Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up: May 13-17, 2024

Inner Canyon Water Status

The North Rim has reopened for the season and inner canyon temperatures are beginning to climb! Our water utilities staff are working diligently to turn on all remaining inner canyon water sources over the next week.

Projected “ON” dates for remaining inner canyon water sources:

• North Kaibab Trail: Supai Tunnel – Tuesday, May 21
• North Kaibab Trail: Cottonwood Campground and day use area – Tuesday, May 21
• Bright Angel Trail: 1.5-Mile – Saturday, May 25 (pending Arizona Department of Environmental Quality approval by this date)
• Bright Angel Trail: 3-Mile – Saturday, May 25 (pending Arizona Department of Environmental Quality approval by this date)

The latest water availability information for the inner canyon is always available on the park’s Key Messages webpage.

Honoring National Police Week

During National Police Week, we honor those who help keep us safe in Grand Canyon National Park and throughout the National Park Service.

National Park Service law enforcement rangers, special agents, and United States Park Police stationed around the country work every day to fulfill the national park mission by protecting natural and cultural resources and keeping people safe when they visit, including providing emergency response, structural and wildland firefighting, emergency medical services, and search and rescue.

This week, we also honor the memory of those officers who gave their lives in the line of duty. Make no mistake, the work of protecting this community is dangerous. There have been 41 law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the people and natural resources in national parks. Fred Johnson (1929), Glen Sturdevant (1929), James D. Vaughn (1958), and Ward W. Hall (1979) made the ultimate sacrifice here at GRCA. Let us never forget their sacrifice.

As summer approaches, bringing with it the promise of sunny skies and increased visitation, Grand Canyon National Park is grateful for the helping hands that contribute to making this natural wonder a welcoming place for all.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to the 48 student volunteers from Central Michigan University who dedicated their time and effort last week to pick up litter around the Visitor Center Plaza and parking lots. In just three days, they contributed 570 volunteer hours, which translates to a monetary value of $18,126.00.

We extend our deepest appreciation to the volunteers from Central Michigan University for their hard work and unwavering dedication to litter and micro-trash removal!

First Amendment activities at Grand Canyon National Park

At Grand Canyon National Park, as in every National Park unit, we respect and provide the opportunity for the expression of First Amendment rights. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects freedom of speech, religion, and peaceful assembly. It also protects freedom of the press, and the right to petition. The NPS provides specific designated areas in parks where individuals and groups can express their free-speech rights.

Attached are frequently asked questions (FAQs), maps of approved demonstration locations, and a policy document that explains First Amendment activities. Free speech issues can be legally complex and are sometimes highly emotional. Included in the FAQs is guidance about the regulations for government employees if they wish to participate in First Amendment activities, as well as general information about what free speech is and how we can and should react to it.

To learn more about First Amendment activities on public lands and in Grand Canyon National Park, please reach out to Grace Lilly at grca_permits_mail@nps.gov or 928-405-2656.

Learn more about Zuni culture and art next week Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, May 21-23, at the Desert View Watchtower from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. for a chance to meet Lyndon Ahiyite (Zuni Silversmith), Freddie Leekya (Zuni Fetish Carver) and Aprilene Unkestine (Zuni Silversmith).

Lyndon Ahiyite (pictured left) has been creating jewelry for more than 20 years. He is known for his inlaid butterfly and dragonfly silver pendants that feature hand cut tiles of turquoise, spiny oyster, mother of pearl, and jet. Freddie Leekya (pictured center) was born and raised in the Pueblo of Zuniy. Freddie started carving alongside his father and has been carving for more than 20 years. Most of his fetishes are carved out of the travertine found on Zuni lands. Aprilene Unkestine (jewelry pictured right) is from the Pueblo of Zuni and raised by her grandparents. She has been working on jewelry since she was fifteen. Aprilene needed to support herself and started working on Sunface inlay that her aunt taught her.

For more information on the Cultural Demonstration Program at Desert View, see the park’s website here.

Upcoming Park Programming!

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

South Rim: Village

• Rim Walk (45min): 10:30 a.m. daily until May 23rd, meet at Verkamp’s Visitor Center.
• Geology Talk (30min): 3:00 p.m. daily, meet at Yavapai Geology Museum.
• Exploring the Endangered (45min): 4:30 p.m. daily, meet at Village Amphitheater.
• Astronomy Nights: Constellation Talk start at 8:45 p.m. & Telescope viewing anytime between 8:30-10 p.m., Friday May 17th, Saturday May 18, and Sunday May 19 meet at the Grand Canyon Visitor Center.

South Rim: Desert View

• Grand Canyon Speaks (45min): 6:15 p.m., meet at the Desert View Amphitheater.
• Tuesday, 5/21: with April Unkestine (Zuni Silversmith)
• Cultural Demonstrations: Tuesday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Desert View Watchtower.
• April Unkestine (Zuni Silversmith) & Freddy Leekya (Zuni Fetish Carver)

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.
• Evening Program (45min): 7:30 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, meet at Grand Canyon Lodge Auditorium.

