Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: July 4-8, 2022

Masking requirement indoors remains in place

Grand Canyon NP has been directed by the Department of Interior (DOI) to use Center of Disease Controls (CDC) COVID Community Levels to put in place guidance and masking requirements to protect our community, park employees, and visitors. Last week the CDC COVID Community Levels were High for the first time since this metric was used. Consequently, we were required to implemented masking for all individuals over the age of two, regardless of vaccination status, in all park buildings and in public transportation per DOI policy. As of Thursday, July 7, Coconino County has transitioned into MediumCommunity Level.

Park leadership has decided that once the park enters High CDC COVID Community Level, it will not remove the masking restrictions until we have had two consecutive weeks of Medium CDC COVID Community Level. Once we have met the two-week criteria, the park’s leadership will meet and make the final decision on removing the masking requirement and report that to the park’s stakeholders.

Park leadership has made this decision out of an abundance of caution to protect our community, park employees, and visitors. We are concerned with cycling back and forth from week to week as the COVID pandemic develops and changes. Park leadership’s efforts are to strive for consistency in policy and process and ensuring our operations and staff are as safe and secure as possible.

Other considerations that went into this decision were the extremely contagious COVID Omicron variant and several months of double-digit cases being reported in the park, the known under reporting of COVID cases due to home testing and non-reporting, the large cluster outbreak of cases on the North Rim the last two weeks, and our low up to date vaccination numbers in the park according to the Coconino County Health & Human Services, which is less than 40%.

We continue to work to find a consistent approach in managing and communicating this ever-changing situation related to the pandemic.

Total cases in Arizona for the week of June 30 through July 5 was 20,198, which is a seven-day rolling average of 2,885 cases per day.

There were approximately 8 new cases reported in the park this past week. That brings the park total up to an estimated 311 cases, and 437 cases for the 86023zip code, since the beginning of the pandemic.

National Geographic Launches “America the Beautiful”–Grand Canyon mountain lions featured

On July 4, 2022, National Geographic launched a new docu-series called “America the Beautiful.” According to the series’ official synopsis, “America the Beautiful,” narrated by Michael B. Jordan, is the jaw-dropping story of North America’s picturesque lands and its amazing animals. We take a journey through the mountainous Northwest, the steamy South, the arid West and the endless Heartland to witness the animals of North America overcoming the elements and thriving.”

In Episode 4: Wild West, approved trail camera filming was conducted over the span of two years within Grand Canyon National Park and features mountain lions traveling on and below the rim of the canyon. The series can be viewed on the  Disney+ platform (subscription service required).

Many thanks to the Science and Resource Management Division, the Projects and Environmental Planning Division, and the Grand Canyon Filming Permits Program within the Public Affairs Office for helping assist National Geographic with this filming request.

South Kaibab Trail intermittent closures beginning July 8

Beginning July 8 through October 5, the Grand Canyon Trail Crew will be implementing periodic 10-15 minute closures on the South Kaibab Trail. The crew will focus on most of the closures between 1 p.m.-3:30 p.m. during the slowest times of visitor traffic.

The closure area will be approximately 200 yards above Ooh Aah Point continuing approximately ¼ mile below Ooh Aah Point. These temporary closures will help the crew safely move rocks and other construction material safely up and down the trail.

North Rim continues Stage 1 Water Conservation Measures

This week our Water Utilities Crew successfully began pumping water again to the North Rim. Until the North Rim holding tanks are at a sufficient level, water conservation measures will still be in effect.

Stage 1 water restrictions include: general conservation measures such as taking shorter showers, using low water cleaning techniques, reduction of toilet flushing, and only running full loads of laundry. The North Rim campground laundry and shower services are closed, and concession food service will now use disposable dishes and utensils.

We appreciate and thank Josiah Brown, Katie Brown, John Root, Bill Ryan, and the Bureau of Reclamation for their efforts to help restore water pumping to the North Rim.

Desert View launches 2022 summer programming

Desert View Sunset Talks

Free ranger programs with a beautiful sunset backdrop are now presented in the newly constructed Desert View Amphitheater. The talks are given daily and start one hour before sunset (at 6:45 pm this week), and end with enough time to take pictures and enjoy the view. All outdoor ranger programs are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather or when lightning danger is present. Children must be accompanied by an adult on all programs. For more information on the Sunset Talks and a full program schedule, visit the park’s website here.

Guided Tours of Tusayan Pueblo

This summer, Interpretive Rangers from Desert View will conduct guided tours of Tusayan Pueblo Archaeology Site on Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m. with tours lasting 30 minutes. The 800-year-old Ancestral Puebloan site is located 3 miles (5 km) west of Desert View, on State Route 64/Desert View Drive.

If you are not able to attend one of the ranger-led tours, there is a self-guiding trail around the pueblo. This summer, the site is open on weekends only (Friday, Saturday and Sunday – plus Monday of holiday weekends). More information on the Tusayan Pueblo guided tours can be found on the park’s website here.

Electrical Safety – External Audit Prep

1. Panels, cutoffs, circuit boxes, outlets, switches should be properly functioning and properly labeled (including each breaker inside). Outlets that are smoked or damaged should be replaced. All outlets and switches should have a serviceable cover in place.

