Key Messages-Week of Nov. 14, 2022

COVID Updates

Arizona and Local Statistics

As of November 10, the CDC Community Level for Coconino County continues to be Low. In Arizona, 12 counties are in Low Community Level, 1 county in Medium, and 2 counties are in High.

Total COVID cases in Arizona for the week of November 3 – 9 was 7,360, which is an increase of 2,231 cases from the previous week. For the seven-day rolling average, the state is averaging 1,051 cases per day. There were 2new COVID-19 cases reported in the park this week.

As a reminder, be sure to promptly report any illness, to include possible COVID-19 symptoms, COVID exposure, or a positive COVID test to your supervisor and our Public Health Consultant, Ronan King. Ronan can be reached at: 202-891-8599 or Ronan_King@nps.gov.

Messages and Grand Canyon News

Native American Heritage Month Celebration

Park visitors and residents are invited to attend a special celebration in honor of Native American Heritage Month. The event takes place in Shrine of the Ages Auditorium, beginning at 6:30 pm, and promises to be an evening filled with cultural dancing and perspectives.

Four dance groups will perform:

The Dineh’ Tah Navajo Dance Troupe,
The Hopi Sinom Traditional Singers & Corn Dancers,
The Guardians of Grand Canyon – Havasupai Ram Dancers,
and the Dishchii’bikoh – Apache Crown Dancers.

Grand Canyon’s Indigenous employees and community members have presented this annual event for more than 20 years. It is free, open to the public, and is sponsored by Grand Canyon National Park and Grand Canyon Conservancy, as well as local businesses, organizations, and individuals.

Cultural Demonstrators next week at Desert View

Join Cultural Demonstrators, Alberta Selina(Hopi Basket Weaver) and Weaver Selina(Hopi Silversmith) next week at Desert View from November 23-25.

Alberta is a member of the Bear Clan from the village of Shungopavi, Arizona. She creates coil baskets and plaques made from yucca and incorporates natural dyes into her design. Weaver is a member of the Sunforehead Clan from the village of Shungopavi, Arizona. He has more than 40 years of experience designing many types of silver overlay jewelry from pendants to concho belts.

For a full flyer on next week’s demonstrators, please see the attached flyer. For more information on the Cultural Demonstrators series, visit the park’s website here.

Mather Campground reservations moved to recreation.gov for winter season

This winter, beginning December 1, reservations for Mather Campground will be made through recreation.gov. Campers will no longer be using an automated fee machine to register during winter months because the campground office kiosk will now be open year-round (as staffing allows).

Pricing will remain the same: $18 per night for family sites, $50 per night for group sites, and $6 per night for hiker/biker sites. As in past winters, the only open loops will be Pine Loop and Sage Loop, from December 1 through February 28.

Full hook-ups are available at adjacent Trailer Village RV Campground, which is also open all year.

Traveling for the Holidays?

Be Prepared!

Submitted by the NPS Safety Office

If you’re traveling this year, be sure your vehicle is in good running condition. Be sure to get plenty of rest and be prepared for emergency situations. Traveling by car during the holidays has the highest fatality rate of any major form of transportation based on fatalities per passenger mile. Hundreds of people die every year in crashes on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day, according to Injury Facts. Alcohol impairment is involved in about a third of these fatalities.

Stay safe on the roads over the holidays — and every day:

Prepare your car for winter and keep an emergency kit with you
Get a good night’s sleep before departing to avoid drowsy driving
Leave early and plan ahead for heavy traffic
Make sure every person in the vehicle is properly buckled up, no matter how long or short the distance traveled
Put that cell phone away; many distractions occur while driving, but cell phones are the main culprit
Practice defensive driving – stay calm and carry on
Designate a sober driver to ensure guests make it home safely after a holiday party; alcohol or over-the-counter, prescription and illegal drugs can cause impairment

Leadership Spotlight

Paul Riese

South Rim Patrol Supervisor

Paul has been employed with the National Park Service (NPS) for over 10 years. He has worked at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Kenai Fjords National Park, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and Grand Canyon National Park for the last 5 years. Paul has also served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 13 years and has deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Throughout his career, USPR Riese has received numerous awards for his dedication and work ethic. USPR Riese has been a member of the NPS Traffic Safety Coalition (TSC) and now sits as the TSC Chairperson for the group. He will begin his supervisory position with South Rim patrol in December 2022.