Special Events

• Grand Canyon Star Party 2024, June 1-8: Grand Canyon’s Star Party takes place both on the south rim and the north rim. Check out the list of festivities and times for event details on the park’s website.
• Juneteenth, Wednesday June 19 (Fee Free Day): Join the park in commemorating the end of slavery. Event details to be announced soon.

Employee Spotlight!

Courtney Davis, Recreation Fee Technician

Hi, I’m Courtney, and I’m a Recreation Fee Technician at Mather Campground. My journey into the park service has been anything but conventional. Unlike most of my colleagues, I’m not college educated, nor did I grow up spending time in nature. Honestly, my experience with parks growing up was limited to urban city parks that were often plagued by drugs, violence, and the homeless. National parks were a world away from my reality. So, how is it that I came to work for the National Park Service? Here’s my story.

It’s often said that hitting rock bottom can be the catalyst for profound change. About ten years ago, I hit my rock bottom. I was 25 years old; I was at my highest weight of 500lbs, and I had never held a job in my life due to severe depression and social anxiety. I was a mess. But after years of letting my life pass me by, I was determined to turn my life around. Ultimately, I made the decision to embark on a journey of transformation beginning with my health. I cut out processed foods, incorporated fresh foods into my diet, and I began embracing new experiences like hiking, camping, biking, and more. Through diet and exercise, I lost nearly 300 pounds.

I began camping at this one state park so often that one of the employees encouraged me to apply for a job there. So, I did and at 29 I landed my first job working seasonally for Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada, marking a major turning point in my life. Two seasons later, I applied for the National Forest Service and I found myself in Wyoming, a world away from my previous reality. In 2021, I secured my first permanent position at Grand Canyon National Park, and I’m convinced that this place will be my forever home!

I love my job. I love being able to work where people come to vacation. My favorite part of the job is the enthusiasm in visitors’ faces when I help them plan their Grand Canyon experience. Whether it’s recommending the best spots to watch sunset or sunrise, recommending cool hikes or spots to stargaze, or swearing in prospective junior rangers, I thrive on creating memorable experiences for park visitors. Reflecting on my most interesting/unusual job experience, I fondly remember my time at Medicine Wheel National Monument in Wyoming. It was an active Native American ceremonial site where I had the honor of participating in at least 3 memorable ceremonies with Native American elders. It was a deeply rewarding experience that opened my eyes to the richness of indigenous culture.

Outside of my work, I’m passionate about mental health advocacy. Mental illness is often overlooked and stigmatized, especially in minority communities. We’re often told to toughen up and not talk about it. I want to undo a lot of that stigma. That’s why I’m committed to letting others know that they’re heard, understood, and that there are people out there who care. Furthermore, I’m an advocate for living a healthier lifestyle in general, not just in body, but in mind and spirit. I’m passionate about feeding my body good foods, my mind good thoughts, and my spirit with things that bring me joy. My other hobbies reflect my love for nature, wildlife, and beauty. From gardening to aqua scaping, to interior design to fashion, I find beauty and joy in every aspect of my life.

In the future I’d like to get more involved with urban outreach within the park. When working out at the south entrance, I’d occasionally see visitors of color who looked like me. For most of them, it was the first time they’d ever seen a black park ranger before. I’d like to change that. Our national parks are for everyone! In conclusion, nature has absolutely transformed and healed me from the inside out, and my overall passion in life is to inspire others to keep seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how dark things may seem. Dream big! Be kind! And never give up!

Community Invited to Public Works Open House-May 22

To celebrate National Public Works Week, on Wednesday, May 22 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. the Facilities and Maintenance Division (FMD) will be hosting a community open house at the FMD Complex located at 1575 Shuttlebus Road.

FMD will have lots of equipment displays and it is a great opportunity to meet your public works responders who do everything from snow plowing to trash removal.

For more information, see the attached flyer here.

Xanterra suspends personal deliveries to the Albright Ave. Warehouse for non-Xanterra employees

A surge in personal package deliveries to the warehouse on 10 Albright Ave. has caused an operational strain for Xanterra and they are unable to continue accepting deliveries for people outside of their organization (including NPS staff).

This service is not a contract requirement and the NPS is thankful to Xanterra for providing this service in the past. As a reminder, please include your PO Box number in your physical address when ordering packages.

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 Cafe/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.
• Fred Harvey Food Truck (parked at shuttle bus bay at visitor center)
• 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., 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): Open daily from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Grand Canyon Conservancy stores: Visitor Center Plaza, Verkamps and Yavapai Geology Museum 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. Kolb Studio is closed until further notice due to low staffing.
• 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), 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, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Ice Cream and Coffee Shop closed until further notice.
• Desert View Watchtower, 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. daily
• 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.

• Interpretation Ranger, Dave Kent, gives a Ranger Program near Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim, May 15, 2024 (Photo: Lauren Cisneros, GCC)
• Central Michigan University volunteers (NPS Photo)
• Lyndon Ahiyite, Freddie Leekya, and handicraft by Aprilene Unkestine (NPS Photos).
• Courtney Davis, Recreation Fee Technician (NPS Photo)
• Grand Canyon Lodge in full swing on May 15, 2024 (Photo: Lauren Cisneros, GCC)