Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: Jan. 6-10, 2025

Phantom Ranch Closure and Upcoming TCWL Shutoff

All Phantom Ranch operations are closed from January 2 to March 30, 2025, for the installation of new water and electric lines for the Transcanyon Waterline Project. Hikers can still access the North Kaibab Trail, however, the bypass route around Phantom Ranch may change. Please follow all closure signs and be aware that water will only be available at Boat Beach (near the Black Bridge) during this closure period.

Additionally, from 8 a.m. on January 15 to 5 p.m. on January 19, the Transcanyon Waterline will be shut off for necessary construction work on a temporary water bypass along the River Trail. During this period, water will notbe available at Boat Beach or Manzanita Rest Area. More information on water availability in the inner canyon can be found on park’s Critical Backcountry Updates page.

Water for the South Rim will be supplied from the existing storage tanks, and park management will closely monitor tank levels. Water conservation measures may be implemented until pumping is resumed to the South Rim.

Located near the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, Canyon Adventures Bike Tours & Café, now housed in the former Bright Angel Bikes, Rentals & Café building, is officially open for business. Canyon Adventures is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. offering bike rentals, retail, as well as coffee, breakfast, and lunch.

Although it may still be a bit chilly, rentals—including bikes, strollers, and wheelchairs—are available on a weather-dependent basis. Bike tours officially kick off on March 1, 2025, and looking ahead, bike repair services will be available in the future, ready to serve both visitors and locals alike.

“Thank you to everyone who visited us over the past two weeks” says ExplorUs Director of Marketing, Amanda Scott. “We’re thrilled to continue offering the wonderful services guests have always loved, and we’re even more excited to roll out a variety of improvements in the coming year.”

For more information about our operations and updates on enhancements, please visit bikegrandcanyon.com and follow them on Facebook or Instagram.

Next week is the last week to view the 2024 Celebration of Art Exhibit at Kolb Studio in the Village Historic District. This year’s galley features stunning works by 23 talented plein air artists, who spent a week painting the Grand Canyon this fall. You’ll find a mix of their plein air creations and studio paintings on display, all capturing the canyon’s majestic beauty.

Reminder: Applications to participate as an artist for the 17th Annual Celebration of Art, sponsored by the Grand Canyon Conservancy, are open now through January 15, 2025. The event is open to all artists 18 years and older with plein air experience and expertise in representing the Grand Canyon, desert Southwest, or National Parks in the Western U.S.  For more information, and to apply, visit GCC’s website here.

Grand Canyon Incident Report Now Available

Grand Canyon Law Enforcement has combined significant incidents from all districts including the South Rim, Canyon District, and the North Rim.

See the latest Incident Report:

Grand Canyon Incident Report Ending 1-7-2025

Leadership Spotlight: Elizabeth Silkes, Grand Canyon Conservancy CEO

This week, Grand Canyon Conservancy (GCC) announced its new CEO, Elizabeth Silkes, effective February 3, 2025. Ms. Silkes brings extensive experience in global civic engagement and cultural preservation. “I am thrilled to be taking on this role at GCC, where the community’s efforts are truly remarkable. I am particularly excited to deepen collaborations with the Intertribal Working Group and the 11 tribes connected to the Grand Canyon,” she said.

Ms. Silkes views the Grand Canyon and GCC as powerful models for how natural spaces can inspire healing, conservation, and community action. “National parks, like the Grand Canyon, hold immense potential not only for recreation but for fostering social cohesion and addressing challenges such as climate change. GCC and the park can lead the way in engaging new generations of passionate advocates and stewards,” she stated.

Before joining GCC, Ms. Silkes served as Executive Director of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience, where she guided over 370 sites worldwide in promoting human rights and justice. She has also held leadership roles at Cinereach, FilmAid International, and Amnesty International USA. A recognized global expert in cultural heritage, civic engagement, and transitional justice, Ms. Silkes has advised organizations such as UNESCO and ICOM-US.

Her leadership will undoubtedly help strengthen the partnership between Grand Canyon National Park and the Conservancy, ensuring their collective efforts continue to inspire and protect this iconic natural space for future generations.

Grand Canyon Recreation Center January Calendar of Events

See all the fun events happening at the Grand Canyon Rec Center during the month of January! Disney night, trivia, dance party, and club meetups galore!

To see the full calendar, see the attached flyer here.

Grand Canyon Historical Society Webinar on Jan. 14

Join Davy Crocket, GCHS Board Member on Tuesday, January 14 at 6 p.m. MST for a virtual presentation on early Rim-to-Rim guides.

Today, thousands make a pilgrimage each year to experience journeying across the Canyon’s great expanse, rim-to-rim. In the early years, many people who were not National Park employees made a difference by guiding daring groups rim to rim on the rugged inner canyon trails.​ Learn about this fascinating history in this 45-minute slide lecture via Zoom.

Zoom Meeting link:

https://zoom.us/j/5335998592?pwd=ZlVhSDJIdEU5MFFld3RNNVpmd3A1QT09

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 4:30-9:00 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 am to 4 pm.

Other

• Grand Canyon Clinic: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Canyon Adventures Bike Tours and Cafe: 10 a.m.-4 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.
• 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.

• Sunset on January 6, 2025 from the South Rim (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
• An aerial view of the Phantom Ranch Wastewater Treatment Plant construction on Dec. 18, 2024 (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
• The Celebration of Art Gallery at Kolb Studio (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
• Elizabeth Silkes, Grand Canyon CEO (Photo courtesy of GCC)
• Hikers descend the North Kaibab Trail near Cottonwood Campground (NPS Photo)