Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: June 10-14, 2024

Last Call! Firewise Cleanup ends this Friday

We need your help in preventing wildfire severity! Now through this Friday, June 14, the Firewise Cleanup is being held throughout the South Rim residential areas.

Here’s how you can make a difference:

• Clear dead woody debris from around your residence, up to 30 ft.
• Rake pine needles and leaves (please minimize collection of dirt and rocks-this will inhibit effective pile burning in the future)
• Move firewood away from contact with structures (more than 10 ft. is recommended)
• Please do not collect industrial lumber; this material will be left.

Please pile all debris in an area accessible to vehicles and email Nathan_Martone@nps.gov with your address. The last day for pickup will be Friday, June 14. A PDF printable flyer can be found here.

In a special ceremony on the last night of the 2024 Grand Canyon Star Party, DarkSky International presented park managers with a certificate acknowledging that the park had made more than 90% of its exterior lights dark-sky friendly. It has taken the park 10 years to reach this goal.

This is a huge milestone as the number of exterior lighting fixtures (5,094) is unprecedented in scale for a national park. Special acknowledgement was given to: Vicky Stinson (now retired) the project manager, who oversaw compliance, contractors, and light fixture purchases for many years, Santiago Garcia, who developed custom software to map every light and to create an inventory that allowed the team to track progress and identify areas for improvement, and to Grand Canyon Conservancy for hiring the specialist to inventory the lights in 2014, and for funding the retrofitting work.

Pictured above (left to right): AJ Lapre, Acting Chief of Interpretation and Resource Education, Linda Cook, GCC Philanthropy Officer, Katie Morris, Acting Deputy Superintendent, Michael Rymer, Dark Sky International, Rader Lane, Grand Canyon Dark Skies Program Manager, Vicky Stinson, former project manager, and Jan Balsom, Office of the Superintendent.

Welcome Home: Navajo and Hopi Students Camp at the Grand Canyon

The Arizona Trail Association’s Seeds of Stewardship (SOS) program partners with STAR School (Service to All Relations) to provide transformative outdoor experiences for 4th to 8th grade Native American students from Flagstaff and the Navajo Nation. Through five field trips annually, SOS emphasizes culturally relevant outdoor activities, land connection, and meaningful stewardship projects. As a culmination, 4th and 5th graders recently enjoyed three days of camping, stewardship, and cultural immersion at Grand Canyon National Park and Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni.

Staff from the Grand Canyon Education Branch and the Tribal Program helped welcome students and facilitated immersive workshops and opportunities for the youth.

Ten Year Anniversary Celebration for Cultural Demonstration Program—July 6

Grand Canyon National Park and Grand Canyon Conservancy will be celebrating 10 years of the park’s Cultural Demonstration Program at the Desert View Watchtower on Saturday, July 6.

The Cultural Demonstration Program begin in 2014 with 4 demonstrators from the canyon’s 11 Associated Tribes. Now the program has over 200 participants and has worked with multiple organizations. To celebrate, the park will host 20 demonstrators from 9 of the 11 Associated tribes.

A special presentation and performance by Ed Kabotie at Mckee amphitheater the evening of July 5th, morning and evening prayers, dances, speeches, and a special Grand Canyon Speaks program are all part of the Desert View event’s itinerary. Come to Desert View at Grand Canyon National Park on July 6th to help us celebrate 10 Years of the Cultural Demonstration Program! More information can be found on the park webpage here or in the attached flyer.

Upcoming Park Programming

Check the park’s website for more details on park programs and special events.

South Rim: Village

• Fossil Discovery Walk (30min): 9 a.m. daily, meet at Bright Angel Trailhead.
• Geology Talk (30min): 3 p.m. daily, meet at Yavapai Geology Museum.
• Exploring the Endangered (60 min): 4:30 p.m. daily, meet at Village Amphitheater.
• Evening Program (60 min): 8 p.m. Friday, 6/14 thru Sunday, 6/16, meet at McKee Amphitheater.
• Astronomy Night—Telescope Viewing with Constellation Talk: 9-11 p.m. Friday, 6/14 thru Sunday, 6/16​, meet at Grand Canyon Visitor Center Theater.

