Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Feb. 26-March 1, 2024

Operational changes beginning Friday, March 1

Starting Friday, March 1, the Hermits Rest (Red) route will resume for the season servicing visitors to Hermits Rest. All shuttle routes will start at 6 a.m. The Kaibab (Orange) and Hermits Rest routes will run until just after sunset. The Village (Blue) route will run until 8 p.m. The Tusayan Route (Purple Route), providing service from Tusayan to the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, will not operate in the spring.

On March 1, the Hikers’ Express Bus, which transports backpackers to the South Kaibab Trailhead, will depart from Bright Angel Lodge beginning at 7, 8, and 9 a.m. The Hikers’ Express Bus also stops at the Backcountry Information Center and the Grand Canyon Visitor Center on its way to the South Kaibab Trailhead.

Also beginning on March 1, all 328 sites within Mather Campground will reopen for the 2024 season. More information on operational updates can be found on the park website here.

2023 Park Profile and statistics now available

Last week the NPS released its 2023 visitation statistics. Service-wide, the NPS welcomed 325.5 million visitors in 2023, an increase of 13 million or 4% over 2022.

Grand Canyon National Park experienced its eighth busiest year ever in 2023 with 4,733,705 visits. Last year’s visitation was only 1,600 more than the previous year with a less than 1% increase from 2022. Grand Canyon once again ranked as the second most visited National Park in the National Park Service system behind Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Visitation to Grand Canyon reached its highest level in 2018 with approximately 6.4 million visitors.

Although 2023’s reduced visitation lessens the stress on the park’s resources, the park is still down in revenue from all income sources compared to pre-pandemic levels. Federal Lands Recreational Enhancement Funds (aka FLREA), transportation fees, and concession franchise fees are still reduced compared to pre-pandemic years. Funds from these sources support many programs across the park and park managers continue to work on programming costs with these smaller revenue projections in mind for this fiscal year.

To view a comprehensive report of park statistics, the annual 2023 Park Profile is now available and 2023 statistics are also available on the park website. Any questions related to this report can be directed to the Public Affairs Office by email at: grca_public_affairs@nps.gov.

Ellen Brennan receives regional field-based archaeology award

Ellen Brennan, Cultural Resources Program manager received the 2023 Regional Professional Achievement in Field-based Archaeology Award.

Ellen was nominated for her excellent work in organizing and participating in background research, resource documentation, design review, planning, tracking, and archaeological monitoring activities to protect cultural resources during the Transcanyon waterline replacement project. Ellen’s participation in these many components of the project helps to ensure protection and preservation of the numerous significant cultural resources within the project area, while supporting the park in implementing this important infrastructure work.

As the regional award winner in this category, Ellen’s nomination will be forwarded to Washington to be considered for a national John L. Cotter Award for Excellence in National Park Service Archaeology which recognizes the archaeological accomplishments of NPS field staff. Congrats, Ellen, for all of your hard work!

Next week, the Cultural Demonstration Program presents Rose Fowler, Diné (Navajo) Silversmith, Tuesday through Thursday, March 5 through 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center on the South Rim.

Rose continues a family tradition. Her craft has been in the family for more than 50 years, passed down to her from her father. Rose is known for her intricate and unique designs that incorporate traditional Navajo design elements with contemporary styles. Her work has been featured in galleries and exhibitions across the United States.

More information on the Cultural Demonstration Program can be found on the park website here.

Employee Spotlight!

Roberto Cueva

U.S. Park Ranger, South Rim Patrol

Hola! My name is Roberto Carlos Cueva, Jr. or Roberto Cueva for short.

I grew up in the small town of Soledad, CA, which is nestled in Monterey County. After my high school years, I attended California State University, Fresno in Fresno, CA. At Fresno State and enduring Fresno’s awful heat and smog, I earned a degree in Criminology. After college, I started my career with the National Park Service working seasonally in Yosemite NP, Point Reyes NS, and Sequoia and Kings NP.

Now, I’m on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon and work for South Rim Patrol. I’ve worked at GRCA for close to two years now. My girlfriend, Astrid, and our apex predator kitten, Onyx, call the Grand Canyon home.

When I’m not working, I like outdoor activities, like many folks who call a national park home. I’m a sports fanatic, especially soccer. I can find myself watching any soccer league of the world and be content. Right now, I’m tuned into the Women’s CONCACAF Gold Cup!

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The thing I enjoy most about my job is that I am a protector of one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Plus, I can see the big ditch all day, every day!

Working at a place like GRCA is always a treat, you never know what you’ll get called to or assist with. Yet, the most memorable experiences I’ve had are swearing in Junior Rangers. The kiddos asking for stickers, pictures, and off the wall questions make those days memorable.

What’s the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had (besides your current one)?

Prior to starting my law enforcement career, I worked some very interesting jobs. Security at Walmart, Test Driver for Mercedes-Benz, Pizza Delivery Driver, but the most interesting and back breaking job was working in the agriculture fields of the Salinas Valley, better known as the “Salad Bowl of the World.” I’ve harvested broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, romaine lettuce, celery, and strawberries. All of them were difficult in their own way, but the strawberry harvesting takes the cake. Hours upon hours of back breaking work, literally and figuratively. Never doing that again.

KLC Native Taco Sale March 6

The Kaibab Learning Center will be posting a Native Taco Sale fundraiser at the KLC (1 Mohave Street) on Wednesday, March 6 from 5-7 p.m.

Funds from this sale will go towards professional development opportunities for KLC Teachers. Delivery and pre-orders are available.

More information can be found in the attached flyer here.

Free A cappella choir concert on Thursday, March 7

Grand Canyon Community Church will host a concert by the Northwestern College A cappella Choir on Thursday, March 7, at 7 p.m. The concert will be held at Shrine of the Ages, located on the South Rim, and is free and open to the public.

The 46-member ensemble is directed by Dr. Thomas Holm, professor of music. The choir has performed across the U.S. and made international tours to destinations such as Taiwan, Denmark and Sweden.

Nutrition and Cooking Class survey

Are you interested in nutrition and cooking classes here in Grand Canyon? Coconino County Health and Human Services is interested in hearing from YOU on the best time to offer free adult nutrition and cooking classes at the Grand Canyon Rec Center.

A link to the survey is available here.

A flyer with 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-closed through March 3, 2024
• 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
• Grand Canyon Conservancy will be shifting to their spring hours for all operations beginning on Sunday, March 3. Kolb Studio, Verkamps, Yavapai Geology Museum, and the Visitor Center store will move to 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily and Desert View Watchtower will be open from 8 a.m.-5 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 5:30-7:30 p.m., Saturday 2-4 p.m.
• Canyon Closet: Every Wednesday from 12-2 p.m., first and third Saturday of each month from 12-3 p.m.
• Canyon Community Yoga & Wellness (at the Rec Center)- Yoga: Mondays & Wednesdays 6:30 p.m., Fitness Classes: Strength Training Sundays 9 a.m., Core Strength Thursdays 6:30 p.m. View full schedule here: https://www.canyoncommunityyoga.com/schedule

Desert View

• Desert View Trading Post Coffee and Ice Cream and Market, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Desert View Watchtower, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. daily, stair and tower access 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• The Desert View Deli, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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

• Two NPS mule pack strings descend into the canyon above Cedar Ridge on February 28 (NPS Photo/J. Baird)
• Ellen Brennan assists in monitoring archaeological sites within Grand Canyon (NPS Photo)
• Jewelry work of Rose Fowler (Photos courtesy of R. Fowler)
• Roberto Cueva and Smokey the Bear (Photo courtesy of R. Cueva)