.), Patio closed until spring 2024.
• 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., The Yavapai Dining Hall, breakfast, 7-10 a.m., dinner, 5-8 p.m.
• Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Deli 7 a.m.-5:30 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: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Café 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC): 7 days a week from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Conservancy stores: Visitor Center Plaza 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, Kolb Studio, Verkamps and Yavapai Geology Museum 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
• 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 6-8 p.m. (beginning December 13 hours will change on Wednesdays from 5:30-7:30 p.m.), Saturday 2-4 p.m.
• Canyon Closet: Monday and Wednesday from 12-2 p.m.
• Canyon Community Yoga at Grand Canyon Rec Center: Mondays-6:30-7:30 p.m., Wednesdays-6:30-7:30 p.m. (full schedule available here, locals use discount code: GCLOCALS when registering)

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 (starting Sunday, Nov. 5, the GCC store and DV Watchtower will move to winter hours of 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily)
• The Desert View Deli, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Desert View Convenience Store (adjacent to gas station), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily

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

• Sunrise from the South Rim on Sunday, December 10, 2023 (NPS Photo/J. Baird)
• Superintendent Keable and Chief Ranger Justin Cully recognize Cori Oakes during an award ceremony on December 13 (NPS Photo)
• Henry Nez and his and Ian Nez’s jewelry work (NPS Photo)
• Allie Lalor, Assistant Lead Fire Effects Monitor (Photo courtesy of A. Lalor)