Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Feb. 3-7, 2025

Early Fire Season Outlook for Grand Canyon National Park Employees and Partners

The National Weather Service has issued early fire season outlooks due to an especially dry winter season. The combination of a below-average monsoon season in 2024 and a historically dry winter has led to worsening drought conditions across northern Arizona, including at Grand Canyon National Park.

So far, Flagstaff has recorded only 5.9 inches of snow this winter, marking the fourth driest start to the season since records began in 1899. Many areas, including the Grand Canyon Village, are experiencing near-record low snowpack levels for this time of year.

Looking ahead, the temperature and precipitation forecasts for February through April predict drier and warmer than normal conditions across Arizona, extending into the spring and fire season (April-June). If these dry conditions persist, we can expect an extended and potentially significant wildfire season in northern Arizona.

For more details on the current outlook, please see the attached presentation from the National Weather Service Flagstaff Office.

This Weekend’s Programs with Stephen Hummel, GCC Astronomer in Residence

Join Stephen Hummel, the Dark Skies Initiative Coordinator from McDonald Observatory, for two fascinating evening programs this weekend:

• Friday, February 7 at 7p.m.: “Preserving Dark Skies”

Learn how to protect and appreciate natural darkness, followed by a constellation tour highlighting that evening’s night sky. This program includes both indoor and outdoor elements.

• Saturday, February 8 at 7p.m.: “Sprites, Elves, Ghosts, and More: The Weird World of Upper Atmospheric Lightning”

Discover the rare, strange flashes of light called sprites, which occur high above thunderstorms, and learn how they form.

Stephen is an award-winning astrophotographer and an experienced dark sky educator. Check out his full February program schedule on the park’s Upcoming Night Sky Programs webpage or in the attached flyer here.

Public Input Sought on Proposed Utility System Improvements at North Rim and Inner Canyon

A civic engagement period is being held from Feb. 4 until midnight, Feb. 17, 2025, to seek public input on proposed improvements to the wastewater, electrical and communication systems at the North Rim and inner canyon areas to Cottonwood Campground.

The utility systems are part of a proposed Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund project called Rehabilitate the North Rim and Roaring Springs Utility Systems. The improvements are crucial to meet code requirements, current standards, and support visitor services and administrative operations. The visitor services and operations include approximately 300,000 annual visitors at the North Rim and 280 park-owned buildings and concessioner services. The optimized systems would enhance operational efficiency because of upgraded electrical lines, wastewater treatment operations and utility monitoring capabilities.

The project also includes the water distribution system, for which a civic engagement period was held in 2023. Grand Canyon is now seeking feedback on the remainder of utility improvements being proposed on the North Rim and inner canyon, and the feedback will be incorporated into the project proposal.

For more details and to submit comments, visit the NPS Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website at ParkPlanning – North Rim Utility Rehabilitation Program.

The Remarkable Journey of Two Botanists Down the Colorado River—Behind the Scenery Podcast Now Available

Would you go down the Colorado River in a couple of homemade rowboats with a guide that had never been down the river? That’s exactly what two women botanists from the University of Michigan did in 1938 to become the first women known to have traveled 600 miles/965 kilometers down the Green and Colorado rivers, including the entire length of Grand Canyon. Their mission? To catalog the unique flora along the way.

Learn more about this expedition in the latest episode of Brave the Wild River with author Melissa Sevigny, now available in the park’s Behind the Scenery podcast series. Listen/download on nps.gov here or via Apple Podcasts here.

Employee Spotlight!

Mason Summers

Maintenance Worker, Special Projects Unit

I grew up in Springfield, IL, the land of Lincoln, where diversity played a pivotal role in shaping my worldview. Due to the remnants of redlining and other such forms systemic racism, my high school was integrated, so I was bussed from the west side of Springfield over the train tracks to the east side of town. At Southeast, I had friends and peers from many different cultures which expanded my understanding and empathy of others. I am truly grateful to have grown up in an environment of diversity of thought and culture as a child and young adult.

It wasn’t until I joined the workforce that I understood what the process of equity means. In working construction and maintenance, racism and misogyny are still prevalent in some areas. I experienced it while I worked at the Gateway Arch where I painted the interior of the top of the arch among other interesting and exciting projects. For example, it took multiple complaints from multiple people to have a coworker reprimanded for using racial slurs and threats. I believe that if we are to have a fair and equitable society, we must still fight to overcome the systemic and interpersonal racism, misogyny, and bigotry that has plagued our society for generations and create systems that are equitable for historically oppressed groups.

