What’s going on with the Transcanyon Waterline Project?

Since initial construction activities began on the South Rim nearly a year ago, the focus was on developing the construction sites and various South Rim facilities. Currently, the two new raw water tanks, laydown and staging areas, Staging Road, and contractor support facilities are nearly completed. Construction for the South Rim water treatment plant and Helibase infrastructure are well underway. New helicopter landing pads are completed and much of the concrete foundations and conduit lines are installed for the facilities at both of those construction areas.

Construction crews reached a milestone January 23, by inserting, or sliplining, approximately 500 feet of Flex-Steel pipe into the Bright Angel pipeline section. Crews completed preparatory activities leading up to the slipline work, which included surveying the waterline and installing additional anchors. The anchors secure the pipe against steep canyon walls, enforcing it to hold the added weight for the Flex-Steel pipe. Workers also installed pull lines made of heavy-duty rope through the existing pipe from the Rim to Havasupai Gardens (photo pictured above).

With the lines, crews pulled a 12-foot test piece of Flex-Steel pipe through the existing pipe to validate the condition of it and identify and repair obstructions and deformations. Other preparatory activities included developing an accessible detour path from the Rim Trail around the Bright Angel Lodge.

Over the next couple of months while sections of the Bright Angel and Tonto Trails remain closed, the crews will be focused on completing the slipline work, upgrading the distribution lines at the Mile-and-a-Half and Three-Mile Resthouses, replacing the distribution lines at Havasupai Gardens, and installing a temporary bypass waterline. With that work finished, park staff will be coordinating to reopen the sections of the Bright Angel and Tonto Trails by April 15.

Next week, the Cultural Demonstration Program presents Florence Riggs – Diné (Navajo) Weaver, Tuesday through Thursday, February 6 through February 8, 2024, from 10 am to 4 pm. at Grand Canyon Visitor Center.

Florence is a Navajo weaver who is known for her pictorial weavings. She was born into a family of weavers. Her mother, Louise Nez, taught her to weave when she was a teenager and she is now recognized as a leader in the contemporary pictorial weaving movement. She weaves about 10 hours a day and her pieces are on the loom for one to three months, depending on their size. She uses traditional techniques, however, her ideas come from books, magazines, and her own experience of contemporary Diné life.

Meet and watch Florence at work in the Visitor Center next week. A flyer for the program can be found here.

South Rim District Report Available

See what South Rim Patrol has been up to lately by reading the latest South Rim District Report below!

• South Rim District Report ending 1-27-2024

Employee Spotlight!

Daniel McCrady

Maintenance Mechanic, North Rim

I was a mechanic in the Navy and thought that was what I would do when I was discharged, but I was offered a chance to work in a computer/electronics repair shop and my career path took an unexpected turn. I ended up working in pretty much every facet of IT for the next 25 years as a tech, a programmer, and a technology manager. After some personal issues, my wife and I decided that I would semi-retire. We bought an RV and spent seven years volunteering for public lands agencies, with a couple of seasons as a state park ranger in Idaho, and a seasonal worker at Fort Davis NM in Texas.

About a year ago we started talking about going back to full time employment with either NPS or USFWS. I was extremely fortunate that a position came open at the North Rim that was perfect in every way. Last October we moved into our new house and are very happy to be there.

What does a typical day look like for you in your role?

We have a very small crew on the North Rim so a typical day could involve installing new flooring interrupted by a plumbing emergency, followed by jumping in a skid steer to clear snow. It’s that variety that keeps the job fresh and exciting. I grew up in the desert, so learning how to deal with snow has been a lot of fun. I’ve spent a lot of time pushing dirt around with heavy equipment, but snow is a different animal entirely.

Can you share a talent or skill that surprises people when they find out?

People seem to be surprised that I would give up being in management in the high tech world to become a mechanic. The truth is that I have more job satisfaction now than I did before.

South Rim Visitor Use Study Community Presentation at Shrine of the Ages

Monday, February 5 from 10-11 a.m., Shrine of the Ages Auditorium (South Rim)

Residents and community members are invited to attend a South Rim Visitor Use Study presentation given by Derrick Taff, associate professor of Recreation, Park and Tourism Management with Penn State University, and Will Rice assistant professor of Outdoor Recreation and Wildland Management with the University of Montana.

The presentation is focused on the results associated with the South Rim Visitor Use Study conducted by students from both universities. The study was a three-year effort that used social science tools and techniques to better understand visitor flows and patterns as well as desired visitor experiences, motivations, and outcomes on the South Rim from Hermits Rest to Desert View. There will be plenty of time for questions.

February Calendar now available for Grand Canyon Rec Center

See all the fun events the Grand Canyon Recreation Center has planned for the month of February! Craft nights, yoga, book clubs, a Super Bowl social, and trips galore!

Find out more information in the attached flyer here.

Save the Date! Children’s Health and Book Fair, February 20

North Country Healthcare is hosting its annual Children’s Health and Book Fair on Tuesday, February 20 from 4-6 p.m. in the Grand Canyon School Multi-Purpose Room.

The Scholastic Book Fair will be open until 7 p.m. and FREE dinner from the school’s Culinary Program will be served until 7 p.m.

More information can be found in the attached flyer here.

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-closed through March 3, 2024
• 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., On Wednesday, February 14, BA Bikes and Café will be closing at 12 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, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. daily, stair and tower access 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• The Desert View Deli, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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

• Workers installed pull lines made of heavy-duty rope through the existing pipe from the Rim to Havasupai Gardens (NPS Photo/L. Daniels).
• Florence Riggs and examples of her weaving crafts (NPS Photos)
• Daniel McCrady, North Rim Maintenance Mechanic (photo courtesy of D. McCrady)
• Rainbow from the Historic Village on January 25 (NPS Photo/C. Kraus)