Key Messages-Week of October 31, 2022

COVID Updates

Arizona and Local Statistics

As of October 27, the CDC Community Level for Coconino County continues to be Low. In Arizona, 13 counties are in Low Community Level and 2 are in Medium. The 2 counties that are in Medium Community level are Apache and Navajo counties.

We are aware that last week, the Coconino County Office of Health and Human Services reported Coconino County was in Medium Community Level. As a reminder for Community Level, we have been instructed by the Safer Federal Workforce Taskforce and DOI to use the CDC’s Community Level Tool and to follow the CDC COVID guidance.

Total COVID cases in Arizona for the week of October 20 – 26 was 4,813, which is a decrease of 625 cases from the previous week. For the seven-day rolling average, the state is averaging 688 cases per day. There were 2 new 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.

Omicron Variants, Winter Spike in Cases, and Bivalent Vaccines

Three new COVID Omicron variants are becoming concerning. At the end of the week ending October 29, data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed that two variants— Omicron BQ.1 and BQ.1.1—account for nearly 17 percent of viral samples in the United States.

The three new variants are likely spreading so quickly because they sneak past some of the immune defenses acquired through previous infections and vaccinations.

Coconino County Health and Human Services is reporting that the Grand Canyon area has 40% of the residents that are “Up to Date” with their vaccinations.

What You Need to Know:

Updated (bivalent) boosters became available September 2, 2022.
CDC recommends everyone stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines for their age group: Children and teens ages 6 months–17 years, adults ages 18 years and older

Getting a COVID-19 vaccine after you recover from COVID-19 infection provides added protection against COVID-19.

If you recently had COVID-19, you may consider delaying your next vaccine dose (primary dose or booster) by 3 months from when your symptoms started or, if you had no symptoms, when you first received a positive test.

People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised have different recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines. Please consult with your physician.
COVID-19 vaccine and booster recommendations may be updated as CDC continues to monitor the latest COVID-19 data.

Due to these new strains of COVID Omicron Variant, it is suggested that people make sure that they are up to date on their vaccines and especially get the Bivalent Omicron Vaccine for best protection. Here is a comprehensive list of vaccine locations throughout Northern Arizona.

Messages and Grand Canyon News

Native American Heritage Month

We commemorate and celebrate Native American Heritage Month throughout the month of November to recognize the important contributions Indigenous people have made and continue to make to the country and to the Grand Canyon.

We are fortunate at GRCA to live among 11 Tribal Nations who have inhabited the Grand Canyon from time immemorial. These vibrant communities have always been and continue to be stewards of this land. We greatly appreciate and celebrate the cultures, contributions, and resilience of all Native peoples, and particularly those on whose ancestral homelands we live and work.

During National Native American Heritage Month, we will explore the heritage, culture, and experience of Indigenous peoples both historically and today. Please look for messages from the park all month, including on social media as we share in the history, cultures, experiences, and our on-going collaborative efforts and vision here at GRCA.

El Tovar electrical system update

On October 26, a suspected electrical fire was reported at El Tovar Hotel within Grand Canyon National Park. Responding units quickly stabilized the scene and no fire was found. More information on the incident can be found here.

As of November 1, all but a handful of guest rooms were open for overnight use. The El Tovar is currently running off generator power. The Commercial Services Asset Management Team is working with the Park Safety Office on review of procedures for a ‘hot refueling’ of the generator. Xanterra facilities management want to keep the generator running un-interrupted to limit power spikes which have the potential to cause additional damage to the system. Xanterra is still working on long term solutions such as replacing and/or rebuilding the damaged equipment.

The Hopi house continues to be closed as of Tuesday as the team works on fully restoring electricity to the building.

Behind the Scenery podcast returns

The Behind the Scenery podcast from the Division of Interpretation and Education returns with a new interview with Mae Franklin. Mae is a Diné member and has worked for the U.S. Forest Service, the Cameron Chapter of the Navajo Nation, the Grand Canyon Inter-Tribal Working Group, and she works on issues like food sovereignty and cultural preservation in her community.

Learn more about Mae and her connection to the Grand Canyon in this episode of Behind the Scenery, available on Apple podcasts or on nps.gov/podcasts.

Cultural Demonstrators next week at Desert View

Stop by the Desert View Watchtower on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, November 8, 9, and 10 to meet Cultural Demonstrators Carol Hatathlie, Navajo Gold and Silversmith and McHale Alcott, Navajo silversmith/Jeweler.

Carol lives in Tuba City, Arizona on the Navajo reservation. She has won awards for her jewelry at several art shows including at the Mother Earth Celebration and the famed Indian Market in Santa Fe. She is well known for her story and treasure necklaces. McHale Alcott is Carol’s son and together they are carrying out the art of silversmithing and jewelry within their family.

For more information on the Cultural Demonstrators series, visit the park’s website here.

Vote on Tuesday, November 8!

The 2022 Arizona elections will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, coinciding with the nationwide general election. All six executive state offices are up for election, as well as a U.S. Senate seat, all of the state’s U.S. House of Representatives seats, and the state legislature. Voting is a basic right and a responsibility we have as Americans. As we have learned in many elections, every vote counts. We encourage everyone to exercise your right and vote on November 8.

For those of you who live in the park, you can vote at the Shrine of the Ages on November 8 from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Voters registered in Coconino County may vote at their precinct-assigned polling place or at any Vote Center on Election Day.

For current information on polling place locations, please visit the Coconino County Elections website at www.coconino.az.gov/electionsor call 928-679-7860 or 800-793-6181.

Grand Canyon Community Corner

Grand Canyon School announces Santa Breakfast and Holiday Market

The Grand Canyon School is announcing a Holiday Market and Santa Breakfast taking place at the school Multi-purpose Room on December 10 from 8-11 a.m.

If you are interested in signing up for a vendor booth, please see the attached flyer for more information.

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.

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

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., Cafe-8 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.
- Most of the new theater chairs have been installed in the Visitor Center theater and it is now possible to view the park’s visitor orientation video, Grand Canyon: A Journey of Wonder, on the big screen. The 20-minute video takes viewers on a rim to river and dawn to dusk journey through the park. Showings start on the hour and half-hour. The theater had been closed since March 2020, due to the pandemic.
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.
The Desert View Service Station Retail Store: CLOSED until further notice

North Rim

Backcountry Information Center CLOSED for the season as of October 31 and will tentatively reopen on May 15, 2023. Water and restrooms will remain available at the North Rim Administration Building.
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)

Sunrise from October 29, 2022 (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
The Little Colorado River (NPS Photo/E. Keable)
El Tovar Hotel (NPS Photo/M. Quinn)
Navajo silversmith and jewelry by Carol Hatathlie (NPS Photos)
South Rim Patrol and Xanterra Fire and Security assist in Halloween community events this week (Photos provided by Paul Riese and Matt Nordin)

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.