Winter Weather Returns; National Weather Service issues Travel Risk for impending weekend storm 

According to the National Weather Service-Flagstaff, winter weather returns to the area this weekend, with periods of heavy snowfall likely beginning Saturday night across the high country. Snow levels will gradually fall from 6000–7000 feet Saturday evening to 4000–5000 feet Tuesday. One to two feet of snow is possible in the high country by the end of next week.

Prepare for an extended period of poor travel conditions next week!

REMEMBER – PLEASE KEEP ROADWAYS CLEAR OF VEHICLES; PARK IN YOUR DRIVEWAY AND FOR THOSE ON APACHE ST, PARK IN THE ALLEY.  ALLEYS AND RESIDENTIAL ROADWAYS WILL BE PLOWED

Get the weather forecast

• Change your travel plans if hazardous weather is expected.

Check road conditions

• Grand Canyon Dispatch would like to remind all residents, locals, and visitors that road information can be reached at 928-638-7496.  This 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 or visit them at AZ511.gov.

Ready your vehicle

• Check your battery, wipers, coolant, and other systems affected by cold temperature. Make sure your tires have good tread. Clear snow, ice, or dirt from your windows and lights.

Pack an emergency supply kit

• Stock your vehicle with a mobile phone, charger, batteries, blankets, flashlight, first-aid kit, high-calorie, non-perishable food, candle to melt snow for drinking water, sack of sand or cat litter for traction, shovel, scraper, and battery booster cables.

New episode of ‘Behind the Scenery’ podcast now available

We are the rangers my friends.  

And we’ll serve the park till the end.  

Have you ever contemplated a mid-life or post-retirement career change? What did you want to be when you grew up? What is it really like living and working at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park? The park ranger profession is often romanticized. What (if any) are the downsides and challenges to a park career? 

Join us for a fun look into some park ranger careers in the latest episode of the Behind the Scenery podcast: 

• On Apple Podcasts
• On NPS.gov > https://www.nps.gov/podcasts/behind-the-scenery.htm 

South Rim District Report available

Mountain lion tracks, oh my!

See what South Rim Patrol has been up by reading the latest South Rim District report:

• South Rim District report ending 12-17-2022

Leadership Spotlight!

Nate Powell

Logistics Support Technician

Division of Planning, Environment & Projects (PEP)

This position is relatively new and especially new to me! I started in early December and am LOVING it! We provide logistical support and coordination for design and construction projects throughout the Park. We provide efficiency, reduce costs, and streamline the work; if there is a logistical “need,” we assist however we can, keeping the project smoothly moving forward.

As the “field person,” I escort various groups (contractors, project partners, etc.) during site visits; especially when they require access to non-public areas of the Park and below the Rim. I also reserve housing space, schedule inner-canyon flights, and build, hook, & receive sling loads. It’s a lot of coordinating between folks in the field and the folks on the Rim – keeping everyone in the loop. Safety and communication are paramount.

Where are you from, and what’s your background?

I grew up in the suburbs of Cincinnati, Ohio, and graduated with a Parks & Rec. degree from Eastern Kentucky University. In 2008, I met my future wife, Aly, during my first season as an Interp. Ranger at Upper Delaware S&RR. I followed Aly to GRCA in 2011; we’ve been here on the South Rim since!

I started as a seasonal VUA at South Entrance, got permanent status in 2014, moved to Remit, then Admin Assistant (Fire & Aviation), Backcountry Visitor Tech at the BIC, to finally, Logistics!

What have you enjoyed the most about working and living at GRCA?

I get to hike, fly, and float this fantastic resource – for my JOB! I love our community and the wildlife, plus it’s fun to say, “I have 1.2 million acres in my backyard.”

What’s your favorite winter activity?

For the last few winters, it’s been watching the Cincy Bengals WIN! I’m lucky to hike a bunch for work, but backpacking GRCA in the winter is the BEST. I also tie a lot of flies for fly fishing in the winter but try to sneak in a few day trips when I can – usually Lees Ferry, Sedona, or stillwater outside Williams.

NPS seasonal job opportunities for local residents!

Are you a local within a 90-mile commuting distance of Grand Canyon? Our Science and Resource Management Division at Grand Canyon National Park is currently seeking applicants for condor monitoring and work with native plants. This Biological Science Aid announcement is now open through Wednesday, January 18 on usajobs.gov.

Under the local hire program, only persons who have either lived or worked in or near Grand Canyon for the past two years may apply for consideration (excluding Flagstaff). These individuals, by virtue of having lived or worked in the area, have special knowledge and expertise concerning the natural and cultural resources of the public land and its management. Local hire eligibility will be determined by the hiring official via the job interview and the resume submitted by the applicant. *Minimum age requirement is 16.

For more information, check out the link to USAjobs or see the attached flyer here. 

KLC Board Meeting open to the public on January 18

The Kaibab Learning Center (KLC) will be hosting a board meeting that will be open to community members at the Albright Training Center within Classroom #1 on Wednesday, January 18 from 6-7:30 p.m.

For more information, please see the attached flyer or contact KLC at klccanyonkids@gmail.com.

Native Taco sale announced for January 27

Support the Grand Canyon School 8th Grade Washington D.C. Field Trip by grabbing a native taco on Friday, January 27. Sales will begin at 11 a.m. until sold out with pre-order/delivery available.

For more information, see the attached flyer here.