2. Uninterruptable Power Sources (UPS) should be plugged in to a proper outlet (grounding pin should be intact) and have devices that prefer some extra time to be shut down properly (i.e., computers) plugged directly into the UPS. A UPS should NEVER be used with other surge protectors or connected to another UPS device

3. Surge protectors should not be “daisy chained” – only a single surge protector should be plugged directly into the wall and should only be used for low amp devices such as computers and monitors. Do NOT plug in high amp devices into a surge protector (i.e., microwaves, coffee pots, toaster ovens, air fryers, large printers, refrigerators, etc.)

4. Extension cords – should be in good condition and properly listed for the application (indoor vs outdoor, proper gauge selected, etc.) and should never be used as a permanent solution. Do not run extension cords through doors/windows/holes in the wall, or suspend on nails – and ensure you cover extension cords while they are in use to prevent tripping hazards.

5. Breaker boxes and main switches should not have items stored in front of them – these areas should be easily accessible at all times.

For more information, please contact christina_ryan-miller@nps.gov.

South Rim District Report Available

My oh my, it’s busy on the South Rim!

See more details by reading the latest South Rim District Report:

• South Rim District Report-for period ending 07-02-2022

Following a large interior construction and expansion project, the main Community Library building is now open to the public Monday-Friday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stay tuned for future updates on the new library schedule.

North Rim Butterfly Count being held on July 16

On Saturday, July 16, the North Rim staff and butterfly enthusiasts will lead a citizen butterfly count beginning at 9 a.m.

For NPS staff, free administrative camping is available at CC Hill. Please email grca_housing@nps.gov if you plan to camp.

More information on this event can be found in the attached flyer here.

Volunteers needed for training drill at Tusayan Airport July 27

The Grand Canyon Airport in Tusayan will be conducted a large-scale training drill on Wednesday, July 27. The airport is currently looking for volunteers to be patients for the drill. Lunch and community service hours will be available for all volunteers.

More information on this event can be found in this flyer.

Prepaid cell phone program now available through Coconino County

The Coconino County Health and Human Services Health Disparities Program is now offering free prepaid cellphones for residents of Coconino County who meet eligibility requirements.

More information on this program can be found in the attached flyer or by contacting Tracilynn Carl at 928-679-7258 or tcarl@coconino.az.gov.

South Rim

Xanterra

• Maswik Lodge Cafeteria, 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Bright Angel Coffee Shop, 7 a.m.-11 a.m.
• Bright Angel Fountain grab and go, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Burger, breakfast 8:00-10:30 a.m., lunch 11 a.m.- 3 p.m., dinner 4-9 p.m.
• The Arizona Steakhouse, Tuesday-Saturday from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Tavern, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Kennel-daily from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Rec Center, daily from 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
• El Tovar Dining Room and Lounge
• Breakfast, 6:30-10:00 a.m.
• Lunch, 11:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
• Dinner, 4:30-9:30 p.m.
• Lounge, 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
• Patio (limited menu), 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Delaware North

• Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 12-10 p.m.
• Yavapai Lodge Coffee Shop, 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Deli-7 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Camper Services: Laundry and shower hours, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
• The Yavapai Dining Hall, breakfast, 7 a.m.-10:45 a.m., dinner, 5 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Other

• Grand Canyon Clinic: 7 days a week, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Bright Angel Bikes
• Rental: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Cafe-8 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC): Daily from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., while community level is HIGH, operations will be held outside of the GCVC building
• Grand Canyon Conservancy stores: Visitor Center Plaza, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily, Yavapai Geology Museum, Verkamps, and Kolb Studio 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.,
• Kennel Operations: Overnight boarding is only available from Friday through Sunday nights. Pick-ups and day boarding are available on Mondays. Contact Xanterra Switchboard or Xanterra Fire and Security for afterhours pick-ups.
• Grand Canyon Community Library: Monday-Friday from 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Desert View

• Desert View Trading Post Coffee and Ice Cream and Market, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
• Desert View Watchtower, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
• The Desert View Deli, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Desert View Information Table (staffed by NPS), 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (as staffing levels allow).

North Rim

• North Rim Lodge Dining Room, Breakfast: 6:30-10 a.m., Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Dinner: 4:30-9:45 p.m.
• Deli in the Pines, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Roughrider Saloon, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
• Coffee Saloon, 5:30-10:30 a.m.
• North Rim General Store: 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
• North Rim Service Station, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• GCC Bookstore/Visitor Center, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Roaring Springs Kiosk information, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

The following closures are in place:

• Maswik South Lodging
• Maswik Pizza Pub
• Xanterra Food Truck

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

• Sunset on the South Rim, July 5, 2022 (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
• A mountain lion on the rim and in a shallow overhang (Photos courtesy of Wildstar Productions)
• The North Rim water holding tanks (NPS Photo/E. Shalla)
• Interpretive Supervisor, Brian Gatlin, gives an evening program at Desert View (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
• Grand Canyon Community library (NPS Photo/J. Baird)