Key Messages-Week of Feb. 27, 2023

COVID Updates

As of March 2, 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 23-March 1 was 5,663 compared to 26,866 cases from the week prior. As a reminder, the total number of cases reported in Arizona last week were an outlier, with legacy reporting contributing to the high number of reported cases.

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

2022 was Grand Canyon’s 8th busiest year on record

Grand Canyon National Park experienced its eighth busiest year ever in 2022 with 4,732,101 visits. Last year’s visitation was more than 200,000 above the previous year at a 4.5% increase. Grand Canyon also went from the fourth most visited national park to the second most visited. (#1-Great Smoky Mountains National Park).

Visitation to Grand Canyon reached its highest level ever with approximately 6.4 million visits in 2018. Although 2022’s reduced visitation lessens the stress on the park’s resources, park operations still rely on the revenue from all income sources. Fewer visitors translates to reduced revenue for park programs. 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.

Cultural Demonstration Program returns to Desert View

Stop by Desert View Watchtower, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, March 7, 8, and 9, for a chance to meet cultural demonstrators, Jerilynn Yazzie, Diné Silversmith/Beader, and Kyle Yazzie, Diné Painter.

Jerilynn specializes in working with shells, turquoise, unique gemstones, juniper berry seeds, and vintage coins. Kyle, has been an acrylic painter since he was 10 years old. He draws inspiration from his culture, stories, the landscape, and other people’s art.

The Cultural Demonstration Program provides an opportunity to interact with tribal artisans from Grand Canyon’s Tribal Communities – and for them to share their culture, history and crafts. This program is funded through generous support from the Grand Canyon Conservancy.

Tip Off composting toilet closure begins March 7

The Tip Off composting toilet, located along the South Kaibab Trail, will be closed for the majority of March.

The new dates of the closure are March 7-24. There will be no restroom facilities available for use during this time. Hikers should plan ahead before entering the canyon and use either the restroom facilities at Cedar Ridge or at Phantom Ranch.

New ‘Behind the Scenery’ podcast released this week

Ever wondered what secrets are hiding way down in the depths of Grand Canyon? That curiosity has driven long time canyon hiker Rich Rudow to spend over 1,000 nights below the rim.

On the latest episode of the Behind the Scenery podcast, Rich talks about getting his start in backcountry hiking, canyoneering first descents, and his hopes for the future of Grand Canyon National Park.

Listen on Apple Podcasts or on the park’s website.

South Rim District Reports available

See what South Rim Patrol has been up this winter season by reading the latest South Rim District Reports here:

Employee Spotlight!

Susan Wood—Fisheries Biologist

I moved out west after college to begin a position as a volunteer on the North Rim in 2010. I workedthere as an interpretive ranger for 3 seasons before I volunteered with the Grand Canyon fish crew on the Bright Angel Creek trout removal project. That winter made me want to work in fisheries, especially with the desert fishes of the Colorado River basin. I floated some amazing stretches of the Green, Colorado and San Juan Rivers in the upper basin, catching native and endangered fish for the state of Utah out of their Moab field office. But the canyon kept pulling me back, and I’ve worked on the GRCA fish crew for several winters, as well as the Razorback Sucker larval monitoring trips on the Colorado River through GrandCanyon. In 2021, I started a Masters program in Environmental Science and Policy at NAU in Flagstaff where I’ve been researching novel removal tools for invasive crayfish. I’ll be done in May, and I’m looking forward to spending more time outside and in the canyon!

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

I’ve been working seasonally and intermittently at Grand Canyon for thirteen years, but I have been working as a Park Fish biologist for 3 weeks now 😊 I’m based out of Flagstaff.

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

The native fish of the Grand Canyon (and the people who study them!) are amazing to work with. These fish are pretty unique: Razorback suckers have abizarre-looking bony keel, and Humpback Chubs make squeaky noises when you hold them, but I think the Bluehead Suckers are my favorite.

Thoughts on all this snow?

I am always on team Winter, I love snow! This is how Flagstaff and Grand Canyon are supposed to look this time of year!

Grand Canyon Community Corner

NPS job opportunities for local residents!

Are you a local within a 90-mile commuting distance of Grand Canyon? The NPS Administration Division is currently seeking applicants for a up to three Budget Technicians duty stationed on the South Rim. This announcement is now open through March 15 on usajobs.gov.

Under the local hiring authority, only persons who have either lived or worked in or near Grand Canyon for the past two years are considered eligible (excluding Flagstaff). For more information, check out the link to USAjobs or see the attached flyer here. For information regarding the application process contact:

Shannon Buckmaster, Human Resources Specialist, at 720.520.2399
Cori Stonebridge, Human Resources Specialist, at 928-606-2671

March Calendar of Events for Grand Canyon Rec Center now available

The Rec Center has a large variety of events scheduled for the month of March! For the complete schedule, see the attached flyer here.

Xanterra Entertainment this weekend at Fred Harvey Tavern and Maswik

Jimmy Deblois and Mark James Wood will be performing this weekend at the Bright Angel Tavern March 1-4. Additionally, a larger show and BBQ will be held at the Maswik Santa Fe Room on Sunday, March 5 from 4-8 p.m.

More information, including a full flyer for each event is available here.

FREE Caregiver Workshop March 7 for parents and caregivers of children ages 0-5

Kaibab Learning Center and First Things First are sponsoring a free caregiver workshop on Tuesday, March 7 from 6-7:30 p.m. Dinner and childcare will be provided. To register, contact Denise Vasquez at 928-699-0201.

A flyer with additional information is available here.

Interested in hosting an artist during GCC’s Celebration of Art?

The 2023 Celebration of Art (CoA) is approaching and the Grand Canyon Conservancy is looking for host families for the artists. Hosting an artist can be an excellent opportunity for community members to meet individuals from all over the country who appreciate the canyon as we do. This is a special opportunity GCC has not been able to offer the last few years due to COVID.

The plein air painters will need accommodations from September 8th- 18th in order to participate in the event. Artists are typically out of the home before sunrise and gone for the bulk of the day, busy painting the canyon, they may return around lunchtime and after sunset. If you have a spare bedroom and would like to volunteer to be a host, you will be rewarded with the experience of a lifetime.

More information on this opportunity can be found in this attached flyer.

Community Blood Drive at Rec Center on March 17

The Rec Center will again be hosting a community blood drive through Vitalant on Friday, March 17 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Appointments are suggested. To schedule ahead of time, individuals can visit www.donors.vitalant.org with blood drive code: “grandcyn.”

Vitalant is the sole supplier to 96% of AZ Hospitals including the Flagstaff Medical Center. More information can be found in 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. (beginning this Sunday, March 3, new coffee shop hours will be from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. daily), 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.
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.
Spring hours to take effect on Sunday, March 5, Grand Canyon Conservancy stores regular hours: Visitor Center Plaza, Yavapai Geology Museum, Verkamps, and Kolb Studio 8 a.m.-7 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, beginning Sunday, March 5 spring hours will be from 8 a.m.-6 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)

South Rim webcam at Kolb Studio on March 2 (NPS Photo)
Mather Point following fresh snow (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
Jerilynn Yazzie, Diné Silversmith/Beader, and Kyle Yazzie, Diné Painter (NPS Photos)
Canyoneering at Grand Canyon (NPS Photo/J. Barden)
South Rim Patrol vehicle at the Yaki Rd. gate on March 1 (NPS Photo/E. Hassell)
Susan Wood, Fisheries Biologist (Photo courtesy of S. Wood)
Artist Peggy Immel braving a rainy afternoon, adding detail to her painting of Hopi House, with Hopi House in the background. NPS Photo/B. Maul

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.