We must be inclusive to everyone regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, etc. especially within the public sector. I believe we in government positions should represent the community in which we serve. I would expect a park in downtown St. Louis to have African American representation as I would expect the Grand Canyon to have Native American representation. I stand steadfast in solidarity as an ally to all historically oppressed and repressed groups. Inclusion involves an understanding of intersectionality, meaning people can be in multiple oppressed groups and have an understanding of the discrimination that can occur in ones that they may not be a part of.

I am happy to be working here in this beautiful and awesome place with such beautiful and awesome people. With respect to diversity, equity and inclusion, I welcome all challengers in a one-on-one battle in Super Smash Bros Ultimate to get 3-stocked with the quickness. Email me if interested, otherwise I’ll see you around.

Valentine’s Day Flower Sale at the General Store

Kaibab Learning Center is hosting a Valentine’s Day Flower Sale on Friday, February 14th at the DNC General Store on the South Rim from 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. All proceeds go towards educational and childcare programming for the center.

More information, including pricing for individual flowers and bouquets can be found in the attached flyer here.

Grand Canyon School PTA Announces Whole Health Family Night

On Tuesday, Feb. 18 from 4:30-7:30 p.m., the Grand Canyon School PTA will be sponsoring a ‘Whole Health Family Night’ in the Grand Canyon School Multi-Purpose Room.

The evening will include free soup and resources from community partners to promote health and wellness. For more information, including the list of community partners who will be present at the event, see the attached flyer here.

Grand Canyon School PTA Canyon Closet

The PTA is offering Canyon Closet clothing and winter gear for the public every Friday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. during the month of February.

The Canyon Closet is now located at the Grand Canyon School in the High School building upstairs and is also accepting drop off donations on Fridays.

More information can be found in the attached flyer here.

South Rim

Xanterra

• Maswik Food Court, 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Maswik Pizza Pub, 4-9 p.m.
• Bright Angel Fountain, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Harvey House Café/Fred Harvey Burger Restaurant, Breakfast 7-10 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Dinner 4-8 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Tavern, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily, (food until 9 p.m.)
• Arizona Steakhouse, Closed from Jan. 2-March 3, 2025
• 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.-9 p.m. (food until 8:30 p.m.)
• 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 Dining Hall, breakfast 7-10 a.m., dinner 5-8 p.m.
• Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 12-9 p.m.
• Coffee Shop, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
• The Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Deli 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
• Camper Services, daily from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Other

• Grand Canyon Clinic: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Canyon Adventures Bike Tours and Cafe: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC): 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
• Grand Canyon Conservancy stores: Verkamps 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Yavapai Geology Museum-8 a.m.-6 p.m., Visitor Center Plaza-8 a.m.-6 p.m., Kolb Studio-8 a.m.-6 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 p.m., Saturday 2-4 p.m.
• Canyon Community Yoga & Wellness (at the Rec Center): Full class schedule can be found here. Use discount GCLOCALS at checkout.
• Inner Canyon:
• Bright Angel Trail from Havasupai Gardens to Silver Bridge, closed Oct 21, 2024, to May 14, 2025
• Silver Bridge, closed Oct 21, 2024, to May 14, 2025
• Bright Angel Campground, closed Nov 4, 2024, to May 14, 2025
• Phantom Ranch (Lodging and Canteen), closed from Jan 2, 2025, to Mar 30, 2025

Desert View

• Desert View Trading Post and ice cream and coffee shop, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Desert View Watchtower and store, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the last tower access tickets given out at 4 pm.
• Desert View Cultural Demonstration 2025 Season Begins on Tuesday, February 18
• Returning to Desert View Watchtower Tuesday through Thursday, of each week, the demonstrators will be in the View Room from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Laverine Greyeyes, Diné weaver and Cristoff Keyonnie, Diné painter, will launch the 2025 season.
• The Desert View Deli and Market, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Desert View gas station (24 hours)-pay at pump only

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

• Mather Point sunrise on February 4, 2025 (NPS Photo/J. Baird).
• North Rim overhead utility lines (NPS Photo).
• Botanists, Lois Jotter and Elzada Clover. Photo courtesy of Huntington Library – Otis Marston Colorado River Collection.
• Mason Summers, Maintenance Worker, FMD Special Projects Team (Photo courtesy of M. Summers).
• Interpretation Staff from Desert View last weekend in Scottsdale at the Arizona Indian Festival (NPS Photo).
• The new door for the Desert View Intertribal Welcome Center was installed on January 31, 2025 (NPS Photo).