South Rim: Desert View

• Grand Canyon Speaks (45min): 6:45 p.m., meet at the Desert View Amphitheater.
• Thursday, June 13: with Marian Manyturquoise (Diné), GCC employee at Desert View Watchtower and resident of Cameron, AZ.
• Tuesday, June 18: with Caroline Wilson (Diné), GCC employee at Desert View Watchtower and resident of Cameron, AZ.
• Thursday, June 20: with Anthony Gchachu (Zuni), painter
• Cultural Demonstrations: Thursday-Saturday and starting June 10, Mondays and Tuesdays, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., located at the Desert View Watchtower.
• 6/13-6/15: Eileen Yatsattie (Zuni Potter), Nilford Tsatte (Zuni Potter) and Beverly Blacksheep (Diné Painter)
• 6/17-6/18: Michael Billie (Diné Mixed Media Artist)
• 6/20-6/22: Gloria Chee (Diné Beader and Carver), Leo Chee (Diné Silversmith), and Anthony Gchachu (Zuni Painter)
• Sunset Talk (45 min): at 6:45 p.m. on Monday, 6/17 and Wednesday, 6/19, meet at the Desert View Amphitheater.

North Rim

• Nature Walk (90min): 8:30 a.m. Friday and Sunday, meet at Roaring Springs Overlook Kiosk.
• Behind the Scenery (30min): 11:30 a.m. daily, meet at Bright Angel Point Amphitheater.
• Colorado River Connections (30min): 2:30 p.m. daily, meet at Cape Royal Trailhead.
• Beneath the Canopy (30min): Begins June 9th, 3:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m., daily, meet at the Campground Amphitheater. Family geared program.
• Evening Program (45min): 7:30 p.m., every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, meet at Grand Canyon Lodge Auditorium.
• North Rim: Juneteenth themed ranger programs and pop-ups will take place throughout the day on 6/19.

Celebrate Juneteenth at Grand Canyon!

On Wednesday, June 19, join park staff in commemorating the end of slavery. Events include formalized programming and informal pop-ups across districts.

On the South Rim, a special exhibit will be set up in the “Science on the Sphere” room at the Visitor Center. This will include exhibit posters, a short film, and a ranger led pop-up to share what Juneteenth is and to elevate stories and connections that Black communities have with public lands. At 4:30 p.m., a special program about Juneteenth, Black American history at the Grand Canyon, and reflections on accessibility and representation will be held at the Mather Amphitheater. An evening program focused on Juneteenth will be presented at the Desert View Amphitheater beginning at 6:45 p.m.

A flyer for all of these events can be found here.

South Rim District Report Available

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

• South Rim District Report ending 5-19-2024

Employee Spotlight!

Chad Larrieu, Utility Systems Repairer-Operator

After growing up in Oxnard, California, I eventually earned my B.S., Environmental Engineering at San Diego State. One of my professors senior year mentioned Operator certification if anyone wanted to work in the field and didn’t mind some manual labor. I signed up for some operator certification exams with the CA State WRCB before graduation, but still spent a year with certificates in hand before getting my foot in the door. Yosemite called me for the Summer 2017 season with Backcountry Utilities, which I mostly spent hiking with some stirring the compost and drinking water ops along the way. Then most recently I was operating multiple potable water and wastewater treatment plants in Lodgepole, Sequoia National Park (SEKI) for a few years. I met my girlfriend Kelly there, and we ultimately both heard back from job applications at GRCA within a few weeks of each other, so we went for it. Here at GRCA, I’ve operated some of the potable and wastewater utilities on the South Rim, but really love the remote work sites and being immersed in nature.

How long have you worked at GRCA? Where are you based out of?

I’ve been at GRCA three years this fall; current duty station is the Phantom Ranch Wastewater Treatment Plant.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

At the end of the day, our work in Utilities provides a necessity, be it clean drinking water on tap, or sewage that flushes away without polluting. Water is life, right? I think it’s fascinating that the wastewater treatment process harnesses biology with pumps and blowers to culture millions of microbes that eat sewage and treat water. It’s even more rewarding for me because the wastewater treatment plant at Phantom Ranch is here to help preserve and protect the Canyon we all love.

Can you share a memorable or rewarding experience you’ve had while working here?

A pipeline break had recently been repaired, and I was walking the campground, flushing water spigots, and telling everyone that the water is back on… a visitor said something about “making it rain”, and I laughed way too hard. That is the best part of the job though, after a long week or more of work from the Operators, and an anxious day gradually charging pipeline pressure, we get to announce to the public that our team’s mission was successful.

