Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: March 18-22, 2024

Bright Angel Trail Update

The Bright Angel Trail is anticipated to reopen Monday, April 15 following a 4 ½ month closure.

Contract work is currently on schedule and no delays are anticipated at this time. As a reminder, the trail closure remains in effect for the Plateau Point Trail through March 14, 2025.

More information on the Transcanyon Waterline project can be found on the park website here.

TONIGHT! Grand Canyon Conservancy – Zoom Webinar: Canyon Conversations: Inclusive Interpretation through Tribal Collaboration

Join GCC and park staff Thursday, March 21 from 5 to 6 pm for a zoom presentation to learn about the new signage plan for Havasupai Gardens.

The recently renamed Havasupai Gardens is one of the most culturally significant places in Grand Canyon and an important rest area along the Bright Angel Trail. This cultural site honors the Havasupai people, the original inhabitants of this land, who are valued park partners and longstanding guardians of Grand Canyon.

This virtual event will feature Havasupai tribal members Carletta Tilousi and James Uqualla, as well as Carmen Kraus, Visual Information Specialist, and Elyssa Shalla, Park Ranger at Grand Canyon National Park.

Carletta and James will speak about the importance of working with the park to reintroduce Havasupai language and culture to the canyon. Carmen and Elyssa will be sharing a new signage plan that spans Grand Canyon’s corridor trails.

Registration for the event can be made on GCC’s website here.

Next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, March 26, 27 and 28, at Desert View Watchtower, master silversmiths Duane Tawahongva and Amos Hasken, will demonstrate how they handcraft earrings, pendants and bracelets, from start to finish.

Duane Tawahongva, from Mishongnovi Village, is a self-taught silversmith, working in traditional Hopi silver overlay. His striking designs reflect the rich Hopi Culture and are inspired by the petroglyphs found throughout the region. His designs include rain clouds, water waves, prayer feathers and clan symbols. His sincere hope is that his jewelry brings blessings and serenity to all who wear it.

Amos Hasken was raised in a remote part of the Navajo Reservation at a time when traditions were still strong and people still did things in the old way. At a young age Amos became fascinated with traditional cultural items, including rugs, jewelry, baskets and rattles. His jewelry reflects those traditions through the way he selects and arranges precious stones in handmade sterling silver settings.

Cultural Demonstrations will take place at Desert View Watchtower through November 2024. A schedule for the next two weeks can be found in the attached flyer here or on the park website.

Employee Spotlight!

Kurt Shollenberger

Fish Biologist

Hello! My name is Kurt Shollenberger and I am a fish biologist for Grand Canyon National Park. I am originally from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and received my undergraduate degree in environmental science from Elizabethtown College. I discovered my passion for field biology during a study abroad semester in Tanzania studying wildlife management. After undergrad, I worked for various state and federal agencies as a seasonal technician in Colorado, Wyoming, Arizona, and Pennsylvania.

I went back to school in 2017 to pursue my Master’s degree at Auburn University. My thesis was to better determine the distribution of the threatened Snail Darter in the Tennessee River using environmental DNA. I graduated in 2019 and was ready to move back out west! I began working for Marsh & Associates, a private environmental consulting company in Tempe, AZ. I was able to work on many amazing projects helping to protect threatened and endangered fish species in Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and California.

I started my current position with Grand Canyon in June 2023 and had the greatest orientation I could have asked for! On my very first day, we launched on a 14-day river trip to monitor Humpback Chub and survey for non-native species. I am currently the lead biologist working on our Rapid Response efforts related to the recent invasion of Smallmouth Bass.

I live in Flagstaff with my wife Lauren and our two dogs, Mac and Dusty. When I am not on the river, some hobbies include biking (mountain and road!), camping, playing the drums, and ice hockey. Or if I need a break from physical activity, I enjoy watching movies and playing video games.

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

I previously worked for Grand Canyon fisheries as a technician for two seasons in 2015/16 & 2016/17. I was very excited to come back as a full-time biologist last June! Fisheries is based out of Flagstaff and most of my field work takes place near Lees Ferry.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

The thing I enjoy most about this job is getting to work in some of the most amazing, remote places with equally amazing people who care about protecting this resource.

Have you ever had a funny or unexpected encounter with wildlife while out in the field?

A recent encounter that comes to mind is from a river trip in September last year. We were pulling a seine net through backwaters along the mainstem Colorado River and we inadvertently disturbed a beaver. The beaver splashed into the water and we lost sight of it and chaos ensued as we all rushed to get out of the water. We collected ourselves and eventually finished surveying the site. As we got on the boats to leave, the beaver reappeared, now swimming in the river. It followed us for a bit and slapped its tail at us a few times before it returned back home.

Save the Date—Breast & Cervical Cancer Screening Event

On Monday, April 29 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., North Country Healthcare will sponsor a breast and cervical cancer screening event. All major insurances accepted, no referral needed for annual mammogram screening.

More information can be found in the attached flyer here (English) and the attached flyer here (Spanish).

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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 (at Bright Angel Lodge), Lunch 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Dinner 4:30-9 p.m., reservations are not required at this time.
• 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., beginning March 11, Coffee Shop/Cafe will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Yavapai Dining Hall: TEMPORARILY CLOSED
• Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Deli 7 a.m.-8 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: 8 a.m.-5 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, Kolb Studio, Verkamps and Yavapai Geology Museum 8 a.m.-7 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., Saturday 2-4 p.m.
• Canyon Closet: Every Wednesday from 12-2 p.m., first and third Saturday of each month from 12-3 p.m.
• Canyon Community Yoga & Wellness (at the Rec Center)- Yoga: Mondays & Wednesdays 6:30 p.m., Fitness Classes: Strength Training Sundays 9 a.m., Core Strength Thursdays 6:30 p.m. View full schedule here: https://www.canyoncommunityyoga.com/schedule

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
• 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.

• Photo from Bright Angel Point on the North Rim, March 17 (NPS Photo/M. Escarcega)
• Hikers descend the Bright Angel Trail (NPS Photo)
• Havasupai Gardens (NPS Photo)
• Pieces of jewelry from Duane Tawahongva (left) and Amos Hasken (right) (NPS Photo)
• Kurt Shollenberger, Fish Biologist (Photo courtesy of K. Shollenberger)