Grand Canyon Community Corner

Canyon Closet seeking winter clothing donations

The Canyon Closet is currently seeking winter clothing donations of new or gently used coats, hats, gloves, and other outdoor winter wear to help community members during the winter season.

Information on donations, including time and location can be found in the attached flyer here. Any questions can be directed to canyon_closet@grandcanyonschoolpta.org.

Residential Holiday Lights Walk Announced

Residents of Randy Thompson Circle and Bob Mahn Street are announcing the second annual Holiday Lights Walk. The event will occur on December 1 from 6-8 p.m. and will feature holiday lights, hot cocoa, and more.

All residents are welcome and more information can be found in the attached flyer here.

Town of Tusayan to host Holiday Lighting Ceremony on December 8

Join the Holiday Lighting Ceremony in Tusayan at the Tusayan Sports Complex (located off of Long Jim Loop Road).

Festivities begin on December 8 at 5 p.m. and more information, including a flyer can be found here.

Current Operational Hours

*Please note: new changes to operations are indicated in bold/italic

South Rim

Xanterra

Maswik Lodge Cafeteria, 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
Canyon Coffee House at the Bright Angel Fountain, 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.
Arizona Steakhouse within Bright Angel Lodge is now offering dinner service from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. daily. Lunch service is from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
Fred Harvey Tavern, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
The Grand Canyon Rec Center, 6:30 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.
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.
Fred Harvey Food Truck has relocated to the Train Depot area Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (weather permitting)
Maswik Pizza Pub, located inside Maswik Lodge, is open Friday through Tuesday from 4-8 p.m.
The Grand Canyon Kennel is back to be open seven days a week with hours from 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily

Delaware North

Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 12-10 p.m., Yavapai Lodge Coffee Shop, 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m., The Yavapai Dining Hall, breakfast, 7 a.m.-10:45 a.m., dinner, 5- 9 p.m.
Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Deli-7 a.m.-5 p.m.
Camper Services laundry and shower, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. daily

Other

Paul Revere buses: In anticipation of a busy Thanksgiving holiday, Paul Revere will have bus loaders (Transit Assistants) working Thursday, November 24, 2022, through Sunday, November 27, at the usual locations. However, due to staffing levels PR will not run express buses for the holiday weekend.
Grand Canyon Clinic: Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (clinic is closed on weekends and holidays)
Bright Angel Bikes, Rental: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (weather permitting), Cafe 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
Grand Canyon Visitor Center (GCVC): 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Operations are now indoors for the winter season.
Grand Canyon Conservancy stores: Visitor Center Plaza, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, Yavapai Geology Museum, Verkamps, and Kolb Studio 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.
Grand Canyon Community Library: Monday-Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Canyon Closet (located behind Community Library): Mondays 4:15-6 p.m., Wednesdays 12:15-2 p.m., Saturdays 3-5 p.m.
Grand Canyon Food Pantry: Mondays 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Tuesdays 6-8 p.m., Wednesdays 6-8 p.m., Saturdays 2-4 p.m.

Desert View

Desert View Trading Post Coffee and Ice Cream and Market, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily
Desert View Watchtower, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
The Desert View Deli, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

North Rim

North Rim gas station open, pay at pump only

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

Photo Credits (in order of appearance)

The North Rim under snowy conditions (NPS Photo/J. Barden)
Mather campground in snow (NPS Photo)
Winter driving conditions on the North Rim this week (NPS Photo/J. Barden)
South Rim patrol and Grand Canyon/Xanterra Fire participate in the GC School’s annual Turkey Trot event on the school track (NPS Photo/K. Ross)

Grand Canyon National Park, in northern Arizona, encompasses 278 miles (447 km) of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands. Located on the ancestral homeland of 11 Associated Tribes, Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world—unmatched in the incomparable vistas it offers visitors on the rim. Grand Canyon National Park is a World Heritage Site. The National Park Service cares for the special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.