Temporary closures along North Kaibab Trail extended

Effective December 21st, the North Kaibab Trail closure was lifted effective immediately through Monday, December 25.

The North Kaibab Trail will be closed again between Manzanita and Supai Tunnel from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning Tuesday, December 26 and ending Sunday, December 31. This closure is necessary for visitor safety during the installation of seismic survey nodes in Roaring Springs Canyon for the North Rim Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) utility project.

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.

Meet Cultural Demonstrators Jimmy Yawakia and Duran Gasper at the Desert View Watchtower from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday, December 26, through Thursday, December 28.

They will be demonstrating their honed crafts of Zuni fetish carving and intricate inlay silversmithing. Both artists use traditional stones found in the southwest and stones from across the world to enhance their award-winning work. Every time Duran and Jimmy come to the canyon they give great demonstrations, but also answer questions and provide knowledge about the thriving community of Zuni and their culture.

From Tuesday, January 2, through Thursday, January 4, Cultural Demonstrator, Todd Westika, will be at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Todd Westika learned the art of Fetish Carving mostly on his own. He has won numerous awards for his work, been featured prominently in several books about Zuni Fetishes, and has demonstrated in Washington D.C. and in several national parks. Todd’s carvings are a fusion of ancient and contemporary. They are beautiful and sculptural. He selects stones and through his work, reveals their beauty in remarkable ways.

An attached flyer for the Cultural Demonstration Program from December 26-28, can be found here. A flyer for the program from January 1-11, 2024 can be found here.

Unsung Hero Award

We want to recognize North Rim Interpretation Ranger, Elyssa Shalla, who was recently honored with the Department of the Interior’s “Unsung Hero Award” for her work as a member of the National Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team.

The National Park Service’s CISM program provides comprehensive support to individuals following exposure to traumatic events. All 30 members of the National CISM Program were honored with this year’s award, citing their response to more than 80 requests between June 2020 and June 2023.

Mental Health Corner

The Public Safety Psychology Group from Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been supporting Grand Canyon first responders since 2019. We adapted some tips for all staff and supervisors across the park working toward improved mental health and wellness.

“Lessons learned in psychological safety: 20 years as a Police Psychologist” by Dr. Troy Rodgers

• Have a plan for when things are not OK.
• Have friends outside of your workgroup and NPS.
• One moment does not define your career.
• Hardship bonds are often unbreakable.
• 50% of people are ok immediately after an event, 25% are ok after but symptoms come on later, 25% are not ok.
• Choose a therapist who works for you, it is a relationship and not all are a good fit.
• Value heart, character, and effort over skill. Skills can be gained and lost but heart rarely fades.
• Too much, too fast, too similar, too different, to personal and/or too soon can trigger trauma and pain.
• Sometimes sitting and supporting in silence is the most helpful thing you can do.
• Moral Injury is a big factor in wellness.

If you are a supervisor or peer stuck on ways to check on staff beyond generic questions like “how are you?” you can try the following suggestions:

1. What are you looking forward to today? this week? in the next month?

2. What are you finding most challenging with your job or tasks today?

3. How can I support you today?

Happy Retirement!

Louis Rowe

Deputy Superintendent

At the end of this year, Deputy Superintendent, Louis Rowe, is retiring from Federal service. We would like to thank Louis for his outstanding service to the United States Marine Corps, the National Park Service, and Grand Canyon National Park.

“Louis has done remarkable work as Deputy Superintendent for Operations and Resources” said Superintendent Ed Keable. “He has ably managed the Divisions of Interpretation and Resource Education, Facilities and Engineering, Science and Resource Management, and Visitor and Resource Protection, as well as the park’s safety program. I wish him and his wife Sonya (who recently retired from Federal service, including the last few years in the GRCA budget office) the very best during their well-earned retirement.”

Louis has served as Deputy Superintendent since August 2020 and we hope he takes time to kick back and enjoy his hobbies of woodworking, traveling overland, sporting clays, and repairing old Land Cruisers. Thank you, Louis!

Christmas Religious Services this week

The Grand Canyon Community Church and the Baptist Church will have several Christmas services December 24-25 at the Shrine of the Ages. Please note, the NPS does not encourage, discourage, or endorse any religious group or message.

More information on this event can be found in the attached flyer here.

New Year’s Eve Fundraiser to benefit 8th Grade Washington D.C. Trip

The Grand Canyon Rec Center will once again sponsor its annual New Year’s Eve Fundraiser. This year, proceeds will benefit the 8th grade field trip to Washington D.C.

The event will be help at the Squire Resort in Tusayan on December 31 with doors opening at 9 p.m. Music, food, non-alcoholic beverages, and swag will be provided with entry ($15 adults, $10 children). There will also be a 50/50 raffle prize drawing. More details 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 Coffee Shop will have extended hours of 7 a.m.-4 p.m. from December 25-31), 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.,the visitor center will be closed on Christmas and New Years Day
• 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 5:30-7:30 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.

• Members of South Rim Patrol, Canyon District, Grand Canyon Emergency Services, and Xanterra Fire strike a festive pose this week (NPS Photo)
• Jimmy Yawakia and Duran Gasper as well as a Zuni fetish by Jimmy Yawakia (NPS Photos)
• Zuni fetishes by Todd Westika (NPS Photos)
• Ellysa Shalla (Photo courtesy of E. Shalla)
• Louis Rowe, Deputy Superintendent (Photo courtesy of L. Rowe)