Park Roads: What’s Open? What’s Closed?

Grand Canyon Dispatch reminds all residents, locals, and visitors that road information can always be found at 928-638-7496. This recorded line is updated with real-time information directly from units opening and closing the roads.

For State Route closures and other road closures within the state of Arizona, call Arizona DOT at 888-411-7623, visit them at AZ511.gov, and download the app.

Residents and employees are encouraged to sign up for Everbridge notifications in order to receive up to date inclement weather and roads information as they occur. To sign up, residents can follow this link.

Pile burning success!

This week fire managers successfully completed pile burning along South Entrance Road near the Center Road intersection.

In total, 12 acres of piles were treated and the crew plans to continue once additional precipitation is forecasted.

Cultural Demonstration Program next week at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center

Join Eric Holmes next week January 16, 17, and 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center.

Eric has been making Kachina dolls for six years and learned from watching relatives. His godfather was his biggest influence and taught him the basics. He gets inspiration from Hopi ceremonies and from being in nature. He uses cottonwood root, and natural pigments. Most of the materials he collects himself. Eric says, “My artwork, is a representation of “not everything perfect”, which is something we are taught, pertaining to life, circumstances, and ourselves.”

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

New ‘Behind the Scenery’ Podcast Now Available

The Interpretation Division has released a new Behind the Scenery podcast this week, titled, “Collaboration on the Colorado River with Rob Billerbeck.”

Rob Billerbeck is the Colorado River Coordinator for the National Park Service. In this episode of the Behind the Scenery podcast, Rob highlights the challenges facing the Colorado River and why he still has hope for the future.

This podcast is now available to listen on nps.gov or on Apple podcasts.

Winter Housing Tips!

Last week the Housing Office sent an email to NPS employees on helpful housing tips for this winter.

Here are a few reminders for residents:

• With furnaces, wall heaters, or woodstoves running during the winter, testing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month is especially important. Use the Test button to test and replace batteries as needed.

• Help avoid pipe breaks and the resulting flooding and water damage by:

• Heat your housing appropriately for the forecasted temperatures; never set thermostats to lower than 55° F.
• Keep garage doors closed, especially if there are water supply lines in the garage.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing, especially if your sinks are on an exterior wall.
• Let the cold-water drip from faucets; even a trickle can help prevent pipes from freezing.
• Planning to be away? Leave the heat on in your home, open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors, let the cold-water drip from faucets, open interior/bedroom doors to allow heat to evenly circulate throughout, and ask a friend to keep an eye on your place.

Winter adds several potentials for injury – both at work and at home! Ensure you are wearing traction control devices if you are on duty and walking on icy trails. NPS employees can coordinate with their supervisor if traction devices are required.

South Rim District Reports Available

• South Rim District Report ending 12-16-2023
• South Rim District Report ending 12-30-2023

Katie Morris

Acting Deputy Superintendent of Operations and Resources

I have served as GRCA’s Administrative Officer since May 2022 and have been with the National Park Service for 22 years. Most of my federal service has been with the NPS, with the exception of a short stint with Fish and Wildlife Service. I hold BS and MS degrees in Biology, Education and Interpretation. During my career I’ve worked in various regional offices including Intermountain, Northeast, Southeast, Pacific Northwest, and the Washington Area Support Office (WASO). I’ve also worked in variety of disciplines including Administration, Visitor and Resource Protection, and Resource Management.

I am a life-long learner and personal interest in Leadership and Employee Development and I’m a trained facilitator for Allies for Inclusion, Crucial Conversations and Barrett Core Values.

How long have you lived and/or worked at Grand Canyon?

My family first moved to GRCA in September 2009, and, while we have moved away a couple times, I have lived/ worked at GRCA for 12 years. I remotely worked from San Antonio, TX since August 2022 and will be stationed in the park for my detail. My husband and I live in Grand Canyon Village and have raised our 3 children on the South Rim.

What have you enjoyed the most about working and/or living at Grand Canyon?

The employees and community. My family has had the opportunity to live all over the U.S. and keep returning to GRCA because we have never felt more at home and connected to a community as we have here at GRCA.

Outside of work, what are your interests or hobbies?

I love to travel with my family, in particular Disney. My husband and I recently branched out to international travel when we visited our son who is stationed in Japan.

How do you envision the future growth and success of Grand Canyon National Park?

The employees and community of Grand Canyon are doing amazing work connecting visitors to the resources. I’m honored to be part of the team working on upgrading infrastructures and collaborating with park partners. I believe the success of Grand Canyon includes the greater community and all that we bring to the table.

Are there any books, podcasts, or resources that have had a significant impact on your leadership approach?

I’m a big fan a Brene Brown and my favorite leadership book is “Dare to Lead.”

Native Taco Sale January 19 to benefit 8th grade field trip

Fundraising for the 8th grade field trip to Washington D.C. continues! Eighth graders will be sponsoring a Native Taco and Plain Fry Bread Sale at the Grand Canyon School multi-purpose room on January 19 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

More information can be found in the attached flyer here.

Email the Public Affairs Office! We can be reached at: grca_public_affairs@nps.gov.

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 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
• 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 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.

• The storm breaks on Thursday, January 11 on the South Rim (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
• ‘Road Closed’ sign at Yaki Point (NPS Photo)
• Winter pile burning on January 10, 2024 (NPS Photo/J. Pennington)
• Kachina dolls crafted by Eric Holmes (NPS Photo)
• Katie Morris, Acting Deputy Superintendent (Photo courtesy of K. Morris)
• Native Taco (Adobe Stock photo)