What’s the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had (besides your current one)?

Commercial fishing for sockeye salmon in Bristol Bay, Alaska. I worked nine summers during June and July to pay for college. Boats are allowed a 32-ft length maximum, and ours could pack 16,000 lbs. of chilled salmon in the holds before we had to get the deck-brailers out. It was quite the experience, and really demonstrated to me the gap between the design and practice.

Music Under the Stars Slated for this Friday, June 14

Join Grand Canyon community members for the annual Music Under the Stars concert. This free concert featuring local Grand Canyon musicians and will be held at the Rec Center starting at 6 p.m. Local food will also be available for purchase.

More information, including a flyer on the event can be found here.

Blood Drive in Tusayan June 19

The Tusayan Fire Department will be hosting a community blood drive on Wednesday, June 19 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Appointments are suggested, and to schedule, individuals can visit www.donors.vitalant.org.

Vitalant is the sole supplier to 96% of AZ Hospitals including the Flagstaff Medical Center. More information and a flyer on the Grand Canyon event can be found here. More information and a flyer on the Tusayan event can be found here.

Updated Services of Worship for Grand Canyon

Please reference this updated flyer for 2024 Services of Worship on the South Rim.

Please note, the NPS does not encourage, discourage, or endorse any religious group or message.

South Rim

Xanterra

• Maswik Cafeteria, 6 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Maswik Pizza Pub, 4-10 p.m.
• Bright Angel Fountain, 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Harvey House Café/Fred Harvey Burger Restaurant, Breakfast 6:30-10:30 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Dinner 4-9 p.m.
• Fred Harvey Tavern, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
• Arizona Steakhouse, Lunch 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Dinner 4:30-9 p.m.
• El Tovar Dining Room and Lounge – Breakfast 6:30-10 a.m., Lunch 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Dinner 4:30-9:30 p.m., Lounge, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (Food until 9 p.m.), Patio closed until further notice.
• 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 7-10:30 a.m., Dinner 5-8 p.m., Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 12-9 p.m., Coffee Shop: 6:30 a.m. -5 p.m.
• Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Beginning Monday, June 17 hours for the market will transition from 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Deli 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Beginning Monday, June 17: Yavapai Gift Shop: 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
• Camper Services laundry and shower: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.
• The Camper Store in Mather Campground’s – Camper Services Building Has Opened for the Season, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Labor Day.
• Trailer Village Kiosk: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

Other

• Grand Canyon Clinic: Open 7 days a week, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Bright Angel Bikes, Rental: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Café 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC): Open daily from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Conservancy stores: Verkamps and Yavapai Geology Museum-8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily, Visitor Center Plaza-8 a.m.-8 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 5:30-7:30 p.m., Saturday 2-4 p.m.
• Canyon Community Yoga & Wellness (at the Rec Center), May and June schedule: Fitness Classes (under the ramada): Sunday 9 a.m., Tuesday & Thursday 6 p.m. Yoga (in the SPR): Monday & Wednesday 6:30 p.m. Use discount GCLOCALS at checkout.

Desert View

• Desert View Trading Post and ice cream and coffee shop, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Desert View Watchtower, 8 a.m.- 7 p.m. daily. Stairs and tower access available until 6 p.m.
• The Desert View Deli, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The Desert View convenience store, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

North Rim

• North Rim Visitor Center (GCC), 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
• NPS Backcountry Information Center, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-5 p.m. daily
• Camper Store by campground (Aramark), 7 a.m.-9 p.m. daily
• Guest Laundry and Showers, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. staffed, unstaffed from 7-10 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Lodge Gift Shop (Aramark), 8 a.m.-9 p.m. daily

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

• In April 2024, Freshwaters Illustrated filmed and photographed native fish in Havasu Creek under a Special Use Permit from the Superintendent’s Office and in coordination with the park’s Science and Resource Management Division. This photo features native Flannelmouth Sucker and Humpback Chub that are abundant in Havasu Creek. (Photo credit: David Herasimtschuk/Freshwaters Illustrated.)
• Raven at the rim (NPS Photo)
• Dark Sky International award recipients (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
• An SOS student showing off their artwork (Photo courtesy SOS)
• Chad Larrieu, Utility Systems Repairer-Operator (Photo courtesy of C. Larrieu)