Grand Canyon National Park
Key Messages – Week of November 22, 2021
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CDC Approves Expansion of Booster Doses
All adults age 18 or older in the U.S. are now eligible to receive Pfizer’s and Moderna’s Covid vaccine boosters, after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention authorized the shots for the general public last Friday. This move allows an extra dose of protection for tens of millions of fully vaccinated Americans as cases continue to climb.
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Holiday COVID Reminders
This time last year, we saw a spike in COVID cases. As a reminder, please continue to follow these tips from the CDC and all NPS guidance both inside and outside the park so that we can minimize the spread of COVID-19 this holiday season.
- Protect those not yet eligible for vaccination by getting yourself and other eligible people around them vaccinated.
- Wear well-fitting masks over your nose and mouth if you are in public indoor settings.
- Avoid crowded, poorly ventilated spaces.
- If you are sick or have symptoms, do not host or attend a gathering.
- Get tested if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or have a close contact with someone who has COVID-19.
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Upcoming Vaccine Events-Thursday, December 9
The date for the local vaccine events, sponsored by the Coconino County and Health and Human Services, has changed to Thursday, December 9 in Grand Canyon and in Tusayan. The vaccine event at Grand Canyon will occur in the Grand Canyon Rec Center large event room from 10 a.m.-12 p.m (see full flyer here for more details). Similar to the November events, all three types of the COVID vaccine will be available, including booster doses. Please make sure you bring your vaccine card. Flu vaccines will also be available at this event. Vaccines for children ages 5-11 will not be available at this event, however, we are currently in discussions with the County to be able to provide a separate, standalone event for children ages 5-11 in the future.
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Arizona and Grand Canyon Community Statistics
Case numbers in Arizona increased this week to 3,991 new cases per day compared to last week’s average of 3,542 per day. As of Tuesday, there have been a total of 269 cases in the 86023 zip code since the beginning of the pandemic (of these, approximately 73 cases are in the park).
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Reporting COVID symptoms is critical to limiting exposure and keeping our staff and community safe.
If you think you may have been exposed to COVID, regardless of your vaccination status, immediately isolate and report your situation to your supervisor and Public Health Consultant, Ronan King, and await their instructions. Following this protocol and Ronan’s instructions is extremely important so that any community spread can be contained as quickly as possible.
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Public Health Contacts
Ronan King, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Public Health Service
For all email correspondence, please also cc: Chris Glime, Captain, U.S. Public Health Service
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Messages and Grand Canyon News
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Prescribed Fire Updates for the North Rim and North Kaibab Ranger District
A series of prescribed fire projects will begin Monday, November 30 and continue throughout the week at various locations across the North Rim of Grand Canyon as well as North Kaibab Ranger District on the Kaibab National Forest.
- Approximately 6,000 acres are scheduled to be ignited on the North Kaibab National Forest beginning Tuesday, November 30, and continuing through Sunday, December 5.
- Approximately 500 acres are scheduled to be ignited on the North Rim of Grand Canyon beginning on Saturday, December 4. The project area on the North Rim includes the ‘Slopes Rx Project’ just west of the North Rim Entrance Station.
- For the recent South Rim fire projects, we were able to treat 391 acreswithin the RX 300 Prescribed Fire project area near Desert View Drive. We are continuing to monitor weather and fuel moisture conditions for future prescribed fire opportunities on the South Rim.
Prescribed fire is used as a practical means to reduce risks associated with wildfires that can pose significant threats to public health and safety. Each day, fire managers evaluate local conditions that include weather patterns, temperatures, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, fuel moistures, and smoke ventilation. Daily ignitions will only occur when environmental factors align with the required prescription that will achieve desired results and meet land management objectives.
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Native American Heritage Month
Throughout the month of November, the NPS and Grand Canyon has been promoting Native American Heritage Month. This theme highlights the heritage, culture, and experience of indigenous peoples both historically and in American life today.
This month our staff has provided great information on the park social media sites about ways to know and understand the importance of Native Americans in our communities. Go to the park website, follow the hashtag, “#GrandCanyonFirstVoices” on our park’s social media channels to explore the first voices of the Grand Canyon. This past week we saw great success and outreach with our social media posts highlighting ‘Rock Your Mocs’ Day, Red Shawl Day, and a new video titled, “A Breath of This Land.”
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Resource Education Rangers Conduct Distance Learning Session for 900 Students
Last week, Resource Education Rangers, Andy Pearce, Tarryn Bartkus, and Annie Kilby, using the park’s distance learning studio, virtually presented to 900 students in (27) 6th, 7th and 8th grade classrooms across Southern Arizona. They were participating in the annual Arizona Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Adventure (STEM).
The rangers guided students with hands-on exercises to model the driving forces behind Earth’s major landforms to understand why northern Arizona sets the stage for a mile-deep, 277-mile-long canyon. Their presentation included a virtual field trip outside the studio —for a live demonstration illustrating the processes that have shaped and carved Grand Canyon over the last 6 million years.
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Winter 2021-2022 Updates!
See below for operational changes for the North Rim, Mather Campground, and the South Rim Shuttle Bus System beginning December 1, 2021.
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North Rim
The North Rim will be closed to all vehicle traffic for the winter beginning Wednesday, December 1. State Route 67 and all services on the North Rim are expected to re-open on May 15, 2022 (subject to change).
The North Rim campground will be available for winter camping and is accessible via hiking inner canyon trails from the South Rim or by hiking, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing 45 miles from Jacob Lake. To camp at the North Rim during the winter months, visitors need a backcountry permit, which can be obtained in advance through fax, mail request, or in person at the South Rim Backcountry Information Center.
For more information on North Rim winter operations, visit the park’s webpage.
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Mather Campground
During the winter season, December 1 through February 28, camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis using the self-pay machine located at the Mather Campground Kiosk office near the entrance to the campground.
During busy holiday periods the campground is likely to be near or at capacity. The campground kiosk is closed and not staffed during winter, and online reservations through www.recreation.gov are not available. Visitors wishing to reserve a campsite for 2022 can make a reservation on www.recreation.gov up to six months in advance.
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Winter Shuttle Bus Updates
Hermits Rest Route (Red Route) will be suspended for the season November 30 and will resume March 1. From December 1- February 28, visitors will be able to use their private vehicles to access Hermit Road.
Beginning December 1, the Village Route will operate from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m., and the Kaibab Route will operate from 6 a.m. until one hour after sunset. The Hikers’ Express Bus will run at 8 and 9 a.m.
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Grand Canyon Community Corner
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Community Bike Ride-November 27 at 10 a.m.
- Join your local community for a short bike ride (1.8 miles) through the residential neighborhoods in Grand Canyon Village. Grand Canyon School PTA will provide hot cocoa for riders!
- See this flyer for additional information.
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Holiday Light Show-December 1 from 5-7 p.m.
- Residents of Randy Thompson Circle and Bob Mahn street welcome the community to the first annual Holiday Lights event.
- The event is free and open to the community. Fabulous light displays and hot cocoa will be provided.
- See this flyer for additional information.
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KLC Gift Wrapping Fundraiser-through December 16
Support the Kaibab Learning Center (a nonprofit daycare located in Grand Canyon) this holiday season by having all of your holiday gifts wrapped with no hassle.
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Current Operational Hours
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Please note, this week there might be slight operational changes in hours due to busy holiday visitation.
South Rim
Xanterra
- Maswik Lodge Cafeteria, 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Bright Angel Fountain and Coffee House, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Fred Harvey Burger, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Xanterra Food Truck, 11:30 am-3:30 pm.
Delaware North
- Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 12-9 p.m.
- Yavapai Lodge Coffee Shop, 6 a.m.-12 p.m., for week of Monday, 11/22 thru Sunday, 11/28 the Coffee Shop will be open from 6 a.m.-2 p.m.
- Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Deli-7 a.m.-2 p.m., for week of Monday, 11/22 thru Sunday, 11/28 the Deli will be open from 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
Other
- Bright Angel Bikes, Rentals: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Cafe: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Grand Canyon Visitor Center Information Table: 9 a.m.-4 p.m, Thursday-Monday; for the week of 11/22, the Information Table will be open daily from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Grand Canyon Conservancy stores (Kolb Studio, Verkamps Visitor Center, Visitor Center Plaza, and Yavapai Geology Museum), 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.
Desert View
- Desert View Trading Post Coffee and Ice Cream and Market, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
- Desert View Watchtower, staffed by GCC, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
North Rim
- General Store, Tuesday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (while supplies last)
- Self-serve gas station (credit/debit card only)
The following park closures remain in place:
- South Rim Visitor Center (indoors)
- Headquarters Information Desk
- Yavapai Lodge Restaurant
- Maswik Pizza Pub and the Arizona Steakhouse
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Photo Credits (in order of appearance)
- Masks featuring a red hand and red shawls worn on November 19 represent and commemorate the lifeblood of Indigenous people who are missing. (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
- Photo of Dupkia Hoyam dancers performing at Hopi House on November 18. (NPS Photo/M. Quinn).
- Two wildland firefighters monitor a prescribed fire on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, May 2021 (NPS Photo/E. Keable).
- Image of a woman with a red handprint across her face from the “Breath of This Land” video (NPS video)
- Photo of students during a STEM learning session (Photo courtesy of Southern Arizona Regional Science and Engineering Fair).
- North Rim Entrance Sign with the a red “closed” sign added (NPS Photo)
- Mather Campground picnic table, Winter 2019 (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
- Blue Route Shuttle, Winter 2019 (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
- View of the inner canyon from Kolb Studio on November 23 (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
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